How Much Maintenance
How much maintenance is really necessary to keep a vehicle in good, running condition, safe and reliable? It’s a controversial subject for which there is no simple answer. Maintenance recommendations and requirements vary depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle, the type of driving it undergoes, the environment in which it operates,
Performance Upgrades: Tuning, Tweaking & Boosting Your Way to New Profits
The import performance market offers a unique service opportunity for you. Import vehicle owners are accessorizing their vehicles like never before, and many are buying aftermarket performance parts in record numbers. Though many of these parts are sold to people who can install the parts themselves (things like wings, spoilers, lights, big bore mufflers, etc.),
Aftermarket After SEMA
High-Performance Engine Upgrades For Your Customers
Volvo Unveils Two Hot New Concept Cars at the 2005 SEMA Show
The two exciting new concept cars from Volvo explore the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of just how far vehicle design may be pushed. Painted a glittering Saffron color reminiscent of a desert sunset, the XC70 AT (All Terrain) takes the production Volvo XC70 crossover wagon to the off-road extreme. The T6 Roadster takes Volvo to the drag strip with its 1930s inspired body, wide tires and low beltline.
Internal Engine Repairs: Begin with Diagnosing Engine Failure Culprits
Saab engine technology has evolved through the years, but the same basic design of the original B202 engine is still used in today’s Saabs. When the 16-valve 2.0L engine (B202) was developed in 1984, I was one of 10 people chosen from the East Coast area by Saab in the United States to attend a
Marketing Mufflers: Muffler Replacements Are a Fast, Easy Way to Improve Your Shop’s Bottom Line
Have muffler inspections become a low-priority undercar service in your shop? With the introduction of stainless-steel exhaust systems into the import market, it’s easy to forget that muffler and related exhaust parts sales are still a lucrative service that can enhance any profit and loss statement. Muffler replacements can be profitable at any skill or
Parking Brakes: The Forgotten Fourth Pedal…Or the Seldom-Used Stick
How Much Is Really Enough?
Saab 5-Speed Tranny and Clutch Repair
When Saab first introduced the 9000-model lineup in 1986, the gearbox was mounted transversely in the car. It was designed in this way for effective cooling and to provide the shortest possible path for the power flow to the wheels. All Saab transmissions have five forward speeds and reverse – all of which are synchronized.
Getting “Tuned” Into Exhaust System Service Opportunities
Although stainless steel exhaust systems have reduced the number of exhaust system replacements, it’s important to remember that regular exhaust system inspections remain an integral part of import service. When inspecting an exhaust system, remember that the exhaust pipe and muffler must: Help “tune” the engine for peak performance; Reduce noise to legal levels;
Hot Heads for Cool Cars
The numbers are not huge yet, but there is a growing demand for high-performance cylinder head work and other engine modifications on a variety of sport compact cars. The most popular nameplates are imports such as Honda, Acura and Mitsubishi, but coming on fast are Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen – plus domestic models