Canadian Technician September 2006

Canadian Mail Sales Product Agreement #40063170. Return postage guaranteed. Newcom Business Media Inc., 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, ON M9W 5C4

SEPTEMBER 2006

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Undercar Specialists ALSO: ■ Subaru names its top tech ■ Getting ready for winter ■ Belt and hose diagnosis www.canadiantechnician.ca

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SEPTEMBER 2006

VOL. 11 NO. 7

11

Departments Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 From Our Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Out & About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Eye Spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Product Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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Columnists The Car Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

By Rick Cogbill

Features Management S.O.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 There are thousands of talented technicians out there… the trick is to find the ones who are also great employees.

Profile: Drive-Through Success . . . . . . .18

22

A Quebec City muffler shop employs a unique architectural design to maximize through-put, and service customers more efficiently.

Selling Your Winterization Package . . .22 Know what your customers are looking for, and how you’re going to sell it to them, as you get them ready for another long winter.

Belts & Hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Problem belts and hoses are pretty easy to spot, and repairs are usually simple and straightforward… but not always.

25

Editorial VOLUME 11

NUMBER 7

PUBLISHER Mark Vreugdenhil mark@canadiantechnician.ca (416) 614-5819 EDITOR / ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Allan Janssen ajanssen@canadiantechnician.ca (416) 614-5814 NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Dale Patenaude dale@canadiantechnician.ca (416) 614-5829 CIRCULATION MANAGER Lilianna Kantor lkantor@canadiantechnician.ca (416) 614-5815 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Tim Norton production@canadiantechnician.ca (416) 614-5810 CONTRIBUTORS Mark Cardwell, Rick Cogbill, Larry Dickison, Will Enns, Kelly Bennett and Claire Newman PUBLISHED BY Newcom Business Media 451 Attwell Drive Toronto, Ontario M9W 5C4 Phone: (416) 614-0955 Fax: (416) 614-8861 www.canadiantechnician.ca PRESIDENT Jim Glionna Canadian Technician is published monthly except for January and July by Newcom Business Media, Inc., 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, ON M9W 5C4. The magazine serves the Canadian automotive repair and service industry.

Subscriptions are free to those who meet the criteria. For others: single copy price: $5.30; one-year subscription in Canada: $36.04 ($34.00 plus $2.04 GST); one-year subscription in U.S.: US$40; one-year subscription in all other countries: US$65. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher. The advertiser agrees to protect the publisher against legal action based upon libelous or inaccurate statements, unauthorized use of photographs, or other material in connection with advertisements placed in Canadian Technician. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising which in his opinion is misleading, scatological, or in poor taste. Postmaster: Send address changes to Canadian Technician, 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, ON, M9W 5C4. Printed in Canada. Second class mail: Postage paid at Toronto.

Canadian Publications Mail Sales Agreement #40063170. ISSN 1710-7644.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program toward our mailing costs. PAP Registration No.10833.

“Still Life with Tire” by Will Enns Phone: (250) 404-0411 www.canadiantechnician.ca/covers

SEPTEMBER 2006

Bringing in the box office Offer rewards, respect, and training to harness the ‘star power’ of your best employees.

By Allan Janssen On many big-budget Hollywood movies, the biggest expense is actor salaries.

Good people cost money, and, in the movie business, “good people” is defined as stars who can bring in the box-office.

If they come with a guaranteed audience, they may be worth the $20 million they command.

Now, let’s be clear. No service advisor or technician is getting $20 million a year.

None that I know anyway. But I think a lot of automotive shops have learned that the real stars of their operation are the people who offer such great customer service that they cultivate their own loyal clients.

Just as charismatic actors bring people into the theater, good technicians and service advisors bring clients into the shop.

The most progressive shop owners understand that the human equation is the most critical part of their businesses, and they make it their personal mission to make sure key staff members are well looked after. They invest in good employees because replacing them can be tough.

Star salaries are a part of that, of course, but that’s not the only way to make sure your people are happy to stay with you.

Bonus packages tie them into the success of your shop. If your company does particularly well, the employees do well too.

Some employees look beyond their paycheque, though. Their interests and circumstances in life dictate a level of flexibility that, if you can meet it, will win their loyalty forever. Flex hours… Friday afternoons off… split shifts… these things don’t require much more than an open mind from you.

But the best investment you can make is with appropriate training to make them even bigger assets to the operation.

On page 11 you’ll read about two tech-

nicians from the same Vancouver dealership who won major awards for their skill this year. They both attributed part of their success to the dealership’s commitment to training.

And recently I got the opportunity to meet a roomful of service advisors from around Southern Ontario, and parts of the United States, at a “summer school” held just a few blocks from my house. The four-day course, designed to impart customer service and selling skills, was a great example of the dedication some shop owners have to develop talent within their organizations.

Customer service abilities are not just something you’re born with. The ability to read customers, to anticipate their needs, and meet their expectations, can be developed and improved with training.

Given the chance, even the most natural people-pleaser can learn new communication skills and soft-sell techniques to make them more effective at the counter.

Offering training is a fantastic way to grow your own ‘stars’ and retain them so they’ll grow your client list.

And put away those fears that they might not stick around after you’ve invested so much time and money in them. First of all, I don’t believe employees are so quick to move on when an employer shows fairness and good faith.

But even if they did leave, you have the benefit of their skills for as long as they’re on your payroll.

Or, as Simon Corah, CEO of M&C Saatchi Australia, says: “It’s probably better to have temporary brilliance in your employees than permanent mediocrity.”

You can reach me toll free at 1-866-222-6787. Or e-mail me at ajanssen@canadiantechnician.ca.

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 5

LARRY DICKISON

LETTERS Car manufacturers should report maintenance forecasts The federal government has a lot of influence on the automotive industry, dictating everything from distance and speed measurement (metric), to daytime running lights, emission standards, and safety features.

I’d like to see a requirement for vehicle manufacturers to supply estimated mechanical service and repair costs to consumers. They should provide approximate costs for routine jobs as well as the incidence and cost of major jobs. This would give consumers better information when choosing a vehicle. They’d probably like to know for example that the cost to rebuild a transmission for one car is half the amount of another vehicle. Or that a certain model has had frequent gasket problems in the first 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers, while another make easily goes 200,000 to 300,000 kilometers before these kinds of problems occur. I think this would force car companies to put out a much better product.

Some questions about failure rates and repair costs should be answered by the manufacturers, not by mechanics.

Name Withheld on Request Bradford, Ont.

Industry needs to take a stand for a change RE: Where do you get your parts, August 2006

The inability of most shops to formulate a reasonable answer to such a common problem is the reason so many auto businesses fail. It’s also the reason mechanics have never made the money that other trades make. We don’t seem to be able to stick together and get organized.

Everyone is afraid they might lose a nickel. I’ve been in this business for 40 years and have talked with many mechanics.

They all talk the talk, but are afraid to walk the walk.

Leon Marcovitz Service Manager First Diesel Injection, Ltd. Belleville, Ont.

Management SOS full of helpful advice I always find lots of interesting stories and articles in Canadian Technician… and your August 2006 issue was no exception.

I particularly enjoyed Kelly Bennett’s Management SOS. It offers practical advice and helpful tips for honest repair shop owners. Keep giving us more articles like that; we can use them in our business.

As for your editorial question of “Where do you get your parts?” my advice is to simply void any warranty on parts not supplied by ‘us.’

Keep up the good work.

H.J. Hamilton, Ont.

RIDES

Reader

Rick Giles of Rick’s Auto Body in Simcoe, Ont., sent in this shot of his son Jorden’s first truck.They started building it a couple of years ago, long before Jorden was old enough to drive it. But he turns 16 this month, so he’ll be hitting the streets soon. And if you’re wondering why this Chevy S10 is wearing a Ford patch, it’s just temporary until they airbrush on the Chevy bowtie. (Rick loves Ford, and couldn’t resist putting the blue oval on just for fun!) Together Rick and Jorden have lowered the truck, installed a Xenon body kit, performance lights, 20” chrome wheels, and refinished it with ghost flames.

You can see more “Reader Rides” on our web site at www.canadiantechnician.ca. And if you have a photo of your hot ride, feel free to send it in.

We’ll put it up!

6 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

SEPTEMBER 2006

Customer-supplied parts are just a big headache When I first started my business, 27 years ago, 95 per cent of my customers were American, and many of them used to bring their own parts. I think that’s a more common practice there. But I had to put an end to it. There are two big problems with customer-supplied parts. First, you lose money in part sales, and second, you often have a car tied up on the hoist because the parts the customer supplied were the wrong ones. I once had to install three different starters on the same car, one after the other, because the customer kept bringing in rebuilt starters that were the wrong ones or that didn’t work properly. It’s a big headache. Now I have different customers and they know the routine. They leave the car with me, and I’ll get the parts it needs. The people who want to bring in their own parts aren’t the customers I want anyway. They’re just looking for a bargain.

Jerry Nardiello Owner, Twin Cam Motors Windsor, ON

Wedding ring on cover attracts attention As an artist and the wife of a former “garage man,” I thoroughly enjoy your cover art by Will Enns. The expressions on the faces is always right on. On your June 2006 cover, I was surprised to see a wedding band on the technician’s finger. I know that many techs choose not to wear

SEPTEMBER 2006

their wedding bands. My husband wore his at work until 1973 when he burned his finger badly.

Three weeks later, his newly married brother had his band on when he also burned his finger badly at work. Just thought I’d mention it.

Frieda-Marie Elias Formerly of Springfeldt Auto, Wymark, SK The subject of June’s cover was Timothy Martin of Moncton, NB. He says he never takes off his wedding ring. I’d be curious to know if most technicians wear jewelry while at work. Most trainers say you shouldn’t – especially anything around the wrist or neck that dangles. But what about wedding rings? Earrings? Let me know.

