Automotive Service Facility Secrets That Will Save You Money

I want to talk a little about automotive diagnostic costs and how they get passed on to the average consumer along with the reasons behind this. The inner workings of Automotive service centers are very similar in some aspects and very different in others. Some service centers really try to give the best customer service available while others will charge you for every bit of time that they can scrape up and not even look back.
Not all Automotive diagnostic strategies are equal.

The truth about diagnostics is that technicians will not always treat them the same way. There are always different points of view and unfortunately just because you retrieve a certain fault code, the part it points to may not in fact be the failed part. The technician will use his own experiences to diagnose the problem and not necessarily the "text- book" method depending upon the skill set of the tech.
Technicians need to feed their families.

Automotive

The technician, like anyone else, needs to feed his family and in the automotive service profession the techs are paid by the book hour. This means that they receive a small amount of time to diagnose the problem and the standard "book" time to replace the part. This is where things tend to go wrong as the technician is forced to "beat the clock" to diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Parts Swapping

When the technician is faced with a fault that is unusual and has to spend a fair amount of time on it, this is where you start to pay. It is not that the technician is untrained or inexperienced, but rather that he or she may have to ask for extra time or start swapping parts which you may end up paying for.
Paying for more than you needed

Nobody usually minds paying a little extra if the technician has run into a problem and needs more time, but it is when the fifth part that was replaced has fixed the problem and you are faced paying for the other 4 possibly unnecessary parts. This happens because the technician must fix the vehicle as promptly as possible to get paid and move on to the next job.
Be smart about your repairs

When you bring your vehicle in for diagnostic work such as a check engine light, air conditioning, abs light, air bag light, etc. always and I repeat "ALWAYS" tell the service center to call you after they have put an hours worth of time in and convey to you where they are at with the vehicle at that time. At that point you can make a determination where the technician is at in diagnosing your vehicle and you can then decide how much more time you are willing to let him spend on it. Don't be afraid to push the service adviser into telling you whether he is close or not.
Paying for parts you did NOT need

There are many instances where the technician will put 2, 3, or 4 parts on the vehicle and say that they were all contributors of the problem and it seemed to get a little better as each one was replaced. From my experience this is possible only when the vehicle is just so old and neglected or there was consequential damage as something took out a multitude of parts and it usually wasn't any of the parts but some other underlying problem. Again you should instruct the service adviser to call you as soon as they suspect a part and want to replace it and if it is not the problem will you be charged for that part.
Generally dealerships will treat you better

Automotive service dealerships normally will be more expensive, but are large enough to usually work with you on possibly splitting the time of the diagnosis. If it was an extensive diagnosis they may consider "eating" some of the time and NOT charge you for any parts that did not fix the vehicle. There are many independent service shops that will grant this negotiation to you, but in my experience there were not as many.

Everyone needs to get their vehicle serviced at some point or another and being aware of the situation will greatly help you in the long run. If you experience a situation that you are not so sure of and need a little advice, be sure to drop us a line at the company website.

Automotive Service Facility Secrets That Will Save You Money

UK Best Shopping online Save up To 50% & Fast Delivery Free! US William Luxury Watches Best Shopping online Save up To 50% & Fast Delivery Free!

Automotive Engine Repair Process

As vehicle engines become old, or improperly maintained, internal engine component failure can occur. While some vehicle owners may choose to simply buy a new car, there are many people that want to repair their engines so that they do not have to take on a car payment for a new car. Especially in this economy, it is understandable how people want to stretch their money as far as it can go. In many cases, rebuilding a damaged engine is more cost effective then buying a new car in the long run.

When an engine has failed, a skilled automotive technician will remove it from the vehicle. This is a laborious process and can often cost around seven hundred dollars to remove and reinstall automotive engines. Once the engine is out of the vehicle, it normally is given to a skilled engine builder for further assessment.

Automotive

Once the engine builder has the engine, it will be carefully disassembled. Notes will be taken during this process to document the damage found. Once the engine is completely disassembled, all of the components are chemically cleaned to remove the oil, carbon and any contaminates. At this point, the engine builder can use specialized measuring tools to determine whether or not the internal engine parts are within acceptable tolerances. After a full assessment is made, the engine builder will then quote out the parts and labor necessary to repair the engine.

The labor to repair an engine is the largest component of the overall engine repair bill. In many cases the cylinder block must be bored, new pistons installed on the connecting rods and the cylinder heads reconditioned. Another labor intensive process is repairing the crankshaft.

When you hear people saying that their engine has a "spun bearing," this simply means that one of their crankshaft bearings has failed. Bearing and crankshaft failure, by most accounts, are the leading cause of failed engines being removed from vehicles. When the crankshaft must be reconditioned, the process is completed in a crankshaft grinding machine. The equipment to perform this task can cost well over ,000, which is why repairing crankshafts is not inexpensive.

After all of the engine components have been repaired or replaced, an engine builder will thoroughly clean all of the components before assembly. This is needed to remove any contaminates from the internal engine parts. With clean parts in hand, the engine builder may assemble the engine in a clean environment so that it is ready for the automotive technician to install.

After the automotive technician has installed the rebuilt engine, in most cases they will offer a limited warranty of one to three years. This warranty assures vehicle owners that the investment they made in repairing their engine is protected by a contract. With a typical car payment being 0 or more each month, vehicle owners can often save nearly ,000 when they repair a failed engine instead of buying new. In these tight economic times, those savings can allow consumers the opportunity to save a significant amount of money over just a few years.

Automotive Engine Repair Process

UK Best Shopping online Save up To 50% & Fast Delivery Free! US William Luxury Watches Best Shopping online Save up To 50% & Fast Delivery Free!

Automotive Superchargers - Their Care & Maintenance

Turbochargers are superchargers that are driven by the force of the automobile engine exhaust. It can be confusing listening to fast car buffs and car guys as often turbochargers are referred to simply as "turbo-superchargers". These fast car, high speed race car auto speed devices literally ram the air into the vehicle's engine by raising the pressure of the air in the motor's intake manifold.

Although turbochargers can spin at great speed, unbelievably up in the ranges of 10,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), surprising they are relatively trouble free over their lifetimes and overall can be counted on the provide great boosts of speed reliably with little complaint and need little routine service or care.. Sure though gaskets must remain in good and sealed order. Fasteners proper torque and the oil supply to the unit open and functioning clean and well. As well auxiliary controls such as boost control must operate correctly.

Automotive

If service has to be done generally the professional mechanic will find that when they remove the unit from the engine, if is essential to clean before removal and as well cover any openings that lead into the engine itself. It is more than essential that extreme care should be practiced and maintained during handling and repair to avoid the slightest nicking or bending of any part of the turbine or compressor blades. Blade damage can and will seriously reduce the unit's lifespan and life time. In some extreme cases it can even cause the unit to spin out of control and high speeds, fragmenting and basically destroying itself in the process.

Thus it cannot be over emphasized that after any inspections or repairs of auto engine turbochargers it is essential that the entire unit of the turbine and its associated compressor be carefully inspected for nicks, bent sections, cracking or clogging. Your automotive turbocharging unit should essentially spin freely and quietly.

Automotive Superchargers - Their Care & Maintenance

Automotive Error Codes - Generic ODB II Codes to Figure Out Whats Wrong Using an Error Code Reader

Your check engine light can come on for a variety of reasons. If you are a do it your selfer, or someone with some experience in auto repair, you can find out whats wrong by checking the error codes. These error codes are generated by an engine tester or code reader.

