A/C Update: The Future of Cool
Editor Ed Sunkin returns from the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide trade show and convention in February, 2009, with details on the possible future of the U.S. refrigerant segment of the industry — HFO-1234yf. This refrigerant provides a very low global warming potential and many new service and sales opportunities.
MRSA: It Was Just a Little Scratch
MRSA. No, it’s not a new automotive acronym, and no it does not mean “mister service advisor.” You need to be aware of MRSA and what it means to everyone, especially people like us whose skin is frequently scratched and punctured on the job. WARNING: This article contains graphic images of wounds.
Tech Tip: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Safety Precautions
As vehicle manufacturers strive to meet or exceed fuel economy standards, alternative vehicle designs incorporating new materials and systems will be produced to accommodate consumer demand. One such vehicle that may roll into your repair facility is the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Questions will arise when this vehicle arrives ….
Tech Tip: Aluminum Suspension Components Corrosion Alert
Conventional steel control arms and steering knuckles are being replaced with aluminum to reduce vehicle weight and increase fuel economy. This type of knuckle has been in service for more than a decade and some problems with corrosion are being reported from the field. Aluminum is 65% lighter that steel and aluminum forgings and alloys can have the same structural strength as the steel component. This positive is offset by the negative of galvanic corrosion ….
Tech Tip: Additive Packages Play Key Role in Keeping an Engine Clean
Additive packages are added to motor oil and play a key role in helping to keep an engine clean and protected from varnish and sludge, as well as wear from heat and acids. Additives can consist of anti-wear agents, friction modifiers, dispersants, detergents, viscosity index improvers and antioxidants. Some key cleaning ingredients that make up motor oil additive packages are ….
Servicing Solutions: Falling into an ‘Oil Leak’ Trap
Your customer’s Volvo has an oil leak. You think you do everything right. You add dye and see the rear main oil seal leaking. The repair goes smoothly, the customer is happy…for about two weeks. Then the rear main oil seal is leaking again, and he wants to know why. This is not an isolated
Brake Job: Toyota Prius
Does performing a pad replacement on a Toyota Prius scare you? Well it should; if you treat it like every other vehicle. But, if you know a few things ahead of time, the job can be performed like any other brake job. Do not worry about high voltage. Worry about angry customers due to comebacks
Servicing Solutions: Falling into an ‘Oil Leak’ Trap
Your customer’s Volvo has an oil leak. You think you do everything right. You add dye and see the rear main oil seal leaking. The repair goes smoothly, the customer is happy…for about two weeks. Then the rear main oil seal is leaking again, and he wants to know why. This is not an isolated
Tech Tip: Rear-Wheel-Drive 4×4 Operation
Let’s discuss the 4×4 operation on Ford truck platform vehicles. We’ll cover the operation of the parts on the various rear-wheel-drive 4×4 systems. When it comes to Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) and Manual Shift-On-the-Fly (MSOF), much is the same except with MSOF, the driver has to manually push a gear shifter in the floor that is connected by rods to the shift fork inside the transfer case. With shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, the vehicle does not need to ….
Getting a Grip on Traction Control
The basic principle of traction control is rather simple. A tire is breaking free and starting to spin so we’re going to place a drag on that wheel so that two things can happen. One is we want that tire to have a chance to regain its grip on the road surface. And two, we