Bleeding Brake Fluid in ABS-Equipped Vehicles
According to R. L. Polk, the average age of the vehicles on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007, with 41% of the vehicles 11 years or older. This high median age is a good reason to consider the condition of the brake fluid and bleeding procedures when performing maintenance or repairs. Maintenance or repair
Electronic Stability Control and the Role of Tires
Electronic stability control – ESC – introduced in 1995 and touted as the second most important advancement in auto safety after seat belts, will finally be standard equipment on all passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. starting in 2012. ESC is supposed to help drivers maintain safe control of their vehicles and prevent accidents. But
Wheel Alignment System
Bosch introduced the FWA 4630 Easy 3D Wheel Alignment System, which the company said improves space efficiency, offers operational mobility, and promotes greater productivity for automotive repair shops. Precise wheel alignment can be achieved in as little as 7 minutes – a time savings of 50% compared to traditional methods, Bosch added. A single technician
Drivers Still Getting Taken to the Cleaners
The latest Which? magazine report on garage service concludes that there are still shocking levels of incompetence in the sector despite the introduction of several new codes of conduct. The undercover investigation found that 90% of the 62 garages mystery shopped by the consumer watchdog missed (or ignored) at least one potentially dangerous fault, while
AAIA Sets Officers, Board
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) elected its new officers and board of directors for 2010-2011. Elected officers include: Chairman Robert Egan of Federal-Mogul Corp.; Vice Chairman Richard Jago of Old World Industries; Vice President Ira Davis of Multi Parts Supply; Vice President Michael Klein of IDQ Holdings/Interdynamics; Vice President Lisa Kranc of AutoZone; Vice
New Officers, Board for ETI
Equipment and Tool Institute has set its officers and board of directors for 2010-11. Taking office on May 1 were President Mike Cable of Hickok, Vice President of Programs Alan Tecmire of ETAS, Vice President of Marketing Dan Brass of Bright Solutions, Secretary/Treasurer Ben Johnson of Alldata, and Immediate Past President Dave Schaar of SPX
Doubling Pre Tax Profits, Euro Car Parts Thinks Big
Aftermarket parts supplier Euro Car Parts has reported pre-tax profits of over £17 million in 2009, two and a half times the £6.6 million figure it reported in 2008. According to the company, this has been achieved through partnerships with many leading original equipment brands. In 2009, ECP entered into a long-term agreement, which added
2009 Top Shop Finalist: Curry’s Automotive
When Matt and Judy Curry opened Curry’s Auto Service in 1998, the couple knew they were taking a risk. With one child at home and another on the way, the Currys opened their shop in Chantilly, Va., with 13 credit cards and $103,000 worth of debt. “Every last penny to our name was in this
Car Slump to Cause Supplier Mergers, Bankruptcies
Reuters – The global car market slump is set to spark a wave of mergers and bankruptcies among automotive suppliers being squeezed to the breaking point by weak demand and unrelenting pressure on prices, executives say. "The current auto crisis will amplify the trend of consolidation of the industry," Peter Pleus, chief executive of German
Filter Web Site Gets Multi-Lingual
Purolator said its Web site – purolatorautofilters.net – can now be accessed in a variety of languages. The addition of Canadian French, Mexican Spanish and American Spanish to the current Web site in English is expected to make the site even more customer-friendly, the company claimed. “Whether it is a DIY consumer who has decided