Service Station & Garage Management October 2010

Service Station & Garage Management .COM

SSGM READ BY AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP OWNERS AND TECHNICIANS SINCE 1955

OCTOBER 2010

Hands Off The Rim Times Still Tough For Independents: J.D. Power Selling The Oil, Filter Change

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October 2010

Vol. 40 No. 9

what’s inside

EDITOR Tom Venetis (416) 510-6790 tom@ssgm.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Jim Anderton jim@ssgm.com PUBLISHER Marc Gadbois (416) 510-6776 marc@ssgm.com SALES MANAGER Jay Armstrong (416) 510-6745 ACCOUNT MANAGER Jim Petsis (416) 510-6842 CIRCULATION MANAGER Selina Rahaman (416) 442-5600 ext 3528 srahaman@bizinfogroup.ca SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Roshni Thava (416) 442-5600 ext 3555 ART DIRECTOR Ron Taylor PRODUCTION MANAGER Steve Hofmann (416) 510-6757

See Page 14

PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER Phyllis Wright

See Page 20

VICE PRESIDENT CANADIAN PUBLISHING Alex Papanou

J.D. Power and Associates Report Certigard takes top spot this year as industry struggles with a decline in maintenance spending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Selling The Oil, Filter Change

AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE

Just because a car owner does not drive much does not mean they can forego regular oil, filter changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Hands Off The Rim Tire changes, aligners reduce the number of hands needed to change a tire in the shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

TACT Team Management Making decisions and freedom of choice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CAT What makes a good grease for chassis and wheel bearing applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Departments Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Baywatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Jim’s Rant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 CARS Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Internet Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 “We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.”

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|| Tom’s Editorial

The Challenge of Generation Y B

By Tom Venetis, Editor

Because of this generation’s use of technology and social media, many traditional sales and marketing strategies fail to reach them; and if those strategies do manage to break through to them, the campaigns fail miserably.

y the time you read this editorial, AAPEX/SEMA will be a little less than a month away. As with every AAPEX/SEMA show there is a lot of anticipation as to what new products will be shown. I’m more interested in what is going to be discussed at the various forums, as those programs often give one a glimpse of the challenges and issues the aftermarket is struggling with.

This year’s sessions cover a range of issues, from new lubricant specifications to Web-based services that shops can use to keep customers happy. The majority of the sessions focus on better customer communications and growing one’s business, from improving customer service to effective communications and marketing strategies.

What this tells me is there is a lot of anxiety in the aftermarket right now about finding and keeping customers. This is not surprising. The recession has taken a toll on many independents and keeping customers coming back is a challenge.

Two programs did catch my attention: using social media to reach customers and connecting with Generation Y. I know some shop owners and managers will likely skip these programs, more interested in the nuts-and-bolts seminars on new shop technologies and customer service. This would be a mistake. There is a demographic shift happening right now in the aftermarket service industry, with a new generation of young people buying or looking to buy vehicles. This generation is more technically savvy than their parents with a different set of values around communications and business loyalty.

This generation is one of the toughest to market too. Because of this generation’s use of technology and social media, many traditional sales and marketing strategies fail to reach them; and if those strategies do manage to break through to them, the campaigns fail miserably. Why? The most obvious is the reliance on traditional methods of marketing: print, radio, flyers etc. Generation Y views these as one might an Edison Kinetoscope and Brion Gysin’s Dreamachine. Traditional marketing campaigns treat the buying process as something dull, even off-putting.

Generation Y wants that process to be interactive, even fun.

Life for many in Generation Y revolves around social media and instant communications, with immediate feedback through direct interaction between persons and businesses. There is no clear line between work and fun, between personal and business communications. Life and work co-exist and blur on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and instant communications through the Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and other portable Internet-ready devices. The result is loyalty that is fluid, shifting from one provider to another. What matters is meeting Generation Y’s expectation of transparency, instant communications and choice.

If a shop fails to meet those expectations, they will fail to not only to get business from Generation Y, but to earn their loyalty.

What do you think?

Have your say and speak your mind! letterstotheeditor@ssgm.com 6 SSGM October 2010

www.ssgm.com

No matter where the vehicle is designed, engineered or manufactured, WIX速 more than likely has an oil, air, fuel or cabin filter for it. And not just any filter, one that continues to break typical aftermarket stereotypes for fit, form and function. In this great big world of foreign nameplate products, WIX means quality in any language.

See the WIX distributor nearest you or visit wixfilters.com.

WIX FILTRATION PRODUCTS - 1035 Industrial Road, Ayr, Ontario N0B 1E0 - 519.622.4545

|| News Briefs Federal-Mogul Introduces MOOG Problem Solver Lower Ball For Lincoln LS Models

Federal-Mogul Corporation has introduced an innovative MOOG Problem Solver front lower ball joint for 20002005 Lincoln LS sedans.

The new MOOG Problem Solver part (p/n K500084, model years 20002001; K500085, model years 20022005) eliminates the need for technicians to purchase and install a steering

knuckle when replacing the original equipment front lower ball joint. Other replacement ball joints for these applications are available only as part of the steering knuckle assembly, increasing the complexity and cost of the repair.

“By installing our premium MOOG Problem Solver part, vehicle service providers can offer their customers a long-lasting and cost-effective solution,” said Mark Boyle, global manager, chassis and visibility products,

NAPA Autopro Convention Helps Grow Business, Honours Top Shop

Waterloo, Ontario was the site of the 2010 NAPA Autopro Convention where attendees were treated to a range of seminars and presentations designed to help grow profits and motivate NAPA’s Autopro team to find underperformed service work on vehicles.

The one-day event started with AIA president Marc Brazeau who presented the findings of an AIA study outlining that vehicles four- to 12-years old are being underserviced by an average of $239 every time those vehicles visits an automotive service shop in Canada.

Breaking down the numbers even further, Brazeau pointed to the fact that $28.47 billion in potential demand was available in 2008. However, the actual performed service in 2008 was only $18.4 billion, leaving $10.33 billion in unrealized revenue for shops.

David Meunier of Total Automotive Consulting and Training (TACT) followed up on these statistics with a call

for Canadian independents to get the training needed to identify this underperformed maintenance work and to educate vehicle owners on the need to regularly maintain vehicles even during tough economic times.

To help drive more customers to NAPA’s shops, NAPA announced the launch of the NAPA 10 year/140,000 km Limited Engine and Driveline Warranty program, and a more comprehensive customer service measurement program.

The day ended with NAPA Autopro honouring Mike and Vicki Ogilvie of Ogilvie’s Auto & Fleet Service in Jasper, Ontario as the NAPA Autopro of the Year.

The 2010 NAPA Autopro Leadership Awards went to Marty’s Auto Tech in Hailebury, Ontario, Columbia Auto Servcie in Waterloo, Ontario and Auto Clinic of Flmborough in Millgrove, Ontario.

Left to Right … Tom Mondoux (General Manager, NAPA Cambridge DC), Rob Duncan (Regional Vice President, Ontario), Mike & Vicki Ogilvie (Owners, Ogilvie’s Auto & Fleet Service), Brenda & Keith Graham (Universal Supply Group), Darlene & Peter Penfold (Universal Supply Group), Chris Thorne (National Sales & Marketing Manager, Banners & Major Accounts, UAP Inc.) 8 SSGM October 2010

Federal-Mogul. “Our problem-solving engineering approach helps restore like-new steering and ultimately helps service facilities build stronger customer relationships.”

The premium MOOG Problem Solver ball joint has been specially equipped with a durable resin-plated housing to help prevent galvanic corrosion when mated with the aluminum steering knuckle. Other key features of the MOOG part are Federal-Mogul’s proven powdered-metal “Gusher” bearing, hardened full-ball stud design and premium sealed polyurethane boot.

For additional information regarding MOOG chassis parts, visit www. federalmogul.com or www.moogproblemsolver.com.

TIA Launches Monthly TIA Member eNews

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced the launch of TIA Member eNews, a monthly electronic newsletter that will be e-mailed to all TIA members. Every issue of TIA Member eNews will feature the latest news and information on TIA training, special events, government relations activities, member benefits, and more. It will also feature practical, relevant business advice from top experts that TIA members will find beneficial.

TIA Member eNews will replace the previous Business Owner e-newsletter. Members are encouraged to provide TIA with their updated e-mail address in order to ensure they receive TIA Member eNews. To do so, members can log in to the “Members Only” section of www.tireindustry.org, or call (800) 876-8372.

“We are constantly striving to find ways to not just better communicate with our members; we also want to give them practical, useful information that will help them on a day-to-day basis. We’re confident that the new TIA Member eNews is a big step in that direction,” said TIA Director of Marketing Communications Richard Porter.

“Everyone at TIA works hard every day on behalf of our members, as well as the tire industry as a whole, and TIA Member eNews will help us showcase www.ssgm.com

News Briefs || our efforts in order to provide yet more clear proof that membership in TIA is not an expense; it’s a value,” said TIA Executive vice-president Roy Littlefield.

ExxonMobil Remains Lubricants Supplier for General Motors U.S. Dealer Network

ExxonMobil signed an agreement to continue as the lubricants supplier for the U.S. General Motors’ dealer network for the next five years. In addition, ExxonMobil announced that a number of its key products, including Mobil 1, are now officially dexos licensed worldwide.

