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.

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Improving Fuel Efficiency by Using High Performance Baldwin Filters

Installing cold air systems usually does not void carmaker warranties, so consumers will have less apprehensions about changing the ductwork and filters in their new cars. However, for a cold air system to be fully effective, only quality air filters, such as high-performance Baldwin filters, should be used. These products make use of the latest in technology to allow air to move faster in the car’s system.

Also, car services should warn their customers about the noise that a cold air system generates, as described on the excerpted part of the article. The noise typically prompts drivers to ‘step on the gas’, thus increasing fuel consumption instead of the other way around. If drivers can learn to attune their driving habits to cold air system characteristics, they can optimize the fuel efficiency of their cars.

http://www.apacheoilcompany.com/improving-fuel-efficiency-by-using-high-performance-baldwin-filters/

Read More

Cut Fuel Surcharges, Let Fuel Come to the Trucks

Some services make customers pay for the amount of fuel that would be used to complete the service such as airlines. This is known as “fuel surcharge,” possibly one of few instances where the cost of fuel is passed onto the customers. Unfortunately, as far as customer satisfaction is concerned, this is among the least understood aspects of pricing goods and services.

Suppose you like to buy cheese from Wisconsin, but you live in neighboring Minnesota. Trucks or delivery vehicles have to make the long trip across the border to deliver the cheese to your doorstep, if not to your local grocery store. This is likely the reason for Wisconsin cheese being more affordable in Wisconsin than in the rest of the country. You’re paying for the logistics.

It’s unclear how much fuel surcharges affect food prices, but this is basically how fuel surcharges work. Many people don’t like the idea, but businesses run on black gold. If the average cost per mile is pegged at $1.00 for truckers, at least 35 cents go to making sure the truck is all tanked up.

Onsite fuel services reduce fuel surcharges by bringing the fuel to the fleet instead of the other way around. Trucks and logistics vehicles can leave the premises with a full tank instead of traveling to the nearest gas station to do so. If the truck has some gas left, onsite refueling will fill the remainder without the truck going anywhere.

Read More

Getting to Know Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid

Friction, whether between two people or two car parts, is never a good thing. The former issue may take a number of “interventions” to be resolved, but the latter only needs a fair amount of automotive lubricant. As a car owner, you ought to know that automotive lubricants come in various types and formulations, each for a specific purpose or car part. Here are two of the most common automotive lubricants that every driver must be familiar with:

Motor Oil

Motor oil is the one protecting your engine’s moving parts from overheating and deteriorating prematurely. Car experts recommend that motor oil be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first) to ensure optimum vehicle performance. Motor oil loses its integrity and becomes inefficient in lubricating the engine over time, so regular replacement is a must. Take note that changing your motor oil may need to be done by authorized service centers because there are rules to be followed when it comes to the proper disposal of used motor oil.

Transmission Fluid

Like your car’s engine, the transmission also has a fluid lubricant specially made for it. Transmission fluid makes sure that all moving parts in the transmission glides smoothly, stays cool, and remains free from corrosion. You can easily distinguish it from motor oil because transmission fluid is usually either red or green while motor oil is amber or dark brown.

Read More