Welcome to the OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com newsletter.
This newsletter is provided to share information about our users, their shops, automotive industry news, things going on at Mitchell 1 as well as tips for using the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, or ideas for what you'd like to see in it, please .
Motor Age -- Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) have been in common use for several years now, yet when I asked the technical support specialists of several aftermarket companies what the most common request for help is, they told me two things. First, many of you are having problems updating or using their tools, and two, basic reset and relearn procedures are giving you fits. Because it is one of the major aims of Motor Age to make life in the shop easier on you, let's see what I can do to take care of at least the second problem in this month's feature.
Why TPMS?
Every tech who has held a wrench for even a little while knows that nearly every car that enters his or her shop has at least one tire that is underinflated. But did you realize that nearly 250,000 accidents and close to 800 fatalities every year can be attributed to underinflation? Underinflated tires run hotter than ones that are properly inflated and can lead to structural failure of the tire itself. They can lose their seating to the rim, which also can result in a catastrophic loss of air. Either scenario could result in loss of vehicle control.
Trends! With gas prices continuing to creep towards the stratosphere ingenious early adopters may present alternatives that have yet to gain traction within the automobile industry.
Retrofitting LPG/CNG fuel systems may be nothing new in England but the practice here is still considered new.
The use of natural gas as a fuel source is typically only seen in fleet situations by corporations with a keen eye towards managing costs and the ability to dictate space for fueling stations. Without an infrastructure to provide this much cheaper fuel, it was impractical for the typical US consumer, whose auto purchase serves as both commuter and long distance hauler, to choose natural gas vehicles. As gasoline becomes more expensive conversations about Natural Gas Consumer Vehicles is increasing.
Home natural gas refuelers (ex. www.impcoautomotive.com) are entering the scene. With these providers access to the fuel as well as the convenience of fueling is allowing "retrofitters" a business opportunity and savvy consumers choices beyond veggie diesel conversions and high fuel costs for their daily commutermobile.
When considering the business of retrofitting there are some things to note, regulations dictating standards to insure safety. We have included an excerpt from the U.S. Department of Energy website to help with some of the background information.
Conversions
Conventional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicles altered to operate on propane, natural gas, methane gas, ethanol, or electricity are classified as aftermarket alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) conversions. In the United States, all vehicle conversions (except pure battery electric vehicles) must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. EPA instituted these standards to assure unimpaired emission control of motor vehicles throughout their useful life. Vehicles operating in California must follow conversion rules issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
In addition, vehicle conversions that require the addition of heavy battery systems or additional fuel tanks that may alter a vehicle's center of gravity, payload capacity, or handling characteristics may also need to be safety crash tested and certified to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and/or other National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations.
Vehicle Converters
The EPA refers to a vehicle converter as a "small volume manufacturer." The vehicle converter holds the Certificate of Conformity. An individual or entity wishing to convert a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel must go through a company or organization associated with a certificate holder, and the work must be performed by a licensed technician associated with that company.
It is the responsibility of the certificate holder to ensure the equipment is properly installed and that it is safe, durable, and meets the emission standards of the original model year of the vehicle.
If a Certificate of Conformity has not been issued for your vehicle, a certificate holder may consider applying for a Certificate of Conformity for that vehicle. The certificate holder may also provide an estimate on how much it would cost to convert your vehicle. See the Federal and State Laws and Incentives section to find incentives and other programs that could help offset conversion costs. Select Conversion Companies in the related links search to find companies that perform conversions.
Diagnosing Engine Noises
Motor Age -- If only diagnosing a noise from the engine area was as simple as quickly listening to the vehicle and then ordering a new part. Unfortunately, there's often more to it than that.
Anyone who has ever replaced an air pump -- or any other accessory -- on a vehicle, hoping to eliminate a noise only to discover that the noise is still there when the new part is installed knows that engine noises can be a real challenge to pinpoint and fix.
The reality is that not only do you have to be sure that a noise is even coming from the engine, and not from an accessory or pulley, but you also have to be sure that whatever you do to the vehicle actually will make the noise go away, and that your customers will be happy and trust your judgement. And you need to be able to do that quickly. Yikes.
