Why Reading The Manual Is Essential
What is “service-ready?” This phrase came from our friends at Toyota and, in a nutshell, it means you are equipped with the tools, knowledge and intellectual resources necessary to perform a repair prior to the vehicle arriving.
Your Car, Your Data: Your Livelihood, Your Tools
Data is the new electronic currency of the automotive industry. By having vehicles connected to the OEMs with wireless technology, it allows engineers and the marketing department to look at the data generated by customers long after they have left the showroom.
Not Just Your Average Joe
Joe Sharp, owner of Joe’s Garage in North Little Rock, Arkansas, was named winner of the 2019 Wix Driving Performance award.
Check Out The November Issue Of Underhood Service Magazine
You can now access the interactive and easy-to-view digital edition featuring articles on Customer Needs, TPMS, Navigating Wiring Diagrams, Honda LIN Line Controlled Charging Systems, Throttle-By-Wire, Fuel Pump Failures and a host of tech tips. This issue also includes a special Maintenance Matters section!
Base Engine Tech Boom
The OE base engines in the past were usually low-tech engines that didn’t pack the same technology as the optional engines. But, the base 2.7L four-cylinder engine on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado packs a lot of technology.
Dayco Tech Tip: Long-Lasting Vehicle Belts
Belts continue to be one of the most frequently replaced wear items on vehicles today. The typical replacement interval for serpentine belts and flat belts today is around 90,000 miles – which for many vehicles means only once every seven to nine years!
Tech Tip: Stud Shearing Problems
During installation, carefully inspect the position of the mount’s recessed slots at the bottom of the mounting plate.
Throttle-By-Wire: More Than Just A Throttle Butterfly
Swapping one throttle-by-wire unit for a new unit in hopes of resolving a code or limp-mode problem is not an option due to the high price and strict manufacturer return policies.
Honda LIN Line Controlled Charging Systems
On older vehicles, the alternator and engine were never really connected. The alternator was internally or externally self-regulated to a voltage, but that was it.
Maintenance Matters: What Winter Can Do To Battery Life
Most shops in colder climates start to see an influx of customers with battery service needs as the holidays approach. Perhaps more than any other maintenance category, being proactive about taking care of your customers with dying or dead batteries is essential this time of year.
Maintenance Matters: Visibility Is The Top Safety Concern
It doesn’t matter how much emphasis you put on the condition of a vehicle’s components – if the driver can’t see what’s in front of him or her, safety will absolutely be compromised.
Maintenance Matters: A Tire In Winter
In much of the country, all-season tires are the go-to choice for drivers. They offer reliable, consistent performance in a variety of road conditions. However, increasingly, “all-weather” tires are becoming the popular choice.