If you feel like purchasing an engine code reader, you can do so at your local auto parts store or online retailer but these stores will often check your error codes for you free of charge. Some of these codes may be an easy fix, and some of them not so easy.

Automotive

These codes are general error codes for vehicles built after 1996. Before 1996, each vehicle had its own set of diagnostic tools and codes. Unfortunately, these codes were a pain the butt to understand and costly to determine. Eventually, the government made it mandatory to make each vehicle code the same. This cut down on cost and the amount of instruments you needed to determine these codes. The new regulation for codes is called ODB ll or ODB 2. Before that, there was ODB l.

These ODB scanners come in a variety of types. Most of these scanners are hand held and easy to use. You just connect the pin connector to the socket under the dash on the drivers side. These ports are often near the fuse box. Once you have plugged in, you just start up the car and the error will transfer over to the scanner. The scanner will then display the error code, and in some cases (the more expensive models), the scanner will display the code with a readout to tell you whats wrong. The The newer, nicer models can even hook up to your windows PC for software and firmware updates.

Automotive Error Codes - Generic ODB II Codes to Figure Out Whats Wrong Using an Error Code Reader

Rev Up Design Innovation and Automotive Product Development

Innovate Faster
Today's economy, more than ever, compels innovation and a rapid succession of new models in order to remain vital and profitable in the market. The ability to reduce development cycles and development costs can be achieved by sharing expensive engineering capabilities, and dynamic, cost-effective collaborations to design quickly and efficiently more and multiple products. Effectively utilizing the latest CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM technology including 3D design to suit your specific needs can help produce more accurate, more complex designs in shorter lead times at an average of 22% and reduce non-conformance issues up to 40% when compared to standard 2D methods.

Collaborate Better
Effective and early collaboration is absolutely critical, with up to 70% of a product's total lifecycle costs being defined during the early phases of product development. Having a supplier that understands the demands and challenges of your product development process and is able to help meet those challenges lends itself to faster innovation capacity and capability. Even if you are already implementing the latest CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM in-house a professional design services firm can provide the ability to increase your capacity by seamlessly integrating with your team to manage the demand with focused expertise.

Automotive

Manage Data Effectively
The development of new automotive products and processes is no easy task. A host of design, product, and process data must be captured and managed. The better managed, and more this data can be condensed into an easy-to-search repository, the higher the quality of development process that can be achieved and the more this data can be leveraged for future designs. Vital to this end, is the creation of fully assoicative 2D production drawings, 3D solid models and 3D visualisations, rapid prototyping models, BOM's, products with multipe configurations and model variants, simulations and analysis reports, and project management documents such as revision lists and drawing lists.

Manage Engineering Changes
Engineering changes typically occur at a rapid rate during the design, assembly, and testing phases. A change to the project can affect many documents. Utilizing the latest CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM technology can help avoid costly mistakes by ensuring that changes made anywhere in the process automatically update all product documentation, including parts, assemblies, and systems drawings.

If you are not currently using industry standard solutions, implementing this capability will require a large upfront investment of not only money but also time. A professional design services firm, having already made the necessary investments to overcome the steep learning curve and infrastructure setup for these tools, will be prepared to augment your capability quickly and cost-effectively. Acting as an extension of your team, they can provide the focused services that you need to more rapidly develop innovative designs, and create professional product and project documentation quickly and easily. You can take advantage of the following benefits:

o Achieve optimized solutions around cost and performance.
o Innovate new high efficiency products with respect to energy and resource conservation while maintaining leading positions in product performance and reliability.
o Develop and evaluate multiple design concepts with the use of engineering analysis, rapid prototyping techniques and general design skills.
o Test and evaluate models to identify best practices in design, manufacturing and performance.
o Perform component and subsystem design.

With more and more electronic and software content, hybrid power trains, drive-by-wire systems, sophisticated infotainment systems, highly optimized aerodynamic and vibration behavior it helps to be able to tightly integrate the domains of Mechanical, Electrical and Software Engineering. You need the ability to work unimpeded with ECAD and MCAD data. Electronic devices can be checked for efficient cooling by simulating convection and conduction within their designs.

Automated, parametric drawings substantially reduce the time and cost of the design, especially when the task is complex, involves intricate details, custom and broken-out sections, cavity pieces for mold generation or requires numerous changes.

With engineering services you can analyze the physical behavior of designs through simulation to improve time to market and reduce errors later in the development cycle, conduct quick stress analyses to make sure that parts can carry anticipated loads, improve designs by reducing weight without sacrificing strength. Collision detection can be invaluable, particularly in the engine area where clearances can be a major issue. These capabilities help reduce developments cost by reducing the number of needed physical prototypes.

Rev Up Design Innovation and Automotive Product Development

Green Degreasers: A Good Choice for Automotive Part Refinishing

Cleaning solvents are used heavily among industries dealing with parts or equipment. Automotive refinishing businesses apply solutions to strip all grime and dirt off of parts before repainting. The environment has been one of the largest concerns when using strong chemicals. They release toxin s into the air or soil if not disposed of properly.

Worker safety is another concern due to the chemicals entering the skin or being inhaled. A worker could experience skin irritation when in direct contact with solvents or develop internal health problems from vapor inhalation. These concerns have led to the development of green or eco-friendly cleaners. Degreasers are a necessity for many industrial processes and make using newer products even safer. Green degreasers have been designed to provide the same results without the extensive risks accompanying common hazardous cleaners.

Automotive

How Does an Industrial Degreaser Fit Into the Motor Cleaning Process?

An industrial degreaser must be used any time an engine or other automotive part is painted. Buildup prevents the paint from adhering to the metal and from being applied evenly. Dried paint will flake off if cleaning is not performed prior to painting. Engine degreasing is not done all at once. It is a multi-step process where degreasing is performed more than once for a complete clean. The first application involves the entire engine so cleaning can be done on the warm parts. Parts are then removed and the engine is cleaned again. After degreasing has been completed, paint can be applied to the engine's metal surface.

Run the engine until it is warm before applying the industrial degreaser to necessary parts. A plastic bag secured by tape should be used to cover the air intake duct and the distributor cap. This prevents water from getting into the intake opening. The intake is a hose with one end entirely open or covered with a screen.

A distributor cap consists of thick rubber wires leading to each spark plug. It will consist of heavy plastic, have a round shape, and be made up of five to nine wires depending on the type of motor. Any part that could suffer from water saturation must be covered. Use a spray degreaser to commence cleaning to make sure it does not touch hoses and wires. The chemical should be left on for around fifteen minutes to allow for grease penetration.

A wire brush may be used to loosen extensive buildup areas. Rinse the solvent using a strong stream of water such as that provided by a power washer. The engine compartment will have to be taken apart for internal cleaning. This involves many additional steps including hose detachment, wire removal, and spot cleaning.

A traditional degreaser can be dangerous if used during this process. It is performed in a more open environment where chemicals can easily flow through the air. Anyone working in the automotive industry can benefit from a green degreaser because compound release is minimal and the products are easy to dispose. They pose no harm to the environment, yet provide the same great cleaning power as chemicals commonly applied to parts cleaning.

Green Degreasers: A Good Choice for Automotive Part Refinishing

Automotive Trim Development

Automotive Trim Developments is actually a company that specialise in providing customers with interior trim solutions for the marine, automotive and aviation markets, they have capabilities of bespoke design. ATD have the expertise and staff to develop straight form CAD and concept drawings all the way through to the finished product or production ready pattern.

Their main strength and focus lies in the manufacture and development of leather products however their large scale projects and extensive 'hands on' experience give them the understanding for requirements of a variety of different design briefs.

