What Water Pump Cavitation Means
The tiny “bubbles” of water pump cavitation can kill the pump. While you will never actually see the tiny bubbles of cavitation in pumps, you can see the damage of cavitation that looks like metal eaten by termites.
Regenerative Brakes: Basic Operation And Behavior
A hybrid vehicle is a different animal than many of us are used to seeing. After all, if the engine of a typical vehicle stalled out at a traffic light, the driver of that vehicle would know something was wrong with it. If that same vehicle still drove with the engine off, then that would mean they were probably going down hill. But in the hybrid world, that is all normal.
8 Problems That Can Be Resolved By Reflashing
Developing the in-house capability for reflashing and reprogramming is critical for shop productivity and customer retention. This article covers seven tools you need for reflashing as well as eight problems that can be resolved by reflashing.
Toyota Synergy Drive Hybrid Brake Job
Making its debut in 1997, Toyota’s Synergy Drive has been used in the Prius, Camry and offered on almost all Lexus models since 2006. This article covers some of the basic rules of the road and some fixes that may come in handy when performing a brake job on these Toyota hybrids.
Tips For Serpentine Belt System Inspection & Service
Like a tire, the friction between the belt and pulleys wears away at the belt, usually on the tops and walls of the ribs. Eventually the grooves of the pulleys will bottom out on the grooves of the belt, and then the belt will start to slip.
Complete Clutch Replacement: No Noise, No Comeback
Diagnosing clutch and manual transmission noise can be a difficult diagnosis. There is no way of attaching a scan tool or looking into the bellhousing while the clutch is under load. Clutch diagnostics requires logic and understanding of how the parts interact.
Rules Of Alignment: Are You Communicating Effectively?
An alignment bay, lift and the sensors/computer are a considerable investment that can set a shop apart from other shops, but this equipment is only as effective as the people communicating the information. This means both engaging the customer about an alignment and communicating with the person performing the alignment. Here are some rules a service writer should follow to improve alignment satisfaction and sales.
Hybrid Fluid Service 101
Does the phrase ”hybrid fluid maintenance” scare you? It shouldn’t. With more than 3 million hybrids on the road, and many drivers considering purchasing one, servicing hybrid vehicles is in your future.
2005-2009 Subaru Legacy Alignment Tips
The fourth-generation Subaru Legacy was produced from 2005-2009. It was available as both a sedan and a wagon until 2008 when the wagon was dropped. The front suspension design uses a MacPherson strut. The rear suspension is a multi-link design that changes toe and camber dynamically as the suspension and body change position.
Top 10 Mercedes-Benz Repair Tips
With new vehicle sales topping 17.8 million units, and import nameplate VIO also on the rise, you’ll be seeing more imports that are in need of repair. And, with the increasing complexity and interconnectivity of vehicle systems, diagnostic expertise becomes all the more important. With that said, we bring you this collection of Mercedes-Benz repair tips to aid your service efforts.
Auxiliary Water Pumps – How One Component Can Upset Your Cooling System Diagnostic Logic
A Mercedes comes into the shop with a complaint of poor heater performance. The driver says during cold mornings that the heater will blow cold while he’s driving to work during rush hour traffic. The car is not overheating and the air is coming from the correct ducts. Your first reaction might be to install a new thermostat and inspect the heater core for a blockage. During a test drive, the system may perform great for you. Is the customer just cold blooded?
Automatic Belt Tensioners Are More Than Just Springs
A worn automatic belt tensioner has consequences beyond a loose belt. When an automatic belt tensioner wears down, the belt and attached accessories will start to take an extra pounding because the tensioner can no longer dampen the power pulses of the crankshaft. The effect on these components is similar to when a car has bad shocks that slowly destroy the suspension.
