SSGM Service Station and Garage Management READ BY AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP OWNERS AND TECHNICIANS SINCE 1955
MAY 2014
Transmission Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240
Service
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Shop Software Update Technical Tip www.ssgm.com
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SSGM Service Station and Garage Management
EDITOR Tom Venetis (416) 510-6790 tom@ssgm.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Jim Anderton jim@ssgm.com
May 2014
Vol. 44 No. 4
what’s inside
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Andrew Brooks 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 Choo Hwee Kuan PRODUCTION MANAGER Steve Hofmann (416) 510-6757 PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER Phyllis Wright VICE PRESIDENT CANADIAN PUBLISHING Alex Papanou PRESIDENT BUSINESS INFORMATION GROUP Bruce Creighton
22 Shop Software Improving workflow management, reducing errors with software ................. 12
AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE HEAD OFFICE Business Information Group 80 Valleybrook Drive Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 Contact us via one of the following methods: Telephone: 416-442-5600 Facsimile: 416-510-5169 Website: www.ssgm.com Service Station and Garage Management is published by BIG Magazines LP, a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., a leading Canadian information company with interests in daily and community newspapers and business-to-business information services. Subscription rates: Canada $51.95 + HST + applicable taxes per year; $82.95 + HST + applicable taxes for 2 years; single copy price $7.00 + $0.42 HST + applicable taxes. USA $91.95US per year; single copy price $10.00US. All other foreign in US $93.95 per year. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. USPS #009-192. US postmaster: Send address changes to Service Station and Garage Management, PO Box 1118, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Dept., Service Station and Garage Management, 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. Postmaster: please forward forms 29B and 67B to 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the copyright owner. From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us. Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations Publications Mail Agreement #40069240 Print edition ISSN 0381-548X On-line edition ISSN 1923-3396 Member of
Inc.
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o o of e b er ree e or
Sensors Keeping on top of oxygen sensors, spark plugs and fuel injectors .............................................................................. 16 Transmission Service Transmission complexity demands updating skills and specialization ........... 22 New Car Technologies Magna and others look to biocomposites for green vehicle designs ............................................................. 26 Identifix Technical Tip Ford Escape coil diagnostic and fix ......................................................................... 28 Tire Test Taking Michelin’s Premier All Season tire through its paces ............................ 34
Departments
Editorial ..................................................................................... 4 News .......................................................................................... 6 Baywatch ................................................................................. 30 Internet Index .......................................................................... 38 Advertiser Index ..................................................................... 38 *For BlackBerrys: Go to your BlackBerry messenger and select Scan Barcode. *For iPhones: Use the App Store to download Beetagg Reader Pro.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
In association with CANADIAN
AUTOMOTIVE Technician
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|| Tom’s Editorial
The Apprentice Shortage T
By Tom Venetis, Editor
With the rise of Japan as an economic superpower in the 1980s, high schools closed shop classes and filled them with computers and hired teachers who could instruct students on programming. Governments promoted the emerging high-tech sector and pushed for a greater emphasis on post-secondary academics to meet the needs of the ‘knowledge’ economy.
wo pieces of news came out of British Columbia that focused on the issue of apprentices and the lack of skilled tradespersons. The first was the announcement by the B.C. Automotive Sector Labour Market Project Steering Committee that it has completed the second phase of its human resource project for the province’s automotive industry. The project is to ensure that B.C.’s economy has qualified and skilled employees for the future. “In B.C., the automotive sector is primarily a service industry based around the sale, maintenance, repair and disposal of motor vehicles,” said committee member Wade Bartok of Elite Body Shop in a press release. Shortly after, the B.C. provincial government released its ‘Skills for Jobs Blueprint,’ a nearly 60 page report outlining strategies in education and training for growing the skilled trades. Part of the strategy includes increasing scholarships, targeted grants for students, investments in post-secondary programs that target in-demand jobs and investments in infrastructure to support the training and education of persons interested in trades. What is missing in this debate is an effort on reengaging industry to become directly involved in apprentice training and support. Companies of all sorts moved away from direct participation and taking a leadership role in apprentice training. Instead, they shifted that to provincial and federal governments, and to school boards and post-secondary institutions. These institutions are left lurching from one perceived shortage to another. With the rise of Japan as an economic superpower in the 1980s, high schools closed shop classes and filled them with computers, and hired teachers who could instruct students on programming. Governments promoted the emerging hightech sector and pushed for a greater emphasis on post-secondary academics to meet the needs of the ‘knowledge’ economy. Alvin Toffler’s ‘Third Wave’ flew out of bookstores with its vision of a post-industrial future dominated by computer technology and high-tech companies. Today, governments and post-secondary institutions are being asked to now take up the cause of skilled trades. In Europe things are different. Many countries encourage or even mandate, in some cases, that companies have apprentice programs and take an active part in training future employees. The idea is that companies understand what skills they need and whom they are looking for. Companies directly support, along with governments, skills training at the school level and even supply needed equipment and persons for educational programs and schools. Once students complete a program, these companies then hire them and continue to train and support them. Some industries in Canada do a better job than others of supporting apprentice training. Major companies in the wood industry will often supply programs with equipment for classes and actively take part in the training and support of students. If we want to fix the skills shortage, we need to also step up to the plate. We can’t expect others to do the work for us all the time.
What do you think? Have your say and speak your mind! letterstotheeditor@ssgm.com 4 SSGM May 2014
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|| News Briefs TIA Adds ATS Training Tour Date in New Brunswick The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced that an additional tour date has been added to its 2014 Certified Automotive Training Service (ATS) Instructor Training Tour. The latest tour spot will be at the following location and dates: August 19-22 - New Brunswick Community College, 1234 Mountain Road, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada The Certified ATS Instructor Program is a four-day in-depth classroom and hands-on class that industry professionals must successfully complete in order to return to the dealership(s) to train technicians to prepare them for certification. TIA has used the train-the-trainer approach Miguel Angers to receive AIA’s Young Executive Society Young Leader of the Year Award The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada announced that Miguel Angers, vice-president of product management at Uni-Select Canada, is this year’s winner of the Young Leader of the Year Award. Miguel’s career began with four years at Harfan Technologies, first handling business development and then managing customer service. In 2006, he accepted a business analyst and marketing manager position at Federal-Mogul USA. In the five years that followed, he became sales and marketing director and moved to China where he ultimately took charge of the corporation’s aftermarket operations in greater China (Hong Kong, China and Taiwan). His responsibilities included re-engineering the distribution strategy, re-aligning inventories, implementing an SAP system, and managing finance and logistics for three separate business units, as well as holding a minority share in a joint venture. During his tenure, he established a strong product development and marketing organization, allowing his business group to attain sustainable and profitable growth; he was also actively involved in the AAIA China Forum, advocating for independent aftermarket awareness and training programs in schools and promoting supplier partnerships. Miguel moved back to Canada in 2011 and joined Uni-Select. From 6 SSGM May 2014
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to train and/or certify more than 85,000 technicians since 1997. Certified ATS includes safety guidelines and stepby-step procedures for all aspects of passenger and light truck tire service including wheel installation with the proper torque and tire repair. It also includes a full day of instruction on Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), so technicians have a thorough understanding of the requirements for the most popular domestic and import vehicles. To register, visit www.tireindustry.org. For information, contact Chris Hoogenboom, director of training, at choogenboom@tireindustry.org or 1-800-876-8372, ext. 106.
North American director for under car products, he quickly made his way up to his current position. At 34 years old, he is one of the youngest vice-presidents ever to be appointed at Uni-Select, where he is responsible for overseeing national product and pricing strategies, heads the private brand initiatives, and establishes customer and supplier relationships. “We are very pleased to rely on Miguel’s talent and passion to improve our product offering and enhance our customer experience. Uni-Select extends its sincere congratulations to him for this great recognition by the industry,” said Gary O’Connor, president and chief operating officer, Automotive Canada of Uni-Select. Brake Parts Inc Celebrates 20 Year Partnership with Uni-Select Brake Parts Inc announced the 20 year anniversary of its business partnership with Uni-Select Canada. In 1994, UniSelect embarked on a change in brake suppliers and migrated to the Raybestos brand. “Uni-Select is proud to partner with high-quality manufacturers to present the best product offering to its customers. Our long-lasting partnership with Brake Parts Inc aligns with our core value to establish winning relationships with our suppliers,” said Gary O’Connor, president and chief operating officer, Automotive Canada of Uni-Select. Over the past 20 years, BPI and Uni-Select have gone through many
changes, but the foundation of their partnership has remained strong and focused on growing their mutual businesses in the Canadian aftermarket. “We’ve always been impressed with the productivity and strength of the Uni network,” said David Overbeeke, president and CEO, BPI. “Our longstanding relationship has supported mutual growth for both teams. We look forward to another twenty years of helping them serve their vast network of installers and wholesalers with the best brake products in the aftermarket.” AAIA Rebrands: Now the Auto Care Association The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) officially announced it has changed its name to the Auto Care Association. For more than a year and a half, the association has conducted an extensive rebranding initiative, culminating at a special luncheon celebration during the association’s Spring Leadership Days in Huntington Beach, Calif., where the announcement was made on April 24. The rebranding endeavour not only resulted in a name change for the association, but also the decision to redefine the industry from the aftermarket industry to the auto care industry when communicating with external audiences and stakeholders. Both decisions were based on research findings from interviews, continued on page 8
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meetings and focus groups with industry thought leaders, consumers, the media, policymakers and professionals in the education and business communities. “The launch of the new brand comes at a key moment for the auto care industry, and we aim to use the momentum generated by the rebrand to build on our work across the industry,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Our new brand will better enable us to champion for the auto care industry with state and national policymakers since it articulates upfront the scope and value of the work we deliver. “Our government affairs team will capitalize on our clearer and more memorable messaging so they spend
less time explaining who we are and more time focusing on the issues important to our industry and our members,” said Schmatz. “For consumers, our new brand will help ensure they fully understand the quality auto care they can receive from our members. We will continue to provide information about the importance of vehicle maintenance and care through the ‘Be Car Care Aware’ consumer education campaign. “The volunteer leaders and professional staff of the Auto Care Association are more ready than ever to stand by and for our members, so the industry — and its full size, scope and impact — can receive the credit and recognition it deserves,” said Schmatz.