Automotive

Concept Stage

Usually the design concept will come from the customer, they will plan it out as they would like the finished product to be and AVT will develop that concept into its final form, however they also offer in house concept design from their own design studios. The engineers can even work at your own choice of location providing they are under your guidance.

At this stage they will also give you guidance on they best use of materials for you to use and achieve the highest possible standard for your brief.

Development Stage

The CAD information or drawing achieved during the concept stage can now be turned into foam components. These foam representations of your design are then used for pre-production and reviews.

Manufacturing Stage

Here all the hard work pays off and what started out as a concept becomes reality, your product is manufactured using the latest plotting, digitising and cutting equipment.

The 3 stages above are the 3 main steps towards the manufacture of your bespoke interior design.

Automotive Trim Development

Automotive Tools

The work of an auto mechanic revolve around repair and maintenance performance of automobiles and other vehicles such as trucks and motorcycles and to do this, they often use hand tools in their line of work.

Here are three of the most commonly and most valuable automotive tools that an auto mechanic must have as part of their repair and maintenance tools:

Automotive

Pliers - this can be described as a two handled hand tool with two movable jaws. Pliers function is grasp small objects and either tighten or loosen parts into place plus they are also used to hold and bend materials such as wires and it will usually also have a small area that is equipped to snip wire at the base of the jaws. Pliers have several types which are all used by a mechanic in their work such as the channel pliers, long nose, diagonal cutting and slip joint pliers.

Screwdrivers - these are tools often used by automobile mechanics to fit into screws and either tighten or loosen them into place. Screwdrivers have a Screwdrivers have a distinct tip which fits into each screw. There are several different types of screwdrivers to fit each type of screw. This automotive tool actually has various types such as the Flat-head, Phillips, Robertson and hex which are all used by auto mechanics.

Wrenches - The function of this automotive tool is to hold slippery or small nuts and bolts and either loosen or tighten it. Wrenches are made in a number of sizes in order to fit the various nuts and bolts used in parts of an automobile. Just like pliers and screwdrivers, wrenches come in various types but they are all used for tightening in some form.

Some types of wrenches are: torque wrenches, impact wrenches and monkey wrenches which are all used by auto mechanics in their everyday work.

Automotive Tools

Automotive Marketing - The Value of Good Prospecting

The world economy has been very uncooperative for businessmen, especially automotive dealers who are struggling with the crunch as nearly everyone else in business is. People are simply harder to convince they need to get a car or a new one to replace what they might have had for years.

Indeed, buying any sort of vehicle these days is no longer a simple matter. The economic downtrend generally noted in most countries has made people more conscious about their expenses. More than anything, it has taught them to weigh their priorities and cultivate the discipline to stay committed to these priorities. Still, at the end of the day, automotive marketing people still have to continue with their job even if it means finding every possible avenue that leads to increased productivity.

Automotive

Of course, everyone who plans to sell needs people to sell to. Prospecting is, thus, a very important step to for those who want to actually post sales and not just plan them. Whatever type of vehicle one is trying to sell, it is important to come up with an actual list of leads who just may turn into customers. When you market any type of product there is, time is always of the essence. And when you start wasting it with the wrong leads, goals may not be achieved. And what is there to do if not achieve sales goals when in business?

The value of leads is very important and even crucial to the success of any automotive marketer. The leads cannot just be any other list- it has to come with all the information that could provide a lead within a lead - that is, tidbits of information regarding the prospect's automotive history, from his last date of vehicle purchase to the model or models he has bought. A list of prospects must also include hints about the person's credit score or standing so as to give the marketer a good basis for judging whether or not the prospect may turn out to be not just a customer but a responsible one.

Good prospecting does many things for a marketer, but above all, it allows one to plan ahead. And when the market gets as tough as it is right now, being able to plan ahead is going to be every automotive marketer's edge over the others who opt to be more spontaneous in their approach.

Automotive Marketing - The Value of Good Prospecting

The 2012 Olympics Official Automotive Partner

The London 2012 Olympic committee chose BMW as its Official Automotive Partner, the committee believes BMW's sustainability credentials will help make the London 2012 games sustainable. In accordance with the partnership the German car maker will supply the game's participants and organisers with a range of Efficient Dynamic diesel cars, hybrids and electric vehicles, achieving average CO2 emissions below the LOCOG target of 120g/km, as well as bicycles and motorcycles.

BMW has recently announced its initiative designed to provide Team GB and Paralympics GB with support as they prepare for the Games on and off the field, called the BMW London 2012 Performance Team. The first twelve athletes have already joined the team, medal prospects such as Tom Daley, Louis Smith and Ellie Simmonds to 2012 hopefuls Jonathan Brownlee and Giles Scott are a few already signed up.

Automotive

Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW UK said, "Our position as the world's most sustainable automotive company makes us a natural partner for a sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Our Efficient Dynamics programme means our cars are extremely fuel efficient, with low CO2 emissions, while still delivering great performance - just like our athletes who strive for maximum energy efficiency and performance. That's why we're delighted to be launching the BMW London 2012 Performance Team and we look forward to supporting these athletes as they prepare for London 2012."

Tom Daley a Team GB Diver who came so close in the last games to a gold medal said, "It's no secret that I'll be looking to win a gold medal at London 2012 but what I do in the run up to the Games, is as important as what I do on the day itself. Having the support of the BMW London 2012 Performance Team throughout my training will help to drive me towards my dream and hopefully to pass my driving test this year too - I can't wait to get into my MINI!"

The 2012 Olympics Official Automotive Partner

Closing Strategies For Automotive Sales Training

All seasoned salesmen know that there are not short cuts to closing a deal. You begin closing the deal when you walk out on the lot. Skipping a step in the procedure can cost you the sale and can possibly send your customer to your competitor. There are a few closing strategies that you may want to consider when you are trying to make the sale. These can make the difference between closing the deal and closing the door on your career.

Automobile Sales Training Insists that First Impressions are Key

Automotive

When you stop onto the lot to greet your customer, they first impression they get will determine whether they purchase on your lot. If you rush onto the lot trying to beat other salesmen to the punch, you are going to tell your customer that you are desperate for a sale and will say or do anything to make the sale. Everything you do, the way you look and the language you choose will help the customer make their decision. Try not to lose your customer with technical jargon unless they want to know specifics and always greet them with a smile and a handshake. This tells them you are happy they came.

Automotive Sales Training - Building a Rapport

After you have greeted your customer and given them the best first impression you can possibly give, you must begin building a rapport with them. This means making some small talk before you go in for the kill. Maybe get the main customer to introduce the rest of his party or act as though you have seen them both somewhere before. This opens up the lines of communication and is important in building trust and respect. Ask them about why they are looking for a car. Build from there on other aspects such as type of car they want and maybe even what kind of payments they are expecting to pay. This gives you an idea of the type of car to steer them towards.

Auto Sales Training says take them on a Test Drive

When your customer wants to test drive the car, go with him. While you are gone it gives you the chance to point out more luxury features that are only visible when the car is running. Maybe you can point out how quiet the car is, how well the air conditioning works or maybe even the inflatable driver's seat for comfort. Taking the drive with them allows you to spend more time with them to convince them to make the purchase.

Closing Strategies For Automotive Sales Training

Retro Leather Jackets - Recreating Automotive Fashion History

Spending the better part of 40+ years with a variety of major fashion retailers, I have learned some certain truths. Along with the inevitability of death and taxes is the truth that , in fashion, what had gone around comes around again. The cycle is usually generational. For some reason, every 40 years the essence of the hot fashion of the time is revived and given the title "Retro". It was only natural, that with the upsurge in Vintage Automobile collecting and racing, some of the hot fashion associated with with the era of the 1960's / 1970's would start showing up about now - and also inevitable that there would be a large appeal to a younger, non automotive related audience.