The new dexos licensed ExxonMobil products will meet the GM global engine oil specifications and will be designated by displaying dexos1 or dexos2 logos on the product labels.

These engine oils are designed to meet the specific requirements of gasoline and diesel engines used in GM vehicles worldwide.

“We’ve been working with GM for a long time, and we look forward to continued growth with this important alliance,” said Ken MacGibbon, sales director strategic global alliances for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company. “ExxonMobil has been the supplier for the U.S. GM dealer network since 1990, and during the last 20 years, the GM service fill program has become one of the best original engine manufacturer lubricants programs in the industry. With strong efforts between both companies, we have grown sales, including Mobil 1, every year within the GM dealership network.”

ExxonMobil’s dexos licensed products will provide consumers with a strong product offer giving GM drivers more options when it comes to their motor oil. Part of the offer will be Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, with Mobil 1 5W-30 for dexos1 and Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 for dexos2.

As part of the agreement, ExxonMobil will also market General Motors’ new semi-synthetic engine oil, ACDelco dexos1 5W30, to be launched later this year in the U.S. and Canada. www.ssgm.com

The AIM Associated Sub-Groups Form Strategic Alliance with Uni-Select

The AIM Associated Sub-Groups (AASG) -AIM Alliance, Auto Extra, DWC/Cygnus and SDI- announce that they have formed a strategic alliance with Uni-Select. The agreement provides group members with the ability to participate in and benefit from the full range of Uni-Select’s innovative sales, marketing and business operations programs.

“Our members value their independence and will retain it under our new agreement,” said Dick Palmer, president, AIM Alliance and spokesperson for the AASG. “However, they also need partners who can offer additional sales, marketing and business operations tools. We believe all group members will appreciate Uni-Select’s commitment to developing programs and then allow companies to participate in those programs on an “a la carte” basis selecting only those programs that best meet their unique needs. This alliance expands the number of programs available to all of our group members, as they can now choose from existing Associated Groups programs as well as the new programs from Uni-Select to help them continue to thrive in our industry.”

Brent Windom, Uni-Select vicepresident for North American Marketing and Product Development, said Uni-Select’s programs will enhance those currently available to the AASG. “We have made significant investments in the technology necessary to service national accounts, and our enhanced drop ship program provides improved profitability while streamlining the back office functions. These programs, in addition to our dual market strategy of expanded product availability over our global supply chains, support how Uni-Select works in true partnership with independent members to help them grow their businesses profitably.”

The strategic alliance became effective September 1, 2010, and all contracts and agreements that AIM Associated Sub-Group members have with customers and suppliers remain in effect.

Shell Ranked No. 1 Lubricants Supplier Globally for Fourth Consecutive Year

Shell has been named the No.1 global lubricants supplier for the fourth consecutive year in an annual research study carried out by Kline & Company.

Despite one of the toughest operating environments since the Great Depression, Shell Lubricants trumped a tumultuous 2009, growing its global market share to 13.4 per cent from 12.7 per cent in 2008. It also widened its lead over its nearest competitor to 2.5 per cent, up from 1.6 per cent the year before. These figures are especially significant, given that 2009 worldwide lubricant demand declined 8.4 per cent over 2008 to 35 million tonnes.

Chong-Meng Tan, Executive vicepresident for Shell Business to Business & Shell Lubricants, said: “Kline’s research shows that despite very challenging market conditions, Shell has continued to outperform the lubricants market as a whole and maintain our global leadership position. I believe this is the result of a consistent strategy that focuses squarely on customers, as well as leading technologies delivering differentiated products that add value for clients.”

According to Kline, the impact of the global recession had been less severe in the Asia-Pacific region, which continued to show the most robust growth on a volumetric basis. Shell achieved strong growth in China and has established itself as a leading player in developing markets such as Indonesia. Kline also noted that the United States — the largest country market in terms of lubricant volume consumed — was among those that were most impacted by the economic downturn.

On the industry’s competitive landscape, Kline indicated that technological expertise has, and will increasingly become an important differentiator for lubricants suppliers. This is a key strength for Shell, whose technological leadership includes more than 70 years of innovation though investing in research and development (R&D) and recruiting world-class scientists to create some of the most advanced lubricant products available.

SSGM October 2010 SSGM 9

|| JD Power Report

J.D. Power and Associates Finds Annual Spending on Vehicle Maintenance Declines Certigard takes top spot this year in customer satisfaction, loyalty

By Tom Venetis, Editor

L

ast year, SSGM’s analysis of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study found the recession, feeling by many to be in full-swing, was taking a toll on vehicle maintenance spending across Canada. J.D. Power reported annual spending on vehicle maintenance and repair had fallen to $856 from the previous year’s figure of $920.

This year’s report finds that the effects of the recession continuing to impact the aftermarket. J.D. Power finds consumer-reported average annual expenditures on vehicle maintenance and repairs decreased to $9.8 billion in 2010 from $11.2 billion in 2009. This decline came as a result of owners of vehicles aged four- to sevenyears holding back on maintenance spending.

Where is the decline? Why the decline?

When J.D. Power crunched the numbers further from the 14,500 Canadian respondents, it found the drop in spending could be pinned on two factors: a fall in the average amount spent by a vehicle owner per service visit to an independent and a decrease in the number of service visits, most acutely seen in vehicles four- to seven-year old.

To put those findings into perspective, the study found per service dollars spent averaged $287 in 2010 compared to $352 in 2009, or a drop of $65 dollars. While $65 does not sound like a significant amount of money, spread over time and vehicles, this $65 dollars quickly adds up to lost revenue and 10 SSGM October 2010

www.ssgm.com

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|| JD Power Report profit for individual shops and the industry as a whole.

Why the decrease? Certainly, the recession is one reason. During tough economic times, consumers will cut back on discretionary spending, forgoing such things as family vacations to purchases of iPods and other electronic gadgets. Automotive maintenance and repair is no different. For many vehicle owners who are now watching family budgets closely, unless the work recommended by the technician and service writer is safetyrelated they may, and often do, forego that work in order to save money.

What should be more concerning to Canadian independents is this trend may be indicative of more troubling changes in the aftermarket.

“The more concerning part of this is whether there is a more systemic lengthening out of the service window,” said Ryan Robinson, director of the Canadian automotive practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “A lot of OEMs have been educating customers that they do not need to service the vehicle that often anymore.”

According to Robinson, technologies and designs have improved, leading to vehicles lasting longer, fewer parts needing to be frequently replaced; and advances in filter technologies and motor oils have extended the drain interval between oil changes. This has meant a decline in the number of service visits owners of today’s vehicles will make to a shop. To continue to generate decent revenues from these longer service intervals, OEMs have begun to pack more service work into the scheduled service intervals.

“The problem with that approach is once you start bundling more types of service into the event, the money you are asking consumers to spend per event increases,” Robinson said.

“Consumers will start to believe that servicing their vehicles is becoming more expensive and they may start pulling back on some service work, on such services that are not mandatory or required.”

12 SSGM October 2010

educate the customer – and you do it right – the customer comes away with the perception that you have given them helpful advice. Not only are you accessing more dollars in the day, but you are accessing higher retention levels down the road.”

Certigard puts the focus on the customer, shop practices

Robinson added the fallout of this is the damage it causes to customer relationships. The J.D. Power and Associates study finds once more that independents score very high in customer loyalty and return visits compared with other nationally-known service operations and dealer-based service operations. This year, Certigard (Petro-Canada) took the top-spot in the survey, with OK Tire and NAPA Autopro coming in the top-five. The study also pointed out once more the strong relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty: “Among customers of brands with the highest levels of overall satisfaction, nearly 80 per cent indicate they ‘definitely will’ return to the service facility for work they will pay for (outside the scope of their vehicle warranty).

In contrast, among customers of lesssatisfying brands, only 45 per cent say the same.”

By trying to pack in more services into a single visit it has the effect of making it harder for the service writer and technician to educate that customer on necessary work and regular maintenance, and dampening customer satisfaction and loyalty. Each time the service writer or technician tries to educate the customer, it is frustrated by the customer seeing only a high pricetag and thinking about ways to take the business to someplace cheaper. It is not a formula for long-term profitability or success.

“It is something that we have been talking to the entire industry about for a long time,” Robinson said. “If you

John Watt, national manager with Certigard (Petro-Canada) pointed to his company’s efforts at tying customer satisfaction and business processes that helps drive profitability and customer loyalty to its network of service providers of Canada.

For some years, along with studying carefully the annual J.D. Power and Associates survey, Certigard has been using Vertex Consultants to track customer satisfaction and loyalty. The Vertex surveys focus on the first-time customer to Certigard as this customer likely has had dealings with another service provider and is able to compare the service he or she has received at Certigard to what the service experience was like previously with another independent service shop or a nationally-branded shop.

Watt said what is looked for in the survey is very specific: service items that translate into high customer satisfaction results and which can be acted upon and improved by every shop.

“We are talking about fundamentals of the business,” Watt continued.

