Scan Tool Diagnostics And Your Shop’s Needs
A scan tool is absolutely essential for diagnostics on today’s vehicles. You need a scan tool not only for diagnosing engine, emissions and transmission problems, but also for troubleshooting virtually any system that has electronic controls. A scan tool is needed not only for reading trouble codes, sensor PIDs and other system information, but also
When To Replace Sensors And Why
pressure is low, if the oil needs changing, if the engine has a mechanical problem or if the engine has quit running (unless the fault is related to a key sensor that can also affects emissions). Many motorists simply ignore the Check Engine light, especially if their engine seems to be running normally (no other
Pushing Engines Farther
In recent years, the primary driving force behind engine innovation has been the never-ending quest for better fuel economy with little or no sacrifice in performance. Government regulations and rising fuel prices are forcing automakers to develop new technologies and powertrains that squeeze more power out of every drop of fuel while producing less pollution
Battery 411: Testing, charging and replacing a battery
In recent years, the electronic content in vehicles has multiplied several times over – and more electronics means more demand on the battery and charging system.
Brake Rotors: When To Resurface And When To Replace
Like brake pads, brake rotors don’t last forever. The rotors wear every time the brakes are applied. The rate at which rotors wear depends on a lot of variables: the type of brake pads on the vehicle, the metallurgy (hardness and quality) of the castings, how efficiently the rotors cool themselves, the type of driving
TPMS Diagnostic Strategies
Dig a little deeper to find the true causes of the most puzzling TPMS problems.
Hybrid Vehicle Service
Examining operation, maintenance and service of the popular Honda Civic Hybrid, which is now in its third generation – with more than 200,000 cars sold to date since its introduction to the U.S. market back in 2002.
Brake Lubricants 101
Under extreme driving conditions, some lubricants can’t stand brake heat and melt off, evaporate, oxidize or burn. That’s why ordinary, general-purpose chassis grease should never be used for lubricating brake components. What’s needed is a specially formulated, high-temperature brake grease that can withstand the heat, and also not harm rubber seals or plastic bushings.
What’s New In Spark Plugs
The newest spark plug technology can be summed up in one word:Iridium. This relatively rare metal is challenging platinum as the metal of choice for today’s spark plugs. Iridium has a higher melting temperature and is six times harder than platinum.
Brake And Bearing Basics
Bearings are the forgotten brake service item. Today’s cars and light trucks don’t require much maintenance. Spark plugs last 100,000 miles, long-life coolants can go five years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), and some filters have no recommended replacement interval (such as in-tank fuel filters). But sooner or later, one thing all vehicles eventually
Batteries: What’s Your Product I.Q.?
Car batteries are a frequently replaced underhood component, more so than many other parts such as spark plugs, plug wires, sensors, water pumps, alternators, starters, even belts and hoses. The typical car or light truck will probably go through four or more batteries during its lifetime. The service life of most wet cell lead-acid batteries
Chassis Parts Overview
The demand for replacement chassis parts has remained fairly steady in recent years. The demand for replacement parts is a function of vehicle age and miles driven. In a soft economy, people are keeping their vehicles longer than ever before. The average age of all cars and light trucks today is at an all-time high