First comes the fabric. Leather jackets have always been cool, but when worn by Marlon Brando and his motorcycle gang, Jimmy Dean in his Porsche 550, Steve McQueen "The King of Cool" in the Great Escape - "cool" had a new meaning. Leather in jackets relating to automobiles, modern and vintage, is back with a vengence. Next comes the style. When I was buying jackets back in the late 60's / early 70's there was one style designed for "cool " drivers and its generic name was the descriptive name of the company - "Style Auto". Literally thousands of dozens of this style in a variety of fabric were made. It's baaaack.

Automotive

Tony "a2z racer" Adamowicz, working from his original 1970 collection of jackets has produced and is marketing an improved retro Top Grain Leather Jacket that captures the essence of the original. Perfect for both the new and old Porsche, Corvette, BMW, Shelby Mustang GT500, etc. Tony, who just had a podium finish at Infineon Raceway in his 40 year old 1969 F5000 Championship car, said that he will also be designing this Satin Lined, Leather Jacket in other fabrics including Corduroy and Nylon Cire. Tony plans to be styling in his vintage Datsun 240Z. I plan to follow suit in my 65 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. Niche market to mainstream continues to be the mantra for retro design.

Retro Leather Jackets - Recreating Automotive Fashion History

Automotive Carbon Fiber Use

Carbon Fiber has become a popular tool in the customization of cars in the last decade. Vehicles all over the world have begun to see the benefits of utilizing quality carbon fiber. There is no doubt that as time goes on, more and more vehicles will be seen sporting this lightweight and strong material. And the trend is not just with customized vehicles. Auto manufacturers are using this material in creation of their higher end sports cars and exotics.

There was times when it was tremendously expensive. New technologies, popularity, and better production methods have lowered the cost of production and ultimately the end price for the consumer in recent years. It is now affordable to almost everyone. And if your thinking that the price of a product is too expensive for your needs, consider the amount of gas money you will save in the long run after you add carbon fiber products to your car. They are light in weight. Reducing the overall weight of your vehicle is a great way to conserve gas, saving money after years of driving.

Automotive

One item for autos that makes use of of this great invention is the Carbon Fiber Hood. This product benefits your vehicle for many reasons and should be considered as one of the first mods to be accomplished when hooking up your new vehicle. These Hoods can be found on the internet at great prices. There are several online retailers who offer custom hoods from many different manufacturers. You can get these hoods for virtually any year, make, and model of vehicles.

Automotive Carbon Fiber Use

How to Choose a Vacuum Pump for your Automotive Shop

A vacuum pump has several uses for the auto air conditioning mechanic and automotive shop. The main purpose of a vacuum pump is to remove air and moisture from your automobile air conditioning system. Moisture is a serious threat to your car's air conditioning system. Moisture will move through the refrigerant line as fine mist and crystallize wherever it expands. Also, when moisture mixes with refrigerants it will become extremely corrosive. You won't notice this damage until it's too late. A vacuum pump removes moisture by creating a vacuum in the air conditioning system. The low pressure will boil off the moisture at very low temperatures. This will vaporize the water and vent it out through the system.

Now the next issue is what is the best type and size of vacuum pump to use. First, there are 2 types you will come across. The cheapest is a venturi type vacuum pump that runs from your shop air compressor. Venturi pumps are popular with the home mechanic crowd since they are cheap and easy to use. However, they are limited by the fact that they it is very hard to boil off much moisture with one of these types of vacuum pumps. They just will not pull a good a vacuum as you need. The best and most common vacuum pumps that are found in a professional auto shop is a good electric vacuum pump. Every professional air conditioner mechanic and auto shop have at least one. You now have to decide what make and model to purchase or rent. Most vacuum pumps have a CFM rating on the box. This indicates how much air volume the pump can remove from the system. The more air the pump can move, the quicker it will achieve the proper vacuum.

Automotive

There is also two stage and single stage pumps. Also, the two stage pumps are quicker and more efficient, but a single stage will get the job done. If you are using a vacuum pump on a passenger car up to 10 tons, a 1.2 cfm pump will work fine. If you are working on a air conditioning system in a large truck or RV, you will probably need to move up to a 4 cfm model. Now that you have chosen the proper vacuum pump for your automotive shop, you will need to properly maintain this piece of equipment. The main thing is to change the vacuum pump oil frequently. You should immediately change the oil if:

1. You have just evacuated an air conditioning system that was contaminated with moisture.

2. The air conditioner had a compressor burnout and evacuated the system.

3. The vacuum pump oil looks "cloudy" or "milky"/.

4. Your vacuum pump will not pull the factory rated micron range.

How to Choose a Vacuum Pump for your Automotive Shop

Automotive Engineering Jobs

Knowledge Requirements
Automotive engineering encompasses mechanical and structural engineering and requires those working within the field to apply the principles of several scientific disciplines. These include physics, structural design, and materials analysis. Automotive engineering jobs also require a strong understanding of manufacturing principles and mechanical system design and operation methods.

These engineers may also need to be knowledgeable in several other areas of engineering, including safety, power, electronics, and software. Many engineers working in the automotive field will specialize in a particular area, allowing them to become experts in their realm. This often results in higher pay and better job security.

Automotive

Project Leaders
Some of the most well educated, experiences, and skilled automotive engineers are those who are able to oversee projects in new business or product development. These automotive engineering jobs are responsible to leading a design, engineering and manufacturing team that take new products from conceptualization through production. Such engineering roles are highly compensated in the marketplace and also require candidates to have strong "soft" skills in addition to technical know-how.

Communication and leadership are among the soft skills necessary for engineers to be successful in overseeing team-based automotive engineering development projects. While the job market is jam packed with highly skilled technical engineers, it is a wide open playing field for those with a more well-rounded skill set.

Specialties in the Field
There are a number of specialized automotive engineering jobs to be found in the field. These positions may focus on a particular kind of system, structure or function of vehicles, or it may be a certain subset of vehicles.

For example, an automotive engineer may specialize in the design of vehicle bodies, in which case he or she would be required to possess superior knowledge of structural design principles. Or, the engineer may specialize in the development of guidance or navigation systems, in which case he or she would need to be quite knowledgeable in computer science and software applications.

Those engineering jobs that specialize in vehicle subsets may include the design, development, and manufacture of passenger or commercial, land-based transportation vehicles. The engineer may be an expert on passenger or transportation trains, motorcycles, school or public transit buses, passenger cars, or military transport vehicles.

Regardless of the area in which the engineer specializes, he or she may also be an expert within that particular subsector of the automotive engineering field. This means that there are highly knowledgeable engineers who are able to design and develop new components, structures and systems for a specific kind of vehicle. For example, there are automotive engineering jobs that work only with the guidance systems found in military transport vehicles.

Automotive Engineering Jobs

Car Lifts, Truck Lifts, Automotive Lifts & Motorcycle Lifts - How to Choose the Best Type For the Jo

Automotive lifts, including car lifts, truck lifts, or motorcycle lifts, are a vital piece of equipment in any garage. In fact, you can get one for your home garage or commercial repair shop to raise almost anything with wheels, in almost any configuration, but you'll need to choose wisely. Each model is designed specifically to hold a certain type of vehicle, and if you ignore this fact, it can be dangerous or even deadly.

Before you choose one, take some time to get familiar with the many different types of hoists and their features. This will make it easy for you to find the one that works the best for the job you have in mind and keep you safe at the same time.

