Stock up on Fuel, Automotive Lubricants

Being in the automotive business means understanding your products well, including the parts and components that keep them together. You want the confidence that comes when you are selling top goods because they come from top brands, but you also want to know you have great products that maintain them. As an automotive dealer, supplies retailer, or oil change shop, how well do you know your lubricants?

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Providing Filters for Synthetic Oils

Motor shops and even car manufacturers everywhere are aware of car owners’ growing preference to synthetic oils. Some manufacturers even went as far as specifying the use of synthetic oils, and dealers can expect that more car owners are going to make the shift in the near future.

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Tips to Save on Automotive Dealer Supplies

Auto dealerships don’t just make their money on every car that rolls out of the showroom. They also net a considerable amount on the products they sell, which range from lubricants to various accessories. While it is a booming business, many are still after bigger savings without sacrificing quality:

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It’s The Little Things: 3 Essential Auto Supplies

A car is made up of a lot of complex moving parts which, if left unattended, could lead to costly problems down the line. To keep them in good working condition, you're going to need to pay a visit to an automotive supply dealer regularly for a few essentials. Here are some examples of things you’ll want to pick up.
 

• Degreasers. Keeping your engine clean ensures good performance. One of the essential items for   cleaning an engine is a degreaser; it helps remove the grease and grime that accumulates over time in the engine bay.

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The Basics of Cleaning Your Engine

The engine is the heart of your car. Just like your heart though, it goes through a lot of hidden wear-and-tear that you wouldn't notice outright. Fortunately, unlike your heart, you can take it out and clean it up so that it functions like brand new. If you're planning to clean your car engine, here's a basic primer.

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Why Switch to Synthetic Motor Oil?

You may have heard of the many wonders synthetic motor oil can do to a car’s engine, but is switching to this type of oil truly the best choice for your car? Before considering a shift, know exactly what synthetic oil is and how it can aid your car.

Synthetic Oil in a Nutshell

An engine lubricant artificially created and manufactured from chemical compounds, some synthetic oil may use conventional oil as a base material, while some might be created from other raw materials, then chemically altered to produce synthetic oil. Its primary aim is to reduce engine wear during cold start-up and drive-away, and can greatly help in reducing gradual oil degradation.

What Synthetic Oil Can Do

Since synthetic oil is generally thinner than most conventional oils, it can resist extreme temperatures better, thus lasting longer. Though synthetic oil wouldn’t make much difference in a car’s performance, car owners will definitely notice that these characteristics of synthetic oil make for less frequent oil changes, saving you a lot on oil costs.

When You Can Switch to Synthetic

Switching to synthetic oil is recommended for owners who find themselves constantly having to change their oils more than the recommended 3,000 to 5,000-mile requirement. If you’re planning to switch to synthetic oil, you can go by as much as 7,500 miles, or even 15,000 miles, before needing a change. Mechanics, however, would recommend changing your oil every 5,000 miles if you’re using synthetic oil.

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Gear Up: Tips on Buying Automotive Supplies

Your car is made up of a lot of parts; even if only one part malfunctions, you’ll already have problems. For example, a faulty battery can make it difficult for you to start up your car. Here some tips on how to ensure you’re buying high-quality auto supplies:

• Warranties. A warranty is very important. It may not seem much when it comes to small parts like tubing or clamps, but this can be important when the component is a more important one like a fuel pump or something similar. Ask your dealer what warranty they provide for the particular part you’re buying to make sure that you can have it replaced if it becomes faulty.

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Using the Right Tools and Supplies for Carburetor Cleaning

The carburetor is one of the most important parts of cars that don’t make use of fuel injectors. It is responsible for mixing air and fuel for internal combustion in the engine. Although newer cars have fuel injectors to replace carburetors, classic cars still make use of them. If you’re a classic car owner, it is a must to properly maintain and clean the carburetor to make sure that the car runs at its best using only the right tools and supplies.

1.    Supplies

The first thing you need is a carburetor cleaner which you can get from automotive supply dealers. A carburetor cleaner can remove the clog which causes problems like backfiring, low acceleration power and air locks. Regular cleaning is a must to ensure that the carburetor can regulate the engine combustion properly.

2.    Tools

As for the tools, you won’t need anything you can’t already find in your toolbox. You only need a crosshead or flathead screwdriver, a pair of long nose pliers, a flexible hose and a can of compressed air. Using these tools, you can disassemble the carburetor to allow for in-depth cleaning. Remember to always disconnect it first from the fuel line.