– Allan

Some repair jobs are unethical and overpriced I have noticed a disturbing trend in our industry. Too many new car dealerships and independent repair garages are overcharging for repairs. How they stay in business is beyond me! Some recent examples I have heard about: $995 for steering rack in 1997 Cavalier; $360 for front brakes only on a 1996 Cavalier; and $850 for rear motor seals on a 1996 Neon.

All of these repair jobs were sold to senior female vehicle owners. Perhaps the worst example of unethical sales was a $1,700 partial brake job on a 1993 Topaz that was in terrible shape to begin with. With most of the floor rusted out, it had to pulled from the road shortly after that expensive repair. Why didn’t someone simply say the car was not worth fixing? That would have been the ethical thing to do. Who is a customer to complain to?

Bart Lacourse Century Auto Sarnia, ON

Canadian Technician appeals to consumers I was at my local Walmart store when I found one of your publications. While I was waiting for my tires to be repaired, I flipped through it and I must say it was an interesting read. I know it is written for the trade, but it was filled with the kind of insights and advice that motorists need to hear. I look forward to reading more.

Terry Wasik Cornwall, Ont.

How to reach us

We welcome your feedback on what you see in Canadian Technician – or anything else you feel strongly about. Drop us a line at Canadian Technician, 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, ON, M9W 5C4. Or send an e-mail to ajanssen@canadiantechnician.ca.

Our fax number is 416/614-8861. We reserve the right to edit your letters for length and clarity.

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 7

From Our Forum

Recent postings on www.canadiantechnician.ca/forum

The Borrowers Avenged What do you say when a tech wants to borrow something from your tool box… again?

Most of our forum members seem to go by ‘the third time’ rule.

I work as a mechanic in a large independent auto body shop, and have a very good selection of tools. The problem is that other employees are constantly borrowing them. And not just the oddball special tools but real common stuff! I can understand an apprentice borrowing tools, but what about the ones who’ve been in the trade for years and never see the inside of a tool truck?

RocketScientist / 06-28-2006 If you’re in the business there’s no excuse for not having the basics! And it would seem that your co-workers are taking advantage of you.

McWrench / 06-29-2006 I have a lot of tools, but over the years stuff goes missing, or new tools come out. In a perfect world I’d be paid enough to maintain my tool box, but this is the automotive trade. Fortunately everyone here is in the same boat, so we share tools quite freely. But I agree there’s no excuse for not having the basics.

Pete / 06-29-2006 What gets to me are the young techs with less than $2,000 worth of tools driving a new vehicle barely off warranty! They just laugh when I tell them I could buy a new truck with the money inside my Snap-on drawers!

JeffC / 06-29-2006 I’m a firm believer in the three time rule. You need it once, no problem. Twice, ok. But by the third time, you better get your own.

Andrew / 06-29-2006 8 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

I don’t mind lending an apprentice tools. And I don’t mind loaning specialty tools to the guy in the next bay either, as long as he has some tools to loan me. I find the stuff I used 10 years ago is collecting dust and the diagnostic stuff is always in use. Who would have thought 20 years ago that a computer at your toolbox would be standard?

CarFixr / 06-29-2006 I work in a small independent shop, two techs and three tire techs. The other tech and I share our tools a lot just as long as they go back to where we got them and let the other know that you have it. We also have keys for each other’s tool boxes so we can get tools when the other is off. For the tire techs, they can borrow stuff, just bring it all back, and if you break it or lose it, you replace it.

Pontiac / 07-01-2006 We all have way more tools than our paycheck says we should. My neighbor is a welder and he has a tool bonus. There’s nothing like that in the garage trade around here. I’m not against sharing my tools, I just wish I didn’t need so many!

Cooter / 07-01-2006 I have no trouble lending a tool to a fellow tech or even an apprentice. I borrowed when I was growing up in the trade and I would be hypocritical to deny someone the same.

For techs who earn a good wage, though, I do have the three time rule.

Canuck623 / 07-02-2006

I’ll loan a tool to another guy in our shop or sometimes even to another shop. But I also follow the three times rule. Even for myself. I’d rather purchase a tool than have to borrow it from someone repeatedly.

MrPink / 07-03-2006 For the most part, I don’t mind lending my stuff as long as it’s there and working when I need it. But the biggest issue I have is when some guy who’s trying to fix his own car in our parking lot comes to borrow a tool. I always say no, and I get mad when a tire guy lends these ignorant people a wrench to change their own battery.

SlamminSammy / 07-04-2006 Now I do agree with that, Sammy. No way does a customer walk into the shop and borrow a tool from any of our guys. We had a guy try a few weeks ago. He wandered in and started looking on a tech’s bench. When he reached for a drawer, that’s when the owner of the box yelled. At some shops the guy might have been shot at!

Canuck634 / 07-04-2006

Join the discussion!

Log on to www.canadiantechnician.ca /forum and see what everyone’s talking about.

If you’ve got an opinion to share,we’re looking forward to hearing it.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Tire Pressure Monitoring System by

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Out

&

About

Supplier News Lavigne joins UAP in Montreal

Dealership wins double honors Docksteader Motors is home to Canada’s top Subaru tech and region’s top Volvo tech after competitions.

By Allan Janssen Don Docksteader Motors, a Volvo and Subaru dealership in Vancouver, has two big reasons to celebrate the skill of its technicians.

Roger Dal Santo won top honors at the annual Subaru Master Technician Competition. And Jason Martini won the Western Canada region in the Volvo International Service Training Association (VISTA) competition.

In addition, technician Rod Gottschling was a VISTA runner-up.

Dal Santo says the competition he won at Subaru head office in Mississauga, Ont., was tough and involved lots of pressure.

“Thankfully, I was the first in my group to get the car started,” he says. “In a competition like that once you hear a car start, it really throws you off, so I didn’t have that extra pressure.”

Next year he’ll go back as honorary judge of the 2007 competition and then go head-to-head against that winner to see who will compete in a worldwide Subaru competition to be held in Japan.

He believes his employer’s generous attitude toward training helped make him a contender.

“Docksteader’s is definitely a good dealership to work for. I take every course available to us and I try to ensure everyone else takes them too,” he said.

“We’re not flat rate so missing the next job isn’t an issue for us. That gives you the time to do a job properly, or take the time for training.”

That kind of training also helped Jason Martini, who has only been licensed for six years and is already a Volvo master technician.

His regional win in the VISTA competition earned him a week-long trip to a technical conference in Sweden. But SEPTEMBER 2006

couldn’t go because his daughter, Georgia, was born shortly after the competition.

“It’s funny how things worked out. I was really just competing for my own personal challenge because I knew that, even if I won, I wouldn’t be able to take the trip. That kept me calm, and maybe

Roger Dal Santo,of Don Docksteader Motors in Vancouver,B.C., works his magic during the annual Subaru Master Technician Competition.

helped me do better,” he said.

Other regional winners in the VISTA competition were: Brad Sellars, Volvo of Halifax, Halifax, N.S.; Cyril Hamelin, Tradition Volvo, Trois-Rivieres, Que.; Jared Becker, B-K Volvo, Waterloo, Ont.; and Dennis Dwyer, Glen Fenwick Motors, Sarnia, Ont. Don Docksteader Motors held a barbecue to celebrate its technician wins.

“Competitions like these definitely give more recognition to the techs,” says Dal Santo. “Many of them really strive to get better at their job. This gives techs a reason to keep learning and applying themselves.”

For a complete list of Subaru and Volvo competition participants, and for additional photos of these events, visit www.canadiantechnician.ca.

Pieces d’Autos Paul Lavigne Inc. has joined the NAPA network as UAP Inc.’s first associate distributor in east Montreal. With three existing stores, Lavigne’s has been a dominant independent player in the east Montreal market. It will now conduct business under the NAPA Auto Parts logo. As part of the deal, Lavigne has also purchased the former NAPA corporate store on Haig Street, next to UAP’s Canadian headquarters. The four locations will employ more than 75 people and generate sales in excess of $11 million.

Gates forms joint venture with water pump maker Gates Corporation and Winhere Auto-Part Manufacturing Co., Ltd. have formed a joint venture to make and market water pumps for worldwide automotive applications. The new company will begin production later this year in Yantai, China.

Mike Smith of Gates Corporation has been named president of the joint venture company, which has a proposed name of Gates Winhere Automotive Pump Products (Yantai) Co., Ltd. William Lee, Winhere’s water pump general manager, will retain his current title and responsibilities in the new company.

Scarborough shop owner going to Vegas, Baby!

Ramish Vadera, owner of Ramco Motors in Scarborough, Ont. was the lucky recipient of the “Royal Flush Trip to Vegas” scratch card, qualifying Ramish and his counterperson, Paul Sudoma from Warden Automotive, to participate in the Spicer Showdown poker tournament playoffs.

The prize includes round trip airfare and hotel accommodations to Las Vegas Nevada, to play against 14 other registered winners, for the opportunity to win a seat at the 2007 World Series of Poker $10,000 grand prize tournament. The contest, also included a myriad of “instant win” prizes.

Pictured, from left to right: Paul Sudoma and Ramish Vadera with Charles Hutton, district manager for Affinia Canada Corp.

Aftermarket personnel announcements Louis Mottet has been promoted to the position of eastern regional sales manager for Grant Brothers Sales Limited. In his new position, he will add responsibility for all four Atlantic Provinces to his existing responsibility for sales in Quebec.

Art Hernandez has joined Grote Industries, as vice president of engineering.

Patrick Suiter has been appointed national sales manager for the aftermarket and performance product lines of Bosal.

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 11

Supplier News Scarborough shop owner wins home entertainment system

OUT & ABOUT

Tech opens ‘middle-man’service ‘Vehicle Works’ offers concierge service and repair-estimate audits.

