Automotive TNT

For many people, the New Year continues to present financial challenges and you may need to hold onto your older car another year. Don’t overlook the responsibilities as a vehicle owner that will keep you safely on the road, including auto electrical repair. Accurate diagnosis is one of the most difficult challenges to be found when working on today’s automobiles. Considering the large number of systems that use electricity in order to operate, being able to quickly diagnose problems with starters and alternators to perform the correct auto electrical repair can be a real asset.

Consider these three resolutions for the New Year:
>Resolution No. 1 — Keep up with fluid and filter changes. Checking on your vehicle’s fluids and filters are important to the longevity of your car and interior comfort. Circle a day on your calendar each month to check all of your fluids and make sure they are at the correct levels. Remember to schedule an oil change, or any other fluid change as recommended by your vehicle’s manual. Don’t hesitate to ask your professional auto mechanic for the appropriate interval for fluid and filter changes.
>Resolution No. 2 — Schedule two vehicle checkups during the year. You will need the help of a professional to perform an auto electrical service to pinpoint any problems that may be happening with your electrical system. A well-trained mechanic can spot potential problems before they happen, especially with alternators. Preventative maintenance is cheap insurance for a reliable vehicle.
>Resolution No. 3 — Take care of small problems early. Unfortunately, cars can’t fix themselves. Putting off minor maintenance or easy repair work can result in larger problems and costly repair bills overall. Don’t procrastinate; repair what’s wrong; have the appropriate services at the correct intervals, and your car will last a lot longer.

Do you have questions about starters and alternators? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price’s Precision auto repair shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about auto electrical repair. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

It used to be that automotive companies took ownership for all aspects of the finished vehicles. Scores of engineers worked on the improvements and innovation that put American automotive companies at the top of the industry for decades. In todays market, however, automotive companies have evolved into professional assemblers. Automotive companies have passed the burden of design, performance, longevity, aesthetics, warranty, and most importantly, cost reductions, to their suppliers, and the suppliers in turn have passed much of this burden to their suppliers. The resulting shakeout has created some interesting dynamics for engineers, as they are weighed down with having to engineer sub-assembled products (such as specialty o-rings) which may or may not be in their specialty. Rubber and plastics often come into play in these circumstances, as both rubber and plastics are somewhat unique in the broad field of industrial engineering.
The first consideration for engineers in this predicament is to qualify the physical demands of the application, for instance of automobile or aircraft o rings in a given program.

Automotive engineering is generally more complex than most industrial engineering, as there are so many physical, environmental, and longevity considerations, as well as numerous constraints. If the sub-assembled unit goes under the hood, for example, vibration, heat, cold, exposure to hydrocarbon oils or fuel must be considered. Since auto o rings as well as other rubber and plastics are normally used to control the flow of fluids or gasses, they must be engineered to seal out any foreign media. ASTM standards for tensile strength, elongation, heat aging, compression set, and media exposure have to be kept in line with performance requirements. There are several established specifications for rubber and plastic materials, depending on the OEM, and most will establish the specification and provide a drawing only. The required dimensions and associated tolerances of specialty rubber o-rings, for example, will also have an impact on material choice, as the processing method and tooling considerations can vary widely based on the material. It is then up to the project engineer for the sub- assembler to choose and qualify a material to meet this criterion.

The next step is to narrow down the material choices based on the physical demands of the application. Qualifying the physical requirements of the application will normally limit the field of materials. If the application demands high temperature resistance as well as resistance to hydrocarbon oils, for example, the only realistic choices are FKM or FS rubber. If the application demands high temperature resistance without hydrocarbon resistance, then silicone rubber will normally be suitable. If the temperature does not exceed 240F or so, then NBR or HNBR may be used, and thermoplastic materials may come into play. Once material choices have been filtered down and qualified against required specifications, the picture becomes much more finite. For additional information on automotive and mechanical engineering topics, please visit www.real-seal.com to learn more.

Numbers dont lie: Honda is the worlds largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14-million internal combustion engines each year. That means many of the cars on the road contain Honda engines. In addition, two years ago Honda became the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the United States, and the sixth largest in the world. With such impressive facts, it is a wise idea for those interested in the automotive world to become technicians with Honda.

Adding to that is the fact that opportunities at dealerships such as Honda are increasing, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting job growth in Automotive Service Technology to grow by 14 per cent from 2006 through 2016. The professionals employed by these dealerships have a variety of tasks, including: diagnosing problems using Honda diagnostic equipment; performing repairs and preventive maintenance on engines, transmissions, electrical systems, brakes and tires. Honda technicians also conduct vehicle inspections. But in order to enter the field, proper training must be acquired. Thats where Centennial College comes in. It offers an Automotive Service Technician Honda Apprenticeship, which consists of thorough but efficient training.

In order to apply for this Honda technician training program, you must already have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a GED or equivalent. In addition, you must also be employed by a Honda dealership or be selected through an interview process. You may apply directly to Centennial College, and if successful obtain, an employer and register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The application for the Honda technician training can be completed online. It should be noted that acceptance is based on successful completion of all entry requirements and space is limited.

Centennial Colleges one-year Honda Apprenticeship focuses on Hondas engines, parts and latest technologies. That training, which also includes Acura specialization, is more in-depth with longer in-school sessions than traditional apprenticeships. In total, you spend a solid 32 weeks in school and 32 weeks in the field, for a total of 64 weeks. During this time, you alternate between Centennial and your employer every eight weeks.

