Spark Plug Replacement Do’s and Don’ts
Tooling has changed from the old 13/16-inch spark plug socket to a multiplicity of 5/8-inch long, short, intermediate and swivel, thin-wall sockets needed to replace spark plugs on many modern engines. Similarly, tightening spark plugs with the old flex-head, long-handled, 3/8-inch drive spark plug wrench is asking for trouble on engines that don’t have long-reach
Toyota: Fixing Prius HID Headlamp Problems
High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs are unlike halogen light bulbs, which simply stop working at the end of their useful life. HID bulbs nearing their service end-of-life may flicker or intermittently be inoperable — similar to a fluorescent light bulb. Some 2006-‘09 model year Toyota Prius models may exhibit an HID headlight flicker or intermittent
The Best Tests For Fuel Delivery Systems
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said that there is nothing permanent except change. Greek history aside, it’s easy to spot change in our current market because vehicle fuel delivery technology has evolved to include conventional, pulse-modulated and direct fuel injection fuel delivery systems, with each having a specific set of components and testing issues. In
Gasket Q&A: Removal tips and more
Question: When replacing a gaskets on an engine, do I just scrape or peel off the old gaskets, or do I have to do something else? Answer: Removing gaskets used to be a fairly simple procedure. Most engines used to have cast iron blocks and heads, with iron manifolds and stamped steel covers. Iron castings
Everything You Need To Know About Stretch Belts
Stretching the belt may seem counter intuitive after everything you have been told about serpentine belts. But stretching the belt with the right tools is often the only way stretch belts can be installed. Stretch belts can take loads off of the main accessory belt drive, allow for better packaging and solve NVH problems that
Variable Displacement: The Future of the Oil Pump is Here
Almost every major OEM has an engine or engine family that uses a variable displacement oil pump that is controlled by the ECM to deliver the best possible pressure and efficiency. When it comes to improving fuel efficiency, 3% to 5% are huge numbers. Achieving those fuel efficiency numbers while also increasing the power to
The Why, Where, When of TPMS Sensors
To understand any TPMS relearn procedure, you have to understand this: Sensors only transmit, they do not receive. No vehicle asks a sensor for information on how it is doing. I know you’re thinking a sensor does receive signals when the vehicle is in relearn mode and the technician holds a TPMS tool to the
Most Common Causes of Misfire Codes
A flashing check engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a surefire indication that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss. The engine usually feels rough, lacks power and uses more gas than usual. Sometimes a misfire may
Pattern Failures of MAF and MAP Sensors
Pattern failures are those failures that happen over and over again — and the same applies to how customers describe these failures. Customers might unknowingly give you the answer to their problem without needing to open the hood. In this article, we will look both at the failures of these sensors and the actual customer
Makita Launches New Mobile App
Makita U.S.A. has launched a new mobile app with a dashboard of options that includes tool registration, dealer locator, information on new tool releases and more. The new Makita Mobile App features a dashboard of interactive content. The app is the latest in Makita’s drive to provide more valuable and interactive content to both tool
When Saving the Customer Money … Backfires!
A few months back, a customer came in with a broken seat frame on her Honda Pilot. The car had over 150,000 miles on it and the seat frame broke through use. Replacing the seat frame, with labor, would be well over $1,100. My foreman recommended welding the frame, saving the customers hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Two months later the car returned with the seat frame broken in a different spot.
Eight Keys To Selling Auto Service
You’ll need to know your customers’ buying habits as well as their service histories. You should always request your first-time customers’ service records, and should ask them about their service histories verbally as well. This information can be extremely helpful during any sales process, especially when it comes to selling maintenance.
