Management: ‘Win-Win’ Repair Examples Can Positively Impact Customer Education Efforts and Your Bottom Line
In the process of educating customers, if you could show the link between proper repairs and vehicle performance and longevity, compared to vehicle neglect and its negative impact on critical components, you’d be able to heighten your customers’ trust in your repair recommendations and comfort level with the repair process.
Shell V-Power ‘Fuel My Passion’ Online Contest Drives Consumers to Share ‘Love Stories’ About Their Rides
Enter to win a year’s worth of Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline and a 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo Motorcycle.
Tech Feature: Servicing Ford’s 3.0L Engine
The 3.0L Duratec V6 was introduced in 1996 to replace the aging 3.8L V6 in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Unlike its conventional pushrod predecessor, the 3.0L V6 has dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners.
Automotive Fluid Exchange Equipment
Vital fluids – including engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, gear oil, power steering fluid and brake fluid – need to be replaced periodically. Technical Editor Larry Carley discusses the equipment and tools necessary for the preventive maintenance essentials.
Tech Tip: A/C Service Tools & Equipment
Hot weather is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to tool up for summer air conditioning service work. A lot has changed in recent years. A whole new generation of smarter, more accurate, more efficient A/C recovery machines and recharging stations have been introduced to handle today’s reduced refrigerant capacity vehicles.
Tech Feature: Returnless Fuel Injection Systems
If you’ve tried to find the fuel pressure regulator on many late-model engines by looking in the engine compartment, you won’t find it there because the regulator has been relocated to the fuel tank. Engines with “returnless” electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems have the regulator inside the fuel tank. The regulator is part of the fuel pump assembly and is usually located downstream of the in-tank fuel filter.
Point of No Return: Returnless Fuel Injection Systems
If you’ve tried to find the fuel pressure regulator on many late-model engines by looking in the engine compartment, you won’t find it there because the regulator has been relocated to the fuel tank.
Tech Feature: Follow EPA Guidelines when Cleaning Engine Parts
One of the least pleasant parts of any engine builder’s day is the cleaning process. Removing the oil, carbon and general gunk from blocks, cylinder heads and assorted parts before your inspection, machining and rebuilding process can even begin may seem as painful as a trip to the dentist’s chair. But if you think that part of your day is bad, fail to pay attention to what happens AFTER you clean, and you could find yourself in an even more uncomfortable seat – across the table from the EPA.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Plugged Fuel Filter
Any number of things may cause a fuel filter to plug up. One is a rusty fuel tank. Steel fuel tanks are coated inside with a special "tern" plating to resist corrosion. Over time, the protective plating can wear away and expose the steel, making it vulnerable to corrosion. Water in the fuel accelerates the process. As the steel rusts, the rust flakes loose, settles to the bottom of the tank and may be drawn into the fuel pump. The fuel pump pickup tube has a ….
Management: Healthy Attitudes Are Contagious
It seems wherever you look today in the news, someone is providing automotive service tips to help save drivers fuel. However, it seems that one of the biggest ways vehicle owners are reducing their fuel costs is by driving less. According to a report in late July from the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles in ….