Import Car Magazine 2014 02

Driveability Diagnostics
February 2014
MAGAZINE
Front Brake Rattle
Clutch Pedal Issues
Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com
Nissan Driveability Diagnostics
37
18
26
CONTENTS
18
26
Publication
Volume 36, No. 2
37
Diagnostic Solutions:
Tech Update:
Nissan Driveability
Toe-ing The Mark
Brake Copper Issue
& Check Engine Light Issues
Import Specialist Contributor

Gary Goms advises that many
independent front suspensions
often require a custom alignment to compensate for variations in suspension height caused
by uneven loading.
New legislation is changing what

parts you can install to prevent
debris from reaching watersheds.
Brake & Front End Editor Andrew
Markel outlines regulations that
will phase in over the next decade
to reduce copper levels in brake
pads and shoes.
Import Specialist Contributor Bob

Dowie discusses some typical
driveability issues that will bring a
Nissan into your bay with a check
engine lamp diagnosis. Those
attention-seeking Nissans spell
service and repair opportunities
for your shop.
ImportCar Staff 330.670.1234

Publisher
Jim Merle, ext. 280
jmerle@babcox.com
Managing Editor
Chris Crowell, ext. 268
ccrowell@babcox.com
Graphic Designer
Kelly Gifford, ext. 249
kgifford@babcox.com
Circulation Manager
Pat Robinson, ext. 276
probinson@babcox.com
Editor
Mary DellaValle, ext. 221
mdellavalle@babcox.com
Technical Editor
Larry Carley
lcarley256@aol.com
Ad Services (Materials)
Cindy Ott, ext. 209
cott@babcox.com
Subscription Services
Maryellen Smith, ext. 288
msmith@babcox.com
February 2014 | Import-Car.com
DEPARTMENTS
Columns
Publication
6 Editors Notebook
Contributing Writers
8 News Update
Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY

Gary Goms, formerly of Midland Engine
Electronics & Diagnostics, Buena Vista, CO
14 Gonzos Toolbox
Bob Howlett, The Swedish Solution,

Orange Village, OH
30 Tech Feature: Drivetrain
Scott Gonzo Weaver, Superior Auto Electric,

Tulsa, OK
Diagnostics
34 TPMS Update
14
42 Import Tech Tips
Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY

Chris Klinger, Precision Incorporated,
Tucson, AZ
Steve Louden, Louden Motorcar Services,
Dallas, TX
45 Essentials (New Products)

47 RAPID RESPONSE
30
48 Classifieds
Frank Scandura, Franks European Service,

Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Joe Stephens, Stephens Automotive,
Palatine, IL
John Volz, Volz Bros., Grass Valley, CA
52 NASCAR Performance
Babcox Media, Inc.

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Akron, OH 44333-8318
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[ EditorsNotebook
By Mary DellaValle|EDITOR
Age Of Convenience
Dictates Streamlined Communication Methods
he manner in which the

majority of your
customers prefer to communicate about vehicle service
is changing, as their need for
convenient and easy information access accelerates. You
likely have noticed that their
attitudes and expectations are
vastly different than what you
were used to encountering.
So, there are great opportunities for every business owner to
reach their customers and
prospects more effectively by
embracing e-communication
channels like email, social media
(Facebook/Twitter) and texting.
Not only do various electronic
communication sources enable
you to interact with your customers more efficiently, they
also allow you to market to
your customers more cost effectively than previous methods,
Mary DellaValle, mdellavalle@babcox.com
notes John Volz, Jr., co-owner of

Volz Bros. Automotive Repair
in Grass Valley, CA, which has
been in business since his father
started the shop in 1982.
Volz has found that email is a
powerful tool in the shops
communication and marketing
arsenal, not only by informing
customers but also
building the
shops brand in
the process.*
While
getting a
customers
email address
can sometimes
be difficult, Volz
found that asking
customers for their
email address at the time of
payment was the most effective
approach. We found that if we
take the time to explain the advantages of email correspondence, many of our customers
embrace the approach.
Email correspondence advantages:
Sending customer invoices
and service reminders electronically, which cuts down on
paper usage and makes it easier
for customers to track their
service history.
Customers are able to
read and respond to
emails during non-busi-
ness hours, making communication more efficient and more

