Modern Automotive Electronics
Fuel Injectors
As automotive electronics continue to advance the car becomes increasingly complicated. As new technologies are uploaded they are unfortunately tested on the automotive consumer.
Problems with the systems are noted and upgraded on future models.
This is why a basic understanding of what types of electronic systems are installed on your vehicle is valuable knowledge.
An example of this situation would be when fuel injection hit the mainstream in the early 1980s.
Rough running engines and drivability concerns were often turned into small profit centers known as fuel injection cleaning services.
Later these early fuel injectors were often replaced and updated by more efficient units. This is why an understanding of electronics is a must for all automotive mechanics but is also helpful for automotive consumers.
Types of automotive electronics
Engine control module
Computers and electronic devices are used to control the engine and its support systems. Because of these controls today’s automobiles use less fuel and have higher performance.
These electronically controlled engines also have lower tailpipe emissions and are better for the environment then cars of the past.
Automotive electronics are also used in modern transmissions to activate shifting to again provide the right amount of power coupled with the maximum amount of fuel economy.
A little known fact is that about 75% of all function on modern-day vehicles is controlled by electronics. An example would be antilock braking systems.
These were once optional on vehicles of the early 90s. But now have become standard equipment. They have branched this system out to also control active suspension systems as well as traction control systems.
Some very cool technology is not very far down the road. Read more
Taking ASE Tests
My ASE patches
Car mechanics need your opinion. I finished another round of taking ASE tests. I am currently certified in a grand total of 14 different areas.
I also have 2 more that I let lapse (collision repair and compressed natural gas) because every five years, I have to recertify in each individual area.
It has become a seemingly never-ending circle of recertification and test taking. And this time around, I may not renew all 14. First of all taking the tests costs money.
This last round, taking 4 tests cost me over $100. Recently like many my pay was reduced in order to save jobs. I’m back to making what I did in
Respecting the Auto Repair Mechanic
I am a auto repair mechanic. There I said it! Sometimes the bad things that have happened to me over the last 25 years can sour me on the automobile industry as a whole.
But sometimes my bitterness subsides, and I look around at the skill level and dedication of my coworkers and I feel proud. This article is intended to shed some light on the professionalism of the average car mechanic. I will also show you some mind blowing advances on the cars of the near future, like intelligent cruise control.
Because electronics play an important part in the operation of all automotive systems, an understanding of electronics is a must for all auto repair mechanics. In fact a needed level of understanding comparable to that of a designer of these complex electrical systems is required. In many cases, a technician is faced with reverse engineering the circuit completely to discover its malfunction.
In addition to mastering the mechanical skills needed to remove, repair and replace faulty components today’s auto repair mechanic also must be able to diagnose and service the most complicated electronic systems we have ever seen in the auto repair business.
Computers and electronic devices are used to control the engine and its support systems. Because of these complex controls today’s cars and trucks use less fuel, perform better, meet ever-increasing emissions standards and provide a level of safety also never experienced in the automotive industry.
What auto repair mechanics know
Some people just get in their car insert the key, turn and go. This is fine, and this is also why they paid a large amount of money for reliable transportation. I just wanted to identify a few things that happen in this turnkey operation. Read more
Proper tire maintenance increases miles per gallon
I know that this has been discussed often on the Internet, but I need to throw in my two cents as well. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause more resistance to travel, and they force the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking their pressure. Car manufacturers are required to place a label in the car stating the correct tire pressure. This label may be found on the edge of the door or door jamb, in the glove box, or on the inside of the gas Compartment cover. This is depending on the year make and model. If the label lists a PSI range, use the higher number in order to maximize fuel efficiency.
It’s important to note that radial tires can be under inflated yet still looked normal, so check the tires with a gauge. Digital tire pressure gauges are the most accurate. An average tire loses about one psi of air per month and one psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature.
Changes in the ambient air temperature cause the tire pressure to fluctuate. This is why tire pressure should always be checked when the tires or cool, preferably in the morning before driving the car. It is recommended that you check your tires air pressure about once per month and before a long trip.
How does tire pressure effect miles per gallon
So how much does tire pressure affect mileage? A lot: under inflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 6%, causes the tires to wear quicker, and can make it difficult to handle the vehicle. And while we’re on the subject of rolling gear, be sure your wheels are aligned and your brakes are properly adjusted to minimize rolling resistance. Out of line wheels, as evidenced by UN even tread wear should always be aligned by a professional.
