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Do I Need a Tune-up?

If you’re like me, you might cringe a little. More often than not, they’re hoping this magical procedure will fix some mysterious issue with their car. But let’s break it down: what is a tune-up, anyway? Most dictionaries describe a tune-up as “a general adjustment to...

PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner

If you work in a shop (and if you’re reading this, chances are you do), you are undoubtedly familiar with brake cleaner. And, if you know the scent of brake cleaner, you probably know that using it is not great for your health if it comes in contact with your skin,...

Compression Testing | ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A has just completed a dry compression test of a four-cylinder engine. All four cylinders are below specification by about the same amount. After performing a wet compression test, values remained unchanged. What could cause this condition? A)...

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...

Read more from Peter F Meier

Do I Need a Tune-up?

Do I Need a Tune-up?

When a customer rolls into your shop and asks for a “tune-up,” what’s your first reaction?

Dead Battery? (Video)

Dead Battery? (Video)

Diagnosing the cause of a battery drain can be a challenge today.

Check Engine Light On?

Check Engine Light On?

Grab a generic OBD-II scan tool and take these first steps to turn it off and keep it off.

Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II

Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II

You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.

Bitten by a misfire

Bitten by a misfire

Formal education teaches you theory and the real world teaches you the rest.

Choosing the right brake fluid

Choosing the right brake fluid

Just because it says “DOT 4” on the bottle doesn’t mean it’s the correct DOT 4 for the vehicle.