“These include such questions as whether inspections were performed, how was that inspection communicated to the customer, and all of those fundamentals are then cross-referenced to the average cost of the transaction, for example. Questions such as ‘Is your car cleaner or dirtier after the transaction?’ may seem trivial, but we have found that such things are very important to developing customer satisfaction.”

Watt believes that by focusing on those fundamentals in every Certigard shop in Canada, and sharing customer feedback results so shops can take action on them to improve customer www.ssgm.com

JD Power Report || communications and relations, has helped in not only placing Certigard in the top position this year, and earlier in 1995, but to having consistently placed its service operations annually in the top-five of the J.D. Power and Associates survey for some time. The company’s internal survey also reinforced what J.D. Power’s survey has repeatedly pointed to as the key for long-time customer loyalty and shop profitability: honest communications with customers.

“The number one criteria used by customers is the sentiment of honesty,” said Watt. “If you are not communicating in such a way that gives choice to the customer and that communication is clear, that sentiment of honesty does not come through.”

Watt is a firm believer in the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) in helping foster better customer communications and making it easier for the technician to educate the customer and to help the customer make an informed choice as to the work needed

on the vehicle.

“The car needs what it needs,” Watt said. “(The car) does not know what is happening in the economy, that it is down, the dollar is strong or someone has been laid-off. If something is worn, then it has to be replaced.”

Watt’s remark is echoed in a recent AIA study on the aftermarket, produced with DesRosier Automotive

Consultants Inc. The 2009 study titled “Hidden Potential Unmasked” found Canadian vehicles four- to 12-yearsold are being underserviced by an average of $239 every time that vehicle is taken to a service provider. Drilling down further, the study found that $28.47 billion in potential demand was available in 2008, while the actual performed services in 2008 were valued at $18.14 billion. A little over $10 billion was left untapped.

Watt said that to tap into this unrealized pool of revenue it is important to develop and build on customer relationships and independents need to focus their energies on the business processes that help make those relations work.

“We find a lot of the “mom-andpop” independent repair shops, two-bay garages, are some of the best out there,” added J.D. Power and Associates’ Robinson. “You don’t have to go further than seeing how these two-bay garages are doing at building and maintaining personal relationships.”

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October 2010 SSGM 13 6/15/10 10:59:23 AM

|| Filters

Settling some myths about filters, oils There are many older drivers who believe that if you don’t drive a lot, you don’t need to change the oil as often.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

By Tom Venetis, Editor

E

Bosch’s Purolator PureONE filter uses a Micronic filtration media that captures 99.9 per cent of microscopic contaminants, including dirt and metal shavings.

14 SSGM October 2010

very shop has had this experience. An older driver comes in with a vehicle, possibly an older one or even a new one, asking for an oil change. That is not unusual. Oil and filter changes are the bread-and-butter of an independent’s business. There is just one thing wrong. When the vehicle history is pulled up the service writer notices the customer has not been in the shop for six months or more since the last oil change. When the vehicle owner is asked about this, the reply is “Well, I don’t drive the car much; very little actually, less than 200 km a month, I think. So I don’t see why I have to change the oil as often.”

Part of this answer can be explained by how oil changes are marketed to vehicle owners today. The standard refrain is “5,000 km or every three month.” It seems straight-forward, even simple to understand. But look for a moment as how it appears to be phrased to some vehicle owners: it leaves the impression that if you don’t drive very much, certainly less than 5,000 km in those three months, then there is no need to change the motor www.ssgm.com

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oil. These older driver are also bombarded with longer drain intervals in a growing range of new vehicles and the increased use of robust, high-quality synthetic motor oils and filter technologies that go for a greater number of kilometres between changes. Is it not surprising that all of this can create confusion in some older vehicle owners and adds to the difficulty of service writers and technicians selling the traditional oil and filter change.

Educating the customer

The first thing to remember is this is not an uncommon problem. A little proof # patience and solid technical informaClientcan help in talking to these vehicle tion owners about regular oil and filter Creative Director changes.

“Just because you put synthetic oil in ArtaDirector vehicle does not mean you can do away with not changing the oil at a CopyWriter regular interval,” said Roy Cornish, service writer with Cochrane Automotive inDirector Toronto. “Here in Canada, we Account consider our oil change frequency to beAccount ‘severe’ because of our climate, its Manager extreme changes and the driving habits ofProduti Canadians.” on Manager Cornish added he has seen many of the “little old ladies that drive three or McGill four miles a week,” but that still does dal they can forego the regular not mean

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16 SSGM October 2010 Client: IMPERIAL OIL

Docket: IMP715

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Date: SEPT 30, 2010

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oil and filter change. The reason is what happens to motor oil when the vehicle is left sitting for long periods of time or not driven very much. When a vehicle is driven regularly and over some distance the heat built up helps disperse contaminates the oil takes up and helps the oil filter work properly, said Roy Cornish.

“That is why if you remember in the olden days, you would pull the crankcase oil filler cap off or pull the dipstick out and it would look like you had a milkshake in your engine,” he added.

“That is caused from condensation and short driving intervals.”

Mark Sach-Anderson, a technician with Dr. H Honda, a NAPA Autopro shop in Toronto, is not a fan of extended drain intervals, even when using high-quality synthetic motor oil and premium filter technology. He cites the same issues that Cornish pointed to earlier.

“I have seen change intervals of up to 12,000 kms in some instances. In my personal opinion, I would not recommend that,” Sach-Anderson added.

“The bottom line is that the oil filter and the oil are the lifeline and the heart of the engine.” Because of the build-up of acids, contaminates and condensation that happens when an engine sits idle for long periods or the car is driven

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retailers.winwithmobil.ca No purchase necessary. Contest Period begins October 1, 2010 at 9:00:00 MT and ends January 31, 2011 at 23:59:59 MT. Each entry via text or internet will receive one (1) entry into the Contest. Limit of one (1) entry per phone number, per calendar month, regardless of method of entry. There are three (3) Grand Prizes available to be won, each consisting of $3,000 in ESSO Gift Cards. There are twenty eight (28) monthly prizes consisting of $200 in ESSO Gift Cards and Mobil-branded gear available to be won (approximate retail value $320 each). Winners will be required to answer a skill-testing question.

Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period. Contest is open to Canadian residents only who are over the age of majority in their province/territory of residence. Some restrictions apply. For complete contest rules, privacy policy and entry details, visit retailers.winwithmobil.ca Mobil, Mobil 1 and Delvac are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. Imperial Oil, licensee.

|| Filters infrequently, it is critical that the oil and filter be changed regularly. “If anything, it is more important to change it every three months.”

Selling the premium regular filter and oil change

Synthetic motor oils offer a variety of advantages to motorist today. Suitable for all cars of all ages, with few exceptions, synthetics offer better performance in extremely cold weather conditions, flowing more quickly to critical engine parts and preventing metal on metal friction. In very hot weather and extreme driving conditions, such as stop-and-go traffic or the towing of trailers, synthetic motor oils hold their lubrication better and resist breaking down which can result in deposit build-up.

Along with high-quality motor oil, service writers and technicians need to better position high-quality, premium oil filters. The easiest way to do this is to match that filter to the driving condition to the driver. The other is to push quality oil filter against the move by some drivers to lower-cost, whitebox filters.

Bruce Coffey, technical service manager with Wix Filtration Products said today’s aftermarket filters are far superior to their white-box counter-

parts because of the work done to improve the design of the filter itself and the media used to filter contaminates. Rubber seals, adhesives and the filtration media have been made to better withstand the stresses placed on them and the filtration media used have sufficient dirt-holding capacity to protect the engine from damaging contaminates. Lower-quality materials are an invitation to engine trouble.

In an earlier interview with SSGM Magazine on filtration technology, Ramon Nunez, director of filtration with Bosch pointed to the importance

WIX full-flow oil filters use arch-pleated, prescription-blended media. The media, with a maximized number of pleats, has less than 2 psi pressure drop when filtering oil at a rate of 4 g.p.m. at normal operating temperature.

18 SSGM October 2010

filtration media and why companies like Bosch spends a lot of time improving its media for its range of Boschand Purolator-branded oil filters, such as the Micronic filtration media used in the Pure One filter.

“There are offshore, white-box filters out there, but I would never touch them,” added Mark Sach-Anderson of Dr. H Honda. “For example, inside a quality aftermarket oil filter there is a bypass valve so that if the filter becomes plugged or there is excessive pressure, (the oil) will bypass the filter.

The reason why that valve is there is to save the engine.”

These are all important to emphasize to a customer. The question is how to show them. Certainly, a long-time relationship with the vehicle owner helps. If that owner has many years of service with your independent service operation, then selling them on highquality motor oils and filter is made easier. Sometimes, visuals help, proving the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Jessica Gilbank, owner of Ms. Lube

by Mechanichik said her shop has on hand a cut-in-half filter (air, oil and cabin), to show vehicle owners the difference between a quality filter and one of lesser quality.

“It is quite easy for a customer to see the quality of the design,” Gilbank said.

“The media will feel different to the touch with a high-quality filter. Visual aids are fantastic. And you have to remember, in some cases an oil change can be very expensive and if you are spending that kind of money on an oil change, you deserve a high-quality product.”

SSGM www.ssgm.com

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|| Tool Report: Tire Changers

Hands off the rims Tire changing is a hands-off experience

I

t used to be said that the tires were the most important things on a vehicle because they were the only thing that connected it to the road.