Nick Lagoudis, owner of Nick’s Auto-tech in Scarborough, Ont. was the proud recipient of a $1000 home entertainment system after his game card was selected as one of 92 weekly prize winners in the “Uni-Select Pit Pass to Play” promotion. More than 750 prizes, varying in value from $10 to $1500, have now been awarded in the contest which spans 24 weeks and culminates with grand prize draws for one of 24 trips to the 2007 GFS 400 NASCAR race in Michigan. The contest continues until Nov. 3, 2006.

Pictured, from left, Tim Hachey, sales rep with Warden Automotive in Scarborough Ont., Charles Hutton, district manager with Affinia Canada Corp., Nick Lagoudis, and Tommy Sergiou, both of Nick’s Auto-tech in Scarborough, Ont. Hella Inc. opens new Canadian sales office Hella Inc. is opening a new sales office in Mississauga, Ont., just west of Toronto. The new office will be headed by Siegfried Tigges, Hella’s Canadian national sales manager, who is transferring to Toronto from the company’s corporate headquarters in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. Tigges will supervise an initial staff of two, including a French-speaking consumer service representative.

Hella’s 2,000-square-foot office facility will be located at 5650 Keaton Crescent in Mississauga’s Heartland Business Park.

SKF launches technical e-newsletter SKF now offers a technical e-newsletter as an element of its Pole Position program. The Pole Position e-newsletter provides automotive technicians with the industry’s latest technical tips, failure analysis data and product information. Automotive technicians who sign up for the Pole Position technical enewsletter (by visiting www.vsm.skf.com and clicking on the Pole Position icon) will receive an entry into a draw to become an honorary pit crew member for Richard Childress Racing for the final race of the 2006 season.

ACDelco to offer second ‘Real Rewards’ promotion ACDelco will be offering a second Real Rewards promotion through September. All Independent Service Centres who register (or have registered) for the promotion qualify. ISCs will receive an ACDelco American Express card loaded with AMEX reward points. Cards can be used at any retailer that accepts AMEX. Anyone who registered and qualified for the first Real Rewards promotion will automatically qualify and do not need to re-register.

12 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

A former technician in London, Ont. has found a unique way to build a homebased business around her automotive knowledge and customer service skills.

Amanda Carpenter founded Vehicle Works last year as a concierge service for busy car owners. She picks up vehicles at her clients’ homes or workplaces, and takes them for routine maintenance or repairs.

“I take away the hassle factor,” she explains. “And if repair work is being recommended, I can also take away the confusion.”

Tapping her strengths as a licensed technician (licensed since 1997) and an ASE-certified service consultant, she also audits repair estimates, reviews repair invoices, and offers a repair referral service, suggesting the best place to have particular work done based on her ongoing ‘secret shopping.’

At the root of her business as a ‘middle-man’ between consumers and the repair industry, is a love of the trade and a respect for technicians, who, despite their skill and hard work, are often under-appreciated by the general public.

“It’s so frustrating that customers don’t like the auto repair industry, and

they don’t trust mechanics or technicians – whichever word you prefer,” she says.

“There’s got to be something we can do about that!”

She began secret shopping “to prove that it was not the mechanics’ fault, or even the industry’s fault, but just a lack of effective communication with consumers,” she says. She has since begun publishing her findings – only the positive ones – in a regular column in Community Guider magazine under the heading: “Service Excellence Exposed.”

The column offers maintenance advice to car owners and highlights reputable shops which passed her secret shopping test.

So far, she’s had good response from people in the industry. Some have even asked to be secret shopped. Amanda stresses that she does not get kick-back from any shops for business she brings to them.

For simple maintenance items like an oil change she charges her clients $45.

For more involved work, including emissions testing, she charges $85.

“For my clients, who have busy lives, this is not out of line compared to the repair costs,” she says.

Sometimes a car is too far gone to fix.

This 1993 Ford Tempo was dropped off for an emission test at Upper Gage Garage in Hamilton, Ont.It quickly became clear that emissions were the least of its concerns!

The rear wheels had a serious camber issue and the rear strut towers had completely rotted out.When contacted, the owner said she didn’t even realize these were a problem.Shop owners Jay Poel and Jamie Straughan refunded the pre-paid emission test, with a little extra to help pay for a bus ride home!

Have an interesting picture to share? Send it to Eye Spy,c/o Canadian Technician, 451 Attwell Drive,Toronto,ON, M9W 5C4.

Or e-mail your high-resolution image to the editor:ajanssen@canadiantechnician.ca SEPTEMBER 2006

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MANAGEMENT

S.O.S. HIRING good workers

In this series of fictional letters from a new shop owner to his former boss, management trainer Kelly Bennett discusses basic business principles that apply to the automotive repair industry.

A business lives and dies by its employees. Here are seven tips for finding the right person for your empty bay.

uys of my g hat on e t s : s y e l m l Dear Ke ing the ew I ht undo if I kn ast nig l f o second t a s o n m i t m n i I spe fire h s my hand ar. I’d l like mer’s c e o e t f s u I c a ified. hood of a it qual I have least b e h t e n el like o e e f m o t s ’ n h ut I do him wit ? ymore b t techs bays an e h t d de cen n n i i f e b I o n wa nt t here ca lace. W am in p e t t h g ri get the

Dear Erol: I’ve been wondering when we’d have to talk about employees. Oh, the stories I could tell! I used to say that this would be a great business if it weren’t for the customers and the employees. In fact, I bet most of my dinnertime conversations with my wife used to be about employees who were driving me nuts.

I remember one guy I hired. When I interviewed him for the job he said he could fix “anything.” Two weeks later I figured I must have hired an imposter.

Where was the guy who said he could fix anything?

One shop owner in our management group told us he wanted to go back and fire all of his employees and just start fresh. I asked him how often he felt that way and he said, “Pretty much every day.”

SEPTEMBER 2006

Now, to be fair, I later learned that he was probably the one with the attitude problem. I suspect that he’d be very hard to work for.

Erol, this is area I’ve learned the most about. I’ve come to realize that my main job is to manage my most valuable resource: great people. I learned some great techniques in Ken Blanchard’s book, Gung Ho! It very clearly teaches you the process of creating enthusiastic employees. Leadership makes a huge difference!

Major companies have entire departments with highly trained people dedicated to doing nothing but recruiting employees. It’s a lot of hard work, and you need to know what you’re doing or you’ll make lots of mistakes.

This is a huge topic to cover in an

der the made un eplace could r n ’t d. I do are ti e choice

until I

e-mail but I’ll give it my best shot.

First, you need to understand the difference between a great employee and a great technician.

I’ve had my share of great employees.

Good hearted, friendly, hard working, enthusiastic, social butterflies, easy to get along with, always on time, hardly ever missed a day of work, and willing to go the extra mile. Oh, they’re lots of fun.

But some of these guys couldn’t fix a sandwich! Great employees… terrible techs! I always had to look over their shoulder and make sure the job was getting done properly to avoid another comeback.

Then there are those technicians who really can fix anything. They have great technical abilities – almost a sixth sense.

There’s not a problem they can’t diagCANADIAN TECHNICIAN 15

Larry Dickison

in the interview because they’re focused on what they want to see.

nose and repair. Sounds great right? But some of these guys have the worst attitudes you could imagine. They show up late, call in sick, and stir up troubles with the other employees. They can poison the working environment.

I found that both types were hard to fire. The first because they were so nice you couldn’t bring yourself to confront them and the second because they made you so much money.

The worst employees I’ve ever had were the product of poor hiring decisions on my part.

When you hire people you have to make sure you lead them… and lead them well. You have to create teams, because you can’t hire ready-to-go teams.

Be nice if you could, but you can’t.

For the best team, you need more than just a warm body. You need real talent.

Now, here’s the good news: There are thousands of incredibly talented technicians in our industry who are also great employees. And while finding them is getting trickier, I have developed a few tips to make the search a little easier.

1. Have a detailed, written job description Having a job description ready is critical.

Give it some real thought, because you have to know what you expect of your employees. Besides, they have to know what will be expected of them. How else 16 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

will either of you know if they’re the right person for the job?

2. Solicit referrals One thing I’ve learned is that most techs know other techs. Through previous jobs or training classes, they’ve usually got some buddies out there. I’ve had great success enlisting their help finding new employees. In fact, I’ve even offered a handsome referral bonus if they recommend someone who ends up staying for at least six months.

3. Look close to the shop Many people these days are looking for work close to home. With this in mind, some of your most effective advertising will be local. Display ads in community newspapers are good. But don’t be afraid to think even smaller. Posters in grocery stores, arenas, and community halls might also work for you. You’ll be reaching people who might know of a technician looking for a move.

4. Always conduct a second interview Never hire on the first interview. Call them back for a second round of questions. Everyone’s always more relaxed the second time.

5. Have someone with you A second person might see what you overlook. Everybody has emotional blind spots – things they just don’t pick up on

6. Ask the right questions I learned the hard way, that my interview skills sucked! I used to do most of the talking and I asked too many closedended questions, like ‘Are you qualified for this position?’ Who’s going to say no?

Interviewing takes practice but do yourself a favor and record yourself sometime and listen to the recording carefully.

I bet you’ll learn a lot about how you come across. The best way to get the answers you need in an interview is to write out the questions ahead of time.

You sound more organized and professional, and you cover all the bases. I came up with a list of what I think are the best questions to ask in interviews.

It’s a Word document. If you want it, just go to my website www.kellythecoach.ca and download it.

7. Offer great compensation Don’t just try to be competitive with wages – always pay more! It’s money well-invested, especially when your business is built on the skill of your labor force. It’s no surprise that the hardest workers insist on being well rewarded for going above and beyond the call of duty. They deserve it. I found out that I hadn’t been very creative when it came to rewarding my employees. I did some research on unique ways to reward employees and it sure gave me a lot of fresh ideas. Now I know my employees feel appreciated. And the unexpected rewards keep them interested and motivated.

