Quick Oil Change Business Model
When it comes to the quick oil change business you can find both good ones and bad ones, just like restaurants. Although this article may focus on the negatives of this business model I know for a fact that there are reputable quick oil change centers out there that provide a valuable and important service for their loyal customers.
car maintenance schedule
The reason I decided to write this article about the subject is a recent visit that my sister had with her Chevrolet Malibu to one of these locations. A few years ago I moved across the country and I am now about 2000 miles away from my sister and other family members.
Since the family is on their own as far as automotive maintenance each member has taken a different approach to needed car repairs. My sister has tried both the dealership service and the aftermarket quick service locations. She called me from the waiting area of a quick oil change business.
She stated that her Malibu had just turned about 22,000 miles and she was there for a regular oil change. The service adviser informed her that the mechanic recommended a few additional services. And that is what leads me to write this story today.
Auto Repair Problems and Bad Mechanics
Auto Mechanic
You can find bad mechanics in the auto repair business just as easily as you can find good ones. This is no different than it would be for the plumbing business or any other skilled or professional trade. I thought I would take a minute to give my opinion on what separates the good and the bad when it comes to solving auto repair problems.
Two things prompted me to write this article. One I received an e-mail from a site visitor that was about a 1000 words that intimately described a bad experience they had with a particular shop and what they considered a group of bad mechanics.
The second thing is I work with a mechanic that is gaining a bad reputation even though he has about 20 years of experience and has certainly taught me a few tricks as I am heading into my 26th year of being a certified master technician. I work with 14 other mechanics and there is a lot of finger-pointing about who does the right thing and who does the wrong thing.
Cold Air Induction Systems
Cold Air Induction Kit
This week I wanted to talk a little about cold air induction systems. Last week I talked about standard air filter maintenance and a few people ask me about my thoughts on high performance air intakes. I also wanted to provide a little history about how far scooping up air for the engine has come.
Back in the old days before all of the emission system controls the air induction system was quite simple it basically consisted of an air cleaner housing mounted on top of the carburetor with a simple filter inside of the metal housing.
Although it was simplified its function was the same as it is today and that is to provide a generous quantity of air that has been filtered free of grit and dirt. The air intake system on a modern fuel injected engine is much more complicated.
On modern vehicles more attention is paid to trying to pull cool air from outside the engine compartment into the air filter assembly. Where as in the old days the air filters sat on top of the engine it is more common today to find the air filter placed below the top of the engine to allow for more efficient aerodynamic body designs.
Read more
Automotive Air Filter Maintenance
2009 Cadillac SRX
This next article about automotive air filter maintenance is just an opinion from a mechanic. Sometimes since mechanics are educated in the ways of the automobile they may find themselves becoming more vigilant when it comes to their own maintenance of their beloved personal automobile or cars that belong to family members.
My latest vehicle a 2009 Cadillac SRX recommends in the service manual that the air filter be replaced every 25,000 miles. In my opinion this would just be a guideline because the operating conditions may require that the air filter be replaced more or less. When I bought the vehicle used it had 22,000 miles on it. I pulled the air filter for inspection and it was 90% blocked.
Standard Brake Job Tips
Floating disc brake caliper
I wanted to provide some standard brake job tips that can apply to both do it yourself driveway mechanics and auto repair consumers that plan on dropping their vehicle off for brake service. Learning a little about the process can help you get the most out of your brake jobs.
In some auto repair publications they have done tests that show that when only the pads are replaced without reconditioning or replacing the caliper hardware that the new pads can wear out faster than original equipment brake pads installed from the factory.
It is often rusting and corrosion that causes this premature wear. When the calipers do not float as per design intent then the brakes can drag slightly causing this increased wear. I have more details about the different kinds of disc brakes and how they work plus an auto repair video at the very end of this article.
This is my primary brake job tips recommendation! When you are performing your own brake service or you’re having a shop do it for you, replace or fully recondition the hardware that allows for the free movement of the calipers. Think about where this hardware is located. Down by the tire and close to the road where it is exposed to water, salt, potholes and road debris.
Changing ASE Testing Format
ASE Test Results
After taking the last round of ASE tests included with my results was a short letter that things would be changing for test takers. I guess everything in life changes but I was a little surprised by ASE’s decision to go with the computer-based testing format and doing away with the written tests that have been offered for the last 25 years or so.
The official snippet in the letter that relates to this is to follow. “And if you haven’t heard, ASE is changing from paper and pencil testing to a computer-based format.
The written test will be offered for the final two times in May and November of 2011. Beginning in January 2012, only computer-based testing will be offered, but it will be available eight months of the year at a secure proctored test Center”.
First I would like to go on record as saying that I have taken the ASE computer-based tests. The system works well and has many advantages over the old style of paper and pencil testing. Read more
Car Brake Problems
When car brake problems develop most often the driver will immediately investigate the issues. This is usually one condition a driver will not put off looking into. When you put your foot on the brake pedal and apply pressure you expect your vehicle to stop with authority. If this doesn’t happen a pleasant drive can turn into a safety nightmare.
ABS warning light
Some drivers are known for putting off car repairs like regular maintenance. Things like oil changes, coolant flushes and tune-ups can seem unimportant when the car is running good.
Often drivers even put off diagnosing warning light problems such as abs lights, airbag light and check engine lights but few will ignore car brake problems. Let me use my sister as an example (sorry Sis).
I got into her car the other day and the check engine light was on. I asked her how long the light had been shinning in her face. She told me that it’s been about 10 days and she was meaning to talk to me about it. When this same young lady had a brake system problem she called me immediately so that I could diagnose it.
Some common car brake problems Read more
About Car Batteries
Information about car batteries
Car Battery
I have written a lot of articles about car batteries and charging systems. One question has come up frequently that seems to have fallen through the cracks of the articles that I have already written about the battery and charging system on modern-day cars.
This frequently asked question about the vehicle’s car battery is after the engine is running is the battery doing anything besides charging back up. The short answer to this question is no. The battery is used primarily for starting the engine.
In fact during cranking it is the battery that supplies all of the vehicles electrical power. However once the engine is running it is the alternator that is responsible for producing enough electrical energy to meet the demands of all of the vehicles loads. This would include things like operating the wipers illuminating the headlights and even charging your cell phone.
Torque Converter Clutch Problems
Problem torque converter clutches
Torque Converter Clutch
I have written about torque converter clutch problems in other posts but this one will be a little different. Most often when I have a problem with the converter clutch lock up causing an engine stalling condition I find a problem with the tcc solenoid.
But this is not always the cause of the problem. In fact the last time I faced a converter clutch lock up problem I went for the solenoid right away and it did not fix the issue which was an engine stall only when put into reverse gear. On this particular repair I ran into a clogged transmission cooler.
Although this was the first time I have ever seen this component cause a stalling condition, after checking into the situation it made a lot of sense. The drivers complaint was different this time around then the usual complaint associated with torque converter clutch problems.
The driver stated that the stalling condition was most often when he put the vehicle into reverse. Especially when the engine was cold, like in the morning while backing out of his driveway. In most cases when you have a torque converter solenoid issue the engine will stall as you slow down for a stoplight in a forward gear.