Monroe Rewards Program for Monroe Quick-Strut Assemblies Tenneco’s Monroe brand will offer an incentive to counterpeople for the sale of popular, ready-to-install Monroe Quick-Strut premium replacement assemblies. The Monroe “Quick Rewards” scorecard promotion – available for sales between May 1 and June 30, 2014 – will reward participants with a $10 reward cheque for each pair of qualifying Monroe Quick-Strut units sold. “The ‘Quick Rewards’ incentive and our Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies are popular: consumers get a guaranteed, premium replacement strut solution, installers get an easier, faster replacement job and counterpeople get an extra incentive,” said Sheryl Bomia, Tenneco’s North American programs manager. Monroe Quick-Strut units include all of the OE-style components required for a comprehensive strut repair. Each Quick-Strut unit features a pre-assembled, OE-style bearing plate, upper and lower spring isolators, upper spring seat, coil spring, boot kit and a strut engineered to address the vehicle’s unique ride and handling characteristics. To help ensure customer confidence and satisfaction, Monroe Quick-Strut replacement assemblies are offered with a Safe & Sound Guarantee 90-day money-back offer. To learn more about this exclusive Tenneco guarantee, visit www.Monroe.com. Tenneco continuously updates its electronic catalogue for ride control components at www.Monroe.com. The catalogue includes all of the latest Monroe Quick-Strut assembly coverage and more. To learn more about the Monroe Quick-Strut “Quick Rewards” promotion, contact a Monroe Shocks sales representative and/or parts provider. Completed scorecards and copies of sales invoices must be postmarked and mailed to Monroe Shocks promotion headquarters no later than August 1, 2014. Reward cheques are calculated based on qualifying product sales between May 1 and June 30, 2014. Participants can earn up to $500 in rewards cheques through this promotion. 8 SSGM May 2014
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Cardone Appoints Terry McCormack Executive Chairman of the Board Cardone Industries announced that Terry McCormack has been appointed executive chairman of the board of directors. Mr. McCormack succeeds Michael Cardone Jr., who will continue as director, owner, and will become chief strategy officer. “Terry is a great addition to our board and will help our family further our long-term vision of growing our business and serving our customers who have supported us for forty-four years,” said Michael Cardone III, president of Cardone Industries. Mr. McCormack comes to Cardone with over 40 years of experience in the auto aftermarket industry. Most recently, he retired as president and CEO of Affinia Group Inc., where among his accomplishments he designed and led a very successful comprehensive global transformation of Affinia. “We are excited to have Terry as part of our team. His leadership, experience and values have made a great contribution to our board of directors and our company,” said Michael Cardone Jr. “Our family looks forward to working with Terry in his new role as executive chairman as he continues to build the Cardone culture of servant leadership. He is a great industry leader, professional and friend.” Voice Recognition Available on Dayco VIN Scanning App Dayco Products announced the latest feature to its vehicle identification number (VIN) scanning smartphone app. Today’s technologies on iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets allow users of the industry’s first VIN scanning app to enter their VIN or license plate via voice recognition. “We recognized that typing in a VIN or a license plate number when working on a vehicle could be difficult,” said Robert Christy, director of marketing for Dayco. “Therefore, users of the Dayco VIN Scanning App can now simply say their VIN or license plate number for a complete list of available Dayco parts for that specific vehicle.” continued on page 10
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ceramIc. semI metallIc. element3™.
Copper Compliant To 2025.
IntroducIng the world’s fIrst enhanced hybrId brake pad. Since Raybestos® introduced ceramic brake pads to the aftermarket almost 20 years ago, the choice has always been ceramic or semi-metallic. Until today. Element3™ with Enhanced Hybrid Technology™ (EHT) incorporates an innovative formulation that delivers the best attributes of ceramic and semi-metallic all in one pad. It’s engineered for optimal performance, improved pad wear and durability, and increased stopping power during aggressive braking. Get ready for unprecedented braking contol. Only with Element3. www.element3eht.com 800-323-0354
©Copyright 2014, Brake Parts Inc LLC. All rights reserved. The trademarks EHT and Element3 are among the trademarks of Brake Parts Inc LLC. Raybestos and The Best in Brakes are used under license from Affinia International Inc. The LeafMark is a trademark of The Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association.
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|| News Briefs
continued from page 8
The iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets are equipped with a microphone attached to the keyboard that now works with the Dayco App. By simply tapping the microphone and speaking the VIN or license plate number, all available parts Dayco manufactures for that application will be shown. The Dayco VIN Scanning parts lookup app gives professional technicians instant access to a complete list of Dayco parts, routings and installation instructions that match a vehicle’s year, make and model by simply scanning the VIN barcode under the windshield or in the door jamb of the vehicle, by entering the vehicle’s license plate digits and the state of the license plate, or by speaking the VIN or license plate into the microphone within the phone. With a “Where to Buy” feature, the app gives users the ability to find the closest parts store selling Dayco products, complete with store contact information and directions to the store location via a map search, all through the use of GPS.
Visit daycoapp.com to download the Dayco app and view a demonstration video. The free app is also available in the Apple App Store, and for Android systems in the Google Play Store. Ezer Mevorach Honoured With AIA Distinguished Service Award On April 30th, members of the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada honoured Ezer Mevorach with the prestigious AIA Distinguished Service Award at the Association’s 72nd Annual General Meeting at the Toronto Hilton Airport Hotel & Suites in Toronto. Ezer grew up in the automotive industry, starting out in the factory at his father’s brake pad manufacturing company, and learned about the business from the ground up. In 1982, after earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University, Ezer and his father, Moni, founded Etna Automotive in Montreal. Primarily a remanufacturer, the company
later expanded its product offering with a new focus on steering, driveline, and suspension. In 1993, after the divestiture of its brake division, the company was renamed Mevotech. In 2008, the proliferation of SKUs presented a colossal challenge to manufacturers and Mevotech began its transformation by narrowing its product line and intensifying its focus on three key lines – chassis parts, control arms, and bearings. Today, the company emphasizes engineering, first-to-market product planning and innovation. Ezer’s passion and vision for the company involves interweaving innovation, focus, an unwavering commitment to customer needs, and excellence in service levels. Driven by the motto, “We don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best,” Mevotech is proud of its “engineered in Canada” philosophy, its North American market presence, and its culture of collaborative teamwork. continued on page 36
Protractor.net Shop Manager is the NEXT generation of software to manage your automotive service business.
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|| Shop Software
By Tom Venetis, Editor
Shop Management
SOFTWARE Shop software can improve workflow and find missed work that leads to improved profitability One of the reasons many shops have difficulty growing is the issue of workflow. Too many rely on outdated methods of managing shop processes and staff, billing and paperwork and managing stock and customers. For an industry that prides itself on staying up-to-date on the latest tools and programs to diagnose and repair increasingly complex vehicles, many shops still rely on paper, pencils and ad-hoc ways of running the day-to-day operations. Some will say they have been doing things this way for decades and they don’t see the need to change. It is the old saw, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” They are also likely wondering why they have not grown for those decades as well.
Workflow Management
“One of the best reasons for implementing shop management software is to automate many of the processes that make up a shop’s workflow,” says Nick DiVerde, senior director of marketing and customer connection, Mitchell1. “Let’s start with the write-up process where some shop owners like to improve their diagnostic efficiency by better capturing the symptoms their customers report when they drop off their vehicles. In Mitchell1’s Manager SE shop management platform, the Symptom wizard translates vehicle complaints in customer language to the system, making it fast and easy to process them . . . This standardization serves to prevent labour leaks, delays or inconsistencies while promoting a more professional image for the shop.” “In my opinion, the major issue with workflow management 12 SSGM May 2014
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is preventing traffic ups and downs,” adds Karole Lauzier, vicepresident of marketing with VL Communications. “A mechanic who uses software that has a good inspection and reminder system, a system where customer files include addresses, phone numbers and emails, and an effective appointment grid which extends over the coming months . . . [the shop] owns the foundations upon which larger businesses rest.” Lauzier says that workflow management will help shops find ‘slack periods’ and focus on work that needs to be done but was not during the times when the shop was busy with other work, for example, tire changeovers from winter to spring. “By taking the time and care to provide a brief inspection of each vehicle showing up for tires, [the shop] will be able to invite customers to come back in the coming months to complete the work that will have been discovered during the [earlier] inspection.” “When trying to manage a business and/or the workflow of a business, one major issue is the number of people that are needed to complete an invoice,” says Matthew Burditt, operations manager with Autogence Inc., maker of the Lankar shop management software. “There are technicians, shop managers, service advisors, parts people, controllers, cashiers and owners who will in some cases all need to be involved in the completion of one vehicle repair and invoice. This process will, hopefully, be repeated many times each day. Shop management software packages are designed to help manage this entire process. Lankar allows multiple people with differing security privileges to manage the scheduling of the customer appointment, creating the RO, getting customer authorization for the work, total integration of online ordering/receipt of www.ssgm.com
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Shop Software || parts and labour guides, managing monies collected for the payment of the invoices, and a system of checks and balances for full reconciliation of all of the above. “Finally, an area in which a lot of shops do not take full advantage of is reminders, email marketing and follow up which will help grow their business. Total workflow for a shop should start from well before a customer walks through the door to well after. It is a cycle of repeat business.”