Automotive

Types Of Car Lifts, Automotive Lifts, Truck Lifts & Motorcycle Lifts
The type of auto lift you need will depend on the vehicle you'll be working on, how often you'll use it, where you'll be using it, and how much space you have available. Once you know that, you can match your needs to one of the available types, which include:

o Mechanical Styles -- Also called a manual jack, this style raises and lowers with the use of a pedal, handle, pins, screws, or bolts. They are often found in smaller hoists including motorcycle and utility lifts. o Hydraulic Automotive Lifts -- This method compresses a special liquid and uses a pump to force it through cylinders. This gives it added safety while making them easy to use.

o Electric/Hydraulic Truck & Car Lifts -- This style has added stability and security while ensuring the entire system works quickly and smoothly.

o In Ground or Pit Models -- Best used when space is at a premium and you need convenience, this style sits into the floor allowing you to drive the vehicles on and off. They run on hydraulics or electric/hydraulic systems, so they're easy, fast and can move a decent amount of weight.

o Portable Automotive Lifts -- If you travel frequently and need something you can take with you, these smaller versions are hassle-free regardless of the style you choose. o Air Powered Models -- Generally reserved for motorcycle lifts and small utility/recreational vehicle lifts, you simply have to hook this style up to an air compressor to raise and lower the hoist.

Features Of Each Type Of Car Lift, Automotive Lift, Truck Lift & Motorcycle Lift
Once you know what type of car lifts will work best for you, take a closer look at the details to decide which one would be the best purchase. Automotive lifts for trucks and cars come in several main styles:

o Two Post Car Lifts -- Great for home garages, this style takes up very little space and comes in two different styles: Symmetrical, which has two posts across from each other to center the weight (better for vehicles heavier in the rear), and asymmetrical, which holds the weight toward the front leaving room to access the interior of the vehicle.

o Four Posts Models -- With a sturdier build, the four post style remains stable even under a heavier load and make it easy for you to drive the vehicles directly onto it.

o Scissor Styles -- While unsuitable for permanent storage, they are ideal for a home garage. Both professionals and avid DIYers prefer this style for the increased access to the undercarriage and the ability to hold larger vehicles like buses.

o Low-Rise Models-- These have a dropped crossbar and low profile to prevent body damage and give you the room you need to work.

o Pit Hoists-- Whether you have a pit or want to save space, pit style automotive lifts make quick lube and tire rotation a breeze. With no cross bar, you have plenty of room to work. Portable or permanent mount, you decide.

When you need to store a vehicle, you need a model with stable and secure construction. Two automotive lifts that are ideal for storage include:

o Single Post Car Lifts -- Suitable for cars, trucks, boats, and recreational vehicles, this style's single-armed, wide platform is mounted for long-lasting stability.

o Two Post Car Lifts -- With no anchoring or mounting, you can double your storage wherever there's a concrete floor. The sturdy platform safely holds vehicles and keeps the entire undercarriage protected.

Larger vehicles like tour buses are tough, but they still require maintenance. Therefore, you'll need a heavy-duty mobile column truck lift that can handle the weight and give you enough clearance to work comfortably. These easily lift approximately 64,000 pounds in as little as a minute and have added security, locks, and stabilization.

If you'll be doing a lot of alignments, consider a two post, four post, or scissor alignment lift with an open front and clear center. Lawn maintenance and utility vehicles require a special turf equipment lift that will give you space and be fully adjustable to fit almost anything you can park on it.

Motorcycle lifts are available in several different styles, but use very little space and are very portable. While some use a pedal, others are air powered, or use a combination of electricity and hydraulics to raise the platforms.

Automotive lifts come in all different configurations, and choosing the right one will make a world of difference when it comes to actually doing the repairs. Simply match the right piece of equipment to the right job and you'll discover just how quick and easy repairs can be.

Car Lifts, Truck Lifts, Automotive Lifts & Motorcycle Lifts - How to Choose the Best Type For the Jo

A Job In The Automotive Industry

Finding a job can for some be a lengthy and drawn out experience, requiring much groundwork and preparation. Finding the "perfect" job can be even more of a chore and something the majority of us can only dream about.

Now, imagine trying to find a job in a particular industry, take for example the automotive sector. The usual process of finding a job in this area would require visiting several job agencies to browse the available vacancies, perhaps utilising their online services. You'd then maybe browse through the job pages of your local newspaper or maybe even a national newspaper if the job was of a particularly rare type and depending on how far you were willing to travel.

Automotive

Once you've managed to find a couple of vacancies that may suit you, taking note of the fact they may not be your ideal position, you begin the process of applying for and preparing for an interview. The time taken to get to this stage may have been long and filled with many let downs.

What if you could find a website that offered a one stop solution to this problem, listing countless automotive, motor trade and automotive engineering jobs? Your prayers would surely be answered and your chances of finding that elusive perfect job suddenly seeming much more realistic.

Well that is actually a reality with the advent of a new breed of Specialist industry specific job site. If you are looking for an automotive job you will now be able to find all that you need in one little package by visiting inautomotive.com an automotive job site offering you the chance to find that specialist dream job you've always wanted.

The site has many options to offer including the ability to upload your CV for prospective employers to look at, searching jobs by employer, a category search with 1000's of vacancies to consider and even an email alert to let you know when a job you'd find interesting is added.

You will even find a news section with the latest goings on in the automotive industry, allowing you to keep up to date with everything you need to know on your favourite subject.

Remember, whatever your dream job might be and whatever industry it may fall in. Never give up until you have found that perfect career that is waiting to be found.

A Job In The Automotive Industry

General Automotive Maintenance Tips

Are you concerned about your vehicle maintenance? Here are some good tips to keep your car on the road and out of the shop.

The first thing to remember is to follow the manufacturer's maintenance steps. This is critical if you want to maintain your car warranty and it will save you money in the long. If your warranty does not say that a dealer has to do the work, feel free to have your own mechanic do the work for you. That should save you a small fortune.

Automotive

Next is to keep track of when the dealer says you should replace parts such as fuel filters, belts, timing belts and other parts that wear out. Plan ahead to have those parts replaced. This will allow you to save up for the repair. Do not wait until the parts give out because when they fail they can cause more problems.

We have a car that we neglected to perform the recommended service on and we paid dearly when the problems from not replacing a .00 part ended up costing nearly 00.00 to fix. If we had gone to the shop, it would have been about double that price.

Once your warranty has expired, you can do the work for yourself. I recommend that you find a repair manual for you vehicle. They are available at most parts stores or online. I have even seen articles that tell you how to get them free. I have never followed the links and do not know what they require from you.

Unless you have containers for your used fluids, you should go to a shop for oil changes. Do not just go to an open area and let the oil drain on the ground. Most maintenance is simple to perform and you may find that you actually enjoy doing it.

Be sure that you have all of the parts and tools necessary to complete whatever task you are working on. There is nothing more frustrating than having to run to the parts store in the middle of a repair. When you look for parts, check the prices online. Many parts stores have great savings online and the shipping costs are not too expensive for most parts.

The most important thing to remember is safety. If you are working under a car, use jack stands and other safety devices to protect yourself. Remember to disconnect the battery before working around the wiring. If you do not disconnect the battery, you will get a good light show and a not so pleasant sensation in your arm. Do not try to replace a part if you are not sure how to replace it.