Within the school sessions, there is a major emphasis on electronics and the diagnosing of computerized control systems, with the opportunity to learn other aspects of vehicle technology. Ontarios largest automotive training facility, Ashtonbee Campus, is home to the Automotive Service Technician Honda program. As such, you learn to work on systems such as electrical, body electrical, engine, transmission, steering, front-end, and all other aspects that would allow a Honda vehicle to be serviced. Please note that students in the Centennial College Automotive Service Technician Honda program may be eligible for Employment Insurance during the in-class training.

However, the real practical experience occurs during the programs apprenticeship feature. During this time you are employed by a Honda dealership and are actually compensated for you work.

It’s the first thing you see and often the subconscious driving force in choosing an automobile – manufacturers learned long ago that we buy with our eyes. They say don’t judge a book by its cover but the quality and colour of a car’s finish go a long way in determining a vehicle’s appeal. Painting a car combines mechanical procedures with artistic talent and can be one of the most time-consuming and expensive automobile projects. Three quarters of the cost of building a car plant is put into the painting system. A paint job is really a multi-step process leading up to the final polish and takes a lot of patience and perfectionism.

Automotive painting can be done at home but with the time and expense involved, most will turn to a professional. Automotive refinishing technicians are specially trained for all types of paint jobs, whether it’s a custom design, restoration work or due to a collision. Today’s paint systems are better than ever – no longer containing volatile pollutants or lacquer. Refinishing requires calculating how much paint is needed, mixing paint to match existing colours exactly, and blending paint to the correct thickness. A meticulous eye is needed for colour matching and fine-finishing details.

Automotive painting requires a workspace with excellent ventilation and lighting, minimal dust, electrical access and sufficient space to move around the vehicle. If you’re thinking of doing it in your garage, better put down a sheet of plastic and make sure there aren’t furnaces or water heaters that could cause ignition of paint fumes. The first step is removing rust and repairing dents so there is a solid foundation, which may mean replacing entire panels. After body filler is applied, sand down to the bare metal if possible and clean all surfaces thoroughly to ensure no oils are left on the car. Snap-off removable chrome or plastic moldings and cover with masking tape and paper the surfaces not to be painted.

The automotive painting itself starts by priming the surface with a corrosion resistant primer until it is smooth and giving enough time for the primer to cure. Sand delicately and clean the primed surface before spraying the finish paint, thinned correctly and applied by cleaned high volume, low pressure (HVLP) spray guns. Prep and safety are vital to the final process – complete paint suits, goggles and respirators are highly recommended. The paint may take up to a week to fully cure before the final sanding process can begin. Finally, a rubbing compound is used to polish the paint and bring out a glossy finish. Be cautious with buffing machines and consider spending the extra time to polish by hand.

It is a waste of time and effort and, therefore, of resources, to hop from one auto repair shop to another for various auto repair services. It is also very stressful to have to deal with many different management styles and automotive mechanics. It would be best for you to find a full service auto repair shop in Bradenton 34207 that can provide all general automotive repairs you will need. This will also mean less costs because you will be able to ask for full package discounts. But what exactly are all general automotive repairs that a full service auto repair shop in Bradenton 34207 should provide for you?

First of all, a full service auto repair shop in Bradenton 34207 should handle all general automotive repairs for all the different models of the most well known vehicle brands such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, Chrysler, Daewoo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volkswagen,Volvo, Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Hyundia, Mazda, and Suzuki. Because of this, it should provide no less than genuine automotive parts from the most respected sources such as AC Delco, Bosch, Remy, Motorcraft, Mopar, Goodyear, Dayco, Echlin, Standard, Cardone, Autolite, NGK, Akebono, Nipedenso, and Denso. Choosing such an auto repair shop will keep you protected from fake automotive parts sold by dishonest suppliers in Bradenton 34207. Such fake automotive parts can be very dangerous on the road and can cost the lives of many.

Whatever vehicle brand you have, you will eventually need all major and minor general car repairs. All general automotive repairs should start with complete and accurate diagnostic services including computer diagnostics and computer reprogramming. It should cover all basic preventive maintenance procedures like the transmission flush, checks and repairs of oil leaks, oil change service, auto air conditioning (A/C) repair and complex engine services such as engine rebuild or engine replacement.

Also covered by all general automotive repairs are electronic steering, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible tops, power sunroofs, power locks, air bag systems, alternators, hoses, timing belts, cooling systems, radiators, transmission services, tractions control systems, brakes, antilock brake systems (ABS), body systems, front suspension, rear suspension, air suspension, electrical troubleshooting for all types of electrical shorts and even the repair of vehicular anti theft systems including remote starters and key reprogramming.

To be able to do all general automotive repairs well, a full service auto repair shop should employ only the most highly skilled and experienced professional mechanics. Aside from being experts in their work, they should be able to explain their diagnosis and proposed repair work clearly to you in laymans terms. They should also tell you which procedures are part of preventive maintenance and which are for the resolution of existing vehicular problems.

A full service auto repair shop should give timely and completely detailed price estimates for all general automotive repairs and maintenance procedures it offers. This should be accompanied by a concrete work schedule with definite time frames, as well as well defined and solid warranties. If additional work needs to be done that has not been included in the job order, the auto repair shop should first get the approval of the vehicle owner before proceeding with it.

After a job has been completed, the full service auto repair shop should provide a complete invoice containing a detailed listing of services done, all parts replaced and their corresponding costs. The invoice should indicate if the parts replacements are brand new, remanufactured or used. The replaced parts should be labelled properly and returned to the vehicle owner.

Look for all these characteristics from the full service auto repair shop that offers you all general automotive repairs in Bradenton 34207.