Reducing Errors
Bob Worts, director of marketing and sales for Ontario and Western Canada with Gem-Car says that shop software can also help reduce errors when inputting vehicle information, ordering of parts and managing inventory. He says GemCar’s software can reduce or eliminate errors by an Internet ordering process that facilitates the online purchasing of parts from suppliers via their electronic catalogues and VIN lookup. It also supports wireless barcode readers to scan VIN numbers to ensure more accurate ordering of parts. “Parts are selected from the catalogue listing and transferred directly into the work order,” Worts continues. “Vendor suggested list pricing is reflected on the work order unless the user chooses to use his/hers own price matrix. Once approval for the repair has been given, the order can be processed and the parts transferred directly to ‘payables,’ ready for payment to the appropriate parts supplier. Parts can be added to inventory and purchase history can be accessed with a simple click.” Peter Steele, a principal with Protractor, a provider of management tools, says that eliminating errors and getting a handle on parts inventory and ordering is critical in locating and eliminating profit leaks. “For a shop operating with a 10 per cent net profit, every $10 that leaks out of the business has a real cost of $100,” Steele adds. “So if you understand this concept, you build your software to help stop the leaks, which in turn makes the user more profitable.” Protractor does this by setting labour lines that eliminates ‘guesstimating’ labour costs on a job, part sell prices that include margin rates, electronic connection for parts pricing for more accurate estimates and an automated related items feature for service writers that can be considered by a vehicle owner when presented with a final estimate. “Some of the most common causes for errors in estimating — or any step in the shop workflow — are double entry and failure to consult historical information when checking on a customer’s vehicle,” adds Mitchell1’s DiVerde. “Manager SE helps shops quickly select customers, eliminating the need to
RE
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write down the information and at the same time displaying the correct vehicle records. VIN Decoder allows quick and accurate vehicle identification. Customer remarks and vehicle memos are stored electronically. Parts ordering can introduce errors from keying parts in by hand. Thanks to the numerous integrated parts catalogue options in Manager SE, all of the part numbers, pricing, descriptions, line codes etc. are seamlessly transferred in the management system.” “The Lankar Shop Management System is designed to import data directly from all online resources,” adds Burditt. “The focal point of any job is the WO and from there we can look up any parts or labour information our customers need and not only put that information on the WO but order and receive inventory as well. Because Lankar directly transfers the data from its partner’s online resources, human and entry errors are effectively eliminated.”
Finding the Fix
VL Communications’ Lauzier says all shop management software must include integrated Internet links to critical parts information and pricing in real time in order to create accurate estimates. “With AB Magique software, once the parts are found a single click is sufficient to report the parts on the customer’s estimate and another click will send the exact order to the part supplier. This leaves no place for error. This software also tells the shop owner, at the time of ordering, whether or not he has the part in his inventory.” Workflow management is also improved with fast access to technical information. All of the makers of shop management software have integrated into or provide direct access to technical databases and repair information that technicians can use. This speeds up the repair of a vehicle and reduces the chances of misdiagnosis of problems, and ensures accurate parts ordering. Gem-Car’s software connects directly with AllData, Identifix and Mitchell, and labour times can be transferred from most parts distributor’s web sites and AllData directly into Gem-Car. Mitchell1 ProDemand comes with the dedicated diagnostic module SureTrack. It offers technicians a way to look up vehicle issues based on code, symptom or component, tips and fixes from a database of completed repairs that have been validated by experts, and a regularly updated database of TSBs and recalls. Protractor integrates with Mitchell On Demand and CarFax and VL Communications’ AB Magique allows technicians to access from within the software management system online repair and diagnostic databases when creating the customer estimates.
Going Mobile
Shop software is also moving quickly to take advantage of the growing ubiquity and ease-of-use of smart devices, continued on page 14
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continued from page 13
iPads and tablet technologies to improve workflow. Since technicians are comfortable using these devices and appreciate their portability, it only makes sense to give them direct access to the shop management tools and repair information on these devices. They now don’t have to be tied down to using a desktop or laptop in another part of the shop, taking time away from their work. “All features of our software are designed with the mobile experience in mind,” continues DiVerde. “We recently completed an extensive review of our repair information product, ProDemand, and improved functions and features of the
product to optimize it for use on tablets. Mitchell1 has not created a separate ‘app’ for the mobile market. Mitchell1 wants techs to have a consistent experience with ProDemand no
Now with
“CUTS THE TIME WE SPEND SEARCHING IN HAlf.” ELDON DUNN POway TraNsmissiONs
ProDemand™ optimized with SureTrack delivers the most complete OEM repair information combined with a powerful, expert-based diagnostic resource — from a single-point lookup. So you can complete repairs faster and with more confidence, knowing your diagnosis has been verified by thousands of techs who have solved the same issue. For more information: Call us: 800-470-5936 | Visit us: www.mitchell1.com Or find your local Mitchell 1 sales representative: www.mitchellrep.com
© 2014 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Mitchell 1® is a registered trademark used herein under license.
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matter if they use a desktop computer or a mobile computer. Technicians will be viewing and using the same software application regardless of how they access the web site.” VL Communications’ software allows technicians to scan a VIN using a smart phone and sends the VIN directly to the estimating software, and Protractor uses an electronic clipboard that gives greater mobility to staff and access to pre-service task, job assignments and inventory control features of the shop management software. “Gem-Car currently provides full connectivity for tablets, iPhones, Androids and other mobile devices making it possible for the user to access the garage management software from remote locations,” Worts says. “It is possible for [someone] to greet their customers in the parking lot with a tablet and post the customer’s details and arrival into the agenda allowing the technician to begin the work more expeditiously.” “The new and exciting world of portable devices is something the Lankar development team is currently investing a lot of time, money and effort into,” adds Burditt. “They are currently building features to include both a VIN Bar Code Reader and integrated Vehicle Inspection Sheets. This will provide the technicians with a seamless method of importing this information directly to Lankar through both iPads and Android tablets.” SSGM www.ssgm.com
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|| Sensors
Just Because It Is
Hidden, Does Not Mean It Can’t be
Checked Spark plugs, O2 sensors and injectors might not be visible to the vehicle owner, but they still need to be checked By Tom Venetis, Editor They are the hidden but critical components of an engine. The owner can’t see them and would be hard pressed to even point to where they are on some modern engines. But they know right away if something goes wrong with any of them as the vehicle’s engine does not operate properly. One of the challenges is that with most vehicle technologies today these components are made to last longer and are more robust than their earlier incarnations. That is the result of two things: one is that the materials used to manufacture them are of very high quality and they are made to operate in smaller, more powerful engines, so they can withstand environments that would have toasted their earlier cousins. That being said, it does not mean they can be overlooked during a regular vehicle inspection.
