Top Five Tools
John Conley, ASE master tech L1, owner/technician Bumper To Bumper Automotive, Inc. Norwood, MA It’s probably hard to pick the top five tools, I have many favorites. I treat tools like employees; They work for me. If I had to pick five I would have to say: Hunter Alignment System DSP 600 — In only
Point Of View: Your Management Style Defines Your Level of Success
Be competent, be trustworthy, put other peoples’ needs first. Many people think these are three cornerstones of good selling. I think these are also three principles of good management. Of course, other skills and attributes are important. Good managers need to be able to think strategically, they need to be good sales people and good
Carley’s Corner: Which Is Better, a Diesel or a Hybrid?
I received a call the other day from someone who wanted to know if I thought they should buy a Toyota Prius hybrid or a diesel-powered VW. Which is best? I said drive both cars, then buy the one you like the best. Hybrids and diesels are getting a lot of buzz these days as
Cordless Tools: Is it Time to Cut the Cord?
Power tools have certainly changed over the last 40 years. You’ve seen the ads — cordless tools changing the world, one battery, more power, durability, etc. I can remember when the world consisted of two professional air tool manufacturers (who shall remain nameless). Now, there are at least 12 that come quickly to mind, with
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Present a New Service Opportunity
Changing technology always brings with it a need for new tools, and today’s new Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are no exception. In 2000, Congress passed legislation called the TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation) Act in response to tire failures that were causing SUV rollovers. Many of these tire failures were blamed on
Top Five Tools
Earle Kramer Jr., president Green Acres Automotive LLC Perkiomenville, PA Mac Tools’ Mac Mentor with Lab Scope — This is the best and most efficient scanner I have ever owned. ALLDATA — This is the most knowledgeable information system I have used. Smoke Pro Smoke Machine — This machine is cost effective and safe to
Parts Cleaning: Searching for the Complete Clean
Cleaning cast iron and aluminum, for the most part, represent two separate challenges. However, in a realistic world most shops cannot afford two different setups for cleaning these metals. Many shops have systems that work well for one, but not so well on the other. Are there effective ways to clean both types of metal
Point of View: Image is Everything
In America, many times this is true. Image is everything. Many people think, “If I’m doing a great job, why does it matter how I look?” In America, right or wrong, it matters. Perception is the first half of the battle for business you must fight every day. Envision this scenario: A car breaks down
Carley’s Corner: More New Models, More Repair Opportunities
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, 2007 will see more new model introductions than any year in recent history. The 2007 model year will bring 61 new models to market, which is almost double the number of new models that typically appear each new model year. These new models represent about 24%
Wheel Balancing: Making a Smart Investment in a Wheel Balancer
When you consider that only 1/4-ounce of wheel imbalance can produce a noticeable vibration on a vehicle, it’s easy to understand why it’s so important to have a wheel balancer that is both accurate and easy to use. Many balancers in today’s marketplace are capable of balancing a wheel to within a few hundredths of
Battery Charging: All Charged Up!
A battery charger is something every shop should own, and most do. But battery technology has changed in recent years. Battery chargers that were designed for older conventional lead acid batteries (called “flooded” cell batteries because the cells are filled with liquid electrolyte) may not be the best choice for newer batteries with absorbent glass
Top Five Tools
Gary Farber, president Debra Farber, vice president All Brand Auto Service Kensington, MD Snap-on MODIS — A powerful tool for a broad range of diagnostics and applications. Identifix — A world of information on one website. By checking www.identifix.com before starting a technical job, diagnostic time is saved because the answer is usually right there.