Tires and wheels are an important element of any car or truck; but they have also evolved to an expression of the car owner’s personality as well. Not only must they do their job properly, but they must look the part as well.

Have you taken a look at tire rims lately? Talk about bling. And it’s not just the aftermarket chrome plated, see them a kilometre away, mortgaged the house for these, babies. More often than not, brand new cars and trucks are coming off the show rooms with pretty fancy alloy rims.

“Rims have become very specialised, very expensive, very modern aluminium alloy, plastic coated. We even have rims that are a polymer, without any steel, (and) these all have to be handled different,” said John Van Loenen, Easter Canada Sales Manager for Hofmann Corporation, a division of Snap-on Equipment that has been manufacturing garage equipment since 1931. “We have to handle 3,000 dollar wheels and we can do this without actually having to touch the rim assembly. Tires have changed themselves and they also have to be treated differently because of the sensitivity of these wheels and tires.”

Hofmann’s ultimate tire changer is the monty FA 1000, colloquially called the Full Monty. It is designed to safely and efficiently change all types of tire and wheel combinations with limited physical input from the technician. The technician rolls the wheel assembly into place and the hydraulics of the machine will do most everything else.

The machine features computerized mount/demount programs, automatic tire diameter measurement, automatic laser-profiling of the wheel, integrated wheel lift, electro-hydraulic center clamping, a two-speed drive system and 20 SSGM October 2010

By Nestor Gula a top-side bead inflation.

To operate the FA 1000 the technician must choose from standard, soft side-wall or sports tires. They are then guided in a step-by-step manner through the tire changing process using a simple joystick. There is a manual override for special circumstances. A handy aspect of the FA 1000 is that the wheel assembly is lifted onto the tire changing spindle automatically reducing strain and fatigue for the technician. It can handle most wheel sizes so it will work with regular car tires as well as truck tires.

“The speed of the operation is secondary to the care of the tire and rim.

There are not too many cars out there that have a steel rim and a regular tire,” said Van Loenen. “They mostly have aluminium alloy, either as an OEM feature or an aftermarket addition and these have either low profile type tires or run flat tires. That what we see.”

“The Bosch TC752 Pro allows the operator to utilize its hydraulic bead breaking and mount/dismount system to mount and dismount low profile and specialty wheel tire assemblies effortlessly,” said Frank Nowaczyk, Sr. Product Manager, Aligner and Lift Products Bosch Diagnostics Business Unit.

The Bosch TC 752 Pro accommodates wheels up to 32” diameter including run flats, low profiles and PAX tires.

The hydraulic mount/demount tools help prevent accidental rim damage by eliminating the need for a tire lever and standard automotive and light truck adapters are included.

“Our TC 752 Pro makes changing ultra high performance low profile and run flat tires a one man job,” said Nowaczyk. “Two things that decrease profitability are outdated equipment which requires multiple technicians change a tire, and damage to customers expensive wheel and tire assemblies. These two situations are a thing of the past with

The Bosch TC 752 accommodates wheels up to 32” diameter including run flats, low profiles and PAX tires. The hydraulic mount/demount tools help prevent accidental rim damage by eliminating the need for a tire lever.

Bosch TC752 Pro.” Once the tires are changed they have to all point in the same direction. “Our Easy 3D wheel aligner can perform a basic alignment check in as little as two minutes,” said Nowaczyk.

“This gives a repair facility the ability to audit each vehicle coming for service.

Once the work is sold fast set up and portability between bays means more alignments per day and more profit potential. We haven’t sacrificed accuracy to gain speed. With features like two cameras per wheel and an independent reference system, The Bosch Easy 3D is so accurate and repeatable we have even published those specifications in the operator’s manual.”

The Bosch FWA 4630 Easy 3D Alignment System represents a new generation of true 3D image technology aligners aimed at fulfilling the alignment service requirements of modern automotive vehicles and service centres.

The Easy 3D system contains two portable camera pods mounted on an alignment rack with ‘electronics free’ measurement boards attached to each wheel, operating at high speed to enable a 27Hz update rate, or 27 updates per second. Measurement boards at the wheels and camera pods made from expanded www.ssgm.com

NEW Our improved design makes our Web Site easier to use, more interactive and features more technical installation and repair videos than ever before.

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|| Tool Report: Tire Changers

Rotary Lift’s YA12 alignment lift provides a true up/down movement and eliminates the steel side scissor arms of most scissor lift designs.

polypropylene with internal suspension damping, contribute to low weight, ease of handling and drop resistance. Easy 3D’s innovative measuring method, eliminates the need for calibration during installation, and provides precise measurements that can be repeated even if the camera pods are repositioned in the middle of the alignment process.

Easy 3D users can move their system to different bays within the shop Hofmann’s Van Loenen concurs that speed without accuracy is a fallacy. “You can never separate seed and accuracy,” he added. “What we will tell is that when you use our alignment system you can have a full readout on all the specs of the car within three minutes. Once you put that car on our rack and use our alignment system it will give you a full readout for your customer, in colour, in less than three minutes.”

When a car is handled by the Hoffman alignment system, “the barcode is scanned on the car and all the information is put on the computer automatically giving model date, the stats everything,” according to Van Loenen.

“The car is driven onto our scissor ramp which has lights and locks. All the switch plates and turntables will lock automatically and unlock when needed. They also have full LED lighting underneath so the underside is completely lit up for the technician.”

He said that the best feature of the system is that it retains the readings.

“You can go to your customer and say, ‘Hey, Mr. or Mrs Customer this and this can be done and if they say go ahead the full readings are retained and the technician can go ahead and do the work without having to redo the initial test.”

It used to be that alignment was a purely mechanical operation. Cars with 22 SSGM October 2010

The Hofmann geoliner 600 is a full-image aligner, but made to fit and operate in tighter work spaces than most. The targets, camera and other equipment are mounted onto the main aluminum post allowing the system to be placed in confined spaces and to also be moved easily.

stability control, traction control and other electronic aids have changed this parameter.

Failure to perform the manufacturer’s required SAS Steering Angle Sensor) reset after a wheel alignment may cause conditions that could result in major complications. Bosch’s KTS diagnostic tools will deal with the growing number of vehicles that require SAS reset.

“The new Bosch system will reduce equipment investment costs and increase work bay efficiency,” says David Scribner, Group Product Manager for Bosch Diagnostics Business Unit. “This also makes ‘one trick repair gadgets’ – that are unable to perform other critical undercar functions – obsolete.”

Having the right lift for alignment is important according to John Rylee, director of marketing at Rotary Lift.

“We produce the Y-lift. The advantage of the Y-lift over the scissor lift is that the design is open throughout the centre. What that does is it allows the technician to move to the side if they have to go to their tool chest or the alignment instrumentation. Or make a tire adjustment. In a scissor lift the sides are obviously blocked by the scissor mechanism and you can only walk out the back or the front of the lift.” SSGM www.ssgm.com

|| Jim’s Rant

Fire in the Hole…

I

By Jim Anderton, Technical Editor

Expanding stuck parts to get them apart is an everyday practice in most shops; but a simple design change would make it unnecessary here.

What do you think?

Have your say and speak your mind! letterstotheeditor@ ssgm.com 24 SSGM October 2010

hate torches. Oxy acetylene, acetylene–air, butane, propane — if it shoots a flame, I don’t like working with it. I was reminded of this during a recent video shoot for ssgm.com where I replaced steering components on a Ford light truck.

Like many hard-working trucks, this one had seen its share of salt, dirt and moisture, so it was a dirty, knuckle-bashing mess. The pickle fork and impact gun is great when you’re throwing the old stuff away anyway, but the issue that has bothered me for years is the Pitman arm. They’re a dying species as rack-andpinion moves into sport utilities; but there are enough around to add a few more scorch marks on my hands. That’s because they have two major failings: they’re splined to a rusted, super close-tolerance steering box sector shaft and they often have a joint attached to the other end. That joint wears just like the tie rod ends and idler arm, but why does it have to be on the Pitman arm?

On this Ford, the joint could just as easily been on the centre link, making the service as fast and easy as the tie rod ends. By placing the joint on the Pitman arm, I was forced to use my Pitman arm puller, of course, which refused to budge the arm despite major torque from yours truly, which left heat. Expanding stuck parts to get them apart is an everyday practice in most shops; but a simple design change would make it unnecessary here.

Look at the area: a heavy forging that needs lots of heat to expand; lots of flammable grease in the immediate area; an oil seal just above the part you’re heating; and finally, one hand occupied holding the torch head while you try to prevent the puller from flying into hyperspace when the arm lets go. Flame heat releasing stuck fasteners is a safety menace if you ask me since, unlike welding, you can’t control the immediate environment. Your eyes don’t like it either and there’s nothing as painful as slipping that blue cone across the back of your hand. The “hot foot” as the spark goes down the boot however, is generally amusing when it happens to someone else. Your vocabulary reduces to three or four words which take full advantage of the “no customers in the shop” rule. There are induction heaters, but they’re expensive and you can’t braze or weld with them, so we’re stuck with the tanks.

