Under the Hood: Five Generations of Duramax Diagnostics
The Duramax diesel brought GM back as a major player to the mid-size truck market by offering dependability, fuel mileage and quiet operation with plenty of power, says contributor Bob McDonald. While these engines have a great reputation, some problems are bound to arise.
Under the Hood: ‘Perfect Timing’ — Timing Belt Service for Toyota’s VVT-1 Engine
The focus of this article will be the timing belt replacement on a 2001 GS 300 with the in-line six-cylinder 2JZ-GE engine with VVT-i (Toyota’s variable valve timing).
Undercover: It All Adds Up: The Math Behind Brake Replacement Service
We need to occasionally analyze and re-evaluate how we package and price brake friction replacements. In this exercise, we’ll use product pricing and labor time numbers.
Undercover: Subcompact Vehicle Upgrades — A Reduction in ‘Class Size’
Over the next decade, it would appear that we will see a shift to smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles, much like we experienced in the 1970s.
Burnin’ Rubber, Blowin’ Smoke
Opportunities grow for diesel performance specialists — check out what experts in the field have said about this market.
Under the Hood: Going Full Throttle on Mazda Driveability Diagnostics
We take a look at the popular MAZDA6 and MAZDA3 cars and cover some of the common underhood repairs that find their way into vehicle repair shops.
Service Advisor: Airing Out TPMS Concerns: Q & A Forum
The following are some questions and answers that address today’s Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).
Service Advisor: Mastering Paint Preparation for Maximum Profit
Paint preparation involves much more than simply matching the paint and assembling the gun. By the time the car goes into the spray booth, significant labor has already been dedicated to fixing the defect for a blemish-free surface.
Undercover: Handling Honda Brake Systems
What we’ll look at in this article is not so much how to replace worn-out pads, but rather things to be on the lookout for that will ensure a quality job and eliminate comebacks.
Undercover: Putting the Issue of Brake Noise to Bed
The key to stopping brake noise is to do the brake job right the first time.
Service Advisor: Tips on Solving Alternator Failure Issues
Catastrophic failures are usually due to an alternator malfunction, but can also be caused by a faulty drive belt or blown fuse.
Under the Hood: Tearing Into VW’s 4-Cylinder, 5-Valve Engines
The demand for more horsepower led VW/Audi to look for ways to add performance without a complete redesign of the basic engine.