Spark Plugs
It is a truism, but it needs to be said once more: spark plugs are often the most neglected components in an engine. It’s hard to put an exact number on how overlooked spark plug maintenance is. One thing is certain, new vehicle technologies have now made it critical for technicians to use the right spark plug as a replacement, says Sukhneet Mavi, product manager with NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited. “Most spark plug offerings since the mid-2000s are very specific to engine design and they are mostly double precious metal plugs, where both [the] centre and ground electrode are made of precious metals. These newer generation plugs do not require regular maintenance as their target service life is 16 SSGM May 2014
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Sensors || approximately 120,000-160,000 kms from installation; but cations can significantly alter the vehicle’s performance, fuel due to the harshness of some engine designs, this service economy, and replacement interval. For example, a vehicle life is affected dramatically. For optimum performance from that comes equipped with a long life Iridium spark plug the vehicle, it is critical to follow the recommended change should not be replaced with a lower specification metal techinterval when using the OEM type or follow the parts manu- nology spark plug. Due to the ever increasing government facturer’s service interval when using the aftermarket OEM standards for emissions, consumer demands for increased equivalent offerings.” performance without sacrificing fuel economy, direct injec“The short answer is that spark plug maintenance is tion and forced induction systems are becoming very popular. probably often overlooked until the ‘Check Engine’ light To maintain the optimal engine efficiency, it is even more is on,” agrees Jeffrey Boehler, chief engineer at Autolite, a Fram Group Company. “For most automotive applications continued on page 18 on the road today, the recommended service interval for original equipment spark plugs is 160,000 kms. However, ® WE’VE EXPANDED OUR LINE an important footnote to this is usuStrut Assemblies ally something like ‘for normal service.’ Things like stop-and-go city driving, lots of idle time, heavier engine load or high speed driving would all be exceptions to the category of normal service. For this reason, there are many situations where the spark plugs may need to be changed sooner than the recommended interval.” While spark plugs may have extended service life, technicians and spark plug makers all agree that regular visual inspection of the plugs is still a crucial part of a regular maintenance regime. “One of most important signs to look for is the condition of the centre We rival the and ground electrodes,” says James competition for Miyamoto, senior product specialist, powertrain product management with coverage, but they Denso Corporation. “Check the gap can’t match us for quality. Precision between the electrodes to see if it is withWe’re adding over 40 new, first-to-market Engineered in original equipment specifications. designs to our rapidly expanding premium Oxidation from extreme temperatures ReadyMount® line, which means the first name in and pressures, along with wear from ride control should always be your first choice for intense voltage, will erode the electrodes pre-assembled struts. Just like every new shock Fit-Tested which may increase the gap. When the and strut we make, every new ReadyMount pregap increases too much, it increases assembled strut design is Precision-engineered to resistance which makes for a weaker and the OE design, Component- and Unit-tested, and inconsistent spark, therefore decreasing Fit- and Ride-tested to ensure unbeatable quality. Ride-Tested engine performance.” Plus, each new strut design has been validated Visual inspection is particularly to 1,000,000 cycles and features our advanced important with direct injection engines G-Force™ Technology. So, check out Gabriel.com as problems with spark plugs will impact today, explore our expanded line of nearly 200 engine performance. As well, replacing a ReadyMount strut designs and learn why they’re spark plug with a non-OE specific the perfect fit for you and your customers. spark plug can also cause problems. “It is very important to check spark plugs by the recommended intervals Learn more! stated on the OEM service manuals,” Scan to see how you get more with adds Miyamoto. “An issue that techniGabriel ReadyMount! cians need to be aware of is that downgrading spark plugs from OE-specifi-
ReadyMount
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BY MORE THAN 25%
May 2014 SSGM 17
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|| Sensors
continued from page 17
important to install a high quality OE specification spark plug or better. “ Tim Stumpff, product manager, spark plugs with the automotive aftermarket division of Robert Bosch, adds that with direct injection engines it is important to make sure the spark plugs are put in correctly as well, since the “spark plugs have to be installed in the engine perfectly to ensure proper engine performance. If the spark plug is installed so that the ground electrode blocks the injection , the fuel won’t be ignited by the spark and will cause a misfire. To ensure this does not happen, it is critical that the spark plug is tightened to the correct torque specifications not only so it stays tight in the cylinder, but also so that the ground electrode is in the correct position to allow for ignition to occur.” What needs to be emphasized to vehicle owners is a variation on the old saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul – in this case, the spark plug is a window to the health of the engine. “Spark plugs . . . can be a valuable diagnostic tool,” says NGK’s Mavi. “The condition of the spark plug firing end displays the condition inside the combustion chambers and can be helpful in exposing underlying fuel trim and/or ignition system problems. Any experienced tuner can use spark plugs to find the root cause of problems, determine air-fuel ratios and to increase vehicle performance. The overall appearance and colour of the spark plug firing end can reflect the accuracy of spark plug heat range and/ or ignition timing. The quantity and chemical make-up of the deposits can reflect the underlying fuel trim problems. The deposits near the electrodes largely affect the spark plug operation and if they become conductive, for example, the insulation resistance drops to zero, the plug short circuits to ground and causes the misfire condition.” “If the engine is running OK, the most important things to look at would be the spark plug electrodes for wear and the insulator tip for any build-up of deposits on the surface,” adds Fram’s Boehler. “The condition of these parts of the spark plug can tell you if any conditions of overheating are occurring that could lead to pre-ignition and possible engine failure. The deposits on the insulator tip surface can indicate if there are any problems with the engine such as excess oil consumption due to wear, fuel system problems, etc.” Boehler makes a point of adding that the higher performance engines in use today often run at conditions that result in higher electrode temperatures and higher required sparking voltages for the spark plug. These types of conditions can increase the wear rate of the spark plug electrodes. For these 18 SSGM May 2014
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reasons, it is important that the spark plug inspections include a measurement of the spark gap as well as a visual inspection of the electrodes for any abnormal wear or corrosion as well as evidence of overheating. “These harsh environments push the innovation required to survive to another level,” Boehler concludes. “From new material development, to designs that provide greater mechanical, electrical, and thermal robustness, we are developing concepts and hardware for racing that help us to prepare for the future of OE automotive, which is higher power density in smaller diameter spark plug packages.”
Oxygen Sensors
Here is a question: When do most people change their oxygen sensors? The answer is not often or not until the ‘Check Engine’ light comes and the owner brings the car in to be inspected. Still, it must be kept in mind that the ‘Check Engine’ light does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the oxygen sensor. “There are other engine management sensors that may trigger a check engine light and cause an oxygen sensor to measure readings that are too lean or too rich,” says Sean Lappin, senior product manager, oxygen sensors, gasoline systems group, automotive aftermarket division, with Robert Bosch. “Technicians should look for other common symptoms such as poor gas mileage, rough idling, poor performance and/or a possible misfire. Technicians should also utilize an OBDII scan tool to pull trouble codes from the vehicle’s ECM and also monitor O2 sensor outputs when trying to diagnose an O2 sensor issue.” “For any vehicle made after 1996, O2 sensors are easy to diagnose,” says Frank Guarino, global chief engineer, powertrain and thermal with Delphi Product & Service Solutions. “The onboard diagnostic system will tell you when an O2 sensor is not functioning by setting a MIL light, or ‘Check Engine’ light, and by setting an appropriate DTC (diagnostic trouble code). Vehicles made prior to 1996 are a bit trickier. You should refer to the service manual to diagnose an O2 sensor issue. ” NGK’s Mavi adds that a common issue with oxygen sensor diagnostics and maintenance is that misdiagnosis of the sensor often comes from neglecting to check for software updates, as software issues can sometimes be the root cause of what is mistakenly thought is a failed oxygen sensor. “What we see as an OE supplier in the sensor category is that the repair is becoming far more extensive than simply continued on page 31 www.ssgm.com
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14-04-30 2:12 PM
|| Transmission
Transmission Service By Tom Venetis, Editor
T
Traditional mechanical service giving way to more complex electronic maintenance
ransmission service and repair is the one service that vehicle owners dread. It is expensive, time consuming and sometimes the tipping point for some between continuing to own their current vehicle or buying a new one. Go into any wrecking yard and you will likely find vehicles that are in great shape but were abandoned because the owners did not want to do the needed transmission service or maintenance. The challenge for service shops is educating vehicle owners on the need for regular transmission inspection and maintenance. Often, owners will neglect the transmission because problems never arise in the system until the vehicle is old; or they are told that today’s modern, highly advanced transmissions are ‘sealed’ units and never need to be opened or have the fluid changed. For the moment, let’s first focus on the education aspect. What vehicle owners need to understand is that regardless of the transmission — be it an older, more mechanical system or one that uses complex electronics to operate — it is a system that must be inspected regularly in order to work properly over the lifetime of the vehicle. Just as you need to change your oil and filter and inspect the brakes, the transmission needs to be serviced periodically to avoid driveability issues and costly repairs. The next thing vehicle owners need to be told about is that what they think is a transmission problem may, in fact, not be related at all to the transmission. Many technicians have stories of vehicle owners coming to them with an issue that they are certain is a transmission issue and are close to abandoning the vehicle because of it. The reality is that the issue is unrelated to the transmission. What do vehicle owners commonly mistake as transmission issues? A stuck fan clutch that makes the fan spin faster than it needs to and sounds as if the engine is racing. Poor vehicle acceleration is more often the result of poor fuel flow, a bad fuel pump or even an engine misfiring. A vehicle
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surging or bucking is more often an engine issue than a transmission issue and vibration while driving at high speed is often an issue with the wheels or driveshaft. Sealed Does Not Mean It Can’t Be Serviced One of the biggest changes with transmissions today is their growing complexity. Much of the complexity is driven by the need to improve both vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, says Dan Fenos, one of the principals with the Toronto-based Transmission Depot Inc., specializing in transmission repair and maintenance. “It is all driven by fuel economy and that is why you have the seven, eight and nine speed transmissions,” Fenos adds. “I was doing some research and some are claiming that with the new nine-speed transmissions, you can have a fuel savings of up to 16 per cent. On one of the eight-speed, rear-wheel drive vehicles, you will see an 11 per cent increase over the first generation six-speed transmission. This is all being mandated by new government regulations for fuel efficiency.” Along with the added speeds, today’s transmissions are also coming under increasing computer control in order to improve performance and make the shifting between the gears smoother for the driver. To better protect the system, many transmissions are becoming ‘sealed’ units in order to protect critical components. This is where the confusion starts for many vehicle owners. The term ‘sealed’ suggests to many that the transmission system cannot be examined and that transmission fluid cannot be changed. Tony Stevkov, regional business manager at Richmond, Hill Ontario Mister Transmission (International) says that this has given vehicle owners the impression that today’s modern transmissions never have to be serviced. “Today there is less and less transmission maintenance service requested by continued on page 24 www.ssgm.com
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|| Transmission
continued from page 22