likely to occur.
Customers are able to make
an appointment after hours
with a few simple keystrokes.
Allows you to keep customers informed of upcoming
company events, especially if
your shop is involved in
the local community.
Facebook is also a
great communications tool,
allowing constant, real-time
dialog with your
customers, and
its very visible
and powerful,
continues Volz. Im
amazed at how much interaction we get on our Facebook
page on a daily basis.
Customers love it. We use this
channel of communication to
talk about what were doing in
our community and what were
working on in the bays, and it
gives our customers a fun way
to interact with us.
Taking the time to proactively
reach customers through a variety of electronic communication
methods will boost customer
engagement and build your
brand. Time well spent,
wouldnt you say? IC
*To learn more about John Volz Jr.s perspective on this topic, go to our
sister publication Shop Owner magazines website, www.shopownermag.com and search for his Embracing E-Communications article.
[ NewsUpdate
Technicians Can Earn Quick
Rewards Through Monroe
Quick-Strut Promotion
The Monroe Quick-Strut Quick Rewards promotion awards technicians a $30 Visa prepaid card for each pair of qualifying Monroe
Quick-Strut replacement assemblies they install. The Quick Rewards
scorecard promotion from the Monroe shocks and struts brand is
available through
Feb. 28, 2014.
To learn more
about the Monroe
Quick Rewards
scorecard promotion, contact your
Monroe supplier or
representative. For more information about Monroe ride control
products, visit www.monroe.com, or call (734) 384-7809.
Monroe Quick-Strut units include all of the OE-style components
required for a comprehensive strut repair. The Quick-Strut assembly
design reduces installation time by eliminating the need to disassemble components and compress the coil spring and helps eliminate ride control comebacks commonly caused by failure to replace
worn parts.
Standard Motor Products Receives

Five Alliance Awards
Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) was recently honored by the
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. (Alliance), receiving five awards
during the annual shareholders winter meeting held Dec. 7-12, 2013
at the Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura, FL. SMP was recognized for its
outstanding training support and outstanding shipping performance.
Receiving five awards is an extraordinary accomplishment and we
are very proud to share these prestigious honors with all of those who
work extremely hard every day to make sure our business and partnership with the Alliance continues to grow and flourish. Id especially like
to acknowledge the fine work our training division has done in
support of the Alliance group, said Ken Wendling, vice president
warehouse distribution sales, SMP.
SMP received the outstanding training support award for the
12th time.
News continues on page 12
[ NewsUpdate
ALLDATA Launches Manage
Online, Android App
ALLDATA has launched its cloud-based shop management system,
ALLDATA Manage Online as well as the Android version of its
ALLDATA Mobile app.
ALLDATA collaborated with MAM Software to develop the online
version of its shop management system. The company says the online version of ALLDATA Manage retains all the programs profitability
features, including fast and easy write-ups and invoices, integrated
labor and parts costs, online parts ordering from the leading catalogs, real-time profit monitoring, smart shop jobs and more.
ALLDATA Mobile app, originally launched for the iPad, offers
portable access to ALLDATAs OEM diagnostic and repair information. The app is designed to increase productivity by eliminating the
need for a technician to leave the vehicle in order to refer to a
laptop or desktop computer.
When paired with a Bluetooth connection adapter, ALLDATA
Mobile for Android offers vehicle connectivity through the OBD port.
A technician can read VIN information and pull standard P Codes,
which are linked to specific manufacturers repair articles. P Codes
also can be stored by VIN, as well as cleared. The system is easy to
use, allowing fast searches for procedures, diagrams, diagnostic data
and technical service bulletins, according to ALLDATA.
CARQUEST Auto Parts Announced

Ten To Win Sweepstakes Grand
Prize Winner
Sammy Guinn of Guinns Tire & Auto in Marietta, GA, is the 2013
CARQUEST Ten To Win Sweepstakes Grand-prize winner. Guinn is
the winner of a fully restored 1965 Ford Mustang. He took delivery of
his prize on Jan. 18 at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
The CARQUEST Ten to Win Sweepstakes was a 10-month contest, held February 2013 to November 2013, exclusively for professional customers of CARQUEST Auto Parts stores. Each month
featured a customer winning a trip to the 2014 Scottsdale BarrettJackson Auction and a chance to win the fully restored 1965 Ford
Mustang.
Guinn is owner of Guinns Tire & Auto, a family-owned and operated business in the Marietta, GA., area for more than 35 years. His
business is also a member of TECH-NET Professional Auto Service. IC
Go to www.ICRapidResponse.com
12
[ GonzosToolbox
By Scott Gonzo Weaver, owner Superior Auto Electric, Tulsa, OK
Lessons From A Day Being Out

