Tech Feature: Subaru Service Essentials
My stint at being a service advisor for a number of dealer service departments over the years gave me a lot of experience in “bundling” services into a package. Having a service plan or “menu” built value for the customer. It also provided the service department with reliable income. Though there are good and bad points to service menus, the basic idea is a good one, and works well for any kind of automotive service or repair facility.
Bosch Iridium Mustang RTR and Storm Chasers ‘Dominator 2’ SUV to be in Bosch Booth at AAPEX
Two stunning vehicles, the one-of-a-kind Bosch Iridium Edition Mustang RTR, custom-built by drifting champion Vaughn Gittin, Jr., and the Discovery Channel’s mighty Storm Chasers “Dominator 2” SUV, will be showcased in the Bosch exhibit at this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Exposition (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, NV.
Harvick Wins at Richmond, Captures Top Seed in 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup
Kevin Harvick and the Champion spark plug-powered No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet secured the top seed in the 2012 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup with a victory in Saturday night’s Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond (VA) International Raceway. Harvick, who has four wins and seven top-five finishes in 2011, is the spokesperson for Federal-Mogul’s Champion brand.
New Champion Spokesperson Kevin Harvick Wins NASCAR VFW 200 at MIS
Kevin Harvick, newly signed spokesperson for Federal-Mogul’s Champion brand of spark plugs, filters, wipers and automotive chemicals, claimed his second consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.
Tech Tip: Kia Has Intermittent MIL On with No Fault Code Stored
In affected vehicles, an intermittent short to ground in a circuit only intended for testing purposes may cause the MIL to illuminate and a DTC P1330 (Spark Timing Adjust) to be stored. As soon as the fault disappears, the MIL may turn off and the fault code can also be immediately erased by the engine management system, making it hard to diagnose the concern.
Announcing Bosch Iridium Edition Mustang RTR Sweepstakes
Robert Bosch LLC has just announced the exciting new Bosch Iridium Edition Mustang RTR Sweepstakes in which the Grand Prize is a one-of-a-kind 2011 Ford Mustang RTR custom-built by drifting champion Vaughn Gittin, Jr. and powered by new-generation Bosch Iridium Spark Plugs.
Bosch Again Dominates ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’; Wins 100th Anniversary of Indy 500
In one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the Indianapolis 500, Dan Wheldon won the 100th anniversary of “the world’s most important race” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving a Bosch spark plug-equipped Dallara Honda V8.
‘Driving Innovation’ Road Tour Showcases Bosch Leadership in Automotive Technology
Bosch launched “Driving Innovation,” a dramatic interactive traveling road tour at this year’s Indy 500 to demonstrate Bosch’s leadership in advancing automotive technology and building business for parts stores and service facilities.
Tech Tip: VW’s Check Engine Light is On with Fault Code P0411
When diagnosing various VW and Audi vehicles, the Check Engine Light (MIL) is on and fault code P0411 (16795) is stored in the fault memory.
Tech Tip: Understanding Spark Plug Heat Range
Finding just the right spark plugs for a modified engine is a little more involved than looking in a catalog for make and model. Depending on the engine modifications you’ve made, you’ll need to take a few extra factors into consideration before settling on the right spark plugs. These factors include spark plug seat design, thread length and diameter, and reach.
Wrangling in Jeep Spark Timing Dilemmas
Every once in a while I get a Diagnostic Dilemma that takes me back to the basics of how modern engine management systems work. This month’s happened to be a 1992 Jeep Wrangler equipped with the 4.0L engine and manual transmission. Of course, a vehicle of this vintage and configuration has to be about as basic as modern technology can get, right? Well, there are always exceptions.
Tech Feature: Courage Under Misfire
Generally, when a customer brings a vehicle into a shop that has a misfire concern, they will describe it as bucking, jerking or loss of power. They also may describe it, depending on the cause, as a jerking when they take off from a start, but smoothes out once the vehicle gets moving. They may tell you the check engine light has been flashing.