consumers coming into our shops. This is because consumers believe transmission fluids are for life as the systems are ‘sealed.’ Transmissions that are ‘sealed’ units do not have the traditional dipstick and tube where you could check the fluid quality and fill it up through that tube. ” Stevkov explains in greater detail the kinds of changes happening: “More and more transmissions have switched to a sealed unit with the cover on the side, covering the valve body. Now there is a drain plug on the bottom of the transmission case and a cap with a dipstick attached, giving access to an opening to fill transmission fluid. General Motors, for instance, has moved away from placing the transmission pan on the bottom, which you would normally remove to drain transmission fluid. Toyota’s new Sienna vans have special drain and fill plugs with no dipstick at all. Chrysler has switched to a dipstick tube design, but with no dipstick as well. “The trick is to use a universal dipstick tool that has a series of lines with corresponding numbers. The requirement is to have a scanner hooked to the vehicle, with the transmission fluid temperature displayed in the vehicle data. The level on the dipstick has to be in accordance with the temperature of fluid. So, if the scanner registers 60 degrees, the fluid level on the dipstick has to be 60 degrees. That is how you know the fluid level is accurate.” Even changing the transmission fluid has become more complicated with vehicle manufacturers mandating specific fluids be used with their transmissions. “When people say transmission fluid is for life, they mean fluid is the life of the transmission. If you want your transmission to last longer, you must replace the fluid and filter,” Stevkov explains. “Today’s transmissions rely heavily on computer controls. Manufacturers have eliminated things such as bands and clutch-to-clutch application has increased; this requires specialized fluids. When these clutches apply and release, they have a tendency to make odd droning noises or produce shudders; some can be quite abrupt. “What manufacturers will do is modify
the transmission fluid with frictional properties to slip the clutch on application. To reduce shudders or drone noises, we engage quickly and stop shuddering immediately. There are also custom-tailored fluids with unique additive packages specific to those transmissions; this will vary depending on the design and purpose of the transmission.” For example, Stevkov says Ford and Toyota have particular fluids for their particular lines of transmissions. Honda has a high-frictional property transmission fluid that helps slide the clutches to make the transmission operate and the car drive smoother. “However, if you were to take that fluid out and replace it with a fluid for GM, you will find you have a harsh shift, which may concern the driver.” Today’s Fix Will Likely Be Electronic Where the greatest change has happened with transmissions is the increasing use of computer controls. This has shifted the work of technicians away from merely mechanical servicing and maintenance to more on computer diagnostics and flash reprograming of the vehicle’s ECMs. Tansmission Depot’s Fenos says that today’s transmissions are requiring technicians to become computer experts as many transmission issues and problems are now fixed with software updates or scanning the system, to find problematic solenoids for example. Fenos gives an example that on “some new nine-speed transmission they can have up to 10 solenoids and you have to have the tools to diagnose the system to find the faulty solenoid.” He also says that because of the complexity of the systems, it is going to be very important that technicians spend time with customers educating them on how these transmissions work and what is needed to maintain them. “I love to educate my customer,” Fenos says. “I will show them the scan results on their transmission because the customer likes and very much wants to be part of the repair. I will sit down with them and show them how I will reprogram their system.” SSGM
Liqui Moly treatments help against notchy gearboxes It is a common problem, especially with older cars: The gearbox is notchy and changing gears becomes more and more difficult. Often the reason for this is wear. Usually the driver has either to accept these difficulties or he has to invest a lot of money in a new gearbox. But there is another solution between these extremes. Liqui Moly treatments can solve gearbox problems in an easy and affordable manner. If Gear Oil Additive is put in the gearbox oil, it reduces friction and wear and facilitates changing gears. It contains molybdenum disulphide, a solid lubricant which compensates the unevenness of the surfaces. Furthermore, Gear Oil Additive reduces the thermal stress. The active principle is its solid lubricant and it does not contain any chemical agents. This makes Gear Oil Additive a good choice also for very old cars, because there are no chemicals which may harm the sealings or other parts of the gearbox. Liqui Moly Gear Protect is a more preventative treatment suited for newer cars. It contains no solid lubricant, but chemical agents
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which improve the surfaces in the gearbox and give them an extra protection from wear. If there is a loss of gearbox oil, often brittle sealing is the reason for this. Over the course of time, the plastic and rubber ages and loses its elasticity. Instead of exchanging the sealing you may add Liqui Moly Gear Oil Leak Stop. This treatment regenerates the brittle sealing and makes it soft and flexible again. The loss of gearbox oil is stopped. For cars with automatic transmissions, Liqui Moly ATF Additive serves this purpose. Drivers experiencing problems with their gearbox should try Liqui Moly treatments. They are not miracle potions which can heal a broken gearbox, but in many cases they are able to reduce or even to solve the problem. Because they do not harm the materials they may be applied even without a time consuming diagnosis of the situation. Their low cost compared to extensive repair work make them an option worth being considered. Workshops can benefit twice: First, they generate additional sales with customers who refrain from spending much money on repair work. And second, they increase customer loyalty by offering another option thus underlining their technical expertise.
www.ssgm.com
14-05-12 11:39 AM
|| New Car Technologies
Magna joins growing list of auto firms
pursuing biocomposites
Some automakers are already using this so-called biocontent in their vehicles, and Canadian biocomposite developers are helping them to achieve their green car goals By Patricia Cancilla. Patricia Cancilla is a Toronto-based automotive and business writer.
F
lax, hemp, rice and soy aren’t just ingredients on the menu for an Olympic athlete. They’re also what his car will be made of in the future. Some automakers are already using this so-called biocontent in their vehicles, and Canadian biocomposite developers are helping them to achieve their green car goals. Sylvain Labonté is team leader of Advanced Polymer Composites, Automotive and Surface Transportation, at the National Research Council Canada (NRC) in Ottawa. He works with the Concord, Ont.-based Exteriors and Interiors unit of automotive supplier Magna International on a joint project called the Magna-NRC Composites Centre of Excellence (MNCCE) to develop biocomposite technology for the automotive industry. “The work at the centre is focused on the development of fibre-reinforced plastics,” says Labonté. “Work has been done using different combinations of polymers and fibres in search for the best combination of performance, weight reduction and cost.” Conventional thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene and poly vinyl chloride—commonly known as PVC— and others derived from petrochemical processes are being successfully replaced with bio-based polymers made out of biocontent such as flax and hemp biofibres, Labonté says. Potential uses include: interior car parts such as instrument panels and trim; exterior body parts such as hardtops, sunroof components, door panels, hoods, running boards, bumpers and tailgates; and structural parts such as bumper frames, seat frames and floors. Toyota is a big believer in such bio-based plastics, which it already uses in scuff plates, headliners, seat cushions, sun visors, pillar covers, trunk liners and door trims. “Ecological plastic emits less CO2 during a product’s lifecycle than plastic made solely from petroleum,” says Toyota Canada director Sandy DeFelice, based in Toronto. “It also helps reduce petroleum use.” 26 SSGM May 2014
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CO2 emissions from the production of these plastic components are reduced by as much as 20 per cent compared with conventional plastic manufacturing, she says. “Several Toyota vehicles including many of our hybrid models, such as the Toyota Prius and Lexus CT 200h, contain plant-based ecoplastics,” says DeFelice. “Other Lexus models such as the GS and CT use bamboo for components such as the steering wheel—world’s first—and speakers.” She says Toyota plans to replace 20 per cent of the conventional plastics in its vehicles with bioplastics by 2015. “Another percentage will be based on synthetic polymers but reinforced with materials from biomass such as wood fibres,” says the MNCCE‘s Labonté. Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio) in Edmonton has been working on a project to integrate wood fibre into auto parts with Magna Exteriors and Interiors and its partner, the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE), also based in Concord, Ont. It has entered the second stage of its research, to be completed by the end of the year. “We are testing a variety of wood fibres,” says AI Bio CEO Stan Blade. “[Wood] is a remarkable fibre. It’s stronger, greener, recyclable and arguably cheaper. We can deliver it at a lower cost than other materials.” Blade says wood is ideal for use in car parts because it is lighter than traditional petroleum-based materials, which helps automakers cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. According to Labonté, “For each 100 kilograms saved, fuel consumption decreases by 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres.” Wood fibre is also more sustainable than petroleumbased fibre, says Blade. “All the wood is coming from certified forests. The government of Alberta is careful about annual cuts,” he says. “The forest companies have nowhere near the allowable continued on page 33 www.ssgm.com
14-05-12 11:41 AM
|| Identifix Tech Tip
Ford Escape R
ecently, a friend of mine who owns a local shop called me about a problem concerning a 2003 Ford Escape with the 3.0L V6 engine. The car had been dropped off with the complaint of low power, running rough and poor fuel economy. The customer first stated that one of his “knowledgeable� friends had spent a sizeable chunk of money on a tune-up and other parts that did not correct the condition, and then he asked if the shop owner would diagnose and repair the vehicle. The customer also said that his vehicle had run this way for more than a year and now it was simply not driveable. The first step was to get the vehicle inside the shop and warmed up. Getting it started was a challenge in itself. When it did start, there was constant popping out of the throttle body. Fuel pressure was checked and showed to be good at 50 psi. Fuel quality was checked and was good. Spark was crisp and would easily jump a threefourth inch gap. Next the scanner was installed and a code P0304 was retrieved in memory. With the misfire code present and popping in the intake, a compression test was performed on the front bank which includes cylinder 4. The compression on cylinders 5 and 6 was good at about 165 psi each, but cylinder 4 was down at 45 psi. The rear bank was checked next and showed to be OK. After talking to the customer, the shop removed the front head. Now the burnt intake valve was obvious so it was sent to the local machine shop for a valve job. When the head was returned it was re-installed using the special tools to set
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the cam timing and the engine was fired up. The vehicle ran terrible. Power was non-existent. All previous checks were re-done with the same results with these exceptions: compression on the whole bank was now 180 psi and code P0304 set again but now also included code P0306. www.ssgm.com
14-05-12 11:48 AM
Identifix Tech Tip ||
Photos courtesy of Identifix
When checked, there was no cranking vacuum. The exhaust was dropped and the converters were found to be plugged. I know it is hard to believe, after driving the car this way for only a year. With the customer’s approval, new converters were ordered and, once installed, some ease of starting and power were restored. But cylinders 4 and 6 misfires were still present. This is about the time I came into the picture. When the shop owner called looking for advice, I asked if we could start from scratch. I had him check spark quality again and swap the #4 and #6 coil-on-plug (COP) units to different cylinders. Next he switched the injectors from those cylinders to different ones to see if the miss would follow the injectors. Nothing worked. I asked him to disable the injectors electrically to confirm those were indeed the cylinders missing—they were. Next I had him do a running compression check, just in case the machine shop had made a mistake or had possibly gotten the cam timing off during assembly. It checked out fine. The shop owner was now panicking. Every time this vehicle was run, the Bank 2 catalytic converter would turn bright red. He was worried that soon it would melt down and he would need to replace it again. At this point, I recommended that (if the car owner agreed) they tow the vehicle to Identifix so I could look at it during some of my free time. First I hooked up the IDS scanner. Retrieving codes showed P0304 and P0306. Running a cylinder balance test again confirmed that these were the weak cylinders. The IDS has a nice feature called a relative compression test which identifies weak cylinders by comparing the load placed by each cylinder during the compression stroke while cranking and displaying it in a graph format. All six cylinders showed
This is how the wire harness looks in its factory location and correctly installed.