Of My Comfort Zone
ts the same routine Monday through

Friday: My average day begins with the
usual commute to work, the obligatory
coffee and the turn of the key to the front
door of the shop. I unlock the overheads, do
any morning paperwork I have waiting and
get the day started. Occasionally, Ill come
in early or stay later than normal, but, for
the most part, every working day has the
same basic routine.
Being under the dash or hood of the modern car is my comfort zone, but it doesnt
hurt to get out of my comfort zone from time
to time. Like a lot of people, that day-in, dayout grind can give me a snapping attitude. I could
use a reminder now and then that what I do for a
living aint all that bad, and I owe my customers a
great deal of gratitude for their patronage and for
putting up with this snarly old mechanic.
You can take those average days in your own
little comfort zone for granted and forget there is
more to what makes the world go around besides
the next car youre working on. Sometimes, it
might take a little nudge from an outside source
to get you to realize it.
GOODBYE COMFORT ZONE

Recently, I took a few days off and ventured out on
a road trip with my wife to one of her comfort
zones. OK, I was volun-told by my wife, but I
didnt complain too much. It was three days of little
old ladies, sewing machines and quilts. Yes, quilts.
My wife was the guest speaker for a quilting retreat.
I didnt have any tools, scanners or hoods to
hide from the more than 100 women with scissors,
big fancy (expensive) sewing machines and colorful fabric who were in attendance. There werent
many husbands at the retreat, and the hotel staff
had its hands full, so they kept me busy as their
bellboy (minus the quirky cap, of course), carrying their machines from the parking lot to their
classrooms. If you ask my wife, shell tell you,
Oh, he fusses but he loves every minute of it.
I wasnt concerned about what she was telling
them anyway. I just pulled my ball cap down a
bit tighter and asked the
next woman with a
sewing machine,
Where do ya want
this one moved to,
maam?
This
whole
Scott Gonzo Weaver, gonzostoolbox.com
14
[ GonzosToolbox
experience made me think of what its like for a noncar person to enter an automotive repair shop. The
actual interaction with the service writer or
mechanic can be intimidating. For me, a weekend
with the wife surrounded by thread and quilts was,
believe it or not, intimidating, especially when one
of them asked me something about their sewing
machine or quilting.
Look, I know what a PCM and a ball joint are, but
I havent a clue about flying geese or half-square
triangles. And these women loved to rub it in.
Uncomfortable? Yes. Intimidating? Well, lets put it
this way: When I was stuck in front of a sewing
machine and clued in on which buttons to push to
make it sew, they got quite a chuckle out of watching some big, burly guy fumble around with a
sharp needle and try to hold a thin piece of fabric
with his big, nubby fingers.
Id like to think I could learn how to operate any

sort of machinery, even one of these ultra-expensive sewing machines, but these women are in a
league of their own. They made it look so easy, but
I cant even figure out how to sew a straight line.
I certainly can take some lessons from the quilting retreat. The women did their best to make me
feel comfortable, even if I did have to endure a little
ribbing.
Ive got to keep this in mind when Im back at the
shop. I should try harder not to be so intimidating,
work to keep things on common ground, and not
make it so overwhelming for customers, especially
those who are uncomfortable with a stranger they
just met work on their car. I got it ladies thank
you. Now, the other question is, can I incorporate
some of the experience of being out of my comfort
zone into my average day? Im sure going to try. IC
16
[ DiagnosticSolutions
RIDE HEIGHT
By Gary Goms, Import Specialist Contributor
Toe-ing The Mark

How Ride Height Affects Toe Angle
ow can a mysterious case of tire wear

occur in a perfectly aligned vehicle? It happens and the answers arent always simple. To better explain, lets go back a few decades
when I aligned a 1983 Mitsubishi rear-wheel drive
(RWD) pickup, only to have it return a month
later with a tire scuffing complaint. Although the
outside edge of the right front tire showed
evidence of toe-related wear, the current toe angle
was 0.100 inches, which is within the Mitsubishis
+0.080 to +0.350 specification.
Perplexed, I decided to have my helper sit on
the open tailgate. The toe angle immediately
jumped from its original 0.100 inches to 0.500
inches. My conclusion was that many independent front suspensions often require a custom
alignment to compensate for variations in ride
height caused by uneven loading.
TOE ANGLE DEFINED