Well, I’m outa here. Dustin is playing football tonight and I don’t want to miss that. He plays tight end and I’ve got to say he’s really getting good!

As always, I’m only an e-mail away.

- Kelly

Kelly Bennett is a certified management trainer with 14 years experience coaching automotive repair shop owners. You can reach him at kellythe coach@aol.com or visit www.kellybennett.ca

SEPTEMBER 2006

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Drive-through Unique design of Quebec City muffler shop proves to be a hit with consumers.

Service

By Mark Cardwell

T

here was no eureka moment, no light bulb above André Proteau’s head.

But as the revolutionary concept for his family’s new muffler shop started to take shape, he had a hunch this would be a winner.

That was over a decade ago. The unique design, developed by him and a group of engineers and architects, gives Les Silencieux Proteau in Quebec City the distinction of being the only undercar specialist in Canada with a drivethrough service.

“It was a collective vision of what we thought the ultimate muffler shop would look like,” says André, a second-generation owner and manager of Quebec City’s largest muffler repair shop. “It had all the things we liked about our existing business and none of the bad.”

The result has been impressive. Since the doors to the sleek 35,000-square-foot building opened on a busy roadway in the north end of the provincial capital in July 1998, the company has put up astronomical customer service and repair numbers.

Most jobs – 95 per cent by André’s estimate – are small and straightforward enough to be handled by the three drivethrough bays that take up the whole second floor of the two-story building. “We use the same drive-through principle that automatic car washes or fast-food chains do,” explains André. “The whole idea is to keep cars moving forward. Everything here is set up and organized to that end.”

Customers first have their mufflers inspected by a trained technician in a 18 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

drive-through bay on the ground floor that is right beside – and connected to – the reception and pricing desk where André and his sister, Anne, work. After receiving a written estimate (valid for 30 days), customers are free to leave the lot or take a ramp that winds around the side of the building and leads to the three bay doors.

Inside, each bay has two pits that are laid out in three even rows. In the first row, workers remove mufflers, pipes, and other broken parts while customers pay and wait in a clean and spacious reception area just a few feet away. Car owners then drive their vehicles ahead to the second pit where

new parts are installed.

On average, the three bays together handle between 15 to 20 cars an hour, or up to 150 on a busy day. That doesn’t include the dozen or so vehicles and jobs that require more space and time – campers, school buses, dual exhausts, high-performance systems, the replacement of Y-joints and the like – that are handled daily by the three traditional bays at street level on the front of the cinder block, glass and steel building.

The company also does brisk business at a second location – a small two-bay shop it owns and operates on a commercial strip in the nearby city of Levis, which is on the south shore of the St. SEPTEMBER 2006

▲

André Proteau gives a quote over the phone. Low prices, quality work and passion for helping motorists in need have been hallmarks of the family-owned business since it began in the 1960s.

▲

Les Silencieux Proteau in Quebec City: a 35,000-square-foot building with a distinctive drive-through design that allows consumers to check in without even getting out of their car.

Lawrence River opposite Quebec City.

The success and evolution of this unique family business is a fascinating tale.

The company was founded in 1962 by André’s father, Philippe Proteau, in the basement garage of their family’s home in what was then the suburban village of Neufchatel.

Six months later, the elder Proteau moved his burgeoning business into a new one-story, single-bay garage next to the house. Over the next 13 years, he and another employee earned the company a solid reputation for quality workmanship, fair prices and speedy work.

In addition to a conscientious nature SEPTEMBER 2006

and a fair-minded approach to business, André Proteau credits his father’s decision to use a pit rather than a lift with giving the company a competitive edge.

“He realized early on that you save a lot of time if you don’t have to raise and lower vehicles,” says André, the oldest of two children. “And time isn’t just money in this business. Mufflers are something people want and need to get fixed as fast as possible. The less time they have to wait the happier they are.”

Business was good enough that, in 1975, Philippe added a second bay and hired two more employees. He also added a second floor with a wellequipped workshop where he, with after-

school help from André, made customized parts for the shop below.

“Making our own parts helped us improve service and keep prices down,” explains André, who also shuttled parts from the basement garage in the family home to the shop through an underground tunnel that connected the two.

“People came from all over to get their mufflers fixed by Proteau.”

When health problems forced Philippe to the sidelines in 1979, he kept the business going by renting it to his employees.

For the next five years, he and André supplied the employee-run shop with the parts they continued to make on the second floor in a separate business.

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 19

Everything changed in 1984, the year André finished college with a degree in administrative services. An avid skier and aspiring passenger jet pilot who took private lessons, he saw his dreams of flying suddenly vanish with the deregulation of the Canadian airlines industry.

“All the piloting jobs disappeared overnight,” recalls André, now a 42-yearold father of three young children. “I was

▲

strategy proved so successful that, by the early 1990s, they were forced to refuse vehicles. To handle the overflow, they bought an old Midas shop with two liftequipped bays in Levis – a 20-minute drive from the Neufchatel shop.

“It was too far away to help,” says André. On the contrary, the addition of a second shop ended up attracting even more business to the Neufchatel shop.

René Saint-Pierre gets a part from Proteau’s stock room, connected to a parts-production workshop which produces about 100 pieces each day.

asking myself, ‘What do I do now?’”

By happenstance, his father was also at a crossroads in his life. According to André, he was itching to get back into the family muffler-repair business, but couldn’t tackle it alone. So father and son decided to team up and develop the business with the goal of making it the biggest and busiest muffler shop east of Montreal.

“Our vision was to make the most of what we had,” recalls André. “Our plan was to offer the fastest service and the best prices to get the highest possible volume of business. Back then, there were more suppliers, so you got better prices when you bought in volume. So with volume, and because we made our own parts, and because we are still the only muffler shop around that concentrates exclusively on mufflers – no brakes or whatever – nobody could touch our prices.”

Despite a rocky start (the former employees left and set up their own shop nearby, forcing the Proteaus to rebuild the business from scratch), the family 20 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

13, 1998, it was clear to the Proteaus that the new building had been worth the effort.

“People really liked it,” says André.

“The building was nice and new and the concept was unique. I’ve heard there’s only maybe one like it, somewhere in Europe.”

The kicker, he added, was that within months of its opening, the new shop won

▲

Technician Pierre-Yves Day installs a muffler in the second row of pits in the drive-through.

“We got a lot of new customers who told us that we were more credible in their eyes now that we had two locations.”

In the mid-90s, around the time his sister Anne joined the family business, André and his father began brainstorming with some local engineers and architects about creating a new facility that would encapsulate their company’s savoir faire and allow them to capitalize fully on their strong customer demand.

“We didn’t have a budget in mind,” André recalls. “We wanted to build the ideal garage and we hoped that it would fall within the parameters of what we could afford.

It took a year to draw up the plans and another year to get municipal approval because the design was considered too big and esthetically unpleasing by urban planners. The final product – a $2.3 million building with another million dollars in equipment and stock on an old wood lot Philippe owned a half-kilometre from the family home – took almost nine months to build.

From the moment it opened on July

an architectural award from Quebec City – the same government which had tried to kill the plans. “We almost didn’t go to the ceremony,” says André, who keeps the plaque at the bottom of a drawer in the office he and Anne share behind the reception counter. “They spent a year trying to block the project, then they wanted to applaud it.”

With his father recently retired and he and Anne busy running the existing business, André says the family has no plans to expand further.

“We’re happy where we are right now,” he explains. Another incentive to stand pat, he added, is the possible emergence of new technologies that won’t require the use of mufflers as the industry now knows them. Manpower, too, represents a challenge.

“We’re focusing on keeping our business strong, keeping things flowing,” says André. “We’re passionate about what we do.”

Mark Cardwell is a freelance writer who lives and works in Quebec City.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Cold-weather

countdown

Here are a few talking points to educate your customer, and kick-start your “winter prep” package.

I

t’s not enough to offer a winter service package… you have to sell it too.

Consumers are naturally skeptical about special offers. They’re bombarded by them.

So to make your fall selling season successful, you must reach consumers on a level that resonates with them. And

finding the perfect pitch for your services can be tricky.

You first have to define what your service package includes. A free 10-point inspection which covers the basics is a good place to start. It also gives you the go-ahead to delve deeper to make sure there are no hidden problems.

ELECTRICAL

BRAKES

Plug wires and battery cables should be checked for obvious defects. Any corrosion or damage can be a harbinger of trouble to come. Winter is when they’re under the greatest strain. A digital voltmeter – or charge indicator if there is one – will verify if the battery has the required 75-per-cent or higher charge. If it’s not up to that standard, a little digging may be necessary to find out why not.

A slowly deteriorating brake system often goes unnoticed. Drivers simply don’t register when they start having to apply extra pressure to the brake pedal to get the car to stop. The change is so minimal and the wear so gradual, that it usually has to be caught by a trained eye during inspection.

Your test drive should allow you to catch pulling conditions, soft or low

22 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

When it comes to preparing for winter, most people naturally think of wipers, tires, brakes, and oil. Less obvious to them, though, are things like suspension, electrical system, and coolant checks.

Your first job is to educate them on the importance of all of these services, particularly prior to the tough winter months.

pedal, pulsations, and noise.

Low fluid level in the brake master cylinder could be evidence of a leak or worn linings. Murky or brown fluid could be caused by corrosion damaging the hydraulic components. Checking the condition of the fluid with test strips or electronic testers will reveal moisture contamination (which will impact corrosion resistance and boiling point).

When checking rotor and pad condition, take note of scoring and uneven wear from side to side.

As always, evidence of brake leaks around the caliper needs to be followed up with a careful examination of the caliper itself. Replacement or overhaul could be called for. Brake fluid on the backing plate of a rear drum brake points to a bad wheel cylinder. Even if it’s clean, though, you may still have to pull the drum. Check the condition carefully. If it’s SEPTEMBER 2006

badly worn, scored, cracked, out of round or bell-mouthed beyond the safe “machine to” spec, a new drum will be needed.