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the carburetor, you can reassemble it again and put it back in the car. Make doubly sure that it is correctly reattached for better function and prolonged life of your car’s engine.

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What Auto Repair Shop Owners Need

Today’s cars are designed to last for at least 250,000 miles. However, an increasing number of Americans are holding on to their vehicles for a lot longer than that, even if it means more frequent repairs. If you own an auto repair shop, this can be good news. Here are some tips on how you can take advantage of the changing behavior of many vehicle owners.

First, you have to make sure that your shop has a well-defined list of products and services. This is where every other consideration—from the types of mechanics to hire to the particular permits to obtain—is based. Also, you have to consider conducting a survey on the most common types of vehicles found in your location to know exactly the types of services to offer.

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Common Causes of Overheating

It’s a major hassle when a car overheats. You don’t get where you need to go, you get pissed, and you’re likely to spend some extra bucks on untimely repairs. Here are some of the major culprits of this unfortunate circumstance:

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Zero In on the Right Fuel Tank

Fuel has long been recognized as a precious resource, and many vehicle-heavy businesses or organizations know how crippling a shortage can be. At the same time, these businesses emphasize the importance of being able to stash copious amounts as the situation dictates. This calls for buying fuel tanks from sellers of automotive dealer supplies, but how do you pick the tank with the most appropriate volume capacity?

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All You Need to Know About Engine Degreasers

It can be argued that engine degreasers are among the most important automotive dealer supplies that car shops and repair centers should have. After all, a great deal of the basic job that customers demand when they drive in for tune-ups or repairs is cleaning out grease and grime from their car engine. It’s the only way to improve engine efficiency and to prevent unexpected oil leaks from happening. While others still swear to using soda and kerosene for the task, these homegrown solutions are simply outclassed by specialized cleaning solutions.

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Three Refrigerants that Auto Dealers Should Have

Automotive air conditioning systems may come in different types that use different mechanisms, but all of them share the same basic need: refrigerants. These chemicals are used to transfer air from and to the atmosphere in order to provide cool air inside the room or vehicle. As such, they are one of the most essential items that auto dealers should have in stock, and refrigerants come in various types that suit vehicles of different ages.

R-12, also known as dichlorodifluoromethane, was the main automobile refrigerant used up until the early 90s. Its popularity waned after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that R-12 can seriously damage the ozone layer. Since then, the EPA has required auto makers to phase-out R-12 in favor of a better type of refrigerant called R-134A, though vintage cars still use the former.

On the other hand, vehicles that weren’t retrofitted to use R-134A used R-22, or chlorodifluoromethane, as an alternative. R-22 is one of the rarer types of auto refrigerants because its production was halted in 2003.

R-134A or tetrafluoroethane is currently used by nearly all vehicles produced after the EPA’s mandate to employ more environment-friendly refrigerants. While it retains the same cooling capabilities of R-12 and R-22, R-134A has very little effect on the ozone layer, making it popular worldwide. That said, some European countries are in the process of finding an even better alternative to R-134A, in light of more stringent sustainable policies made in 2011.

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No Battery Acid on My Garage

It can be fun working in a garage, whether it’s your own at home or a professional tuner shop. However, the presence of automotive fluids on the floor is all but unavoidable, and among those fluids, battery acid presents a serious danger to your skin. An automotive supplies dealer can provide special floor cleaners for you, which eliminate battery acid. The trick is how to apply them.

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Three Types of Coolants Your Shop Should Have

Along with fuel, water, motor oil, and battery power, each vehicle needs coolant to run properly. Just as there is a variety of gasoline formulas and motor oil mixtures in the market, so do coolants come in several variants that can be roughly classified according to the technology used to make them.

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Clearing up Misconceptions about Battery Acid

Automotive experts say distilled water is a good alternative to standard battery acid. As distilled water has most, if not all, of its impurities removed, it's safe to top up batteries with it. Some even suggest tap water, but this is ill-advised since not all areas have clean tap water. Despite many online sources recommending distilled water, the subject is still up for debate.

The distilled water trick works if the battery still has some acid left. Battery acid is diluted sulfuric acid, and the ratio of 65 percent water and 35 percent battery acid must be maintained for a battery to work. The right formulation prevents the cells from overheating as the water evaporates and likewise generates power for the vehicle.

