Drifting: An Education
It’s a special moment seeing your project car come to life on the track, but it’s not every day you get to see your auto instructor crash it. For a dozen Rolling Meadows High School auto technology students, their drift car project is continuously a work in progress; getting better and better after each race.
The Turbo Comeback: The Small Engine, Big Performance Trend
Turbochargers are great for adding power to any gas or diesel-powered engine, but especially for small displacement engines. They were all the rage back in the 1980s when BMW, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volkswagen all offered turbo options on a variety of engines. Over the years, turbos have come and gone, but recently, they are making
VIDEO: Factory Fill On Older Vehicles
Andrew Markel discusses the importance of factory fill, and why fluid specifications change after a car rolls off the line.
Toyota V8 Timing Belt Service
Each of the various Toyota models that use the V8 have specific items that must be removed to allow access to the timing belt and allow room to remove the accessories, belt drives and timing covers.
Belt Tensioner Inspection & Replacement Tips
Most late-model engines have serpentine belt drives for the engine-driven accessories, and most people know that belts are a maintenance item that eventually has to be replaced. However, many people don’t know the spring-loaded automatic tensioner that keeps a serpentine belt tight is also a wear item. Consequently, the automatic tensioner may also have to be replaced when the time comes to change the belt.
Cooling System Preventive Maintenance Service
Given the current range of extended maintenance intervals, it’s safe to say that your shop might see Grandma’s 2011 Volkswagen Jetta only when its oil life monitor indicates the need for an oil change.
A New Look At Cooling System Technology
Auto manufacturers are continuing to increase fuel economy and power output by changing how the cooling system operates. Make sure you’re up to date on modern cooling system technology.
Solving Nissan Performance & Check Engine Light Issues
What do you do when you hit the vehicle’s start button and nothing happens?
Component Connection: Belt Wear Diagnostics
Serpentine belts may last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. If a belt fails sooner, you need to be a detective and investigate why it failed.
Misfires In The Crankshaft And Camshaft
Any time you’re dealing with a combustion engine, there’s a chance it will develop a misfire. A better understanding of how computer systems analyze a misfire can make your job that much easier as the service tech.