Before installing or upgrading to Internet Explorer 9, please read our page of information detailing what to do and issues that may occur with this update.
Family run and operated, TLC Auto & Truck opened in 1991. We hire the most honest and ethical people who are always courteous and kind to every person that calls or walks in our door. Training never stops. All of our staff is trained on the newest technology and diagnostic tools. Our staff works very closely with fleet managers, business owners and residential customers to make a personalized preventative maintenance schedule for their vehicles.
TLC is a 9 bay shop including 3 deep truck and trailer bays to accommodate all types of vehicles up to heavy duty trucks and trailers. We have 9 full time employees, which allows our customers to have their car back to them as soon as we possibly can. Every customer is a priority. We provide services that customers previously had to go to the dealer for. Every car, including fleet vehicles, is washed and delivered to the customer's house or work place if needed.
Additional amenities:
Car and truck delivery
All domestic, European and Asian vehicles, including trucks and trailers
24 month/ 24,000 mile warranty
New York State Heavy Duty Inspections
Our shop is approved for DOT inspections in house
We work with all fleet management and extended warranty companies
Mobil Quick Lube
WiFi for our customers in waiting room
Rental Car availability
TLC Auto & Truck Enterprises
230 Route 109
Farmingdale, NY 11735
P: 631-753-2211
F: 631-414-7477 www.tlcautotruck.com
How To Get Featured In The Newsletter
Would you or one of your techs like to be profiled in the newsletter? How about your shop? We're looking for techs and/or shops to feature in this spot. This is an opportunity to let other techs know about you and your shop. You can share information on what your specialties are, what special conditions you have to deal with in your area, anything interesting about your shop or even what you like to do in your free time.
We will also list your shop's information such as location, phone number, web site, or any other information you'd like to provide.
Send your story and photos for consideration to . Please also include your account number.
Did you know...
You can print a portion of text from a repair or TSB article instead of an entire section. Select the text you want to print and then hit "Ctrl" and "P" on your keyboard. This will bring up the print dialog. Under Page Range pick "Selection" and then click the Print button. If there are graphics in the section of text, you will need to print them separately.
Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.
Mitchell 1 is running a tip contest for a limited time in OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com. Below are the latest winners of the contest. Each of these tips earned the tech a $100 prize. Click the links below to see the complete tips and for more information on how you can enter.
Mitchell 1 and Motor Age Team up on Monthly Tech Tip Contest
FEBRUARY 2012 IS THE LAST MONTH TO GET YOUR ENTRIES IN
NOTE: The following contest is in addition to the contest listed above. Winning tips from the regular contest will automatically be submitted to the Motor Age contest.
"Necessity is the mother of invention," and techs can be real mothers when it comes to inventing ways to make life in the shop easier. Motor Age now gives you the opportunity to share those ideas with your fellow techs with a chance for monthly prizes on its Motor Age Tech Tips page.
Motor Age and Mitchell 1 have teamed up in this monthly contest for our readers. Just fill out this form with your best tech tip. Each month, Motor Age editors will select the best tip and feature it and you in the magazine and online. Not only that, but Mitchell 1 has great prizes for each monthly winner. Readers will choose the grand prize winner at the end of the contest year.
In the shop, it's all about helping your fellow techs earn their livings a little easier, a mission we share with you. Submit your tips today and help out your fellow techs all across the country!
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (c)
Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By accessing and using Mitchell Repair's web sites, each user agrees that they have read and agreed to be bound by the Legal Notices governing Mitchell Repair Online. Our Privacy Policy. The Mitchell 1 name is used herein by permission from Mitchell International, which has no ownership interest in Mitchell 1.
Would you or one of your techs like to be profiled in the newsletter? How about your shop? We're looking for techs and/or shops to feature in this spot. This is an opportunity to let other techs know about you and your shop. You can share information on what your specialties are, what special conditions you have to deal with in your area, anything interesting about your shop or even what you like to do in your free time.