Photos courtesy of Identifix
pe Coil
almost identical readings. With cranking vacuum better than three inches, mechanical efficiency had to be good. This left only one possibility — either spark or fuel timing was incorrect. Consulting a wiring diagram for the ignition, the Powertrain Control Module COP driver wire colors were identified. All COP units share a common power wire, White/Violet. Each driver wire has a different colored wire for spark control. The color for driver wire 4 is White/Pink from PCM pin 1 and driver wire 6 is Light Green/Yellow from pin 53. Wouldn’t you know it, the harnesses were swapped! Looking at the way the harness is placed, it is a natural fit to connect to the COP units backwards. To be installed correctly, the harness for the front coils actually needs to be turned over awkwardly and secured by a clip between cylinders 5 and 6. Once this was done, the vehicle ran fine. SSGM
If you have any questions, please give us a call. By Jeff Boskowitz, Identifix Ford Specialist, Certified Ford EEC l-V, ASE Master, L1 www.ssgm.com
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This is how the wire harness looks when installed incorrectly. May 2014 SSGM 29
14-05-12 11:49 AM
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continued from page 18 changing the failing part,” Mavi continues. “On many late models, the repair is not complete until the technician checks for and addresses manufacturer TSBs, which may include a PCM re-flash to fix calibration or other software issues. “Many technicians are familiar with Mode 6 diagnostics and hopefully they are using the data to verify a repair, but it is imperative to first ensure that proper drive cycle conditions and/or cold soak periods (if necessary) are met, otherwise the new part changed may still register a ‘fail.’ In addition, often components or subsystems may not immediately set a fault code, but can still affect vehicle drivability. Therefore, even though an oxygen sensor or other emission component is operating within its set high and low limits, it does not mean it is operating effectively and may be about to fail.” Jannivine Leung, senior product specialist, powertrain product management with Denso Corporation adds that today’s new engine designs and the growing number of direct injection engines means technicians will have to make a point to regularly inspect oxygen sensors. The reason is that these sensors are now more critical than ever to the smooth operation of direct injection engines and for meeting stringent emissions
www.ssgm.com
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Sensors || and fuel efficiency targets. “Today’s vehicles are equipped with more advanced oxygen sensors than sensors on vehicles built a decade ago,” Leung continues. “Today’s oxygen sensors have faster light off times to achieve closed loop more efficiently. They have been incorporated into multiple locations on a vehicle, therefore increasing feedback readings to the ECU. Most vehicles today will feature heated narrow band sensors and wideband or air/fuel ratio sensors together. The wideband and air/ fuel ratio sensors were developed to monitor and control the air-fuel ratio, allowing for true emissions control versus narrow band oxygen sensors which only monitored and produced readings of rich or lean. Using a light bulb analogy, the oxygen sensor sends voltage and functions like an on/off switch, while the air/fuel sensor acts similar to a dimmer switch controlling the air-fuel ratio.” One question that is often asked is how often should oxygen sensors be replaced? Because most vehicle owners almost never ask for them to be replaced unless they fail, the assumption by many is just that – replace them continued on page 32
May 2014 SSGM 31
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|| Sensors
continued from page 31 is older than 1996, and the car has experienced a noticeable loss in fuel economy, then the service manual diagnostic tree should be followed to see if the O2 sensor(s) need to be replaced.”
Fuel Injectors
only when they fail. The reality is more complex, suggests NGK’s Mavi who points out that driving habits, vehicle use and maintenance history all affect the service life of oxygen sensors. “For this reason, manufacturers typically adhere to suggested guidelines for possible replacement of oxygen sensors, often based on the type of sensor,” Mavi adds. “In fact, most oxygen sensors are only replaced once the MIL or ‘Check Engine’ light has come on and/or a drivability problem exists. Mode 6 can actually be a helpful tool in predicting life expectancy of a component. For example, if you had a vehicle with a P0136 DTC, you could also look at the other oxygen sensors on the vehicle, noting response time(s) and come to the conclusion that they are at or nearing the end of their life expectancy. “In that example, if the result proved to be a faulty B1S2 (Bank 1 Sensor 2), a technician could offer their customer a scanner printout of their findings and suggest replacement of the other oxygen sensor(s) on the vehicle as preventative maintenance.” “The O2 sensor pigtail, connector and wiring harness should be inspected whenever the car is on a hoist, for example during an oil change,” suggests Delphi’s Guarino. “If there is any sign of abrasion forming on any of these three supporting subcomponents, then the problem should be remedied to avoid further damage. Additionally, if the car is made after 1996, no further inspection or replacement is needed unless a check engine light comes on and an O2 specific DTC is stored by the OBD II system (read by a hand-held scan tool connected to the LDL port). If the car 32 SSGM May 2014
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One might think that with today’s high-quality fuels, fuel injector failure is a thing of the past. It is rare to find poor quality fuel today, as all the major fuel blenders follow strict guidelines for maintaining fuel integrity. Fuel contamination issues are more often caused by poor storage or vehicle fuel tanks filled with debris due to age. Stephen Albert, product manager with ignition systems and engine management, automotive aftermarket division with Robert Bosch says, “the most common reason for injector failure is poor fuel quality, contamination in the fuel system, failure to replace the fuel filter and a poor electrical system which does not send adequate power to the injector. When any of the above are affected, it can result in some of the following: poor drivability, cold or hot start problems, increased fuel consumption and, in some cases, major engine damage due to contaminated oil.” Ethanol is another issue, especially with some fuels using up to 10 per cent or more in the fuel mix. “Ethanol is a serious solvent, degreaser or cleaner,” points out Denso’s Steven Gonzales, product manager, powertrain product management. “Ethanol scours and scrubs varnish, gum, sludge and dirt deposits out of a fuel system. The deposits will be ‘held’ in suspension in the ethanol fuel and will eventually wind up in the fuel injectors, and can choke off an engine’s fuel supply by clogging the injector.” “Ethanol is a very corrosive fuel, so ethanol compatible injectors must be built to withstand the corrosive nature of the fuels,” adds Delphi’s Guarino. “Usually, an ethanol compatible injector will have different O rings at the interfaces where the fuel may come in contact with any part of the injector. When a technician services ethanol fuel injectors it is necessary to make sure that they are using ethanol compatible O rings. These are usually part of a service kit especially for the ethanol injector.” “[Direct injection] injectors themselves are considerably different from PFI injectors in appearance,” he continues. “They are very narrow at the point where they sit in the cylinder head. Inspecting these injectors on the vehicle can sometimes prove to be difficult because they are mounted deeply into the cylinder head. Special service precautions and service tools are needed to service a GDI injector.” SSGM www.ssgm.com
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continued from page 26
New Car Technologies ||
cuts. Thirty-five million hectares can provide a sustainable amount of wood.” Ford has been a pioneer in bio-based car parts since Henry Ford used soybean and hemp in the body of his 1941 vehicle, known as both the Soybean car and the Hemp body car. Today, Ford uses parts made out of soy, rice and wood in many of its vehicles, says Dr. Ellen Lee, Ford’s technical expert in materials engineering, based in Dearborn, Mich. Soy-based foam is used in all seatbacks and cushions in every Ford vehicle in North America and in 75 per cent of all headrests, says Lee. “One of the other innovations is rice hulls used in a bracket in a plastic part in the 2014 F-150.” This month, Ford began using cellulose fibre-based reinforced polypropylene in the armrest reinforcement of the 2014 Lincoln MKX. The wood fibre is seven per cent lighter than petroleum-based fibre, with a weight savings of about half a kilogram, says Lee. “We would like to migrate this to all of our vehicles.” Ford also plans to use the biofibre for the entire centre console, which would would mean an additional weight savings of 3.6 kg. Lee says she hopes to replace all of the plastic and polymeric materials — about 10 per cent or 136 kg — in Ford vehicles with biofibres by 2015. Helping to make that possible is the BioComposites Group (BCG) of Drayton Valley, Alta. Formed in 2013, BCG is a commercial spin-off company of Tekle Technical Services (TTS Inc.), which has been involved in the research and development of bio-based products such as engineered fibre mats, biocomposite panels, structural insulated panels, fibre cement and fibre plastic since 1998. “They’re biodegradable, as strong and lighter, so fuel economy is better,” Dan Madlung, CEO of BCG, says of the wood, flax and hemp biofibres the company is using to replace traditional materials such as glass fibre and polyester in carpeting, dashboards, door panels, headliners, package trays, seatbacks and other interior automotive parts. BCG recently partnered with Techstyles, a Bingham Farms, Mich.-based company specializing in automotive interiors, to help bring its products to automakers. While the future of biocomposites seems promising, there are still some roadblocks. “Many challenges remain [such as] moisture absorption, odour, fogging, aging due to sun exposure and variability in performance of raw materials,” says Labonté. “But our researchers are working on those challenges and are confident to provide solutions that will be acceptable to industry.” DeFelice is convinced that the performance and durability of ecoplastics used in Toyota components “are equal or better than if we had used traditional petroleum-based plastics” and that “ecological plastic adequately meets the heat resistance and shock resistance demands of vehicle interiors.” Consumers also have to be convinced that biofibres are just as good as traditional materials, says Labonté. “The end user sometimes sees such products as being of lower quality. But with time and with enough long-term data, this perception will change,” he says. “The industry has to educate the end users and prove/demonstrate that, when well used, they are just as good as more traditional materials.” But are we taking food out of the mouths of our aspiring athletes by using flax, hemp, rice and soy in the manufacture of bio-based car parts? According to Labonté, the athletes can rest easy. “In our research, we use non-food grade biomass, so we do not impede on the food production chain.” SSGM