It would help if chassis designers would put the joints that wear on parts away from forgings that belong on a D9 Cat. I’ve talked to many an automotive engineer and there’s always an excuse: “It’s cheaper that way.” “It’s no better the other way.” We have to control cost;” and my favourite, “We tested it with the Service/ Parts guys and they said it’s fine.” Maybe dip the prototype in a salt bath for six months then try it again.

This Rant may be spitting in the wind, but frontend service needs speed to be profitable, and stuffing shop rags into a burning chassis isn’t the route to efficiency.

Many shops tack a torch charge on the work order, but maybe there should be a PITA fee for poorly designed, poorly maintained vehicles.

I was so mad I probably could have heated the Pitman arm just by staring at it, but it came off without damage in the end. But rack-and-pinion technology never looked so good.

www.ssgm.com

|| TACT Team Management

Freedom of Choice and Making Decisions M

ost of us let life happen to us. Like the saying goes, “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”

In our culture and society today we are told that we have freedom of choice. We can choose our friends, our jobs and we can choose where to live, whom we marry and we can choose to go into business. Yet with all this freedom of choice, many times our lives do not end up as we planned.

We wake up one day thinking, “What happened?”

Before youJUNE thinkADthat this is an article existential TACT 1/2 PG 5/29/07 10:12 AM on Page 1 philosophy, I am going to connect these thoughts to being

By Murray Voth, TACT (Total Automotive Consulting and Training)

an automotive service provider. What is actually happening with this “freedom of choice” concept is that because there is such a range of choices, we have a difficult time making a decision.

In addition, because we perceive that there is a limitless range of options we are always waiting for a better option to come along. Two other things happen as well. One is that because we have freedom of choice, we think that we are masters of our own destiny, and no one can tell us what to do. Or because there are so many choices we freeze and don’t make any decision at all.

Get back to enjoying your business!

Learn how to improve your repair facility’s profitability, productivity and reduce your stress.

Dave Meunier’s Automotive Management Training and Consulting group is one of the most sought after providers of business solutions for shop owners in Canada.

Flexible training courses are offered across Canada and include:

The explanation, for the success of TACT students comes from a well tested common sense approach to managing every aspect of day to day operations, starting in the bays and working its way to the income statement.

Advance PROShop Manager Modules – Full day topic specific sessions designed to allow you to get answers to your own shop challenges.

Topics include: ● SHOP SYSTEMS & PROCEDURES ● ADVANCED SERVICE ADVISOR SKILLS ● PROFIT IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES

Enrolling in one of Dave Meunier’s shop improvement courses will provide you with the confidence to analyze your business monthly to look for ways to improve profits and lower your stress.

3 Day Shop Management Course - This interactive training

course will teach owners to take better care of your customer, save them money and allow your shop to be more profitable than ever before.

PROSHOP Performance Groups – This is a once a month program, where automotive repair facilities come together to receive training, solve concerns affecting their business, implement solutions and take better care of their customers.

Just contact Carrie Murray, Toll Free at 1-866-489-8228 (TACT) or at cmurray@proshopmanager.ca

Brought to you by TACT Total Automotive Consulting & Training Group 26 SSGM October 2010

www.ssgm.com

TACT Team Management || Are we afraid to make decisions? Does so much freedom cause indecision?

As owner or manager of an automotive service facility, you have to make decisions all day long. Some are obvious and easy, others are difficult; and we avoid them, in many cases we let other make the decisions for us.

If you really took a hard look at your business you would realize that you have allowed your customers, employees, and suppliers make a lot of decisions for you. Don’t get me wrong, many of these decisions are good; the point is someone had to make them, and if the leader does not, others will.

That is how you wake up one morning wondering, “What happened?”

In addition, there are decisions that need to be made that you are not even aware of. It is common for us to get caught up in the day-to-day activity of repairing vehicles, putting out fires and just keep the lid on so the kettle does not boil over. Again, if you were to look back, you would see that many of the fires you were fighting could have been avoided if you had made a different or better decision, or just made a decision at all.

This series of articles has covered how to take responsibility as an owner, how to create a vision of what your business will look like and lead that vision, and how to use your mind and thought to manage your business well.

Decision-making is another one of the building blocks of good management skills. Obviously, a book could be written on this topic, and many already have, however I am going to home in on four decisions that every shop owner needs to make.

Decision Number One – Am I going to keep operating my business the way I always have or am I going to do things differently. This presumes of course that you realize that there is the possibility of doing things differently.

Many shop owners think that their way is the only way, and that it has always been that way. You may know the story of how if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water it will scramble to get out; but if you put it into a pot of cool water and then put it on the stove and heat the water slowly the frog will actually be boiled alive.

How many shops today in Canada are about to be boiled alive? A positive characteristic that many humans have is the ability to think about their situation and say, “There has to be a better way!” Hence the discovery of how to create and use fire, electricity, air conditioning and so on. There are many shop owners in Canada that do say, “There has to be a better way” and create better ways of doing things.

One challenge is that they are doing this alone, when these improvements could be shared with others and when they could learn from other shops as well.

Decision Number Two – Where can I find out what the best practices are for operating an automotive service facility?

And along with that, who can help me implement these best practices in my shop?

The place to start is to join the national and provincial www.ssgm.com

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“Highest overall Customer Satisfaction among Service Provider Brands” JD Power and Associates 2010 Canadian Customer Commitment StudySM

Certigard received the highest numerical score among service providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Canadian Customer Commitment StudySM. Study based on responses from 14,573 consumers measuring 30 providers and measures opinions of consumers who had their vehicle serviced at the dealership or after-market facilities. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed January-February 2010 and June 2010. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com TM

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October 2010 SSGM 27

Franchisee Ad_3.375” x 10”_Trade Publication

|| TACT Team Management automotive service providers listed in this magazine. The Canadian Independent Automotive Association and The Automotive Industries Association of Canada are two of the prominent groups. Many provinces have their own provincial or regional associations as well. Talk to you parts and equipment providers, they have a lot of resources that you may not even be aware of.

And lastly there are several management training and coaching companies and organizations available as well. Join an existing automotive shop performance group, or if there is none in your area, form your own. If your first thought or reply to this paragraph is that you don’t have time, you have just allowed the heat on the stove to be turned up a notch. If you wait till you have time, it will be too late.

Make time, the shops that are surviving and thriving in these current turbulent times are those who have taken the time to learn, to change, and to implement.

Decision Number Three – Make a decision that no matter how well-run your shop may be, you can always improve.

This decision needs to happen in order for the following decision to be made.

When you are presented with a new process or idea to implement in your shop, decide to accept it, learn how to do it, and then put it into practice. Many of us are presented with a better to way to do something and we think that we have to add it to what we currently do. When it does not

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work, we get discouraged and fall back on old habits.

We need to realize that many times the new way of doing things needs to replace the old way. In most cases the new method or approach is more efficient or productive than the old way. In fact, you actually have a doubling in effectiveness of implementation.

Let me give you an example. Many of us in this business think that good customer service is being able to say yes to any request that a customer makes of us. “Yes I can do that job for you today, just drop it off and I will fit it in.” Then at the end of a very activity based day, we have not finished several vehicles, and we have angered some customers.

The new approach would be to understand that good customer service is having the vehicle completed when promised, and figuring out how to meet that promise, as well as have our technicians busy all day. The solution is proper scheduling. Scheduling by technician available time is the only way to keep our commitments and stay productive.

Decision Number Four – After you have decided that there has to be a better way, and have joined an association and signed up for training, and are willing to learn and change, the next decision you need to make is that everything is your fault.

My Fault Management has two parts. The first is that when something goes wrong, or is not going well and we have a part in that, we need to admit that it is our fault.

By doing that, you can fix the problem. There is too much blaming in the world and not enough taking responsibility for our own actions.

The second part of My Fault Management has to do with facing a challenge, even one that really is not your fault, and saying, “What can I do about this?” When you take on a problem or a challenge and make it your fault, your desire and creativity rise to the surface and your focus completely changes.

You don’t wake up in the morning with a mind filled with dread about all the things you can’t control, you wake up excited to take on the day. You can hardly wait to get to the shop to figure out a way to come up with a solution.

We have the privilege of working with several hundred shops across Canada, bringing information and training on best practices for shop management. Our passion is to reduce stress and improve profitability by coaching implementation of these best practices. A significant number of these shops are working hard at the changes and reaping the rewards, but there are some that will not try, and some that have given up.

What saddens me even more is the number of shops that have never taken any management training, and blatantly say, “You cannot teach me anything that I don’t already know!”

The heat just got turned up another notch. As I tell our clients, I am not asking you to jump off of a cliff or climb Mount Everest, I am just asking you to take the first step, and then take it one step at a time.

Make that decision today to take the first step! You will actually have more freedom now than you ever did before.

SSGM www.ssgm.com

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

VDO Vision XL and Vision Chrome XL Kits Feature 4" Speedos and Tachs VDO Vision XL and Vision Chrome XL Instrument Kits are now available from Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket.

The new XL series kits are offered in 5- and 6-gauge configurations and come with VDO 4" (100mm) speedometers and tachometers (in 6-gauge kits). The new kits are designed to fit a wide range of GM- and Ford-based street rods, custom vehicles, performance and muscle cars and kit cars.

