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Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Today’s article is one borne from experiences. Exasperating experiences, no less. All novice mechaniclets are taught engines need fuel, air, spark, and compression to run. This is true, but we often take those for granted, and diagnosing even one vehicle with a basic...

ADAS Alignment and Calibration – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says that the thrust angle must be maintained at zero degrees when performing an alignment on many vehicles equipped with certain ADAS systems (like lane departure warning). Technician B says that the steering angle sensor must be properly...

What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Why are They Important?

It may sound crazy, but there was a time when automobile manufacturers were not required to make vehicles safe. Many manufacturers touted the safety of their vehicles, but some of those features were just as much marketing as they were practical. In the 1960s,...

Writers, Print Vehicle Service Histories for Every Vehicle

The fellas who taught me to write service were arguably some of the best I’ve seen do the job. They had all sorts of tricks up their sleeves, like the boomerang business cards you’ve read about before. Today, I’d like to share another tip my friend Sam gave me. It...

The JDM Class of 2001 Comes of Age

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars during their heyday in the 1990s were the unattainable treasure, not for North American consumption, only accessible in video games. They were tantalizingly close but not truly attainable. Turns out all it takes is patience: 25...

It’s That Time of Year to Change Your Clocks. And Your Gasoline Blend.

For those of us wrenching here in Uncle Sam’s country, we prepare for the arrival of spring by “springing forward” an hour with our clocks. (And maybe even helping a few customers fix the time on their dashboards.) But there’s another seasonal change going on behind...

Ferdinand Porsche: Engineering the Shape of Speed

Ferdinand Porsche is one of the earliest designers featured in our “Automotive Paragons” series, and few figures loom as large over the modern automotive world. His career began at the dawn of motoring itself, when horseless carriages were still experimental...

Service Writers: Don’t Leave Your Greatest Diag Tool in the Shop

Today’s piece starts with a one-question quiz that’s not a trick question: in your shop, what is your best diagnostic tool? It’s not a meter or a scan tool or a stethoscope, though those all are handy items to have nearby. It’s your technician. And as much as leaving...

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Air Conditioning Service Fundamentals – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Air Conditioning Service Fundamentals – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

A/C systems are evolving with new designs and refrigerants, making accurate diagnosis and repair more important than ever.

Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Draw a hard line when it comes to basic diagnostics.

ADAS Alignment and Calibration – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

ADAS Alignment and Calibration – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Technician A says thrust angle must be set to zero on many ADAS-equipped vehicles during alignment. Technician B says the steering angle sensor and front wheel position must be correct before camera or radar calibration. Who is correct?

What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Why are They Important?

What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Why are They Important?

A nationwide framework of safety regulations has transformed vehicle design and saved countless lives since its introduction in 1968.

Writers, Print Vehicle Service Histories for Every Vehicle

Writers, Print Vehicle Service Histories for Every Vehicle

Don’t try to (needlessly) upsell me.

The JDM Class of 2001 Comes of Age

The JDM Class of 2001 Comes of Age

The Japanese Domestic Market performance car you’ve waited 25 years to drive is finally ready for legal export.

It’s That Time of Year to Change Your Clocks. And Your Gasoline Blend.

It’s That Time of Year to Change Your Clocks. And Your Gasoline Blend.

Did you know that fuel blends change with the seasons in the United States?

Ferdinand Porsche: Engineering the Shape of Speed

Ferdinand Porsche: Engineering the Shape of Speed

How a visionary engineer shaped everything from early EVs to the world’s most iconic sports cars.

Service Writers: Don’t Leave Your Greatest Diag Tool in the Shop

Service Writers: Don’t Leave Your Greatest Diag Tool in the Shop

Techs can’t solve the problem that can’t be found

What’s the Deal with DIP Switches? Aren’t They Just … Switches?

What’s the Deal with DIP Switches? Aren’t They Just … Switches?

They may look simple, but these little toggles can enable powerful electronic versatility.

Why Your Shop Should Be Using Loaded Knuckles to Save Time and Money

Why Your Shop Should Be Using Loaded Knuckles to Save Time and Money

Loaded knuckles streamline wheel bearing and suspension repairs to help shops boost efficiency and profitability.

Use the Little Radiator—and Have Customers Do the Same

Use the Little Radiator—and Have Customers Do the Same

Cars have a backup cooling system—use it when the situation demands!

PSA: The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Handle Iridium Spark Plugs

PSA: The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Handle Iridium Spark Plugs

New techs and DIYers should know that not all spark plugs are created, or treated, equally.

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Can there be one threadlocker color to rule them all?

Try Doing It the Wrong Way

Try Doing It the Wrong Way

When it comes to threaded items, wrong is right. Or is it left?

Modern Power Window Switches: Smarter than You’d Think

Modern Power Window Switches: Smarter than You’d Think

Window buttons and toggles are going the way of the dodo. That’s by design.

It’s All About the Process

It’s All About the Process

To reach a successful diagnostic conclusion, you have to follow the right diagnostic path.

Rookie Tip: LOF? Leave the Dipstick Sticking Out and the Oil Cap on the Hood Latch

Rookie Tip: LOF? Leave the Dipstick Sticking Out and the Oil Cap on the Hood Latch

A bent dipstick and a broken oil cap are lucky indeed!

Dealing with “System Lean” DTCs

Dealing with “System Lean” DTCs

“System lean” diagnostic trouble codes are among the top 10 codes faced by techs.

Back Away from the Wrenches

Back Away from the Wrenches

“Drive it ‘til the wheels fall off” isn’t the safest decision. So when does it end?