www.ssgm.com
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May 2014 SSGM 33
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|| Tire Technology Article and main image by Emily Atkins Reprinted from PurchasingB2B/Fleet Management
Safe Stopping Tire technology advances in the wet
Tire photos courtesy Michelin
C
ar control in wet conditions is fundamental to safety, and yet when tires wear they tend to lose traction as the grooves get shallower and the tread gets thinner. Michelin is seeking to remedy this problem with a new tire design that maintains its traction qualities as it wears. And in a graphic demonstration, they showed that, indeed, their half-worn tire can have better stopping power and better wet traction than their competitors’ tires. To demonstrate the qualities of their new Premier All Season tire, the manufacturer let a group of auto journalists loose on their Laurens Proving Ground test track facility just outside of Greenville, South Carolina. Two sets of exercises were set up to show the tire’s capabilities: wet braking and wet handling. In the wet handling exercise, test drivers took four cars out, each shod with a different set of tires—new Premier A/S, half worn Premier A/S and two different brand-new competitor tires. The cars were all Cadillac CTSs, a model appropriate for the tire, Michelin said. Premier A/S New Tread Close Up The handling track is a purpose-built wet skid pad zone at the Proving Ground, equipped with enough sprinkler nozzles to simulate monsoon conditions. The course was designed with a slalom section for quick directional changes, a couple slower corners, and a straightaway to test hydroplaning and hard braking. It was a challenging drive and provided plenty of opportunity for subjective comparisons of the tires. The difference between the Michelins and the competitors was evident, especially in the amount of hydroplaning and cornering grip they afforded. The Caddys all 34 SSGM May 2014
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had their traction control turned off, but stability control on, and with the Michelins the stability systems activated far less often when the car was pushed. But as much as the subjective testing on the skid pad showed a difference among the tires tested, it was in the objective test— wet braking—that the Premier A/S really proved itself. The half-worn Michelins went up against Premier A/S 45 brand new Bridgestone and Goodyear tires in an electronically measured stop from highway speed on a uniformly wet track. The Premier A/S consistently stopped a car length shorter than the other two tires. These results were consistent across the pool of drivers performing the tests. So, how did Michelin design a tire that has so much more grip when it’s half used up? The secret is in the compound and the moulding technology. Michelin calls it Evergrip, emphasizing that the tire “evolves” rather than just “wearing”. The grooves in the rubber that evacuate water from the contact patch are inverted V-shapes, so they get wider as the tire wears down. As well, hidden grooves appear only as the tire erodes. The tires are compounded with high levels of silica, which gives extra grip, and sunflower oil, for improved cold weather flexibility. The new tires are available now through regular distribution channels. Michelin says pricing is slightly above the SSGM Tier 1 average. www.ssgm.com
14-05-12 11:52 AM
SSGM BAYWATCH
H
New Products
CRP ContiTech Belt & Belt Kit Catalogue CRP Automotive has published their new ContiTech 2014 Belts & Belt Kits Catalogue. The expansive, 432page applications guide includes timing belts, serpentine belts, elast belts, silent and tough grip belts, as well as several different timing belt kit offerings. To allow for easy fit and installation for all makes and models, the catalogue provides measurements in inches. ContiTech 2014 Belts & Belt Kits Catalogue features applications, including many original equipment listings, for a wide range of vehicle makes including Asian, European and domestic passenger cars, vans, light trucks, and SUVs from Acura to Volvo. Select applications of some popular light and medium trucks are also included. CRP Automotive www.crpautomotive.com
Dye Injection Kit for R-1234yf A/C Systems
Volant Offers Cool Air Intakes for Silverado/Sierra Volant Performance has expanded its product line to meet rising demand for performance components for the light truck market. Volant cool air intake systems, which are engineered to boost horsepower by maximizing the engine’s breathing capabilities, are now available for the 2014 5.3L V8 1500 Chevrolet Silverado and 1500 GMC Sierra. The cool air intakes are available for both the Silverado and the Sierra in a choice of either Volant’s PowerCore Closed Box Air Intake System (part #155536) or Pro5 Closed Box Air Intake System (part #15553). Designed for optimal performance, Volant intakes shield warm air from entering the engine and feature sculpted air ducts with larger diameters and unique bends that direct air through specifically designed channels allowing clean, cool air to efficiently enter the engine. Volant Performance
www.volant.com
Tracer Products has introduced the TP-9844 EZ-Ject R-1234yf A/C Dye Injection Kit, which makes adding fluorescent leak detection dye to new R-1234yf A/C systems quick and easy. At the heart of the kit is the EZ-Ject A/C dye injector assembly. It easily overcomes system pressure so the dye can be injected whether the A/C system is off or still running. A simple turn of the handle injects the exact amount of dye into the system. The kit also contains a 0.5 oz (14.8 ml) EZ-Ject R-1234yf/PAG multi-dose A/C dye cartridge that services up to 14 vehicles. In addition, an R-1234yf hose/coupler with purge fitting is included. Tracer Products www.tracerline.com
Value-Driven Oil Analysis Kit Oil Analyzers Inc., a division of Amsoil Inc., has expanded its oil analysis kit offerings by adding a Value Kit as a low-cost option when a full fluid analysis is not required. The Value Kit focuses on four key areas of testing: oil thickness, corrosion potential, wear metals and beneficial oil additives. Limiting the testing to those four areas allows Oil Analyzers to charge less for the Value Kit and answer the main question: Is it time to change my oil or not? The Value Kit is recommended for vehicles with an existing oil analysis history and those with established oil change intervals. Oil Analyzers Inc. www.amsoil.com www.ssgm.com
p 30,35 May Baywatch.indd 35
Denso Cabin Air Filters The First Time Fit Cabin Air Filter program includes coverage for more than 117 million vehicles for a full range of domestic and import applications. Denso’s electrostatically-charged particulate filters capture ultra-fine particles. The charcoal filters feature a multi-layer filter structure embedded with activated charcoal. Denso www.densocaf.com
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|| News Briefs
continued from page 10
An industry “lifer,” Ezer is a proud Greg Sims Joins AIA supporter of AIA and has participated Marc Brazeau, president and CEO of in various committee groups, govern- the Automotive Industries Association ment relations meetings and lobbying (AIA) of Canada announced that Greg activities. He co-founded the AIA Sims has joined the Association as Young Executive Society with Brad Senior Industry Consultant for Western Morris (Grote) in 2003 and is well Canada. known in the aftermarket industry for “Greg brings a great deal of leaderhis leadership skills, his determination, ship and experience to AIA on several and his understanding of the issues important fronts, including stakeholder XP Trade_SSGM.pdf 1 2/18/14 9:46 AM facing the12779-WX industry and the actions relations, business development, governrequired for its continued growth. ment relations, communications, and
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program promotion,” said Brazeau. “He will play an important role in helping the Association to grow its presence in Western Canada and to provide a more personal level of membership support and service to our members in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.” Greg worked with Michelin Tire for 29 years, most of which were spent in Canada where he held numerous positions including: Western Zone sales manager, national advertising and public relations manager, and director of marketing. In his final four years with Michelin, Greg acted as commercial director and was responsible for all non-manufacturing components of the business in Mexico and Central America. In this role, he was tasked with achieving a number of lofty goals, including incorporating Mexico into the North American group and transforming the company from a manufacturing-focused company to a market-oriented company operating in the competitive environment created by NAFTA. Compounded by the reality of working in a different culture and learning a new language, Greg worked closely with the Camara Huelera, which is the Mexican equivalent of the Rubber Association of Canada. Following a hiatus from the industry during which Greg earned a degree in landscape horticulture and started his own landscape design company, Greg returned to the aftermarket industry as president and CEO of OK Tire Stores Inc. reporting to its board of directors. During his time with OK Tire, he sat on AIA’s board of directors. He then retired from his position as CEO in the fall of 2013. In this newly created position with the Association, Greg will work closely with AIA’s four divisions in Western Canada and will provide guidance and support to the Association as it works to foster a closer working relationship with the tire industry. He will also work with staff in Ottawa to help to further government relations efforts in the Western provinces. SSGM www.ssgm.com
14-05-12 11:31 AM
41 Years of making
a difference
Your continued support (more than $4 million in donations) has had a profound impact on MDC. In honour of our efforts, and yours, MDC has created the Annual Fred Shaddick Community Service Award recognizing outstanding contribution to the community.