Brakes should be checked for a dragging condition that can also drastically reduce fuel economy. Drum and disc brakes have lubrication points that I allow the brakes to fully release. These sliding mechanisms and lubrication points can become stuck or seized and increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle. These conditions will usually show themselves in, increased brake pad wear, and the need to replace breaks more often.
Thank you for listening to my two cents about fuel economy. Paying attention to the small details listed above will allow your vehicle to reach its maximum fuel economy potential. With gas prices well over three dollars per gallon this is very important.
In regards to increasing fuel economy beyond your vehicles, advertised capabilities. This is absolutely possible. There are groups of people that are thinking outside the box and taking action to increase their miles per gallon well beyond what the manufacturer states is normal.
There are several products on the market that use homemade hydrogen on demand systems to accomplish this. I found it so fascinating. I purchased one of these products and provide a full review that includes a couple of videos. Find out if water for gas is a scam.
Car maintenance
Car maintenance
when you are buying car maintenance you want to make sure that you receive what you paid for. A good example of this is that if you frequent a dealership and you purchase their 15,000 or even 30,000 mile maintenance service, there are a lot of things that are supposed to be performed on these checklists.
The 15,000 or 30,000 mile service is usually very expensive and includes many important car safety checks. If you are going to shell out $400 for a 30,000 mile service. Please take the time to review what is supposed to be accomplished During this expensive service.
How to buy car maintenance
A good way to verify that some of these vital safety checks were performed is to ask the dealership to provide information about some of the individual items that are checked. For example, there maybe a spot on the service that requires a brake inspection. Ask the dealership to document the percentage of the brakes that are remaining. In yet another example if the tire inflation is to be checked, again ask the dealership to document the tire pressure in all four tires as well.
As a mechanic that has worked at dealerships for more than 23 years, I can tell you that the technician is paid on a flat rate or percentage basis. The mechanic is motivated to move as fast as he can and may take some shortcuts. This means you have not received a good value for your car maintenance dollar.
Take some time to review, what is included in the individual car maintenance service and ask lots of questions about each item to your service adviser. This will put the dealership service department on notice that you are very hands on and involved in what is being done to your car. This will also make the dealership more likely to complete the maintenance service properly and to cut corners and rush on somebody else’s car.
Car maintenace tip
If your service includes a tire rotation take a minute to mark each tire with a crayon. So that you can verify the tires were rotated during the service. Also when the technician sees these marks on the tire.
He is immediately informed that you are watching him and is more likely to perform all the steps that are included in the maintenance service that you have paid hard earned money for.
Would you like to read more stories about car mechanics and what might happen during your auto service
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Auto repair scam artists
Auto repair scam artists
I can’t help but break into a story about one of the sharpest most evil service advisor’s I ever met. This man would go through your vehicle and find out as much as he could about the vehicle owner.
He would look for bank statements past due bills and any thing he could get his hands on to find out what your financial position was. He would go through the trunk, the glove box under the seats he was relentless.
One time he came out to my bay and started going through a vehicle and I asked him what he was doing. His reply was making us money. Then He yelled out bingo. I said what did you find.
He said the best thing of all a baby seat and baby toys. He then said this vehicle needs brakes. I said I didn’t look at the brakes yet. He said it didn’t matter what it needed it only mattered what they were getting.
Most people are scammed at some point by the auto repair business
Now in this case the brakes were about 25% remaining so selling brakes to this person didn’t hurt anyone. But the service adviser asked about the baby to set up the sale for family safety reasons.
If the customer hesitated to buy, the service adviser would explain it was for the safety of the baby and how if she performed an emergency stop the vehicle would take longer to stop with worn brakes and he was looking out for her baby. This guy was a shark and pulled down more than $100,000 a year just for selling service.
I tell you this story so you can be on guard if you run into a shark. The shark will start asking you personal questions while you are waiting for the vehicle to be brought into the shop. Not because he cares about you. He is trying to paint a picture of you so he can find the button he needs to push to make a sale. And do not forget to clean out the inside of your car including the glove box. You must protect yourself!
