Cabin Air Filters: It May Be Time for a Ventilation System Clean-Up
Tech Tip #140

With a customer complaint of reduced air flow from the A/C vents, the technician questioned the customer as to when the cabin air filter was last replaced. The response from the customer was typical — "What's a cabin air filter?" Most vehicle owners are not aware...

Filtering GM's Duramax Diesel: Some Tips on Servicing the Duramax Turbo Diesel
Tech Tip #139

Diesel engines have a healthy appetite for air. Couple that with a turbocharger, and the engine is really inhaling a lot of air. Any restriction in the airway can result in some major engine or turbocharger damage. Filtering the air and keeping the air filter intact in the air box...

Brake and Suspension Solutions
Tech Tip #138

Diagnosing a squeak, rattle or knocking condition can be a frustrating experience. The first step in the diagnostic process is to always make a road test with the vehicle owner. Identifying the noise or symptom is the first priority, or else you may waste a lot of diagnostic...

Cooling Systems: Good Maintenance Insures Good Performance
Tech Tip #137

Maintaining the proper engine coolant temperature is imperative, especially considering today's computerized engine control systems. Failure to achieve a determined coolant temperature can result in poor fuel economy, high emissions output or costly engine damage...

Brake Fluid Facts: It May Be Time for a Complete System Flush
Tech Tip #136

With a customer complaint of a fading brake pedal, most technicians automatically assume friction as the culprit. Installing a new or different type of friction formulation may not satisfy the pedal fading symptoms, especially if the brake fluid is contaminated. There is a...

Fuel Quality Issues: Rough Idle and Misfire Following a Hot Restart
Tech Tip #135

Diagnosing engine performance problems can be a challenge. Heat and fuel related conditions can make the engine behave erratically, resulting in a rough idle or misfire, in addition to multiple trouble codes being stored in memory. Once the heat dissipates...

Troubleshooting ABS Systems
Tech Tip #134

When the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) was first introduced to the automobile, many technicians were very skeptical. They were concerned about incorporating this technology into the automotive braking system. For the most part, the systems have proven to be...

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: A Challenge for the Tire Technician
Tech Tip #133

Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) will become a daily part of our service activity. Maintaining the proper tire pressure is imperative for vehicle stability and control. Crash statistics involving vehicles with under-inflated tires are alarming.

Factory Solutions: Putting the Brakes on Elusive Brake Symptoms
Tech Tip #132

A customer complains about a brake performance condition involving a shudder, vibration, or squeal during brake application. The technician's focus is on the normal conditions and procedures that are necessary to alleviate the symptoms. Several...

Troubleshooting Belt Noise: Installing a Second Belt Is Not the Solution
Tech Tip #131

A customer brings a vehicle in for a routine service and a belt noise condition. Without diagnosing the symptom, the technician recommends and installs a new serpentine drive belt. All is quiet in the engine compartment. The customer pays the invoice...