General Automotive Maintenance Tips

Inventory Management and Dealer Forecasting in the Automotive Industry

Automotive dealers have a number of objectives to meet with respect to stock levels. These include maintaining the right level of stock inventory, minimising stock holdings, keeping stock costs to a minimum and maximising efficiency in stock use. A consistent ordering process reduces business pressure to meet stock levels and allows dealers and distributors to manage the exceptions to stock levels as opposed to moving from one crisis to the next.

Without an efficient forecasting process in place a dealer will simply aim to minimize stock holdings. However, if dealers are not forecasting correctly, stock levels will be incorrect. There are obvious inventory costs in holding too much stock but at the same time, too little may require emergency orders. Dealers who require such emergency orders bear not only higher costs of stock purchase but also increased freight costs. In addition, dealers have traditionally decided not to order extra stock because, in the event that the dealer is unable to move that stock within a reasonable time frame, there may be a higher cost of managing and warehousing inventory.

Automotive

An efficient forecasting system assists both the distributor and dealer to reduce costs by providing a consistent, predictable and reliable basis for stock inventory. There will always be unforeseen circumstances, but these can be managed as exceptions as opposed to normal business processes.

Distributor versus dealer forecasting
A new system, pioneered and functioning well in Europe, gives distributors, rather than dealers, ultimate responsibility for forecasting stock requirements. By analysing trends in stock ordering across all dealerships, the distributor is better able to forecast, taking a broad view of requirements, predicting the expected stock requirements of dealers and advising accordingly. For example, following the release of a new vehicle model, patterns may emerge in high volume metropolitan locations. These then provide valid information on trends as the volume increases in other locations, such as in country areas. The distributor can advise or make certain components compulsory when a new dealer starts up or a new model is introduced into a new area.

Under this new system a dealer is obliged to purchase a certain level of stock because the distributor wants to ensure that a dealer has a basic set of components for a particular vehicle model that will cover most situations. Distributors understand, through trend analysis, the frequency with which components will be used and are in a position to advise dealers about the components that are to be maintained.

There has been slight, initial resistance from the dealers in the implementation of this system. The major issue has been that the distributor is basically instructing the dealer as to the stock that has to be purchased. However, as the distributor now accepts a greater risk by allowing the dealers to return unused stock within an agreed period or to increase or in some circumstances reduce quantities, resistance has been greatly reduced.

The advantage to the dealer in agreeing to those recommendations is that many dealers today would not stock all the recommended parts due to the cost of maintaining inventory and the fact that it could not be returned to the distributor if it was not used over a given time. Essentially, the dealer manages the inventory risk and their behaviour reflects that risk.

Free flow of information within the network
The key to successful dealer forecasting is the free flow of information between the dealer and the distributor. Dealers provide information about their current stock levels and the demand for stock items and the distributor can understand the stock patterns that the dealer experiences. In a well functioning dealer forecasting system most of the risk of maintaining inventory is with the distributor, not the dealer.

The distributor has a broad visibility of stock levels across all dealerships and in certain circumstances it is possible to open up the visibility between all dealerships. A dealer enquiry for a part can reflect both the distributor stock and the dealer network stock. Generally, a dealer will be able to see only the distributor stock and if that has been exhausted, a dealer may be allowed to view the rest of the stock. Distributors encourage dealers to buy from the distributor first, and then buy it within the network. When buying within the network the supplying dealer accepts the order and is credited from the distributor. The receiving dealer is charged for the stock from the distributor. The distributor can then monitor the demand between the two, and adjust the system for that demand later on. The distributor can then analyse whether a dealership is using more of a particular stock than expected, and can adjust the dealer's forecast accordingly.

Contingency for emergency orders
The primary goal in any stock control process is to reduce emergency order frequency. An efficient warehouse process, where dealers place more stock orders and less daily or emergency orders reduces pressure on the entire distribution and dealer network. The dealer forecasting system, together with an optional distributor buy-back strategy, goes a long way to achieving this.

Dealers are encouraged to stock a greater range of parts, based on the analysis gained from a consistent forecasting process so that they can fulfil their customer requirements efficiently and cost effectively. The distributor gains the benefit of knowing where parts are located throughout the dealer network and a more efficient warehousing operation.

There are some quite significant benefits to both distributors and dealers of a dealer forecasting system. Distributors and dealers in Europe that have engaged this model are experiencing significant upside to their business and are now more able to meet customer requirements as well as having a more consistent and predictable inventory process.

The free flow of information between the distributor and dealer is enhanced with a dealer forecasting system. Distributors understand the amount and frequency of all stock requirements in the system. There is an ability to move stock using both the distribution and dealer network. The dealer however has reduced risk in stock holdings and so is more likely to retain a greater variety and number of parts to satisfy customer needs.

Summary
Consistent and predictable information flow between a distributor and a dealer can be achieved through an efficient forecasting system. A distributor, having access to a broad view across all dealers, can provide in depth analysis of stock usage, inventory and future stock requirements. A distributor is then able to provide accurate advice to dealers on the type, amount and availability of stock required based on factual data.

Cost reductions throughout the supply chain process are realised for distributors and dealers through a more streamlined forecasting system. Facts can dictate how much stock is required across the entire dealer network and the expected usage rates by each individual dealer. Total stock inventory is reduced, availability immediately known and the ability for the distributor to deal with emergency orders is greatly enhanced. For both the distributor and dealer, inventory and warehousing costs are reduced while a reduction in frequency of emergency orders results in less freight and delivery costs.

Inventory Management and Dealer Forecasting in the Automotive Industry

Home Automotive Lifts Make Repairs Easy

An auto lift is a vital tool for any automotive repair shop. It provides access underneath a car or truck, making repairs a snap. The most crucial element to consider when choosing an automotive lift is selecting one that meets your needs. You will save time and money in the long run if you put price aside and focus on choosing the auto lift possessing the key elements necessary for how you will use it. The following paragraphs detail the types of automotive lifts available.

Auto Lifts For Home Use

Automotive

If you are seeking to perform automobile repair and maintenance in the same style as an automotive shop, you should consider purchasing a lift for your home garage. A home automotive lift is convenient and it increases your accessibility to making repairs to your own car. This investment can save you money long term as you will not need to take your vehicle to an automotive repair shop for repairs that you can make yourself since you have a lift in your own garage.

Home auto lifts include four posts that pneumatically lift your automobile, providing access to the undercarriage of your car for oil changes, transmission repairs, and more. Home automotive lifts also provide extra storage as you can elevate your vehicle when needed to increase floor space in your garage. Many people who collect antique vehicles use lifts to raise their collection so they can park their every day vehicles underneath.

Automotive Lifts For Automobile Repair Shops

Professional automobile repair shops, garages, and commercial facilities often choose heavier duty auto lifts. Standard models can have one, two, or four lifts, depending on the balance, weight capability, and stability required for the space available to house the lifting equipment.

Heavier lifts require a good bit more maintenance than home auto lifts due to the industrial use. Maintenance for these types of automotive lifts is best left to a professional who is familiar with the workings of the lifts and the proper maintenance of safety features.

One, Two, And Four Post Lifts

Most users find that one post lifts provide the best use of space. Two types of one post lifts include centered lifts and offset lifts. Centered one post lifts are stronger than offset one post lifts, but the offset version allows for parking a vehicle underneath a lifted vehicle, which provides a better use of the space available. Four post automotive lifts allow for the same underneath vehicle parking as offset one post lifts, but the four posts take up more space and require more power to operate. The main advantage of a four post lift over an offset one post lift is the amount of lifting power possible, four times more than a one post lift. The advantages and disadvantages of two post models fall in between the one and four post lifts.

