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When a Voltmeter Isn’t Enough (Video)

Description With the variety of electronically controlled systems on a modern automobile, the days when a test light or simple voltmeter was enough to diagnose problems are long gone. Using a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) can make troubleshooting faster and more...

P0420/P0430—The #1 DTC in the Country

DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) P0420 and P0430 are generic industry codes and part of the OBD-II standards. The descriptor labels the code(s) “Catalytic Converter Efficiency Below Threshold – Bank 1 (or 2)”. And the number one part sold to repair this problem is a...

Troubleshooting Fuel Trim–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A and Technician B are discussing ways to use fuel trim as a troubleshooting aid. Technician A says that fuel trims that are correcting for a lean condition at high RPM and load conditions indicates a problem in fuel delivery. Technician B says...

Add or Delete These Simple Parts to Help Customers Save Money

Looking for an easy way to win over your customers that they’ll enjoy every time they drive? Look at their vehicles from a hypermiler’s perspective. In case you haven’t heard the term before, the hypermiling community is obsessed with optimizing their vehicles’ fuel...

Are You Properly Checking Hub Bearings For Wear? (VIDEO)

Description The old “grab the wheel and shake” test you may have used for tapered bearings doesn’t apply for the hub bearings found on most of today’s vehicles. Pete Meier explains how a dial indicator is necessary for a true wear check.Related Videos

Efficiency is the Name of the Game

Someone once told me that successful auto repair is a game of inches. But in our fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, inches are no longer accurate—we need to hit the bullseye every time. Margins are tighter, technology is advancing rapidly, and customer expectations...

Misfire Cause–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is diagnosing a misfire. He states that a misfire is caused by a fault in the ignition system and that new plugs and coils will repair the problem. Technician B says that a misfire is detected when the ECM detects a variation in crankshaft...

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

Horsepower is a strange measurement, isn’t it? Think about it. When was the last time you used a horse for any kind of work or travel? Like candlepower, the original horsepower attempted to express the output of a newer technology in comparison to its predecessor....
Sketching Skodas

Sketching Skodas

Instead of restoring vintage Czech cars made by Laurin & Klement (L&K), Stefan Ivanov sketches them. His desire to raise awareness of the brand in his home country of Bulgaria and abroad drove him to publish an illustrated history of L&K in 2019. Although...
Cars that make you think of something specific

Cars that make you think of something specific

Some vehicles have the power to evoke strong memories or associations. Whether it’s a classic film, a historical event, or a beloved television show, these vehicles often serve as iconic symbols. You’ll likely only have to read the headers in this piece for you...
Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Hi, my name is Lemmy and I enjoy the inappropriate application of power. It’s the lighter side of our mutual profession, I feel. I’ve written before about keeping your mojo flowing if the biz of fixing stuff is wearing you down. Here’s another way to do that: watch...
Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

I’m a sucker for the sleek, smooth, and aggressive look of late 1950’s automobiles. As such, I owe a debt of gratitude to one man: Virgil Exner. In the 50’s, Exner was the head of styling at Chrysler, and he spearheaded the “Forward Look” of their cars, a look that...