VISIBILITY

faces. A tire with less than 1/16th of an inch tread needs to be replaced. Cracks, bulges or serious tire damage should be carefully evaluated. What consumers tend to be less aware of, when it comes to tires, is the importance of proper inflation. This is a good point to bring up in your review of the job because of how dramatically it can it can impact vehicle handling and braking.

As an expert, you’ll also be able to make the connection between uneven tire wear and alignment or suspension issues.

Similarly filters have a finite lifespan, as they trap and hold contaminants in the oil stream. Consumers need to understand that the cleaner and healthier the oil, the better it is for their engine.

STEERING & SUSPENSION

OIL & FILTER This is an obvious area of concern, given winter’s shorter days, and the likelihood of driving through flying snow and sleet.

With wipers, you’re not just checking the condition (natural rubber blades need to be changed yearly at the very least) but the operation of the arms and motor.

Headlamps need to be not only functional, but properly aimed. This is not only for your customer’s benefit, but for the benefit of oncoming drivers.

Aging headlamps can be rejuvenated using a process that clears the layer of yellowed plastic on light housings.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check the window defroster. Without warm air, a cold window will not clear, and when that happens, it doesn’t matter how well the wipers or lights are working.

WHEEL & TIRE

The obvious thing to check here is tread depth and overall tire wear – things many consumers understand. Tread depth is especially important since bald tires tend to hydroplane on slick surSEPTEMBER 2006

Depleted oil cannot do its job as efficiently as new oil. That sounds simplistic, but it’s the basic reason people need to bring their cars in for an oil change on a regular basis. This is not a service which generally requires a great deal of selling, but it’s good to be able to explain what depleted oil means.

Natural oil can’t do everything the engine needs it to do, that is: reduce friction, protect moving parts from shock, seal chambers, remove excess heat, remove sludge and contaminants, and prevent rust or corrosion. To do all of this, modern oil is formulated with additives that have a variety of functions.

Among the most common additives are antioxidants, rust-, corrosion-, and foam-inhibitors, detergent dispersants, and viscosity enhancers.

There are also pour-point depressants which allow oil to flow better in cold weather, antiwear (or extreme pressure) additives, wetting agents, and frictionreducers.

All of these additives are depleted as they work their way through the engine, enduring extreme thermo-cycles.

An effective way to quickly check steering and suspension components is to have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth, with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, while you look for play in undercar parts like idler arms, tierod ends and chassis parts.

A simple bounce test will gauge the effectiveness of suspension components.

Gently rock the vehicle up and down, then release and see how quickly the dampers stop the movement. If you get a few extra bounces out of them, they’re getting weak and could be candidates for replacement.

SELLING THE PACKAGE The winter package is all about giving your clients confidence going into the cold season. The point that should not be lost on consumers is that this is an essential part of your taking responsibility for their vehicle. If they’re going to have trouble-free motoring you need to know the condition of their vehicle. The more thorough the check, the more trust they can put in your recommendations.

Safety is probably the biggest selling point in preparing for winter. Many drivers are nervous about driving on snowand ice-covered roads. They’re also concerned about getting stranded in remote areas, or being unable to start their vehicle after a cold-spell.

Your inspection gives them the best bet of not getting caught unprepared.

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 23

Surprising Problems Faulty belts and hoses can cause problems in mechanical and electronic systems – ultimately leading to drivability issues.

By Claire Newman PROBLEM belts and hoses are pretty easy to spot – most of the time.

If you’ve got shredded or deformed rubber under the hood or a steaming, overheated engine, chances are good you’ve got a problem with at least one of those components. And repairs are usually simple and straightforward. But not always.

Sometimes the problems with belts or hoses appear in surprising ways, such as by causing drivability problems. True, most problems with belts and hoses aren’t anything unusual and are easy to find and repair but occasionally a bit more effort is needed to successfully diagnose problems.

Checking simple things (like belts and hoses) early in your diagnostic process is often worthwhile, and can prevent embarrassment and headaches later on.

SEPTEMBER 2006

When belts go bad An inoperative charging system from an alternator belt (or “generator” belt) with insufficient tension or grip is an example of a belt-related drivability problem.

Charging systems which intermittently stop working may create a number of performance symptoms, since modules, sensors and feedback devices all need a constant, consistent supply of voltage to operate correctly. Fluctuations will cause false readings and confuse the components.

DTCs usually set if system voltage drops below a set value, but a quick check of the belt and related components may save diagnostic time. In addition to checking voltage supply from the PCM (if applicable), checking the pulley and belt operation before replacing the

alternator (or “generator”) is a good idea.

Faulty timing belts can also cause drivability problems. Timing belt related problems can trigger cam sensor codes, a general lack of power, poor idle, a range of DTCs, and misfires. These and other problems – like engine stalls and failure to restart – tend to occur when the valve timing or sealing is not ideal.

Timing belts may go bad in many different ways: losing teeth, stretching out, or even completely snapping or shredding into pieces – all of which cause beltrelated drivability problems.

Many timing belt problems aren’t just due to damaged or worn parts. Incorrect belt installation causes drivability problems too. White marks on the belt and dots on the pulleys aren’t always for timing mark identification and don’t always lead CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 25

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to correct installation – V6 Cadillac engines for example – so checking service information is essential to prevent problems.

In some cases problems develop when the belt itself isn’t suitable for the engine.

The tooth pattern may not match exactly or the belt may be too long or too short, especially if the cylinder head was shaved down a considerable amount.

Accessing and checking the timing belts may be difficult, but sometimes the effort is worthwhile to locate the cause of drivability problems.

Even though many belts are designed to last for over 100,000 km, other components may shorten service life considerably. Faulty tensioners, for example, are a common cause of belt problems and noises. Checking all related pulleys and components carefully is important when servicing belts but examining the tensioner (or tensioners in the case of certain timing belts) before quoting out cost of the job may prevent problems later on.

Belts will often indicate tensioner problems by squealing or making noise.

Quickly checking for bulletins is a great idea since manufacturers may update parts to prevent problems or may release information about other problems which appear as belt squealing or noise (such as slightly misaligned pulleys).

Some belts don’t indicate problems by squealing at all – sometimes they just get shredded or they fly off the pulleys.

Certain GM trucks had squealing problems, especially trucks used in racing or high-performance applications. At least one experienced technician repaired the squealing by “shimming” the components (alternator or AC compressor) with washers to raise the height of the pulley and increase tension on the belt – not a recommended repair and reinstalling the belt was challenging but this was successful for more than a few “problem” vehicles. Use your own good judgment and common sense before trying this.

Belts with manual (screw adjuster) tension systems may also cause drivability concerns. Excessively tightening a V-belt running in the outermost groove of the crank pulley – such as an auxiliary AC compressor belt – may actually snap or crack the crankshaft of a smaller engine, resulting in drivability symptoms ranging from misfire (if the crankshaft is

holding together) to no-start (if the crankshaft is completely severed – no signal from the crank sensor results in a no-start situation).

Tension gauges and service information are essential to prevent serious problems.

Hose problems Faulty hoses may also cause drivability problems. One of the worst case scenarios would be the hoses carrying oil to the oil cooler separating, causing the engine to stop abruptly and causing catastrophic engine failure.

But not all problems are this severe.

Kinked fuel hoses may cause a lack of power or a no-start situation – something to consider after replacing an external fuel filter or working on the fuel supply system.

One frustrating complaint of “low power” was eventually traced to a faulty hose inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump was working properly and creating pressure, but the fuel was just escaping right back into the tank instead of traveling up to the rail and injectors. As a result, the engine never got enough fuel to run correctly and the customer complained about a lack of power – all because of a faulty hose.

Coolant hoses may cause drivability problems too. The result of coolant dripping onto an electrical component such as a module, connector, sensor or ignition component would be no different than pouring water on the component.

Taking the time to check for obvious causes of failure may prevent problems from recurring and may shorten diagnostic time.

Belt and hose checks Most problems with belts and hoses are easy to spot and cause the typical problems you’d expect – but not always. Faulty belts or hoses may cause problems in mechanical and electronic systems which may lead to drivability symptoms like stalling, fluctuations, or even engine failure. Drivability problems can sometimes be very tricky to diagnose, and may be caused by unusual things. Quickly checking these components may save diagnostic time and prevent comebacks.

Claire Newman is a GM grandmaster technician with 12 years experience.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Alignment sensors A new six-page brochure covers Hunter’s DSP500 Alignment Sensors. They feature a patented high-resolution Charge-Coupled Device Measuring System that provides quick, precise alignment readings, including wheelbase and track width. Toe-out-onturns can be measured without the use of electronic turnplates. Each sensor contains a high-speed microprocessor that acquires real-time measurements and produces an immediate response between changes in actual measurements and displayed values. All DSP500 Sensors come with newly designed Self-Centering Wheel Adaptors.

Hunter – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/37404

Fluid exchange machine The new ATX-2PS from RTI offers two services with one machine. It features all the benefits of the ATX-2 Automatic Transmission Fluid Exchanger and the PSX-2 Power

Steering Fluid Exchange, saving valuable shop space. The ATX-2 offers a fully automatic operation that can do a complete transmission fluid exchange in two to five minutes. A comprehensive set of color-coded adapters makes hook-up quick and easy. The PSX-2 offers easy service hook-up and remote wand to allow control at Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. Clear twochannel hose, provides excellent new versus used fluid visual. The PSX-2 can be added to an existing ATX-2 unit.

RTI – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39401

Three-stage lift arms Rotary Lift’s two-post surface lifts and SmartLift in-ground lifts feature three-stage arms designed to enhance safety and productivity. Endorsed by a number of OE vehicle manufacturers, including GM,

MANY FRANCHISES COME WITH HIDDEN “EXTRAS.”

Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen/Audi, the three-stage lift arms have no problem making contact with a vehicle’s designated lift points. The telescoping sections provide a greater range of extension and retraction.

Rotary – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39402

Tire protectors SNAP-RING TireSavers protect tires from damage caused by the sun’s heat and UV rays as well as other outdoor elements, such as dirt, dust, acid rain, and animals. They’re easy to store and can be effective even on short road trips. Covercraft’s SNAP-Ring TireSavers install completely over the tire and are securely held in place by a circular steel ring that “snaps” into position at the rear of the tire. Constructed of heavy-duty flannel backed vinyl, they are designed to eliminate the hassle of trying to fasten straps and hardware at the back of the wheel.

Covercraft – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38701

Not ours.

If you’re looking for real freedom to control your future, a Mister Transmission franchise partnership costs less than most, yet offers instant market leadership and tremendous brand equity, along with the opportunity to run your own business for real.

For more info, contact Randall Moore, VP Franchise Operations at 1-800-373-8432, randy@mistertransmission.com or visit www.mistertransmission.com SEPTEMBER 2006

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 27

Transmission fluids Chevron Products Company has introduced two new, premium synthetic transmission fluids designed specifically for the heavyduty manual transmission market. These new products meet the newly released Eaton Fuller PS-164 Rev 7 specification. Available as Chevron Delo Synthetic Transmission Fluid SAE 50 and Texaco Syn-Star TL SAE 50, these products meet and exceed the major OEM’s performance requirements for extend-

ed drain and warranty. In addition, both fluids offer reduced component wear and potential fuel economy improvements to companies in the commercial transportation and construction markets.

ChevronTexaco - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39201

Bug residue remover New BUGS B GONE/MD from SeaFoam is specifically formulated to chemically bond

with the acid in bug remains, softening and loosening them.

After BUGS B GONE/MD soaks in, water further activates it, allowing residue to be easily wiped or washed away. It works best on cool and dry surfaces which have been cleaned with cold water and dried prior to treatment. Apply liberally to area to be cleaned. It also easily cleans cigarette smoke from dash- boards and windows.

SeaFoam - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38208

Automotive finish Gagliano’s new IMAGE 10 automotive finish system is sold as a kit composed of four products: Surface Wash, Surface Cleanser, Finish Cream, and Instant Image – all developed to

work together to ensure a vehicle keeps its new car, freshly painted look. The company claims that independent lab reports and extensive field testing confirm that IMAGE 10 is one of the most technologically advanced automotive finishing systems on the market, outperforming competitive brand products in key areas such as clarity, depth of shine, and longevity.

Gagliano’s - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38209

Engine additive Justice Brother’s Engine Tune-Up can drastically reduce friction and premature wear, giving an older vehicle’s engine a chance.

As the miles accumulate on the odometer, valves may begin to stick and damaging contaminants build-up on combustion surfaces. JB’s Engine Tune-Up chemically frees sticky valves, lifters and compression rings while simultaneously removing gum, varnish and carbon in the oiling system. According to the company, fuel mileage is also improved due to reduced friction inside the engine.

Justice Brothers - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38202

28 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

SEPTEMBER 2006

Vehicle battery EnerSys now offers the ODYSSEY PC680, a new starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery with superior vibration resistance. The battery is ideal for passenger cars, motorcycles, utility vehicles, personal watercraft, ATVs and snowmobiles. The 12-volt ODYSSEY PC680 is virtually maintenance-free and boasts a sealed dry-cell construction to prevent external corrosion and acid leakage. The battery’s sealed design requires no addition of water and the terminals do not need to be cleaned or retightened after installation. Its rugged construction allows the PC680 to be installed in any orientation (except inverted) without sacrificing any performance attributes.

EnerSys – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38506

Hummer tire Pirelli Tire North America has unveiled the world’s first 30-inch, ultra-high-performance production tire for light truck and SUVs, in conjunction with TIS Wheels. The new

315/30R30 Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico features an exclusive “Double Z” tread design for maximum traction in any condition. Based on demand, Pirelli is able to produce small runs of specialized high-performance tires in its Rome, Georgia, manufacturing facility. Since its official opening in August of 2002, this plant has been at the forefront of Pirelli’s leadership in specialized light truck plus fitments, exclusively with the Scorpion Zero product line, offering sizes from 16-inch to 28-inch diameter, and now, of course, 30-inch.

Pirelli - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38909

Spark plug catalog Now available from Bosch is the 2005/2006 Spark Plug Catalog (#221101) covering domestic and import cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans, as well as lawn and garden and marine

applications. Updated with complete 2005 model year coverage and extensive 2006 applications, this 680-page catalog supersedes Catalog #221101 for 2004. Upgrades to the 2005/2006 Spark Plug Catalog include detailed information on modifications to the Bosch Super spark plug program, new marketing numbers added to Super and Specialty Spark Plugs, technical information about Bosch Spark Plug testing, and new marketing numbers added to the cross reference information.

Robert Bosch - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39502

Wire stripping pliers New 6” wire stripping pliers, manufactured from hardened and tempered steel, are now available from Docap. The “V” groove wire stripping pliers with brass adjustment screw are for wires up to 5 mm diameter. The 6” wire stripper pliers have a hardened cutting edge and a dual a color soft grip handle.

Docap – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39704

Nothing keeps a car performing better than pure, golden oil. And nothing keeps oil cleaner than Purolator filters. They’re the toprated filters in tough multi-pass tests, trapping up to 98%* of the contaminants that can harm your engine. To learn more about carrying Purolator filters for cars, trucks, and SUVs, call 800-251-5932. Purolator oil filters. If you were a car, wouldn’t you want one?

© 2005 Purolator Products NA, LLC *Based on SAE test #J806 performed on PureONE PL30001 filter and equivalents.

OFFICIAL FILTER

®

Quick-fill gas cap

Emergency tool

Stant’s new quick and easy refueling gas cap was designed with a convenient trap door mechanism that accommodates the gas nozzle, eliminating the hassle of removing and replacing the cap each time you refuel. The new InStant Fill gas cap allows vehicle owners to simply insert the gas nozzle fully and squeeze the trigger to refuel. It is especially convenient for the elderly and arthritic who have trouble opening gas caps. Just four part numbers cover more than 80 per cent of the cars on the road in North America. The product meets onboard diagnostics emission specifications.

Stant - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39710

The new 5-in1 Emergency Tool from Docap is now available to meet your customers’ various needs on the road. It’s compact enough to put in a glove compartment or first aid kit. It can be used as an emergency seatbelt cutter, hammer, flashlight, knife, and can even inflate tires. The super bright blinking light has a strong magnetic base for placing on the hood of a vehicle to signal for help.

Docap – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39703

Wiper blade catalog The new 2006 Wiper Blades & Refills Catalog is now available from Robert Bosch. The Catalog (#221115) supercedes #221115 for 2005. Based on the latest OE-level technology, Bosch wiper blades for the aftermarket are available for virtually all makes and models. The catalog includes extensive 2006 model coverage of Bosch’s widely known brands – MicroEdge Excel, MicroEdge, and the recently introduced ICON and Hindsight blades – with more than 240 new applications and six new Aerotwin and OE-style blades.

Robert Bosch - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39709

UV rays. It is constructed with four layers; a strong top layer which protects against weather, bird droppings, tree sap and other airborne pollutants. The two middle layers act as a filtration barrier against dust and dirt and the bottom layer is soft, absorbing mild impacts to help protect the finish from nicks, dings and scratches.

Covercraft - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39701

H-beam rods

Power steering hoses

Manley Performance has expanded its line of connecting rods for sport compact applications to include H-beam models for Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Subaru applications.

ACDelco has expanded its line of power steering hose to include over 1,700 all-makes, all-models SKUs. It offers coverage on 21,000 passenger cars, light-, medium-, and heavyduty trucks and buses, as well as off-road equipment applications. It includes a full range of pressure, return and bulk hose assemblies. There is also a growing offering of power steering repair kits.

ACDelco - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39702

The race-style H-beam rod is engineered to provide exceptional reliability in extremely high horsepower engines. The rods are forged from E4340AQ aircraft-quality alloy and precision machined to stringent tolerances. They’re heat-treated for an optimum balance of strength and ductility, and are equipped with 3/8” diameter ARP 2000 cap screws (220,000 psi) and Ampco 45 wrist pin bushings.

Manley - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39304

Vehicle cover A new all-weather vehicle cover fabric manufactured by Kimberly-Clark, provides extra protection for vehicles. The new cover, called Evolution, has quickly become the most popular all-weather fabric offered by Covercraft.

Evolution has the highest UPF rating, providing maximum protection against damaging

Let’s get to the point(s). Register now for the Real Rewards Promotion.

Earn valuable AMEX rewards It’s easy: • If you have not yet registered for the Real Rewards Promotion, do it now by going to www.ACDelcocanada.com* • Buy ACDelco parts from a participating Distributor • All August and September, 2006 ACDelco purchases qualify Questions? Or to find a participating Distributor, Call the ACDelco Info-Line at 1-800-263-3526

REAL REWARDS p

r

o

m

o

t

i

o

n

2

#

* You are already registered for Promotion #2 if you have registered for Promotion #1.

30 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

SEPTEMBER 2006

CANBUILT Suspension retrofit kit Whether hauling a boat, RV, or a load of gravel, drivers can count on Monroe Retrofit kits to help make their trips safer and more comfort-

TM

THE PANTHER HEADLIGHT AIMER Headlight Aiming MADE EASY!

able. Monroe Retrofit kits modify a trailer suspension to accommodate shock absorbers, a key element to a smoother, more controlled ride.

Requiring no welding or special tools, the Monroe Retrofit kit is a simple, do-it-yourself kit that includes all of the necessary hardware. The kit fits trailers with either a leaf spring or a torsion axle suspension.