The VDO Vision XL and Vision Chrome XL kits include everything enthusiasts need for a successful and reliable dashboard installation. They feature programmable electronic or mechanical speedometers, electronic tachometers (in 6-gauge kits), oil pressure, voltmeter, water temperature and fuel gauges, as well as all required mounting accessories, matched senders (including the speedometer sender in kits with electronic programmable speedometers), threaded adapters, electrical connectors, green and red light diffusers to change gauge illumination and easy-to-follow instructions. All of the

gauges in the XL series kits incorporate VDO patented Tri-optic illumination technology for superior night time readability. The VDO speedometers are programmable and feature a built-in microprocessor that allows enthusiasts to change wheel size, gears or differentials, and recalibrate with one push of a button.

VDO www.vdo.com/usa

OTC Introduces Trilingual OBDII, CAN & ABS Scan Tool OTC, an SPX brand, introduced its Trilingual OBDII, CAN & ABS Scan Tool (P/N 3111) featuring CodeConnect. With the multilanguage capability, and access to more than three million verified solutions for trouble codes that cause the check engine light to illuminate, the OTC 3111 is the most price-competitive diagnostic scan tool on the market today. The manufacturerspecific code definitions contained within the tool are specific to the vehicle’s make, model, year and engine size for more accurate code definitions than competitive products-so there is no need to go to a website to review or download additional information. The CodeConnect hot key connects to the on-tool OTC database to give the most probable solution from actual vehicle fixes that have been reported and then verified by OTC’s network of ASE certified technicians. In addition, the OTC 3111 provides on screen graphing and user-defined custom data lists.

It can view, record and playback live data, print to a PC, and can switch between metric and United States settings. The software displays emissions status, MIL status, all 15 I/M monitors, VIN information, live engine and Freeze Frame data. It has a USB port to receive online updates and is PC compatible. Software is current through 2010 vehicles with PID data, view data and

additional I/M monitor, heavy-duty, diesel, and hybrid vehicles.

The OTC 3111 comes with a user manual, USB update cable, scanning suite CD for Windows XP and Vista, and a deluxe soft storage case.

OTC www.otctools.com

UView Releases LED Work Light That is Five Times Brighter UView has begun production of the new Freedom Lite XXX, a cordless rechargeable LED trouble light. Unlike ordinary LED lights which cast a bluish colour and focus the beam in one small area, the Freedom Lite XXX has specially engineered lenses and automotive-grade LED’s that produce an intensely vivid white light at a full 100 degrees. The Freedom Lite XXX uses only three LED’s, but creates 300 lumens equal to five times the intensity of standard 30 LED lights. The Freedom Lite XXX comes complete with a smart charger to extend battery life and features user-replaceable parts.

UView Ultraviolet Systems www.uview.com

www.ssgm.com

October 2010 SSGM 29

CANADIAN

AUTOMOTIVE Technician

Good Grease What makes a grease good for chassis and wheel bearing applications?

By Jim Anderton, Technical Editor

L

et’s face it: grease is not a welcome consumable in regular greases to synthetics by melting or dropping point. modern shops. With its historical association with Synthetic and conventional-base greases rarely break down dirty shops run by uneducated “grease monkeys,” plus in automotive use, but if the dropping point is exceeded, its colour, odour and texture, grease just isn’t sexy compared the grease will liquefy and run out of the bearing, with the to say, engine management hardware. Basic components like expected failure following quickly. The heat can come from tie rod ends and wheel bearings still need lubrication how- the bearing itself, high loading and high speed operation, ever, and grease isn’t going away in the foreseeable future. inadequate lubrication, dirt and water in the bearing and a What is grease? Simply, it is lubricating oil mixed into an major undiagnosed cause, disk brakes. emulsion with a soap. The term “soap” doesn’t mean the stuff Why disk brakes in particular? Compared to drum you use to wash the grease off your hands. It is a chemical systems, they’re much more fade resistant, which allows term for a metallic salt of a fatty acid, typically a calcium, drivers to use them harder, longer and with greater loads. sodium or lithium compound. It’s the soap emulsifier “base” They also have their moving parts exposed to the elements, that gives lithium grease its name … unlike drum systems, and dirt, salt, the lithium isn’t an additive to the Owners may not seek service until the rust etc, can seize calipers and drag a lubricant, although anti-wear addi- pads go to the backing plates … have brake, greatly increasing heat buildtives are in the mix. up. Owners will often drive a car with the wheel bearings been affected?

The emulsifier base matters, howa noticeable pull caused by a dragging ever, to the temperature and water brake and may not seek service until resistance of the grease, as well as any reactivity to metals or the pads go to the backing plates. The brakes get a total chemicals in the bearings and seals. Tar, graphite and even replacement but have the wheel bearings been affected? If clay have been used as thickeners, as have other non-soap there are any signs of grease seepage around the hub, a bearcompounds. ing failure may be around the corner.

Non-synthetic greases are “thixotropic,” meaning they For light trucks and the few rear-wheel drive cars left in shear down under pressure to a thinner oil-like viscosity. the fleet, you’re likely repacking and inspecting anyway, but This happens locally, at the contact point between ball or for the majority of hub bearings, greasing is not an option. roller and race, which means that below the greases dropping Set up your dial indicator if necessary and vertically rock the or melting point, the bulk of the grease in the bearing isn’t disk to check for bearing wear. Don’t be fooled by tie rod or lubricating but damming the thinned lube, providing extra steering system slack and do test using the disk on the hub, lube as bearing temperatures climb and protecting against not by handling the hub directly … the wheel bearings see corrosion and moisture. the leverage of the entire wheel assembly and will deflect a Synthetics don’t change state from solid to liquid but lot more than you hand pressure on the hub flange. “drop” their lube out of the solid state, so you can’t compare Can you sell a hub bearing replacement with a brake job?

30 SSGM October 2010

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greases, so don’t go by the grease’s base. The grade to look for is NLGI GC-LB which has good resistance to wear, rust and oxidation, and is compatible with the materials used in automotive seals. Naturally if the vehicle uses a special foreign rating spec, it’s important to use the grease certified to that spec, even if it means ordering in a tube. Wheel bearings are Extreme Pressure and NLGI numbers Extreme pressure greases are used where metal-to-metal safety items and liability can stick if you use a non-specified lube regardless of its quality. contact would occur with conventional What happens if you mix greases? lubes in applications like gear drives or Nothing if they’re compatible, but if heavily loaded bearings. Formulations they’re not, thinning is the usual result. use phosphorus, sulphur and chlorine If you change grease composition you and well known additives like graphshould thoroughly clean the old bearite and molybdenum disulfide to react ing. If you’re replacing brake disks with the surface of the metal for extra with integral hubs and bearings, don’t lubricity. In automotive applications, assume that they’re pre-lubed correctly hypoid gear drives (ring and pinions) … check the spindle for signs of bluerunning in oil are most common. ing, distortion or cracks. If it fails or Be careful selecting grease from offbrand or unknown suppliers as descrip- Pack this … As imported hub units get cheaper, even this vibrates because of the spindle, the tors like “Meets NLGI #2” simply level of wheel bearing replacement is becoming rare. The bearing will fail too and so will the means that its thickness is equivalent inability to grease these units limits their service life in our replacement. If the vehicle has been in an accident, it’s possible that the to the National Lubricating Grease severe climate Institute’s rating for the thickness of the grease. Ratings vary bump-and-paint guys didn’t check beyond a four-wheel from 000 (flows like oil) to 6 which is a stiff semi-solid. #2 is alignment. Fresh bodywork is a sign that the spindles may the common rating for automotive use because it stays in the have been involved, especially the weak rears on smaller bearings in normal use and will flow through pumps, guns front-drive cars. And remember — don’t spin a wheel bearing with compressed air. and grease nipples with reasonable pressure.

There are libraries of technical information about greases The number ratings are not an indication of quality or suitability for wheel bearing or chassis use. Common and bearing lubrication, but in the bays, grease rarely comes lithium-based “white” greases for general open lubrication to mind. Can you just grab a gun and go when it comes to are often NLGI #2, but won’t adequately lube chassis parts grease? Yes, if it’s a quality, certified product from a reliable or wheel bearings. Lithium is, however, a good high-tem- vendor. But read the data sheet or labels. If the only certificaperature base for approved automotive bearing and chassis tion is NLGI #2. it just might be “#2.”

SSGM Ideally, yes, but in any case, tell the driver that delaying the brake service has consequences for the wheel bearings … and don’t forget to tell them that front/all-wheel drive hubs are not greaseable like conventional spindles.

www.ssgm.com

October 2010 SSGM 31

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

Rislone Releases Liquid Copper Block Seal and Radiator Stop Leak Major cooling system leaks, including those in radiators, heater cores, intake manifolds and blocks, can cost thousands of dollars to repair. For large leaks, little time and less money, Rislone has the solution.

The Solution: Rislone Liquid Copper Block Seal and Radiator Stop Leak stops major cooling system leaks, including those in gaskets, radiators, heater cores, blocks, heads and freeze plugs. Liquid Copper (p/n 31109) uses an advanced antifreeze-compatible sodium silicate liquid glass formula so no draining of the cooling system is required.