Automotive lifts allow you to approach your vehicle from any direction, providing you with the access to make repairs only able to be done by an automobile repair shop in the past. Whether you seek an auto lift for your home garage or for your commercial repair business, there is a lift to suit your needs.

Home Automotive Lifts Make Repairs Easy

Automotive Batteries - The Difference Between Starter Type and Deep Cycle Batteries

Automotive battery characteristics play an important role when selecting the correct one for your particular application. Do you need a high current for short bursts to start a vehicle or are you going to have high and frequent discharges to power accessories such a radio or pump on a boat or RV? Choosing the wrong battery for your particular application will not only shorten it's life span, but it will not provide the correct operating characteristics and end up costing you money!

Starter type batteries are constructed with thin plates that have a large surface area. They are built to provide a short burst of high starting current for ignition systems and are not meant to be discharged more than 1% - 5% from their full charge. Doing so will greatly shorten the life of the battery and if deep discharged will only provide 30 -50 discharge cycles. Once your vehicle is started and running, the alternator takes over the task of powering up the vehicles electrical system and keeping the battery at a full charge.

Automotive

Deep cycle batteries are constructed with thicker plates and are designed to be deep discharged time after time without shortening the life of the battery. This particular battery can be discharged down to as much as 50% of its capacity without damaging it. Conversely, these batteries are not designed to provide the high starting current required for ignition systems. Typical uses for deep cycle batteries are electrical systems in RV's, boats and electric vehicles. When grouped together in series, they can provide a wide range of voltages for many different applications.

Automotive Batteries - The Difference Between Starter Type and Deep Cycle Batteries

Importance of Automotive Belts

Automotive belts are the most important part of the automobile system. These are the control parts from where everything is regulated. These are ideal for drives where pulsating loads are present and protects the belt from external damage. These are of many types Some of these include AC belts, fan drive belts, distributor drive belts, multi pull poly V belts and the serpentine belts. These are commonly used in cars because of its simplicity and efficiency. It is composed of a long, sturdy belt that connects to different other belts, which in turn connect to different automotive functions. These peripheral belts include the belt alternator, air pump, power steering pump, fan drive belt and timing belt. It is used in cars as well as other light trucks and motor vehicles. However, these are somewhat weaker and smaller and hence require more frequent replacement from time to time.

Companies related to automotive V-Belts, oil seals and power transmission accessories, and automobile transmission manufacture multi-pull poly V-belts, shaft mounted speed reducer and automotive belts. These products are of great use for the people who have lights vehicles or the companies which produce light vehicles. These products are used in almost all applications within aggregate industry.

Automotive

Other well-known automobile products are shaft mounted speed reducer. These are helical gear reducer designed for mounting directly on the drive shaft. These are widely available in market having various metric in design as well range and quality. Shaft mounted speed reducer allows considerable cost reductions and provide maximum positioning flexibility with easy installation and maintenance to the various automobile systems such as cars and other light motor vehicles.

The shaft-mounted speed reducer come in two variations. One is truly shaft mounted and the other is mounted to the driven machine housing. In the former it is supported entirely by the input shaft of the drive machine, with torque reaction absorbed by a special link. While in the later it is mounted to the driven-machine housing so that the input shaft does not absorb reducer weight or torque reaction. 

They are used in almost all applications within aggregate industry. Drums are trunnion driven through shaft mounted reducer by electric motors. These products are widely used by the various sectors.

Importance of Automotive Belts

Automotive Repair Shop Software Review - For Repair Shop Owners

Automotive repair shop software is a tool that is designed to reduce to the barest minimum of time you spend on administrative activities, so that you can actually concentrate on the job, improve business work flow and make more profits.

Advanced technology and knowledge has moved car shop management activities and control to a higher level where you can handle much more jobs, work faster, and net more profits.

Automotive

You can actually move your shop from the traditional time wasting method of filing carbon copy forms, and doing everything manually to tracking all activities electronically.

Good automotive repair shop software will handle all your jobs from the beginning to the end, thus making your shop administration far less boring.

The following are the features that make this software indispensable for every car repair centers that want to really jerk up their productivity.

1. Appointment Scheduling: You can easily plan your appointments with customers ahead of the time, and get information about when customers are due to arrive for their jobs and the time you allow for them.

2. Track Work in Progress: With a simple color code you can track the status of each job and know how they are progressing.

3. Check Your Level of Profitability: You can easily determine when you are making profit or otherwise with the right color code.

4. Car Parts Sales: You can sell auto parts over the counters without the input of the full details of customers, a great time and money saver.

In the situation where you have a lot of customers to deal with, automotive repair shop software will show you who you sell what to, and all the details associated with it.

You can also get all the information you need about customers' histories, that will help you to quickly confirm and determine important issues like refund, recalls, etc.

5. Parts Management: The software can take care of issues like inventory control, price matrix, restock invoice tracking, etc, which will help you to have total control over parts movement and prices, and minimize losses altogether.

6. Marketing Management: A great marketing tool that will help you do follow up on customers by giving you information on them and helping you to send reminders, thank you cards, appointment scheduling time, etc.

Automotive repair shop software makes all your workshop activities a breeze. It turns every complexity into a simple process that will make your job less burdensome and more profitable.

Automotive Repair Shop Software Review - For Repair Shop Owners

Automotive Tools for the Road Warrior

In today's highly mobile world, many spend countless hours and miles traveling in their automobiles for work and vacation. Modern cars are also far more reliable than the cars of 30 years ago. We have begun to take them for granted. We expect them to just work day in day. However, the time to learn the lessons of basic car repair is not on a deserted highway at 2 am on the way up to the ski slopes! Automobiles still breakdown, have flat tires and batteries run out of juice. Most people think that you have to be a space shuttle engineer to even open the hood of a 21st century car. While it is true that computer technology has drastically changed the way engines and cars operate, there are still some basic car repairs that you can perform in a pinch. You must carry some basic automotive tools with you at all times in order to carry them out.

A basic kit with automotive tools doesn't have to break the bank or require you tow a trailer full of tools. You can go as basic as you want and add more tools as your needs change. The first thing to do is put together a list of automotive tools that you will probably need. (I have included one in this article.) You will be surprised to find that you own many of them already. The real chore is to get them together in one place and carry them with you. You will also need something to carry them in. First see if you have an old duffle bag stuffed in a closet. If not you can probably get one cheap at an Army surplus store. Now it is time to look at our automotive tool list and start collecting them.

Automotive

Automotive tools for your kit should include the following: set of various screwdrivers (both flat head and Phillips), crescent wrench, pliers, torque wrench, pocket knife, jumper cables, battery terminal brush, spare fuses, 1 quart of oil, duct tape, flashlight, gloves, medical kit, road flares, reflective vest, blanket and funnel. Make sure your car jack and tire iron are in their proper place in your car's trunk. After you have gathered these items and put them in your old duffle bag, store it in your truck so its there when you need it. These items can prove to be invaluable to help you fix a minor problem and be on your way.

Automotive Tools for the Road Warrior

Automotive Refinishing

Over the last 20 years, we have seen variations of basic colors that have stretched the imagination. The color blue show hints of green, red or purple and many other colors. How is this possible? In the old days, there were the basic colors of red, blue, green, yellow, black and white. That was about it and you could pick your color of choice. Because the paint was a lacquer-based paint, this allowed for a lot of flexibility when repairing but did not have the durability of today's vehicle paints. It was possible to repair a small spot in the middle of a door and paint the repaired area without removing all the components of the door or everything from the adjacent panel as is done now.