While, in theory, a rear axles thrust angle
should align with the geometric centerline of
the vehicle, it often doesnt correctly align due
to manufacturing errors and minor collision
damage. With that said, individual wheel toe
angle should be measured from the rear axle
thrust angle rather than the geometric center.
Zero toe angle is present when both tires
are parallel to the center thrustline. Positive
toe is present when the front of both tires
angle toward the thrust line, while negative toe is present when the front of both
tires angle away from the thrust line. Total
toe angle is the sum of the right- and lefthand toe angles. The toe angle on many
older vehicles is displayed in fractions of
18
an inch, whereas toe angle on later-model

vehicles is displayed in degrees.
BUMP STEERING
Since many 4WD trucks are equipped with solid
front axles, the toe angle wont change with ride
height. What does change is the horizontal angle
of the drag link (which connects the tie rod to the
steering gear) in relation to the front axle. When
RIDE HEIGHT
the drag link angle becomes too

severe in relation to the solid
front axle, a condition called
bump steer exists, in which the
front wheels actually change
direction as the suspension is
compressed or extended. In addition, the steering gear is forced
off-center, which can aggravate
steering wander.
TURNING RADIUS
When the vehicle is driven
around a corner, the inner wheel
turns through a shorter radius
than the outer wheel. To reduce
tire scrub and improve steering
response, the steering geometry
forces the inner wheel to turn one
or two degrees more than the
outer wheel. This geometry forces
total toe angle from a positive to
a negative value. Turning radius
is most affected by bent steering
arms and knuckles. In any case, a
bent steering arm or knuckle can
cause tire scrub, even when the

toe angle is aligned to specification in a straight-ahead position.
INDEPENDENT FRONT
SUSPENSION
A bump steer phenomenon can
occur with an independent front
suspension. To illustrate, lets look
at the next two photos to analyze
the effects of an increase in ride
height on a typical SLA and
MacPherson strut suspension system. See Photo 1 below and
Photo 2 on page 22.
To analyze the effects of ride
height on independent suspension geometry, increase the front
ride height through one-inch
increments when the vehicle is
parked on your alignment
machine. You should see a
pronounced change, not only in
toe angle, but in camber angle as
well. Use the examples to visualize how alignment angles might
Photo 1: Due to the upper control arm swinging through a shorter arc than the lower
control arm on this SLA suspension, this tie rod might force the steering knuckle to a
toe-out position as ride height increases.
20
RIDE HEIGHT
change on SLA or
MacPherson strut
suspensions when
ride height is
increased or
decreased. If the
vehicle youre aligning has a trailer hitch
mounted, ask your
customer how often
he uses his trailer
and how heavily it
might be loaded.
Photo 2: In contrast to the SLA suspension on page 20, the tie rod
Similarly, if the
geometry on this MacPherson strut suspension might force the
vehicle is a pickup
steering knuckle to a toe-in position as ride height increases.
truck, check for an
uneven load distribution of tools and materials in
in tread depth can indicate the
the bed. If those tools or materineed for a slight change in toe
als constitute a daily or average
angle. See Photo 3 on page 24.
load, re-distribute that load and
align the vehicle to specification.
ROAD CROWN
If the truck is carrying an unusuCORRECTIONS
ally heavy load, the truck should
be unloaded before aligning the
Remember that a driver steers
front wheels. Whatever the situatoward the center of the road to
tion, remember that you might
correct for road crown. Excessive
have to increase or decrease the
positive toe angle forces the pastoe angle to reduce tire wear.
senger-side tire to push the car
toward the center of the road.
Excessive negative toe angle
ANALYZING TIRE WEAR
forces the drivers-side tire to
drag the car toward the center
When analyzing tire wear,
of the road. Therefore, if the wear
remember that modern tires have
is present on the outside edge of
much more flexible sidewalls and
the passenger-side tire, the vehimore rigid tread belts. This
cle might be experiencing excesmakes them more tolerant of
sive positive toe angle.
deviations from the ideal camIf the wear is evident at the
ber and toe angles. The most efinside edge of the drivers-side
fective method Ive found for
tire, the vehicle might be experianalyzing tire wear is the simple
encing excessive negative toe.
process of checking tread depth
The severity of these wear patacross the tire tread. In many
terns depends on the severity of
cases, a minor variation of 1/32
22
RIDE HEIGHT
An excessive change in toe

