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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

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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...

A History of the U.S. Presidential State Car (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this piece, I traced the history of the U.S. presidential state car from the beginning to the Kennedy Lincoln Continental. In this part, I’ll pick up with President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s state car and continue to the present day.1967 Lincoln Continental...

Why Wheel Fastener Torque Matters More Than You Think (VIDEO)

Description If you’re still using torque sticks and impact power to install lug nuts and lug bolts, it’s time to reconsider. Pete Meier explains why the torque wrench is the only correct tool for the job … and what can go wrong when you don’t use one.Related...

Commercials That Make Technicians and Dealers the Stars of the Show

by | Jun 5, 2025

Recently, I stumbled across some old TV commercials for a car repair and maintenance shop that took me back. You see, in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, some commercials ran for a local shop called ABE Car Care Center. These commercials featured two gentlemen with thick Pennsylvania Dutch accents. They were supposed to be funny but, well … judge for yourself.

Most memorable TV commercials for car repair shops you’ve seen probably look a lot like this one. They usually include low-quality video, attempts at humor, and/or outlandish costumes and voice-overs. Of course, I still remember the name of the shop 30-some years after I saw the commercials, so I guess they worked.

In a similar vein, here’s a more recent commercial for Arlen’s Transmission in Burbank, CA. However, this one was done for a comedy internet show called “The Mythical Show,” so it’s intentionally cringe-worthy.

On the other side of the coin, here’s a more recent, fairly polished commercial for Manny’s Automotive Repair in Columbus, GA, proving that commercials for car repair and maintenance shops don’t have to be bad.
Of course, we can’t talk about cars and commercials without talking about what are possibly the most ridiculous commercials: those for car dealerships. Here’s a collection of some crazy ‘70s and ‘80s car dealership commercials.

Let’s go even further back and check out this classic commercial for the 1955 “Motoramic” Chevrolets. With its quaint voiceover and black and white video, this spot just screams mid-50s TV commercial.

Has your shop ever made TV commercials? Or do you have any peculiar examples of mechanic or dealership commercials from your neck of the woods?

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