Management: Optimistic Industry Trends Can Mean Full Bays
As the editor of an automotive aftermarket business-to-business magazine, I get forests of news items, press releases and industry trend reports each month. Looking over some recent releases, I’ve found that there seems to be quite a bit of optimism for our industry and your businesses.
BMW Maintenance: The Right Equipment and Information Make Service Profitable
Well-designed and durable, the cars from Bavaria have had a reputation for handling and performance that many other manufacturers only aspire to. In the last 50 years, BMWs have gone from the three-wheeled Isetta microcar of the 1950s to today’s powerful and comfortable high-performance machines with all of the latest technology. One of my favorite
Directions: Optimistic Industry Trends Can Mean Full Bays
As the editor of an automotive aftermarket business-to-business magazine, I get forests of news items, press releases and industry trend reports each month. Looking over some recent releases, I’ve found that there seems to be quite a bit of optimism for our industry and your businesses. For example, one headline that just crossed our desks
Tech Tip: Belts & Tensioners
Many engines today have two or more belts that will need to be replaced at some point. One is the timing belt, if the engine has an overhead cam design and uses a belt rather than a chain to drive the cam(s). The other is one or more serpentine belts on the front of the engine that drive the engine’s accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump and A/C compressor.
Unperformed Maintenance Drops in 2005 to $52 Billion, According to AASA Research
Unperformed maintenance dropped to $52 billion in 2005, according to an upcoming report from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). While the $52 billion represents a drop of $4 billion from 2004 figures, many American vehicle owners are still neglecting many of the vital maintenance and service procedures that their cars and trucks require to operate safely, reliably and fuel-efficiently, according to AASA.
Diagnostic Solutions: Upgrades That Deliver Performance and Pizzazz
When To Sell Batteries
Visteon Offers Underhood Service Training
Visteon has developed a variety of valuable training programs and materials designed to help technicians and parts professionals understand the diagnostic and repair requirements of today’s cooling, air conditioning and rotating electric systems.
Tech Update: Good Vibrations
Suspension Vibrations Could Have Your Customers Singing The Blues The song “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys may have been a big hit in its day, but there’s no such thing as good vibrations or noise when it comes to a customer’s vehicle. Vibrations are annoying and may be a warning signal that something’s amiss.
Visteon A/C Tech Bulletin: Prevent Repeat Compressor Problems by Performing a Complete Repair
Automotive service shops often can avoid repeat repairs of air conditioning (A/C) compressors by replacing the compressor, condenser and other affected parts during the initial service occasion, according to Visteon Corporation, a manufacturer of original equipment-quality replacement A/C components.
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Making the Case with Scan Tool Graphing
I’ve recently updated to test equipment that’s able to save graphed data on a compact flash or CF card. In this case, while the equipment happens to be a Snap-on SOLUS scan tool and a Snap-on Vantage Pro lab scope and graphing multimeter, keep in mind that other equipment on the market is equally capable