This is all possible due to the introduction of a 2 part refinishing system known as 2-stage or base coat clear coat. It all begins with what the manufacturer requests from the chemists who make the formula for the color. A manufacturer may want to have the best gloss and the surface to be resistant to scratches. They also will want the paint surface to be resistant to atmospheric pollution, such as acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, stone chipping, etc. The manufacturer will almost certainly have to give up something to achieve something else. For example, if they want gloss they will have to give up a little durability. If their concern is durability, the gloss may not be quite as nice. Most car manufacturers in trying to keep costs down will opt to play a game of give and take with the clear coat surface. Some vehicle manufacturers apply a special primer to the front of the hood in order to reduce rock chips. This primer is chemically treated to be softer and gives the rock a softer base to contact upon impact.

Automotive

At the factory, the vehicle body shell is submerged in a tank that contains anti corrosion chemicals with a zinc rich base. This process gets into the small areas that would be impossible to get to with a conventional sprayer. Then the shell is t submerged in tanks containing 2 part epoxy primers and sealers, which provide a good base for the paint to adhere to. The paint is negatively charged and sprayed via computer-controlled sprayers. This is the base coat part of the application process.

The next step requires the application of the positively charged clear coat. The clear coat is composed of resins and is urethane based. The clear coat positive ions draw the negative base coat outwards towards the clear coat. Within the base coats are pigmented flakes, which contribute to the final color. This is the reason why it is possible to view three similar vehicles that have the exact same paint code and see three different variances. The collision repair facilities have to match the variant color for a perfect match.

This article is intended to give a general overview of the differences in paint properties that have occurred in the past. There are new processes that will be discussed later.

Automotive Refinishing

Which Is the Best Automotive Code Scanner Available to You?

Automobile owners are nagged by a common problem. No matter how luxurious a car is or how good its performance is, the car still encounter auto problems at times. That's why more and more owners prefer to have some auto code scanners of their own, which will save their budget spent on auto repair.

Surely, buyers will expect the code scanners give them the information of the problems and show the trouble codes to the largest extent. But another thing you should note is the performance of the code scanners is proportional to their price. Let's take a glance over the price information of the scanners.

Automotive

Most auto supply stores offer portable code scanners at 0-200, but if you want a scanner to read codes as well as your car computer's input data, you may cost at least 00. Some people have faith in the snap on modes around 00 and the OTC genesis at 00. That's quite a big amount of money. So stores will sell little code scanners at about for OBD2 cars. Though people doubt about the quality, these scanners still have a good popularity since they can tell quite a lot of information and even do much better than anything displayed in a parts store and Wal-Mart designed for technicians. In a word, it's a matter of your usage thing.

Any code reader for your vehicle will give you the same codes. The most useful are the digital display ones. The low end chirping ones just chirp out the code and you have to count a series of beeps and it gets confusing especially with the engine running. If it has a test mode it can talk to the car and run a test with the key on.

Find auto code scanner on Getbetterlife.com. You can get high quality ones at the most favorable price.

Which Is the Best Automotive Code Scanner Available to You?

Wiring Harness and Its Uses in the Automotive Industry

Wiring harness is that versatile tool that is capable of meeting diverse requirements in all industry sectors. However, it finds special use in the automotive sector for exceptional automobile set-ups. The wiring harness used in the automobile industry is a durable solution that has the capacity to resist high temperature and is ductile in nature. These automotive wiring harness varieties are dimensionally accurate and hence are in wide demand across various automobile manufacturing set up.

Most of the manufacturers that deal with this cable harness variety ensure that they conform with the industry standards and you as a customer should only go for these ones to ensure safety. The best part about automotive wire harness is that they can be customized as per the requirements and specifications of the user like different color coding and the specifications etc.

Automotive

All high-grade automotive cable harness varieties, find application for multiple purposes. They are used for ignition system, battery cables, AC, etc. in automobiles. Most of the manufacturers today fabricate these harnesses by using finest grade of materials. They are also stringently tested on each stage of fabrication to guarantee defect free harnesses. These types of harnesses are used for all types of vehicles like passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two wheelers and three wheelers, multi utility vehicles, farm, material handling equipment and off-the-road vehicles.

All harnesses for the automotive industry are designed to perform under extreme conditions with uninterrupted services and can hence sustain heavy loads. Apart from the standard ones there are special varieties like bus harness, truck harness along with wiring harnesses for four/two wheelers.

Among the various application areas where harness for automobile wiring is required includes power windows, horn relay and connector, dimmer switch connector, power door locks, circuit breaker for headlights, backup lights, ignition switch connectors horn, cigarette lighter, engine fan, radio battery, wipers, brake lights and many more. These harnesses are easy to install and are cost effective solutions to all kinds of electrical needs in automobiles. As per their requirements, these types of harnesses come in three different varieties viz; industrial automotive high, grade and standard wire harness.

Most of the manufacturers that produce or supply wiring harness also keep stock of other electrical tools like extension cord, and power supply cord, etc. that go well with any electrical or electronic appliances. Use these with locking plug for ultimate safety, as you would not want to risk the lives of your dear ones.

Wiring Harness and Its Uses in the Automotive Industry

Automotive Hall of Fame

The Automotive Hall of Fame was originally founded on October 18, 1939 in New York City by a group of men that had devoted their lives to the automotive industry. They met in New York City with the intention of creating an organization that would forever perpetuate the memories of the early automotive pioneers as well as the leaders in the industry at the time. The original organization was known as the 'Automobile Old Timers' and has since had its name changed to the Automotive Hall of Fame. The organization is dedicated to honoring automotive people from all of the industries segments and from around the world.
The Automotive Hall of Fame was originally based in Washington D.C. but has since moved and made its permanent home in Midland, Michigan. Midland is roughly 120 miles out of Detroit, the hub of the automotive world in the United States. The organization moved to D.C. in 1960 and then left for Midland in 1971. The first Automotive Hall of Fame building was constructed in Midland, Michigan in 1975.

After 22 years in Midland, the Automotive Hall of Fame decided to move once again. This time, in 1997, the organization moved to Dearborn, Michigan. Since its inception over 60 years ago, the Automotive Hall of Fame has enshrined over 200 members that include pioneers from Benz, Bosch, Bugatti, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Daimler, Dodge, Durant, Duryea, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Maybach, Olds, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Sloan and Toyoda. The Automotive Hall of Fame welcomes nearly 30,000 visitors on a yearly basis.

Automotive

There are four categories recognized by the Automotive Hall of Fame. Those four categories are induction, the distinguished service citation, the industry leader of the year, and the young leadership and excellence award. To become an inducted member in the Automotive Hall of Fame that person must either be retired from the industry or deceased. The Hall of Fame's standards say that that person "must have significantly impacted the development of the automobile or the motor vehicle industry." Usually there are anywhere from four to eight members inducted each year.

The distinguished service citation is the organization's oldest award and was initiated in 1940. To win this award, one must either be employed in the industry or recently retired. Anywhere from five to six people are given this award each year. The industry leader of the year award is given to one individual each year that demonstrates outstanding industry leadership. The fourth award, the young leadership and excellence award, is awarded to people in the industry 35 years or younger. The award is given out annually and is awarded to only four people. The purpose of the award is to recognize the future of the industry and its next generation of leadership within the industry.

Anyone can nominate candidates for each award by simply logging onto the Automotive Hall of Fame's website. The Automotive Hall of Fame is operated by a Board of Directors currently headed by Chairman Jason Vines who is the Senior Vice President of Communications for the Compuware Corporation. There are also two vice chairmen, a treasurer, a secretary, executive directors, a president, directors, and directors emeriti.

Automotive Hall of Fame