Climate Equipment: Hey, It’s Cold in Here!
Wherever two or more shall gather… Somebody is bound to be too hot or too cold! It seems to be a fact of life, people can never agree about the temperature inside. This one says it’s too hot, while that one says it’s too cold. One thing we can all agree on is that we
Point of View: This is Customer Service?
Sometimes I can be a little opinionated, and sometimes I can be a little cranky. Today is one of those days when I am both. I am a simple consumer: I am a BIG fan of GREAT customer service and I HATE BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I recently tested the customer service-ability of one of the
Carley’s Corner: No Time for Training? Read This
I may not fix cars for a living anymore, but I do make my living writing about auto repair. For me, training is absolutely essential to keep my knowledge up-to-date. So I can’t imagine how anybody who spends the better part of his or her day hunched over a fender can get by without it.
Powertools: Select Power Tools that Meet Your Service Needs
Considering these definitions, a power tool, loosely defined, is anything used as a means of accomplishing a task using mechanical energy. All power tools use mechanical energy to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible to accomplish by hand. Now think about all the jobs that we are able to accomplish with
Scan Tools: Scan Tools Offer a Window Into a Vehicle’s Inner Workings
Scan Tools Offer a Window Into a Vehicle’s Inner Workings Larry Carley, Technical Editor [email protected] Technicians who attempt to make driveability or emissions repairs today without a scan tool are troubleshooting in the dark. A scan tool is absolutely essential because it provides a window into the inner workings of the engine management and onboard
Technicians’ Top 5 Favorite Tools & Equipment
Jeff Hume, John Partipilo, Terry Kirschbaum and Jesse Hernandez CMJ Automotive Addison, IL We went through an extensive study of the tools we use most often and the ones we just like a lot. Our list is in no particular order. Snap-on MODIS Scanner — Helps us diagnose vehicles faster and more efficiently. Huth Pipe
Safe Shop: See to it That Your Shop is a Safe Place to Work
When technician Frank Maier lost his right eye in a shop-related accident 36 years ago, the phrase “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE) was a relatively new concept mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. He’d be the first to tell you though, that wearing eye, hand and ear protection while working in an
Point Of View: ‘Upon My Honor…’
In our June issue of TechShop, I asked our readers, “What’s your motto?” I told you my proposed motto for the Universal Independent Shop Owner and Professional Technician: “I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself
Carley’s Corner: Will High Gas Prices Help or Hurt Your Business?
Summer is back and so are higher gasoline prices. Though the price of gasoline dipped as low as $2.00 a gallon in many areas of the U.S. over the winter, the price shot back up in late spring to more than $3.25 in many parts of the country. Where the prices will peak is anybody’s
Emissions Analyzers: What is Really Going On Inside that Engine?
An emissions analyzer is one of the most useful pieces of diagnostic equipment you can own. Scan tools are great for reading fault codes and sensor data, but a scan tool by itself can’t tell you what is actually going on inside the engine’s combustion chambers. A scan tool can read misfires and tell you
Technicians’ Top 5 Favorite Tools & Equipment
Roy Larson, president Beyer Motor Works Inc., BMW/Mercedes driveline experts Chandler, AZ www.beyerdriveline.com and www.beyermotorworks.com Member: BIMRS, Bimmer Tech Group, Mini Tech Group, BMW CCA, ASA, APRA, BBB My 5 favorite tools are: Streamlight Stylus Reach — This pocket flashlight puts the light where I need it, making it ideal to inspect brake pads and
New Tools: What’s Old is New Again
There is an old saying that there is nothing new under the sun. A recent trend in the tool industry might lead you to think there is some truth to that statement. It seems that although a new tool gets introduced every few minutes — with suppliers bringing more and more new items to market