Universal Joints: The Small Parts with Big Importance
When was the last time you took a moment to think about universal joints? Maybe the answer is not recently; perhaps the answer is never. Although universal joints, or u-joints, aren’t the flashiest or most exciting part under a car or truck, they are essential to the reliable and safe functioning of a vehicle. Take
In a pandemic-influenced world, driving habits may have changed, but not vehicle needs
One of the consequences of the global pandemic that arrived in the United States last March is that vehicular traffic declined sharply for several months. People either thought twice about traveling or began to work from home as their employers locked the doors to their existing brick-and-mortar locations. While a vehicle that is not being
The Importance of Worn Center Bearing Replacement
The center support bearing is a relatively small component in a mid-sized vehicle, yet a properly-functioning bearing is crucial both to consistent overall performance and to avoiding damage to other vehicle components. Possible indications of a failing center bearing should be investigated promptly, and a worn or damaged center bearing must be replaced immediately with
Know Your Engine When Determining Spark Plug Service Intervals
How much easier and simpler would life be if every problem had a one-size-fits-all solution? Unfortunately, that will never be the case since almost every conundrum must be mitigated via a solution that involves the precise implementation of a diverse set of actions that have to link seamlessly in order to optimize or improve the
Decreased vehicle use, onset of winter amplify importance of quality filtration
For many people who have been working from home instead of making the daily commute to the office, there is growing concern regarding the unintended impact the inactivity may have on their vehicles. Also, the arrival of winter adds to the challenges facing millions of vehicle owners. If a vehicle sits for longer than a
Changing Maintenance Approach for Inactive Vehicles
2020 has added many new challenges to our everyday lives, including vehicle maintenance. With more vehicles sitting unused for long periods of time, drivers face deciding when to have scheduled maintenance performed and experiencing new issues with their vehicles. Vehicles are meant to be used, and disuse can create severe problems if preventative measures are
Questions You Should Start Asking Customers in the New Normal
It’s no secret that consumer driving habits have changed during our current circumstances, leaving the automotive service industry in a new, unfamiliar place. How we buy cars, put them to use and upkeep them all look very different from just six months ago, and the vehicle maintenance norms will continue to change as winter approaches.
Know Your Engine When Determining Spark Plug Service Intervals
How much easier and simpler would life be if every problem had a one-size-fits-all solution? Unfortunately, that will never be the case since almost every conundrum must be mitigated via a solution that involves the precise implementation of a diverse set of actions that have to link seamlessly in order to optimize or improve the
Get the Right Gasket the First Time, Easily and Online
When a car or truck repair is called for, a gasket represents a relatively small expenditure that is nevertheless crucial to the successful outcome of the job. Not only do you want a high-quality gasket for a long-lasting repair, but you also need to be sure that you have exactly the correct gasket for the
Check the PCV Valve If You Suspect Oil Fouling
The overriding task of the internal-combustion engine is a straightforward one: provide the requisite amount of power needed to propel the vehicle down the road at a prescribed speed, measured in miles per hour. Achieving this goal, however, requires all of the components in a delicate ecosystem to operate in perfect harmony, culminating in the
Finding the Right Oil Filter Based on the Driver
There is an array of different vehicles with different purposes on the road, and that is why FRAM® offers a variety of oil filters that accommodate various vehicles and their drivers. The most common types of drivers have a variety of needs, and we identified requirements for three of these groups: the everyday commuter, the
Driveshafts: Can 10,000 Applications Really Be Covered By Two Parts?
Shops and part suppliers are always looking for ways to make technicians’ lives a little easier. In recent years, many parts like CV axles, strut/spring assemblies and suspension control arms have been introduced to allow technicians to simply install a complete component instead of repairing parts of the existing assembly. But this parts philosophy does