It works with all types and brands of antifreeze, including conventional green or blue (silicate-based) and extended life red/orange or yellow (OAT/HOAT) coolant. Liquid Copper stops leaks by forming a physical seal using organic and synthetic fibers,

copper and an ionic-modified mineral. The seal forms as the coolant and product flow through the leak. A wetting agent cleans the sides of the hole or crack to prepare the surface for bonding.

The first fibers catch on the side of the leak, building on each other to bridge the entire hole. The fibers then act as a sieve to trap more fibers, copper particles and minerals to create a composite seal. The seal is cemented with liquid glass.

As the temperature increases, the liquid glass hardens to make the seal permanent. Liquid Copper will not harm the cooling system when properly installed, nor will it clog the cooling system or heater core. Rislone Liquid Copper can be used in any water-cooled vehicle, including cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and RVs. Rislone www.rislone.ca

High-Performance Portable Refrigerant Leak Detector Tracer Products has introduced the TP-9360 PRO-Alert, a portable refrigerant leak detector that features high-performance heated-diode sensor technology to accurately detect refrigerant leaks down to 0.25 oz per year (seven g/year). The PRO-Alert features dual-sensitivity controls — a highsensitivity setting when initially checking the general leak area, and a low-sensitivity setting to hone in on the exact leak site. It is self-calibrating to neutralize background contamination, sensitive to both R-12 and R-134a refrigerants, and certified to meet SAE J1627. Its variable-intensity audible alarm and flashing LED help pinpoint leaks fast. The cordless, compact PRO-Alert is specifically ADcm)SERIES 2010 flexible designed to make leak detection efficient and easy.CARS Its 17-in (43 long, chrome-plated, metal probe easily slithers into tight spots and holds its position for more thorough inspection. It HORIZONTAL FORMAT includes a powerful, built-in positive displacement pump that draws a test sample into the detector for fast, accurate sensing. The PRO-Alert comes complete with1/3 sensor, replacement filters and two PAGE D-cell alkaline batteries conveniently packed in a rugged plastic carrying case.

Tracer Line www.tracerline.com

FIX IT RIGHT EVERY TIME ONLINE TRAINING FOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS

CALL TODAY 1-888-224-3834 www.cars-council.ca Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program

32 SSGM October 2010

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Module Swap I n the past, swapping modules between a donor vehicle and the one being serviced was a common practice to help expedite diagnosis.

This practice has stopped for the most part for systems such as the engine controller and security modules. It is, however, still considered a diagnostic option by some technicians for other systems. This practice may potentially create a new set of headaches. Swapping modules such as the air conditioning controller or brake control module can now result in an engine no-start condition.

Conditions that can arise from trying to swap modules between vehicles may be as obvious as a no-start or new trouble codes being set that cannot be cleared. Other problems may not become evident until later, making diagnosing the original problem and the new one even more difficult. Some symptoms won’t activate until multiple key cycles have happened or if battery power is removed from another system. In many cases, the “borrowed” module may become inoperative and cannot even be put back into the donor vehicle.

Much of this complexity is from the multiple layers of security programmed into modern vehicles.

Most technicians are now very familiar with the theft security codes needed for repairs on the engine controller or security system and, sometimes, even body controllers.

These codes are randomly selected at the manufacturing plant and linked with the specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Likewise, radio theft codes used to prevent radio theft by disabling or reducing the operation of the radio if installed into another vehicle, are common knowledge to most technicians. These systems are activated normally in one of two ways: by the removal of battery power or when the VIN broadcasted on the data line does not match the VIN programmed

www.ssgm.com

By Chuck Carman, Curriculum Developer CARS

into the radio’s memory.

Other codes that technicians may not be as aware of are “Seed and Key” values, network or environmental IDs and component specific IDs. Seed and Key values are used to prevent unapproved module programming. The seed and matching key values are put into each module’s memory at the time of manufacturing. When a reprogramming procedure is initiated, the seed value is sent to the reprogramming tool. The tool must then send back the correct key value to the module allowing it to unlock and permit programming to continue. This is how many theft systems are put into re-learn mode.

Technicians are unable to view these codes. If the tool sends the incorrect key information back more than once, many modules will go into a timed “lock down” mode.

Some vehicles now have an Immobilizer Master module that will identify itself to other modules at startup. If it recognizes the request ID, each module will then send back a specific network ID. The master module will then monitor that the exact number of correct IDs are returned.

If an incorrect ID or incorrect number of ID’s are received (even after a retest), it will request the engine to not start or stall if already started.

Many systems will display a securitywarning indicator or message for the operator to see.

Other codes a technician may encounter include component specific IDs that are required to be entered into the supporting module’s memory after repair or replacement. These appear

on a variety of components and are always noted in the service information. Certain modules may have a number or code stamped on the harness connector or case which identifies specific values needed to correctly operate and make calculations. It is becoming more common to encounter fuel injectors with service or flow codes printed on them. The engine control module needs these codes to properly calculate the fuel requirements for each specific cylinder.

Many other actuators or motors will need to have their new resistance values, maximum travel or position reset into their associated modules.

This is normally a relearn procedure that can be accomplished either with the use of a scan tool to activate the system or the technician to operate the system through its full range of motion within certain parameters.

Once completed, normal operation will occur.

Being aware of this information should help to make it clear why swapping modules can get a technician into mounds of trouble very quickly, costing time and money for both the tech and the shop. The best advice is to not take short cuts, acquire proper training and have a current subscription for service information and programming with the latest updates. Read the complete procedure before starting and follow ALL the steps, thus avoiding the pitfalls that can occur.

For more information on automotive technology visit CARS OnDemand training at: www.cars-council.ca

October 2010 SSGM 33

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

Actron Offers Trilingual AutoScanner Scan Tool Actron introduced the AutoScanner Plus scan tool with CodeConnect -- a comprehensive database containing three million verified solutions for trouble codes that cause the check engine light to illuminate. Compatible with 1996 and newer vehicles, AutoScanner Plus (Product Number CP9580) is a trilingual OBDII, CAN and ABS Scan Tool delivering live engine data in English, Spanish and French. This new generation scan tool can also record, graph and play back real time data as well as read and erase generic and manufacturer specific trouble codes. The new scan tool also includes domestic ABS code coverage for 1996-2008 domestic vehicles, and it reads and displays all nine modes of global OBD II data.

In addition, the AutoScanner Plus software displays emissions status, MIL status, all 15 I/M monitors, VIN information, live engine and Freeze Frame data. It has a USB port to receive online updates and is PC compatible.

Actron www.actron.com

Matco Tools Introduces MT2871R Reversing Cut-Off Tool Matco Tools has introduced the Reversing Cut-Off Tool, the MT2871R. This tool features and 0.8 HP motor for increased power, a unique adjustable locking guard that allows a technician to rotate the guard to 16 positions, reversing collar that allows a technician to quickly switch from forward to reverse and a safety lever throttle.

Matco Tools www.matcotools.com

New Dye Kit for hybrid A/C systems Tracer Products has introduced the Tracerline TP-3812 Hybrid Vehicle A/C Dye Injection Kit, featuring a new dye specially formulated for use in all hybrid vehicles. At the heart of the kit are three Tracer-Stick capsules filled with a concentrated, co-solvent free POE fluorescent dye with a unique additive package blended exclusively for hybrid A/C systems. The capsules are individually wrapped in a foil pouch with a desiccant bag to seal out moisture. The kit also includes an R-134a hose/coupler with check valve, a purge capsule and two purge/service fittings for both hose purging and connecting to a refrigerant source. To add the dye, simply connect one end of the hose to the R-134a low-side service port of the system and the other end to the refrigerant source. The dye and refrigerant are injected together, yet no residual dye is left in the hose to absorb moisture. Wherever the refrigerant escapes, so does the dye. When scanned with a high-intensity Tracerline UV or blue light inspection lamp, the leak sites glow a bright yellowgreen to reveal the exact source of all leaks.

Tracer Products www.tracerline.com 34 SSGM October 2010

www.ssgm.com

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

DynoMax releases 2010-11 Performance Exhaust master catalog DynoMax Performance Exhaust has released a new 2010-11 DynoMax Performance Exhaust master catalog that features the brand’s latest innovations, including the new DynoMax VT muffler, a drone-free muffler, plus other developments in stainless steel exhaust systems for muscle cars, diesels, trucks/SUVs, Jeeps and sport compact cars. The new catalog – which highlights 54 new systems – includes a special section on the brand’s DynoMax VT muffler, a new high-flow stainless steel muffler that controls drone while ensuring maximum performance on muscle cars, trucks and SUVs. VT mufflers feature an exclusive precisely calibrated internal valve that provides a dronefree experience in the vehicle. A limited lifetime warranty and 90-day Performance and Sound Guarantee cover the muffler.

The new catalog includes a handy universal VT application chart that includes comparative data. The catalog also features a special highlight section covering the brand’s latest stainless steel exhaust systems for muscle cars, diesel and gas trucks and sport utility vehicles, and sport compact/European cars. DynoMax continues its use of the Powertech index, providing key information for each individual muffler by part number, including sound rating, exhaust flow numbers and loss-free horsepower capacity for single and dual muffler configurations.