Since 1954, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has been committed to improving the quality of life, mainly through donations, for the tens of thousands of Canadians with neuromuscular disorders and taking the lead in research for the discovery of therapies and cures. Shad’s R&R has continually supported these efforts since 1973 by donating over $4 million dollars to Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Now entering our 41st year of support, the automotive aftermarket continues to fulfill founder Fred Shaddick’s original mission of FoR the KiDS.
Mark your calendars for the 41st Annual Shad’s R&R Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 12, with all proceeds to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Station Creek Golf & Country Club - Stoutffville, Ontario If you would like to become a sponsor or make a donation to SHAD’s R&R FoR tHe KIDS, please contact one of our board members directly.
Shad’s Board of Directors: • Bill Hay • Brad Shaddick • Cameron Young • Luc Champagne • Mike Fazackerley • Ray Osika • Scott Stone • Shaun Keogh • Steve Gushie
Bill.Hay@dayco.com brad.shaddick@federalmogul.com cameron.young@ca.bosch.com luc.champagne@autosphere.ca mike.fazackerley@matthewscott.com rosika@gates.com sstone@mevotech.com skeogh@eastpenncanada.com steve.gushie@carquest.com This ad space generously donated by the media partners.
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SSGM Automotive Internet Directory Automotive Internet Directory Service Station and Garage Management
.com
Visitthese thesecompanies companiesdirectly directly their web addresses or check growing of Links Hot Links at www.ssgm.com. Visit at at their web addresses or check out out the the growing list oflist Hot at www.autoserviceworld.com. To find out how your organization can be included in this directory and on the web, contact marc@ssgm.com. To find out how your organization can be included in this directory and on the web, contact aross@jobbernews.com
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS Allan’s Automotive Electronics Ltd.
www.allansautomotive.com Phone: 780-469-8060 Your Automotive Test Equipment Repair Specialist Tool Sales and Service. We provide service and warranty for most makes of automotive test equipment.
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & ACCESSORIES Aisin World Corp. of America, Inc. (AWA), a leading Tier One automotive components supplier and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aftermarket parts. AISIN’s original equipment technology and know-how is used to ensure product quality and reliability. To learn more about our products, request a catalogue today. www.aisinaftermarket.com
AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS Carcone’s Auto Recycling and Wheel Refinishing www.carcone.com With over 32 years of experience Carcone’s Auto Recycling & Wheel Refinishing is your one stop for quality recycled products and wheel refinishing needs. Call today at 1-800-263-2022 or visit us on line at www.carcone.com Standard Auto Wreckers View Our Online Inventory @ www. standardautowreckers.com or call 416-286-8686. Experienced Shipping Department to Ensure Parts Arrive Safely.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Goodyear Engineered Products www.goodyearep.com/aftermarket Research and testing. Just two of the reasons Goodyear automotive replacement products deliver the ultimate in performance and value.
The Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd www.aaec.ca AAEC - BEST - Business Evaluation Support & Training - Instructing and Coaching with the Proven Business Management Tools that drives a shop’s Bottom Line, Team Culture and Marketplace Credibility.
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
Vehicle Integrity Manager www.vehicleim.com/ More than just a replacement for your inspection sheet. Electronic Inspections are just the beginning!
S.B International Inc. www.sbintl.com “We keep engines humming”
ADVERTISERS INDEX
ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
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.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT AIR LIQUIDE CANADA INC. www.airliquide.ca Your one-stop shop for all your industrial gases and welding supplies. Auto Test Tools.ca
Your one stop for specialized diagnostic tools and accessories. Contact; www.auto-know.com, ronbrown@on. aibn.com, 1-800-665-8773
WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTORS & BUYING GROUPS Bestbuy Distributors Limited www.bestbuydistributors.ca Independent buying group and warehouse distributor that allocates its profits to member shareholders and provides unbeatable value for independent jobbers. The E.R.I. Group www.theerigroup.com Canada’s Premier Machine Shop Buying Group
Marketplace
Company Page # Advics North America (www.advics-na.com).....................................................................................IBC Agna Brakes (www.agnabrakes.com) IFC Advertiser Page................................................................................................ # Website Advertiser Page # Website Aisin Industries (www.aisinusa.com) ................................................................................................... 31 Akebono Brake Corporation (www.akebonobrakes.com) ....................................................................11 AIA Canada .......................................27. ............................www.becarcareaware.com Identifix........................................20,21. .............................. www.ssgm.identifix.com Arkema Industries (www.arkema-inc.com) .......................................................................................... 30 Arnott Industries (www.arnottindustries.com) ...................................................................................... 37 BestBuy Distributors.........................31.......................www.bestbuydistributors.com Liqui Moly USA..................................33.........................................www.liqui-moly.us Bestbuy Distributors Limited (www.bestbuydistributors.ca) ................................................................... 9 Blue Chem Canada...........................23. ....................... www.bluechem-canada.com Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc................5....................................www.mbwholesale.ca Chevron Global Lubricants (www.chevronlubricants.com) ............................................................. OBC Federal-Mogul Corp./Fel-Pro Gaskets (www.federalmogul.com, www.felpro-only.com) .................... 29 BMW Group Canada.........................39......................................www.pass.bmw.com Midas International..........................19..............................www.midasfranchise.com Reach Key Aftermarket Players. Federal-Mogul Corp./Wagner Brake (www.federalmogul.com, www.WagnerBrake.com) ................. 21 BPI/Raybestos. ....................................9. ................................www.element3eht.com Mitchell 1..........................................14. ......................................www.mitchell1.com Inroble International (www.inroble.com) ............................................................................................... 25 Across Canada. Every month. PIAA Corporation (www.piaa.com) ...................................................................................................... 22 BPI/Raybestos. . .................................36. . ..................................... www.wixfilters.com Promax. . ............................................30. . .............................. From less thanwww.autopartsdepot.ca $150 a month. Proforce Automotive (www.proforceautomotive.com) .......................................................................... 15 For more info, www.protractor.com contact the Promax Auto Parts Depot (www.autopartsdepot.ca) ............................................................................. 5 Ford Motor Company. .......................15. .................................................. www.ford.ca Protractor Software..........................10. ..................................... Schaeffler Group USA Inc. (www.Schaeffler-Aftermarket.us)................................................................ 7 publisher at Gabriel Ride Control..........................17...........................................www.Gabriel.com Shell Canada.......................................7.....................................www.shell.ca/vpower Shrader Canada Limited (www.shradercanada.com) ......................................................................... 24 aross@jobbernews.com or Tenneco, Shocks & Struts (www.monroe.com) ........................................................................ 8 GeneralMonroe Motors.................................40. .................... www.TechConnectCanada.com VL Com..............................................11. ............................................www.vlcom.com call toll free from Canada Transbec Inc. (www.transbec.ca) ......................................................................................................... 23 ...........................................25. WORLDPAC..........................................2. .............................www.worldpac.ca/ready6 TubHavoline. O’Towels (www.tubotowels.com).......................................www.Havoline.com ................................................................................................... 10 1-800-268-7742 ext. 6763, or from Veyance Technologies (Goodyear Engineered Products, www.goodyearep.com)............................. 13 the U.S. 1-800-387-0273 W-D 40 Company (www.wd40.com) .................................................................................................... 14 ext. 6763. XRF Chassis (www.xrfchassis.com) .................................................................................................... 27 38 SSGM May 2014 www.ssgm.com
this is April’s index
JOBBER NEWS / MAY 2014
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Buy. Sell. Employ. Search.
Jobber News Marketplace Classifieds
29
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