Tenneco - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39907

Wheel balancer The Hunter GSP9200 wheel balancer packages the capabilities of fast, accurate balancing service in a cost-effective design that will increase the productivity and profitability of any shop.

The GSP9200 includes an LCD interface that communicates balancing results clearly using simple color graphics to help technicians quickly and easily understand needed service. Patented SmartWeight balancing technology provides superior wheel balancing results while minimizing the amount of wheel weight needed to correct an imbalance and reducing the time required to perform the service.

Hunter - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39906

10 Minute Complete Headlight Alignment

Compact Design, Fast & Simple Operation • Easy to understand, setup and use in any bay Accurately Checks Aim for ALL Headlights • ALL Vehicles, ALL Models, ALL Years

DOT APPROVED for all vehicles

Precision ground Optical GLASS Lens • Not affected by: UV, Direct Sunlight, Overspray or Airborne solvents Your NEW Profit Centre: Average $39.95 charge for a 10 minute Alignment!

DEMO ONLINE AT www.canbuilt.com Model OPT-5405 Optical Headlight Aimer

$50.00 Canbuilt coupon off your next Canbuilt purchase included

Two-post lifts Rotary has updated its popular two-post vehicle lifts equipped with inbay technology. All Rotary Lift two-post lifts with inbay now feature dual controls (one on each post) with technicianapproved mechanical push buttons. The dual controls save technicians steps, making their jobs easier and faster. Other features of inbay include one-touch controls, integrated air/electrical connections, a standard OSHA-compliant lockable disconnect switch, and a power unit that is located at the top of the post, out of the way.

Rotary Lift - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39403

Lexus exhaust coverage Ansa Automotive announces a new direct-fit, original equipment replacement, dual right and left rear muffler system for the Lexus LS430 4.3L 2001 (Part #TY32247 and TY32257). Offering OE fit, appearance and performance at competitive pricing, these new part numbers represent popular applications for the import undercar marketplace. Each ANSA exhaust system is constructed of fully-aluminized steel and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Ansa - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39904 SEPTEMBER 2006

For a Limited Time: FREE WITH PURCHASE: 1 of -Aimer protective cover - $34.95 Value 2 of -Headlight Resurfacer/Restorer Kit - $79.90 Value Over $165.00 in Savings !

Limited Time Special: $899.00 ROBOSTRUT: Hydraulic Spring Compressor • Complete Strut change over in less than 5 minutes!

• Handles 99% of all struts on today’s vehicles • Hydraulics allows total control and safety for compressing & re-seating springs • Unique 3 Axis Adjustment for maximum tooling contact.

Wall Mount RoboStrut Item # RS-410A Special: $799.95 Optional Mobility Kit Item # RS-410WK

®

Call your local Parts Supplier or Canbuilt Equipment 1-888-607-2926 • 416-749-6555 www.canbuilt.com • sales@canbuilt.com

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 31

The Texaco/Havoline racing team trusts Havoline®. That’s because it protects against engine sludge and deposits by helping moving parts stay trouble-free and clean. Ask for Havoline at your local auto parts store or national retailer.

A

company product

© 2006 Chevron Global Lubricants. All rights reserved.

ADD MORE LIFE TO YOUR CAR

www.texacohavoline42.com

®

CANBUILT Fuel pressure regulator The new lightweight aluminum Powerflow+Plus Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator from Professional Products is equipped with a 1/2” NPT inlet port on the bottom, four 3/8” NPT outlet ports, and a single 1/8” NPT port for a fuel pressure gauge.

With an adjustable pressure range of 4.5 psi to 9 psi and flow of 150 GPH, the Professional Products regulator can support carbureted engines up to 650 HP. The regulator is available brightly polished or with a blue anodized finish, and includes a polished stainless steel bracket and stainless hardware. In applications where more than 650-horsepower will be produced, install a second regulator for additional fuel flow.

Professional Products - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39301

Air Powered: Platform - Motorcycle - ATV lift - 1000 lb Capacity0 95.0 5.00 :$13 29 Reg L: $1 CIA r Now ise SPE Orde Wheel V e e Valu Fre Get 9.00

$17

• Removable rear wheel deck • Expandable platform with Optionally Available: - 13” Front Platform Extension - 24” Side Platform Extensions

Model # ML-3000 Shown with Optional Wheel Vise

Bulk steel tubing For the do-it-yourselfer, Classic Tube offers bulk coil tubing. Create your own brake lines, fuel lines, transmission lines, hydraulic lines, vacuum and power steering lines, or any other custom application.

Available in stainless steel or original equipment steel, you can purchase 20-foot coils alone, or with SAE or metric fittings, as a kit. Fittings are available in color-coded original steel or stainless steel and can be purchased separately. Classic Tube’s stainless steel tubing is 304-grade and double annealed for easy flaring and bending. Stainless steel is impervious to salt and other metal-destroying elements that your vehicle is exposed to, plus it will never change its appearance.

Classic Tube - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39302

Cam installation tool Installing a new camshaft without damaging your newly installed bearings can be difficult. Proform helps make that install much easier and safer with a new Universal Camshaft Installation Handle (#66898). The latest addition to the Proform line of engine assembly tools, this easy-to-use camshaft tool works for most domestic V6 and V8 engines as a result of the five-adaptors engineered for use with the handle. Using this tool provides a better balance and firmer grip, helping to eliminate dings or scratches on the cam bearings. The tool grip is made of flexible material to provide comfort during installation, but still provide plenty of support for the cam.

Proform - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39303 SEPTEMBER 2006

7,000 lb Storage Lifts: For Cars & SUV’s Model # VL-4700 For cars: 68” Clear ght Model #VL-4700EXT For SUV’s & pickups: 78” Clear Height • North American Hydraulic units • A complete line of lifts available

er N

ow

Get

RY

TO FAC 0 0 .

E $150 REBAT Ord

WORKSTATION BENCHES & CABINETS • Organize your workspace

!

NEW

• Secure your tools. test equipment • Improve Preductivity • Improve shop appearance

See them at: www.canbuilt.com Call your local Parts Supplier or Canbuilt Equipment

1-888-607-2926 • 416-749-6555 ®

www.canbuilt.com • sales@canbuilt.com

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 33

Belt tensioner Katech Performance has introduced an adjustable belt tensioner for General Motors (GM) Generation III and Generation IV LS engines. The tensioner was developed in response to the needs of racers, who were experiencing belts jumping off during downshifts

but the company also found that street-going vehicles were having the same issue, particularly with higher mileage cars. The lightweight tensioner replaces the stock unit to eliminate the problem of the accessory belt jumping off the pulley during performance driving. It features a higher pulley sidewall for more secure belt placement and utilizes the factory accessory belt.

Katech - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38702

Automatic laser level Docap has introduced a self-leveling handsfree automatic laser level, said to be easier and more accurate than bubble vials. The laser level is compact and comes with a durable storage pouch and two AA batteries. The laser level projects three different laser reference marks: Crosshair, Level Line and Plumb Line. A super bright 635nm diode makes the lines easier to see in lighted areas.

Docap – For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/39705

Piston ring installer

®

Distributed by Gates Canada Inc. www.gates.com

The new Universal Piston Ring Installer from Proform (Part number 67725) compresses rings to fit 3-7/8” to 4-3/8” bore sizes. The kit includes an adjustable clamp and a ring com-

Innovations seen clear across the globe® www.tricoproducts.com

No other company covers the windshield wiper market as completely as TRICO. We manufacture blades for every season and price point, even specialty applications, for nearly every car, truck, bus and recreational vehicle on the road. What’s more, we design and create each blade with the OEM quality and performance that’s made TRICO a leader since 1917. Small wonder why so many businesses in the aftermarket carry just one line of wiper blades.

TEFLON® is a registered trademark of DuPont used under license to Trico Products

G-160C G-161C

34 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

pressor. To help prevent ring breakage during piston installation, simply slide the Universal Piston Ring Installer over the rings and piston, tighten to size, and smartly tap the piston home. And the new Proform Heavy-Duty Piston Installation Tool (#67571) makes engine assembly just that much easier.

Proform - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38802

Boring bar micrometer For Van Norman 777 Boring Bars; OE Replacement Box Micrometer; will not

accommodate offset boring tooling; fits 3/8” H x 3/4” W Tool Holder (Order No. 777-MIC); fits 9/16” H x 13/16” W Tool Holder (Order No. 777S-MIC).

Goodson - For more info, go to www.aptmag.ca/products/38803 SEPTEMBER 2006

GET FREE HEAT WITH A CLEAN BURNâ&#x201E;˘ USED-OIL FURNACE Now you can dramatically reduce energy costs by burning used oils.Clean Burn Heating Systems (boiler & furnaces) provide what amounts to FREE HEAT and HOT WATER for space heating, in-floor heating and general purpose hot water. Clean Burn is the industry gold standard in used oil heating equipment.

ADVERTISING

www.canadiantechnician.ca

CLASSIFIED

SECTION

Reconditioned Fuel Injectors Why pay for new fuel injectors when you can buy reconditioned ones at a FRACTION of the cost?

Fuel injectors ultrasonically cleaned offer new injector performance... assuring the highest quality in the industry.

Cochrane Automotive now stocks reconditioned fuel injectors from Linder Technical Services in the USA. Sets are flow rate matched and have a 2 year replacement warranty!

Cochrane Automotive - Canadian Distributor 44 Chauncey Avenue, Toronto 416 236-1641 or 1 888 236-1641 parts@cochraneauto.ca www.lindertech.com

2

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September 06

AUTO PUZZLE

1

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10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Ford nameplate often used by police forces for its cruisers.

