Bleeding ABS Brake System: Why Brake Fluid and Lines Degrade
According to R. L. Polk, the average age of the vehicles on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007 with 41 percent of the vehicles 11 years or older. This high median age is a good reason to consider the condition of the brake fluid and bleeding procedures when performing maintenance or repairs. Maintenance or repair of an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) system can require the opening of the hydraulic system. Any time the hydraulic system is opened, air can be introduced into the lines and components.
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.
Tech Tip: Variety of Oil Blends Required to Meet Today’s Engine Requirements
Years ago, an import shop could consider its shelves well-stocked if it contained a selection of single-viscosity oils in detergent or non-detergent blends. Today, a shop owner is confronted with stocking a variety of multi-viscosity oils, including 0w-20, 0w-40, 5w-20, 5w-30, 10w-30, 10w-40, 15w-40 and 20w-50, not to mention stocking some of these viscosities in synthetic and non-synthetic bases. Although the number of oil ….
Diagnostic Solutions: Engine Oil Changes
No Longer A ‘Generic’ Service; Variety of Blends Required To Meet Today’s Engine Requirements Years ago, an import shop could consider its shelves well-stocked if it contained a selection of single-viscosity oils in detergent or non-detergent blends. Today, a shop owner is confronted with stocking a variety of multi-viscosity oils, including 0w-20, 0w-40, 5w-20, 5w-30,
Tech Feature: Engine Sealing Technology
Since the days of sealing engines with asbestos, cork, rope and paper are, for the most part, ancient history, new-age materials and designs have elevated the critical role gaskets and seals play in the longevity of an engine. Finding the optimum sealing material and design remain a challenge many gasket manufacturers face as engines are asked to do more ….
Tech Tip: Understanding How the Ignition System Works is the First Step in Diagnosing a Problem
All gasoline engines have a spark ignition system to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders. The spark is created by a high-voltage surge from an ignition coil. The coil is triggered by an ignition module and/or the PCM using a signal from a distributor pickup or crankshaft position sensor. If the engine has a distributor, a single coil is used on most engines to supply high voltage to all the spark plugs. If the engine has a “distributorless ignition system“ (DIS), each spark plug has its own separate coil.
Tech Feature: Modern Engines Make Oil and Additive Services More Complicated
For me, sourcing automotive chemicals and motor oils goes all the way back to 1957 when I worked at my corner service station. Since we were in a small town without a local parts jobber, we bought our oil additives and chemicals from an out-of-town distributor. Our gasoline and motor oil came from our local-branded petroleum products distributor.
Run-Rite Unveils New Packaging
This new box design combines the long-standing history of the Run-Rite brand with updated graphics and POS material that will make it even easier to educate the consumer on the need for professional fuel system cleaning.
Are You Ready for GF-5 Oils?
As automotive technology continues to evolve, so do the motor oils that lubricate today’s engines. Though our government has not raised Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements in a long, long time, they would like to see significant gains in fuel economy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Former Vice President Al Gore would
Pumping Oil
For me, sourcing automotive chemicals and motor oils goes all the way back to 1957 when I worked at my corner service station. Since we were a small town without a local parts jobber, we bought our oil additives and chemicals from an out-of-town distributor. Our gasoline and motor oil came from our local-branded petroleum