DynoMax www.DynoMax.com

Snap-on Round Head Ratchet The Snap-on 3/8-inch 100-tooth round head ratchet (FHNF100) is the perfect ratchet for the professional shop technician. The Snap-on 3/8-inch drive swivel round head ratchet (FHNF100) features a swivel head which offers a variety of ratcheting positions including “straight on” for use as a ratcheting nut driver; a round head that is compact enough to get in tight quarters and features more gear teeth than the pear head design — increased tooth swing equals lower swing arc, so there is shorter movement between each tooth engagement; adjustable detent for swivel allows user to adjust for tighter or looser swivel; and comfort grip handle delivers comfort with style and resists most shop chemicals.

Snap-on www.snapon.com

www.ssgm.com

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

Corsa offers Corvette exhaust system Corsa Performance Exhausts, a TMG Performance Products company, offers a premium axleback exhaust system for 2009-2011 ZR1 Corvettes. Featuring Corsa’s patented Reflective Sound Cancellation (RSC) technology, the ZR1 Exhaust System (part #14164) delivers a true highperformance sound on the throttle without the annoying drone at cruising speeds.

Its straight-through 3.0-inch, nonrestrictive design and mandrel bends provide a 45 per cent increase in airflow versus stock. Plus, Corvette C6 ZR1 owners can expect a performance increase of 12-14 additional rear wheel horsepower and up to 15 lb.-ft of torque. Manufactured from military-grade 321 Stainless Steel, the ZR1 dual rear exit exhaust system boasts double wall, fully polished Twin 4-inch Pro Series Tips laser etched with the CORSA logo. Complete installation hardware and instructions are included with the exhaust system.

Corsa Performance Exhausts www.corsaperformance.com

Amsoil reformulates its extended life motor oils

GE Lighting

Help your customers put 90% more light on the road* with GE Nighthawk Platinum® headlights.

Amsoil announces the reformulation of its Extended Life XL Synthetic Motor Oils, now available in four different viscosities with a bold new packaging design. The new XL oils contain Extended Drain Boost for longer service life in keeping with the lengthening oil change intervals of newer cars. XL has been formulated to meet the more stringent ILSAC GF-5 and API SN service categories and offers better engine protection for reduced maintenance costs in gasoline engines. Amsoil XL Synthetic Motor Oils employ an extra treatment of alkaline additives added to premium synthetic base stocks to neutralize acids. The extra additive package effectively raises the total base number (TBN) and resists shear to provide superior performance throughout the entire drain interval of up to 10,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.

Amsoil www.amsoil.com

*Compared to GE’s standard halogen headlights.

Classified Advertising 8-BAY CAA CERT.AUTO SERV.STATION • Within 1 hour of GTA • Largest independent in area • Est.1987-excellent reputation • “Drive-Clean” • High profitability ratios

For more information, visit gelighting.com

Call CATHERINE BERLASSO, 905.523.7510 cathb@robbinex.com Broker of Record: D.M. Robbins GE Nighthawk Platinum is a registered trademark of the General Electric Company. ©2010 GE

www.ssgm.com

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Automotive Internet Directory

Visit these companies directly at their web addresses or check out the growing list of Hot Links at www.autoserviceworld.com. To find out how your organization can be included in this directory and on the web, contact aross@jobbernews.com

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & ACCESSORIES Goodyear Engineered Products www.goodyearep.com/aftermarket www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com The officially licensed belt of NASCAR. Gatorback, the quiet belt. You can never replace Goodyear quality.

NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited www.ngksparkplugs.ca The World Leader in Spark Plugs, Oxygen Sensors and Ignition Wire Sets.

Used by 87% of the World’s OE Manufacturers S.B International Inc. www.sbintl.com “We keep engines humming”

HAND CLEANERS GOJO Industries, Inc. www.automotive.gojo.com GOJO is a leading manufacturer of skin care products and services for many marketing including automotive and manufacturing. GOJO continues to pursue a commitment of creating well-being through hand hygiene and healthy skin.

REFRIGERANT Duracool Refrigerants www.duracool.com Nationally Distributed by: Deepfreeze Refrigerants Inc. The Leaders in Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Technology.

Guaranteed In writing not to harm any Mobile A/C System. You can feel the Difference that Quality Makes. “Our Formula Never Changes”.

WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTORS & BUYING GROUPS The E.R.I. Group www.theerigroup.com Canada’s Premier Machine Shop Buying Group

Kerr Machine Shop Group Inc.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT AIR LIQUIDE CANADA INC. www.airliquide.ca Your one-stop shop for all your industrial gases and welding supplies.

www.kerrmachineshopgroup.com Buying group for machine shops and performance shops.

WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTORS & BUYING GROUPS Bestbuy Distributors Limited

www.bestbuyautoparts.ca Independent buying group and warehouse distributor that allocates its profits to member shareholders and provides unbeatable value for independent jobbers.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Advertiser Page # Website ACDelco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ACDelco.com Affinia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.wixfilters.com Bridgestone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bridgestonetire.ca Canadian Tire Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corp.canaiandtire.ca CARS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.cars-council.ca Deon Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.deonsupply.com GE Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,23,36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.gelighting.com Imperial Oil Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.imperialoil.com Lankar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lankar.com Mercedes-Benz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mercedes-benz.ca Petro-Canada Certigard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.petrocanada.ca Robert Bosch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bosch.ca Ross-Tech LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ross-tech.com Shell Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.shell.ca/diesel VL Communicatiions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.vlcomm.com Walker Exhaust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.Walkerexhaust.com WORLDPAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.worldpac.com www.ssgm.com

October 2010 SSGM 37

SSGM BAYWATCH New Products

OTC enhances DPF cleaning line with 5281 DPF Thermal Processing Unit OTC, an SPX Brand, unveiled its Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Thermal Processing Unit (P/N 5281), designed to increase the efficiency of DPF cleaning by converting unburned hydrocarbons into ash prior to the air burst cleaning cycle.

Pre-programmed to ‘ramp up’ temperature at a rate that will not crack

Firestone Industrial introduces Coil-Rite air helper spring kit Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC announced a new Coil-Rite air helper spring kit (part #4186) designed specifically for 2011 General Motors full-size SUVs, including the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, ESV, EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche 1500; Chevrolet Suburban 1500; Chevrolet Tahoe; and GMC Yukon 1500. Firestone’s Coil-Rite air helper springs fit inside a vehicle’s existing coil spring and can be adjusted for varying loads and road conditions by increasing and decreasing the air pressure within the helper springs, which is as easy as adjusting the air pressure in a tire. They help maximize the vehicle’s safe load carrying capacity, as well as increase vehicle stability, improve steering control and braking effectiveness, level headlight beams and reduce tire wear. The product can also help absorb road shock, providing a smooth ride for passengers and reducing the potential “bottoming out” that can be experienced in a heavily loaded SUV. The no-drill Coil-Rite kit uses the truck’s factory holes for an easy installation that typically takes less than one hour. A pair of Coil-Rite air springs can provide up to 1,000 pounds of load leveling capacity Firestone Industrial Products Company www.ride-rite.com

38 SSGM October 2010

the substrate of the filter, the OTC DPF Thermal Processing Unit holds temperature constant for two hours to ensure complete regeneration of the filter, and automatically decreases temperature at a controlled rate to protect the filter’s substrate.

Featuring a robust design for long operational life, the OTC 5281 DPF Thermal Processing Unit includes a cordierite shelf and stainless steel tray to protect the internal insulation of the unit. It also features a redundant door lock/safety switch for maximum protection to the technician and the shop. The unit’s computer controlled process is pre-programmed to execute the entire thermal regeneration cycle, providing ‘start-to-end’ regeneration without constant technician monitoring. The 5281 is ETL certified to the UL499 and UL201 standards.

OTC www.otctools.com

HKS introduces turbocharger kit for Mitsubishi EVO IV to IX HKS USA, Inc. announced the launch of the first of its proprietary design HKS GTII Series turbocharger kits, the GTII 7460R. As the first of the new HKS turbocharger line, the GTII 7460R incorporates a reverse rotation turbine design that provides the benefit of a bolt-on application, stock replacement upgrade turbocharger for the Mitsubishi Evolution IV-IX. The special cast turbine and compressor housings of the HKS GTII 7460R allows it to be a true bolt-on upgrade for the Mitsubishi Evolution IV-IX by utilizing the OEM exhaust manifold. The HKS GTII 7460R is also a twin scroll, reverse rotation turbocharger.

This design allows for a shorter and straighter exhaust path to the turbine wheel, delivering the benefits of less restriction and increased boost response while allowing full spool and stable boost pressure throughout the RPM range. Intake and exhaust port designs optimize the flow area to allow an increase in airflow capacity while the ball bearing center housing rotating assembly (CHRA) improves low-speed response and quicker boost pressure ramp up times. Use of premium materials include inconel for the turbine wheel because of inconel’s resistance to oxidation and its ability to maintain its structural integrity in high temperature atmospheres. Special heat resistant cast material increases the reliability and durability of the turbine housing.

HKS www.hksusa.com

www.ssgm.com

Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts.

There are no substitutes.

Genuine Parts. Quality Service.

Visit www.mercedes-benz.ca or call 1-800-387-0100 to locate your nearest dealership.