The Lube, Oil and Filter Market
As with everything else under the automotive sun, technology is changing the lube, oil and filter market. To be more specific, modern technology is making it possible to use the vehicle’s on-board engine management system to mathematically determine the length of an oil change interval. At the most basic level, the PCM simply adds up
Perspectives
I was reading my local paper and came across the headline that read, “black boxes” are urged for automobiles. With all the political sparring in the news this election season, my skeptical mind has been in overdrive. Seeing this headline, I read on to find “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday recommended for
Perspectives
I was reading my local paper and came across the headline that read, “black boxes” are urged for automobiles. With all the political sparring in the news this election season, my skeptical mind has been in overdrive. Seeing this headline, I read on to find “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday recommended for
Editor’s Notebook: Wanted! All Skilled, Expert Technicians
Newly released numbers from the National Car Care Month inspection campaign paint a vivid image of the maintenance landscape of this nation’s vehicle fleet. And, it’s not a pretty picture. Inspection lanes conducted throughout the country this past April revealed an 87% failure rate among vehicles that were inspected. Concurrently, the number of miles driven
Keeping Hondas Original is Jason’s Automotive’s Specialty
When it comes to advertising, Jason Abbott does it all: TV commercials, mailers, phonebook listings, newspaper and local school event sponsorships. And for this independent repair facility in Tujunga, CA, it works. “I’m the busiest shop around here,” says Abbott, who co-owns Jason’s Automotive Specialty Shop with his wife, Roxanne. “Even when times are real
Underhood Service: Directions, August 2004
Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY) is on the right road. Ackerman, alarmed at the concept that as many as an estimated 10,000 animals die annually after ingesting automobile antifreeze containing ethylene glycol, last fall introduced H.R. 1563, legislation to “require engine coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable.” As
Aftermarket Update: Underhood Serivce, July 2004
ASA Offers Right to Repair Course Beford, TX – In an effort to educate the automotive service and repair industry about the availability of service information, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) now offers a three-hour seminar, “You Have the Right to Repair.” The course will be offered at several ASA affiliate events this year and
How Engine Oil Becomes Engine Sludge
Fresh engine oil is a clear, free-flowing liquid blend of base stock and additives that contains no fuel, water, coolant, dirt or other contaminants. In engines that have failed prematurely, the oil has very often been transformed into a high viscosity deposit of brown or black goo, commonly referred to as “sludge.” When regular engine
MACS Show: Technical Session Coverage
Once a year, the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) hosts a trade show for A/C shop owners and technicians. This year’s event in Orlando, FL, provided a wealth of service information to those who attended the technical sessions. For those who couldn’t be there, we pass along some of the highlights from the technical sessions.
Muscling in on Restoration Work: Part 2
There’s a hot trend in the automotive aftermarket to return car owners to the past. Literally. Today, aging baby boomers are spending big money on “recapturing the rapture” of the cars of their youth. Just turn on your television any evening and you’re sure to find some type of automotive program on the cable and