2006 Underhood Service Repair Market Industry Profile
Welcome to the 2006 Underhood Service Repair Market Industry Profile, our in-depth report of the independent automotive repair market. This profile highlights many of the elements of doing business in today’s repair shops. The information presented is a good indicator to make short-term predictions about these shops. It’s also a fair yardstick to see how
Battery Charging: All Charged Up!
A battery charger is something every shop should own, and most do. But battery technology has changed in recent years. Battery chargers that were designed for older conventional lead acid batteries (called “flooded” cell batteries because the cells are filled with liquid electrolyte) may not be the best choice for newer batteries with absorbent glass
Top Five Tools
Gary Farber, president Debra Farber, vice president All Brand Auto Service Kensington, MD Snap-on MODIS — A powerful tool for a broad range of diagnostics and applications. Identifix — A world of information on one website. By checking www.identifix.com before starting a technical job, diagnostic time is saved because the answer is usually right there.
Tech Tip: Top-Notch Design is Key When Selecting New Filters
Veteran auto mechanics will remember the days of oil-bath air filters, cartridge-type oil filters and sediment-bowl fuel filters. While these early-design filters would work well under a narrow range of circumstances, most were woefully inefficient and inadequate in the long term. All were subject to careless installation and dirt contamination during servicing.
Tech Tip: Knocking Sound from Cadillac Catera’s A/C Compressor
Some customers may comment on a knocking sound from the air conditioning compressor. This condition may be caused by an internal tolerance stack-up in the compressor.
Advance Auto Celebrates 3,000th Store Opening
Advance Auto Parts recently opened its 3,000th corporate store in Salina, KS. The Salina store is part of the company’s Western area, which spans from the Great Lakes to Texas and west to Colorado.
Mitchell 1 Updates ASE Test Preparation Guide
In preparation for the fall ASE exams, Mitchell 1 recently announced that its L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist guide has been updated to include the latest composite vehicle (Type 3) configuration, which represents a generic vehicle powertrain control system according to ASE.
Diagnostic Solutions, Servicing Filters: Top-Notch Design Is Key When Selecting New Filters
Veteran auto mechanics well remember the days of oil-bath air filters, cartridge-type oil filters, and sediment-bowl fuel filters. While these early-design filters would work well under a narrow range of circumstances, most were woefully inefficient and inadequate in the long term. All were subject to careless installation and dirt contamination during servicing. As disposable “paper”
Management: Who Will Fix Cars 10 Years from Now?
I am so tired of hearing about the technician shortage. If this industry is in such dire peril of not having enough technicians today and tomorrow, why the heck aren’t more people in this business doing something to improve the situation?
Mitch Schneider: Out of Sight, Out of Mind …
It’s strange, the way things work out. How one seemingly isolated, non-related event can force you to confront the impossibly complex way virtually everything in our world is tied together.