Viewpoint: 50 Tips to Improve your Shop in 2008
Increase the labor rate. Chances are your customers will not notice. Send fewer cars to the dealership. Buy better uniforms. Secretly shop the competition. Attend more training. Take down all the old, dirty or out-of-date “push/pull” or “we install” stickers off your front door. Use your shop management system more effectively. Explore all menus and
Products: How Cold is Cold Enough?
UView’s Smart-Gauge (580500) conducts an instant performance test on A/C systems by measuring ambient and A/C vent temperatures. Smart-Gauge comes with a troubleshooting guide for easy diagnosis and repair of common problems. This Tech-Tip guide is written for and by professional cooling system repair techs. Smart-Gauge is specially designed for vehicles with variable displacement compressors
Chicago Pneumatic Encourages Automotive Schools to Enter the T2 School of the Year Competition
Chicago Pneumatic, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative aftermarket tools, accessories and compressors, and Tomorrow’s Technician magazine encourage automotive technical students and teachers to nominate their schools for the 2007/08 T2 School of the Year presented by Chicago Pneumatic.
ConocoPhillips Lubricants Academy Updates Comprehensive Online and Hands-On Training Programs
ConocoPhillips Company recently announced that ConocoPhillips Lubricants Academy has updated a wide range of both Web and classroom-style courses for ConocoPhillips lubricants marketers. Comprehensive computer modules and in-depth offsite product training courses are designed to give marketers a convenient way to continue their lubricants training,
Four Seasons Inc. Shows its ‘Green’ Side
Four Seasons Inc., a leader in the aftermarket parts industry, recently displayed its remanufactured compressors in the Green Zone during AAPEX to highlight its environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes.
Tech Tip: Understanding How the Air Conditioning System Works is the First Step in Diagnosing a Problem
The A/C compressor is the heart of the refrigeration circuit. It pumps and pressurizes the refrigerant. The compressor is belt-driven by the engine and most have a magnetic clutch that cycles the compressor on and off. Compressor failures are often caused by loss of lubrication, which in turn, may be due to a blockage in the orifice tube or expansion valve. Most compressors do not hold much oil and rely on oil circulating with the refrigerant for lubrication.
News Update: NAPA Chassis Trains, Certifies Technicians
Participants in a four-day NAPA Chassis training class were provided with tips and techniques from NATEF-certified instructors to identify and solve problems while diagnosing and repairing late-model chassis and suspension systems. Held recently at NAPA’s training center, the clinic taught timesaving repair procedures, giving these techs the ability to be more proficient on newer vehicles.
There’s No Escaping Hybrid Service
high as 40 mph (64 kph). Plus, when conditions are right, the engine may shut off at stops and not restart until after 25 mph. As a result, the advertised fuel economy of a full hybrid vehicle is typically much higher for the city driving conditions than the highway driving conditions. In theory, assuming the
Tech Tip: Replacing Shocks and Struts
The primary purpose of a shock absorber (or strut) is to control suspension movement. This is done by a piston moving fluid through a series of valves within the shock or strut housing. The valves control the damping rate of the shock throughout the travel of the piston. The damping characteristics are engineered to complement the suspension of each vehicle.
Proliance Introduces More Cooling, More Power, More Speed and More Sales Opportunity in the Import Tuner Market
Proliance International, Inc. announces HBX Intercoolers for the sport compact market. If the compressor is the heart of your turbo, then the intercooler is the soul. And, if you’re serious about tuning your vehicle to reach its maximum potential, make the move from a standard bar and plate design intercooler to a HBX – only from Proliance.