5 Schematic drawing of electrical pathways.

7 Laboratory test animals.

9 Al Pacino movie: _____face.

11 Modern communication medium for sending text messages, and attachments.

13 What comes out the tailpipe.

14 Pizza shape.Also a golf term.

15 Fatigue.

17 Pointed object thrown at a board.

18 Narrow area in a pipe through which a liquid or a gas is permitted to flow.

19 The result of a black-out (two words).

1 The transmission of information from one point, person or piece of equipment to another.

2 Not narrow.

3 Electrical measurement.

4 An amount or total close to the actual.Also, Bob Dylan song “Queen Jane __________.”

6 Transmission part.

8 Device used to allow easier access to the underside of a vehicle not on a hoist.

10 Chevrolet nameplate.

11 Releases or sends, especially from the tailpipe.

12 Not well fastened.

16 Dr.________, Austin Power’s nemesis.

17 The “D”in CD. May 2006 Auto Puzzle S T Y L E I N E N S E N T E T S T E E R A C T I U A R A I N O N A R M A C C E

U S H G I M S M L Y A V V E E X T R R A S S

W H N E E I L S E S C E N A T R A

I

D E A E R S K E E P Q U A U R A F A L T T E O R S I M P E

S T A T P T L R E R

I N S T A K R E

Add More Life To Your Car Havoline® has entered a new century of adding more life to your car.

Moving forward, we will continue to embrace vital new technology that translates into value-added solutions for your business.We’re looking towards the future, but we’ll never outgrow the world-class performance and solid technical expertise that got us here in the first place.

For more information call 1 800 465-2772 or visit www.Havoline.com

Congratulations to Cliff Martin of Midas Auto Service in Charlottetown,P.E.I.,winner of a Havoline jacket for solving our May 2006 puzzle.

Win 100! $

Name:

Send your solved puzzle to Canadian Technician.We’ll draw a winner on Nov.17, 2006.Send to 451 Attwell Drive,Toronto, ON M9W 5C4.Or fax to 416-614-8861.

Workplace: Work address: Phone:

email:

Question of the Month: What was your last year of schooling? Would it be enough for a tech starting in the trade now?

© 2006 Chevron Global Lubricants. All rights reserved.

continued from page 38 beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“I gotta get a hold of my buddy over at the GM dealership and find some answers before Ms Ellie gets back.”

Soon his friend Jimmy C was on the line. “Got a shaky Envoy?” he said.

“Relax; I’ve seen it before. You need to replace the front rotors.”

Tooner was flabbergasted. “But the steering wheel doesn’t vibrate at all,” he protested. “Are you sure about this? This is Ms Ellie’s 4x4 we’re talking about.”

Jimmy let out a low whistle.

“Chainsaw Ellie? Man, no wonder you’re all shook up!” He laughed. “Don’t worry, Toon. I had a bunch of trailblazers come through here with the exact same problem. I can’t really explain it, but I’ve seen some newer vehicles transmit brake pulse through the brake lines and give a false indication on which end you’re dealing with.” He thought for a moment and then added, “By the way, if you decide to machine the rotors instead of replacing them, I’d suggest using an on-car lathe.

The stacked tolerances between the rotor and hub can be more then these vehicles can handle.”

Tooner hung up and looked at me weakly. “Let’s do it, Slim. If it don’t fix it, I’ll pay for the parts myself – anything to avoid Ms Ellie’s wrath!”

Fortunately for us all, the new front rotors did the trick and Ms Ellie’s Envoy now stopped as smooth as… well, as Ellie put it, “as smooth as mountain moonshine in a lumberjack’s thermos!”

As she paid her bill, Ellie gave Tooner a piercing look. “Hey grease monkey, I like your style. How’d ya like to drop by my place after work and we’ll crack open that thermos I was talking about.”

Tooner turned beet red and stammered, “G-gosh, Ellie, I-I am a married man, you know…”

“Harrumph; it figures. The good-looking ones are always taken.” She picked up her keys and headed for the door, waving her cane in the air. “Your loss, grease monkey. Like I said before, I only ring the dinner bell once.”

Solved a tricky shop problem lately? Think it would make a good story for The Car Side?

Contact Rick at rick.cogbill@shawcable.com.

SEPTEMBER 2006

ADVERTISER INDEX Page

Website Address

Phone

ACDelco

Advertiser

30

www.acdelcocanada.com

1-800-26-DELCO

Automotive Industries Association of Canada 1272 Wellington St.W. Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A7

24

www.aiacanada.com

1-800-808-2920

Better Brake Parts 915 Shawnee Road Lima, OH 45805

26

www.betterbrake.com

1-800-829-2231

Canbuilt Manufacturing 103 Milvan Drive Weston, ON M9L 1Z7

31, 33

www.canbuilt.com

416-749-6555 1-888-607-2926

Chevron Global Lubricants 6975A Pacific Circle Mississauga, ON L4T 1A1

32,36

www.texacohavoline42.com

1-800-465-2772

Dayco 46 Norelco Drive, Weston, Ontario M9L 1S3

28

www.dayco.ca

416-741-3900

De-On Supply Waterloo, ON

35

www.deonsupply.com

1-800-824-4115

Gates Canada 225 Henry Street, Building #8 Brantford, ON N3S 7R4

34

www.gates.com

1-519-759-4141

KYB America LLC 140 North Mitchell Court Addison, IL 60101

21

www.kyb.com

1-630-620-5555

Launch Technologies 70 Hanlan Road Vaughan ON L4L 3P6

35

www.cnlaunch.com

905-265-9330

Linder Technical Services 44 Chauncey Avenue Toronto ON M8Z 2Z2

35

www.lindertech.com

1-888 236-1641

Matco Tools 25 Carissa Lane Holland Landing, ON L9N 1R6

17

www.nmtccanada.com

1-866-BUY-TOOL Franchise Opportunities 1-800-368-6651

Mister Transmission 9675 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor Richmond Hill ON L4C 1V7

27

www.mistertransmission.com

1-800-373-8432

Mopar Contact your participating DaimlerChrysler Retailer

13

www.mopar.ca

1-866-38-MOPAR

NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited 505 Apple Creek Blvd.Unit 1 Markham ON L3R 5R1

4

www.ngksparkplugs.ca

1-877-2-Sparky

Plasti-Kote 7655 Tranmere Drive, Mississauga, ON L5S 1L4

7

www.plastikote.com

905-671-8333

Prenco 149 Strachan Avenue Toronto, ON M6J 2S8

10

www.penco.ca

416-703-3427

Purolator Filters 6955 Creditview Rd., Mississauga, ON L5N 1R1

29

www.pureoil.com

1-800-251-5932

Robert Bosch, Inc. 6955 Creditview Rd. Mississauga, ON L5N 1R1

40

www.bosch.com

1-800-618-4729

Shell Canada

14

www.shell.ca

Visit our website

Snap-on Tools 2325 Skymark Avenue Mississauga, ON L4W 5A9

2

www.snapon.com

1-800-734-2676

SPX/OTC 5695 Whittle Road Mississauga, ON L4Z 3P8

9

www.otctools.com

Contact local agent

39

www.wakefieldcanada.ca

1-888-CASTROL

Wakefield Canada Inc. (Castrol) 3620 Lakeshore Blvd.West Toronto ON M8W 1P2

CANADIAN TECHNICIAN 37

The Car Side

By Rick Cogbill

It seems like a rear brake problem … but with Chainsaw Ellie’s Envoy, you better not be mistaken!

38 CANADIAN TECHNICIAN

A Whole Lot of Shakin’

Will Enns

T

HWACK!! We all jumped as Ms Ellie’s hickory walking stick connected with the top of our service counter.

“Hey!” she hollered. “How ’bout some service around here!”

A former logging camp cook, old Ellie was an expert at getting people’s attention. Quigley wiped hot coffee from his shirt as he hustled out of the lunch room.

“Sorry, Ms Ellie; just having a little break with the boys…”

“Fiddlesticks,” she muttered. “Pure laziness, if you ask me.” She glared over the top of her spectacles. “Sonny, in my day the dinner bell only rang once; if they didn’t come a-runnin’, they did without!”

“Yes, Ma’am!” Quigley gulped as he brought up her vehicle on the computer.

“S-so, you’re having some trouble with your 4x4?”

“Trouble?” she roared. “I’ll say there’s trouble. Why, every time I put on the brakes, the hind end starts jumping ’round like a belly dancer’s—” “Morning, Ellie!” I figured Quigley needed some backup. The only thing Ellie hated more than retirement was when her 1999 GMC Envoy didn’t run right. I glanced towards Beanie in the coffee room and lowered my voice. “Say, Ellie, could you keep it down a little?

We’ve got an impressionable young man in there…”

“Hey, impress away,” called out Tooner. “I’m all ears!”

“In your dreams, grease monkey!”

Ellie waggled a bony finger at me and Quigley. “Boys, I got one thing to say to you. When I get back this afternoon, I want a smooth ride under my tush. Ya got that?” And with that she hobbled out the door, leaving her keys on the counter.

Quigley mopped his brow. “Wow, Ms Ellie is one tough cookie.”

“You don’t know the half of it. Rumor

has it she keeps a chainsaw under her bed in case of burglars.” I picked up the keys. “Tooner, get out here; we’re going for a ride.”

“Coming right up, boss.” Tooner actually liked Ms Ellie’s gruff style; he said it reminded him of his mother.

Once around the block was enough to confirm the problem. Whenever the brakes were applied, the back end shook so badly we thought the rear window would fall out. “Got to be the rear brakes,” surmised Tooner. After a quick inspection and measurement of the rear

rotors, he announced his findings. “It’s not much, but it does look like there’s a tad bit of excessive runout here. A new set of rotors should fix the old girl’s problem.”

“I hope you’re right,” I said. “I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.”

An hour later, Tooner had installed the rear rotors and gone for a test drive. I could tell when he returned that Ms Ellie’s tush was not going to be pleased.

“Quick, hand me the phone,” he gasped,

continued on page 37 SEPTEMBER 2006

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