In any case, this doesn't mean battery acid has no use anymore. Keep in mind that brand-new batteries are totally devoid of any fluid. It's important to add battery acid and distilled water for it to work. Remember to keep the acid at the proper amount as too much of it can ruin the cells. Experts recommend adding battery acid only once per empty battery.

Who buys an empty battery when the market sells batteries all tanked up? The sellers of these batteries, of course. Battery acid is more commonly marketed to auto suppliers and repair shops whose expertise enables safe and expert handling of this corrosive substance. As long as batteries lose their charge capacity, battery acid will be needed to fuel new batteries. 

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Setting Up an Oil Change Shop

The auto service industry is a heavily competitive field and there are service stations at many locations in any given community. However, if you are looking to enter the market with a few “baby steps,” you can start by opening a new oil change shop. Since you’re stepping into the unknown, acquiring a good stock of related automotive supplies from trusted dealers will send you on your way.

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Starting an Auto Repair Business?

If you have always loved fiddling with car parts and functions, and you have at least basic training or experience as a mechanic, then starting your very own car repair business just might be the right track for you! Before you find the perfect place and start setting up shop though, there are a few things you should do to get in gear.

Space

Think of which types of vehicles you’ll want to service and choose a space that can efficiently accommodate them. It should have adequate entrance space, and tall enough for you to hydraulically lift the vehicles without fear of hitting the ceiling. Your floor should also be sturdy enough to bear the weight of the cars.

Natural Light

Make sure that there is an adequate source of natural light coming in through your shop. This is great help for mechanics looking for signs of fluid leaks in cylinder blocks. A good natural lighting source could also help you save on energy use.

Supplies

Next, think about your car supplies dealer. You will need a constant supply of chemical cleaners, anti-freeze coolant, battery acid, engine degreaser, motor oil and additives, and other essentials of your new business. Opt for one that’s close enough to where you want to set up shop so that emergency supplies can come in as quickly as possible.

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Facts for Racers: On Using Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil is a lubricant made of manufactured or modified products like chemically modified petroleum instead of crude oil. In almost all industries that involve transportation, there is widespread debate regarding the use of synthetic oil versus the conventional lubricants. Nevertheless, whether you’re using the lubricant for a racing ride or for an aircraft, many experts suggest that the real key is in how you actually use it.

Viscosity

The most basic term you should know about lubricating vehicles is viscosity, which stands for the oil’s thickness or semi-fluid state. Too much viscosity, and your car’s pipes may clog; too little and you run the risk of rod bearing failure. Make sure that the viscosity index of the oil you’re using is compatible with your engine’s

Oil Change

Sure, synthetic oil typically lasts a lot longer than the conventional variety, but unfortunately, many people take this to mean prolonging their oil even when it’s already clearly dirty. As a matter of fact, the filth and gunk that accumulate, thanks to your lubricant, just might hinder your engine’s longevity. It’s still important to have your oil changed whenever it gets dirty.

No Experimental Additives

Don’t rely on any shady ‘miracle formula’ that passes for oil additives unless you’re absolutely sure that they work. This is because base oil formulas and the additives in them are already set precisely to work efficiently together; adding an entirely new compound might, in fact, actually disrupt that efficiency.

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Driven: Car Dealerships and Automotive Care

Automotive dealerships are like regular retail stores in some ways; the cars being sold in dealerships have to be well-maintained in the same way stores have to manage their stocks closely. However, while stocks in a store can be easily rotated and replenished, car dealerships can’t simply replace their units. Customers want to buy cars that work, so dealers need to keep their automobiles in working condition.

Some motorists believe auto maintenance begins the moment they purchase a car, yet it actually starts even earlier—as soon as the vehicle rolls off the production line. Once automobile dealerships get a hold of a new batch of cars, it’s up to the auto retailers to supply the vehicles with essentials such as liquid coolant, brake fluid, motor oil, and so on. Additionally, dealers will need to keep their units presentable for purchase, so they’ll need a wealth of window cleaning solutions, body wax, rust cleaners, and other car care products.

Unlike motorists, who purchase their auto maintenance supplies from specialty stores, dealerships acquire their products from specialty suppliers. Since dealers handle numerous automobiles on a daily basis, they’ll need stocks upon stocks of car supplies, and only through bulk suppliers can dealers acquire these important products wholesale. Dealerships typically have one or two suppliers at hand to immediately fix them up with much-needed supplies upon request.

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