Here is a perfect example of the auto repair business hard at work taking money for unneeded repairs. View one of my online auto repair stories here
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Auto Mechanics and ASE Certifications
About ASE certified mechanics.
The national Institute for automotive service excellence or ASE is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 for the purpose of improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive mechanics. Currently there are over 400,000 professional certified automotive technicians.
ASE certification recognizes the knowledge and experience of professional auto mechanics. Taking and passing the ASE certification tests also demonstrates the employers commitment to professionalism. Becoming an ASE certified technician can mean better compensation and increased employment opportunities as well.
ASE, not only certifies technicians for competency. It also promotes the benefits of technician certification to the motoring public. Repair shops, an employee at lease one ASE certified technician can display the ASE sign. Established auto repair centers, where 75% of the technicians are certified with at least one technician certified in each area of service offered by the business are eligible for the ASE blue seal of excellence program display sign. ASE and urges consumers to patronize the auto repair centers that take this extra step towards the commitment to excellence.
How to become an ASE certified mechanic.
To become ASE certified, you must pass at least one ASE exam and have at least two years of related work experience. Technicians that pass, all tests in a series earned the master technician status. The ASE certification is valid for a five-year period of time after this time has elapsed. You must retest to retain certification, demonstrating that you have cut up with the changing technology in the automotive repair field.
The ASE tests consist of 40 to 85 multiple-choice questions. A panel of technical experts writes test questions from vehicle, parts and equipment manufacturers, as well as working technicians and technical automotive educational instructors.
All questions have been tested and quality checked on a national sample of technicians. The questions are derived from information presented in the task list, which details the knowledge that a technician must have to pass an ASE certification exam. This task list periodically updated by ASE in response to changes in auto repair technology and car repair techniques.
For more stories good and bad about mechanics visit my page about auto mechanics I have worked with.
Check engine light is on
(Quick story) I remember one time my sister had her car repaired when she was out of town.
She was driving and her check engine light came on. She called me in a panic. I told her to take it to a chain store and hope for the best but to ask for the old parts back.
The shop said the vehicle needed an o2 sensor and my sister confirmed the light was out and received the old part.
When she got back in town I asked to see her old part, it was not an o2 sensor but an egr valve off of a large diesel engine. Definitely not from her little economy car gas engine.
When I looked under her car the old original o2 sensor was still in the exhaust stream.
To make a long story short the shop just cleared the check engine light and let her go after confirming with her she was heading back to her home state.
Two things to learn from this. One if you have out of state tags tell the shop you just moved to the state your in and have not changed your tags yet.
The shop knows that if you are a transient customer that they will never see you again and can give you the royal screw over with no problems.
The second lesson is if you ask for the old parts back know what the part looks like.
Have the shop show you the old part on the car before they remove it so you can confirm it is the part quoted in the repair estimate.
Learning some basic automotive skills will make you feel more confident about going in for auto service. The service writer or service manager will instantly recognize this confidence.
A consumer that understands the vehicle and how the auto service business works is usually passed over when it comes time to apply the rip offs and scams.
For more information on check engine light diy diagnosis. For more info on protecting yourself from auto repair rip-offs.
Beware of cheap oil change services
The simple oil change service. There are many kinds of shops that perform this service. Dealerships, chain stores, quick lube centers, independent shops and mobile auto repair service.
They all view the service as an opportunity to up sell you something else.
The profit margin on an oil change service is very small. The shop considers this an acceptable loss because it provides them an opportunity to look your vehicle over very carefully.
The shop calls this an at bat. And sometimes they strike out but most of the time they hit a homerun.
Being under your vehicle and then in the engine compartment to refill the oil provides them with all the opportunity needed to work up a nice big list.
Even the quick lube centers that do not even have qualified technicians are selling services like coolant flushes transmission fluid changes fuel injection cleaning and more.
It cracked me up when they started selling windshield services where they would apply a rain shedding product and new wiper blades for about $75.00.
When I say that quick lube centers do not employee qualified technicians I am being truthful.
These auto repair service shops pay a very low hourly rate and there fore are unable to find a certified technician to work for $7.00 – $9.00 an hour.
This could spell trouble for some customers. An oil change is a simple operation but if done incorrectly major engine damage can result.
For more information on how to protect yourself from the common oil change service scam visit my inside the Auto repair business page.
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