Continental has expanded its ATE brake fluid line with the ATE Super DOT 5.1. 

Tire pressure monitoring system (generally referred to as TPMS or TPM) is relatively basic in terms of the number of involved components. But there can be hiccups. We walk through the steps, and also gather service tips from TPMS manufacturers.

The spark plug has a straightforward job to do. It’s responsible for igniting the air/fuel mixture in the engine’s combustion chamber initiating the power stroke. But this task is far from simple. The spark plug’s operating environment is extreme with combustion temperatures reaching 1500 F and peak cylinder pressure reaching 1,000 psi or more.

We as automotive technicians all get the intermittent problems or symptoms from a customer’s car that we know can take a lot of diagnostic time to duplicate the symptom and a lot of diagnostic tests. Even so, there are times in all of our encounters when we are forced to make a judgment call as to what component we may feel is causing the intermittent problem.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is now standard equipment on virtually all new models of vehicles sold. One reason is clear: it removes the parasitic drag of the constantly turning, belt-driven hydraulic pump used to supply the hydraulic force to move the steering mechanism.

What if the only thing you learn is to stay away from “orange cables?” How will we ever transition to electric vehicles? This is the first article in a series. In each edition we will offer you a new lesson in repairs of hybrid and electric cars and trucks.

Tracer Products offers LeakFinder LF200CS, an air conditioning sealant that permanently seals pinhole leaks in accumulator/receivers, evaporators, condensers, O-rings, hoses and more. The single-use syringe comes with an adapter to connect to either R-134a or R-1234yf systems.

More original equipment manufacturers are incorporating automatic high beam systems as a safety feature in vehicles. So how does this technology work and what can we expect to see as these vehicles start showing up in our shops for service?

If we go back to the early electronic fuel injection, (EFI) systems known as batch-fired injectors or what was called simultaneous EFI systems, the bank 1 injectors were all fired together. The next engine revolution resulted in the powertrain control module (PCM) group firing the injectors from bank 2. When an injector electrically lost its resistance value or had a problem called pintle distortion, it created a rich condition on that specific cylinder and bank.

A vehicle suspension system features springs and dampers (shocks). The spring supports vehicle weight and determines ride height. The dampers (shocks and struts) provide control of the springs, dampening compression and rebound.

There is plenty of proof that 80% of the top 10 emission diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) can be solved by diagnosing the data from the global side of a scan tool. 

A CV joint design permits freedom of movement without bind or differences in output/input, since the inboard CV joint features a “plunging” movement that allows the shaft to move in/out during suspension travel without restricting suspension travel.

The massive recall includes all Model 3 sedans. 

Diagnosing a parasitic draw can be a time-consuming challenge.

Whenever a customer’s vehicle enters the shop, for whatever reason (tire rotation, brake service, headlight bulb, noise complaint, etc.), an initial “courtesy check” can and should be offered. 

Plews & Edelmann announced a new synthetic power steering fluid to complement its new power steering parts program.

Tesla has recalled roughly 475,000 cars in the U.S.—nearly equivalent to its global deliveries in 2020.

But what exactly is a DTC that we retrieve? The simple answer is that a DTC is the result of a failed test. 

We’ll discuss the operation and wear/failure aspects of both today’s chain and belt systems.