Archive for June, 2008

The Benefits of Aftermarket Auto Lights - From Euro Tail Lights to Projector Headlights

The average driver isn’t aware that there are more stylish and advanced alternatives available to replace the OEM factory lights their vehicles came with. Thanks to the Aftermarket Accessory industry and products like euro tail lights and projector headlights we no longer have to put up with the dull “yellowish” headlights or generic “red & orange” tail lights we’re so used to. Aftermarket lighting will not only improve ones overall night driving experience but also offers a whole new look that can set a ride apart from all the rest. Most aftermarket lights are an easy install that can be done by almost anyone with a little mechanical knowledge and are manufactured to comply with current DOT/SAE standards making them a true “no hassle” upgrade.

Euro tail lights (also commonly referred to as clear tail lights, euro lights and altezza lights) are one of the most popular aftermarket lighting upgrades simply for their durability, ease of install and their ability to dramatically (and inexpensively) change the look of a vehicle. They are now available for most makes and models including; Acura Integra, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, Chevy Colorado/Canyon and Toyota 4Runner.

Projector Headlights (also referred to as Halo Headlights or Angel Eyes) are lights that “project” therefore they are brighter and can project a beam in front of the vehicle farther than the factory headlights ever could. Diamond-Cut headlights are also bright but they offer a little more in the style department being that the inside of the light is carved somewhat like a diamond thereby offering the ability for the light to shine off multiple surfaces. Couple these headlights with aftermarket euro or LED (Light Emitting Diode) tail lights and you’ll really light up the night sky!

And unlike many modifications, with most aftermarket lighting, there is no cutting, painting or drilling involved. You basically unscrew and “pop” out the factory light and screw the aftermarket one in place. Most lights will utilize the existing factory bulbs but since the lens on an aftermarket light is clear the bulbs will appear much brighter and therefore are more visible offering increased safety while driving at night.

Thanks to innovative companies like In.ProCarWear, APC and TYC we now have thousands of quality replacement lighting products for vehicles to choose from including; euro tail lights, LED tail lights, projector and diamond-cut headlights, HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting kits, fog lights, clear corner lenses, side marker lights, sealed beam headlights, front and rear bumper lights, over cab running lights, park lights, signal lights (the list goes on!) which are all designed for a safer, more stylish ride.

Melanie Nathan is the webmaster and co-owner of Coolights.com. Whether you’re looking for euro
tail lights, a set of LED
taillights, or some bright new headlights,
Coolights.com has what you need.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Water Purification Manual for Mobile Auto Detailing

Every mobile auto detailer must be concerned with the quality of their water to insure that they are able to work without causing water spots. It is also important to have a set of policies to insure clean water and an operations manual to back them up and prevent employees from spotting cars and expensive SUVs. An un maintained De-Ionized system can accumulate toxic acids which will eventually discharge if the units are not recharged properly or the testing unit fails.

Below is an outline, which you may wish to print out to help you in making your own water purification operations manual. Since you may have chosen a different system of water purification that we use in our company, you will wish to slightly modify the outline. Go ahead and print this article and then modify the outline to fit your water purification strategy and then write 2-3 paragraphs for each number and letter item. This will become your rough draft for your water purification operations manual. This should take you about 4-6 hours to do correctly and you will be glad you did.

WATER PURIFICATION

I. TYPES

A. Reverse Osmosis

B. De-Ionized Water

C. Water Softner

D. Sof-T-System

E. Magnetic Scramblers

F. Rain-Soft Filters

G. Etc.

II. DELIVERY

A. Home Delivery

B. Truck Mounted

III. OTHER FACTORS

A. Screen Filters

B. Tank Flushing

IV. WATER TYPES

A. Tap

B. Soft

C. Gray

D. Recycled - Reclaimed

E. Lake, Etc.

F. Filter Car Wash Water

V. MINERALS, HEAVY METALS

A. Water Spots

1. Calcium

2. Nitrogen

3. Iron Oxides

4. Etc.

B. Clear Coats

VI. COSTS OF PURIFICATION BY TYPE

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Auto Repair How Can They Screw Up an Oil Change

“It’s all about beating the clock.” This quote comes from a wise old service manager, advising me on how to maximize my income as a flat-rate technician. If you have ever wondered why your car doesn’t get fixed correctly, or all your concerns weren’t addressed, you can blame, in part, the flat-rate pay structure.

Flat-rate simply means that your mechanic is paid a flat fee for a particular repair, regardless of how long the repair actually takes. In other words, if your car needs a water pump, which pays two hours of labor, and the mechanic completes the job in one hour, he gets paid for two.

In theory, this can work to your advantage. If the job takes longer, you still only pay the “predetermined” labor amount. In THEORY, not reality!

The flat-rate pay structure is designed to drive productivity. It’s very effective. The flat-rate pay system encourages technicians to work hard and fast, but it does not promote quality.

In terms of getting your car fixed correctly, the flat-rate pay structure has disastrous effects. Flat-rate technicians are constantly looking for shortcuts to beat the clock in order to maximize the number of hours they bill. Experienced flat-rate technicians can bill anywhere from 16 to 50 hours in an 8 hour day.

It’s these shortcuts and the breakneck speed at which flat rate technicians work that result in some of the most idiotic mistakes. In the rapid-fire pace of a shop I’ve witnessed technicians start engines with no oil. I’ve seen transmissions dropped, smashing into little pieces onto the shop floor. And I’ve seen cars driven right through bay doorsall in the name of “beating the clock.”

Flat-rate technicians can get quite elaborate with shortcuts. My favorite was the implementation of an 8-foot-long 2-by-4, which was placed under the engine for support while a motor mount was removed. It made a job predetermined to take 1.5 hours achievable in twenty minutes. A win-win, right? The technician makes extra money; you get your car back faster. Actually, in many cases the placement of this 2-by-4 damaged the oil pan. Moreover, it caused the car, your car, to balance precariously 6 feet in the air, while the technician manipulated the car lift to access your engine mount. This tactic was abruptly discontinued when a technician’s 2-by-4 snapped causing the car to crash nose down onto the concrete floor.

Sometimes the shortcuts create very subtle disturbances, which create problems overtime. A quick example: a vehicle had its transmission serviced with a new filter, gasket, and fluid. During the procedure, the technician was able to save time by bending the transmission dipstick tube slightly, in order to get the transmission pan out faster. The vehicle was reassembled, and the technician re-bent the tube back into place and off it wentno worries.

Six months later, the vehicle returned with an intermittent misfire. The engine wasn’t running on all cylinders. After extensive diagnostics, it was discovered that the transmission dipstick tube had chaffed through the engine harness, intermittently grounding out an injector. Hmm, that’s strange. Don’t usually see that.

The high-speed environment and the subsequent shortcuts illustrate the devastating effects of the flat-rate, sales-driven pay structure on the quality of car repairs. No wonder even an oil change gets screwed up!

The poor quality of work encouraged by the flat rate pay structure is disconcerting enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop here. The negative effects of flat-rate get exponentially worse as it opens wide the door to rip you off!

-Theodore P. Olson (Ted)
http://www.repairtrust.com/

Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry.

Other Works by Ted Olson Include:

  • ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
  • Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
  • Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Who’s Ripping You Off and Why!
  • Automotive Service Pricing Strategiesa fair pricing guide for service centers
  • Being the Besta comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors
  • Service Center Personnelan auto repair informational for general service staff
  • Service Mission Statementa philosophical proposal to improve customer service

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Close
E-mail It