Counterman Staff, Author at Counterman Magazine - Page 538 of 556
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What is the reason for changing antifreeze every year?

Probably the biggest reason is there are corrosion-inhibiting additives in antifreeze that protect the cooling system against rust and electrolysis. Those additives get eaten up over time, requiring the antifreeze to be changed periodically. Mark Phillips Editor Counterman magazine

How can one of my customers get his A/C Certification?

You can direct them to the Mobile Air Conditioning Society here. Here is an excerpt from their Web site, www.macsw.org. “Section 609 of the United States Clean Air Act requiring all service technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant recovery and recycling has been law since 1990, yet many service professionals still are unaware of

What is flex fuel?

Flex fuel refers to a vehicle with an engine that can run on both gasoline and an ethanol-based fuel, typically E85. Flex fuel vehicles are huge in Brazil, but haven’t really caught in the U.S. One reason could be that Brazil’s ethanol, which is sugar-cane based, is much more efficient that the corn-based ethanol used

Are we allowed to perform diagnostic checks on vehicles?

Let’s get the boring part out of the way. Click here and take a look over this document… (It is all about the OBD 1 and how it pertains to the Clean Air Act of 1990.) OBD II was developed to bring all car manufacturers in line with one another so that it would be

Are we allowed to perform diagnostic checks on vehicles?

Let’s get the boring part out of the way. Take a look over this document… (It is all about the OBD 1 and how it pertains to the Clean Air Act of 1990.) OBD II was developed to bring all car manufacturers in line with one another so that it would be more uniform so

I have a 1983 Chevy S10. I have just recently put a Chevy small block 350 in
it. My problem is, is that my shocks and springs in the front do not
 support the wait of the motor.

I have a 1983 Chevy S10. I have just recently put a Chevy small block 350 in
it. My problem is, is that my shocks and springs in the front do not
 support the wait of the motor. How and with what can I fix that problem? And 
how would I make my rear springs and shocks not as stiff so that say when I 
take off it transfers the wait from the front to the back. Right now it does not and all I manage to do is spin tires for quite a distance before
 I regain traction.

Poll: Vast Majority of Americans Believe Hybrid Technology is Strategically Important for U.S.

A new Johnson Controls survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, reveals that more than four in five U.S. adults believe the United States must become a leader in hybrid vehicles.

A customer complains of noise or vibration in steering of 2003 Suburban.

A customer complains of noise or vibration in steering of 2003 Suburban. He has changed power steering pump and tie rods. Still he has this same issue. Do you have any ideas as to what this may be? Also, do you know of any factory bulletins on any issues of this nature that GM may have?

It seems to never fail that a customer will bring in a reman starter and claim that it is bad.

It seems to never fail that a customer will bring in a reman starter and claim that it is bad. I take the starter to the tester and let it run all applicable test and it tests good. At this point the customer says, “Well it doesn’t do that on my vehicle.” How accurate is the tester compared to a vehicle’s battery as far as cranking power and is there another way to avoid warrantying another starter when you feel that one is good?

I understand that we are an “auto parts ” company, but the customers tend to think that it should cater to both auto parts and plumbing / hardware.

I understand that we are an “auto parts ” company, but the customers tend to think that it should cater to both auto parts and plumbing / hardware. Customers come in and ask for plumbing glue, PVC piping and elbows along with lag bolts, etc. Is there a reason that we don’t cater to both? If we are to be dominant, shouldn’t we?

I’ve had many customers asked me if the fuel filter had to be changed when doing a tune-up on a 95-08 Dodge pickup. Is it part of the fuel pump assembly and can it be serviced?

If your Dodge pickup has a gasoline engine, you have a non-serviceable fuel filter. If problems arise with the pump the filter should be changed at that time. Jerry Ives Assistant Professor, Parts Technology Alfred State College, Wellsville Campus www.alfredstate.edu

I recently just purchased a Chevrolet with over 150,000 miles on it. Is it possible for it to last as long as a Toyota or a Nissan, and what can I do to help it last that long?

A key factor in having any vehicle perform at its optimum peak can be summed up in two words, PROPER MAINTENANCE. This means changing oils, filters and other components at regular intervals that are suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. I have had vehicles that I have properly maintained, and have gotten more than 200,000 miles