the road crown and the conangle and excessive vertical
dition of the suspension and
movement in the idler arm
steering linkage. Worn idler
indicates excessive wear.
arms and tie rod ends will
With the alignment heads in
tend to aggravate the above
place and wheel run-out
wear patterns on vehicles
corrected, record the current
with a parallelogram-type
toe angle.
steering linkage.
If its an RWD vehicle, handTo determine if a tire wear
press between the fronts of the
pattern is caused by positive
wheels to simulate tire rolling
or negative toe, stroke your
Photo 3: Routinely measuring tire tread depth is a
resistance and record that
fingertips across the tire
quick way of catching a faulty camber or toe angle
value. If its an AWD or FWD,
tread. If the tread feels
adjustment before the tires are ruined.
hand-press at the rear of the
smooth going toward the
front wheels to simulate forward drive thrust. In most
tires inner edge and rough coming back to the
cases, the toe angle should go to zero as the tires are
outer edge, the vehicle might be experiencing
hand-pressed. If the toe angle change exceeds specifiexcessive positive toe. The opposite effect will indication, excessive cumulative wear is present in the
cate excessive negative toe.
steering linkage.
Its also important to differentiate between toe
Next, I compare the tread wear pattern with the
and camber wear by remembering that positive or
existing toe angle. If the tires are worn and the toe
negative camber wear produces smooth tread wear
angle is correct, suspect an excessive change in ride
in either direction. Remember that excessive wear
height caused by unusual loading patterns. Check
in the upper or lower ball joints or pivot bushings
will generally create excessive positive toe, whereas the toe angle by increasing the vehicle height in
one-inch increments. If the toe angle coincides with
impact damage is more likely to cause excessive
the wear patterns mentioned above, you might be
negative toe angle.
dealing with a loading problem rather than an
alignment or wear issue.
BASIC ALIGNMENT TECHNIQUES
Installing suspension and ride control components that are designed to increase the load-bearing
As always, the first step is to check for specified air
capacity of the vehicle can minimize alignment
pressure. Next, inspect the tires for uneven tread
problems that are caused by extreme variations in
wear, sizing, tread pattern and circumference. Due
ride height. In addition, an incorrect camber or toe
to the requirements for anti-lock braking (ABS),
angle can often be remedied by adjusting torsion
vehicle stability control (VSC), and all-wheel drive
bar height.
(AWD), all four tires should vary no more than 1/4
Adjusting the toe angle to the maximum or miniin circumference and be of the same casing and
mum side of the specification can often reduce tire
tread design. Ball joint, tie rod, idler arm and suswear. In doing that, remember that too much negapension wear should also be checked. And since a
tive toe angle will aggravate steering wander and
suspension system cant maintain alignment without
that too much positive toe will reduce steering
good rebound control, dont forget to also check the
response. Within those windows of adjustment,
condition of the shock absorbers and struts.
adjusting a vehicles alignment specifications to
My own technique for checking idler arm wear is
meet real-world driving conditions can often
to lift the right front wheel by the lower control arm
reduce uneven tire wear complaints. IC
and attempt to turn the wheel in and out by hand.
24
[ TechUpdate
BRAKE COPPER ISSUE

By Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End Magazine
New Environmental
Legislation
To Change The Parts You Sell And Install
New legislation is changing what parts can be
installed on your customers vehicles.
The goal of these mandates is to reduce emissions and prevent harmful chemicals from reaching waterways. The spirit of the new regulations
is to preserve public assets like parks and streams
that improve the quality of life for state citizens.
But the question always has to be: How will
this affect the safety and economics of our industry? There could be an unintended cost to society
if people cant afford to have their cars serviced,
or it becomes too cost prohibitive to develop
environmentally friendly products.
WHEEL WEIGHT EXAMPLE

The EPA reported that about 1.6 million lbs. of
lead falls off vehicles each year. Like copper, lead
can be toxic for watersheds. While 11 states have
legislation concerning lead wheel weights on the
books or waiting approval, manufacturers of
wheel weights have moved toward products that
are lead-free to avoid costly regulation.
The solution was alternative materials like zinc
and tungsten. Manufacturers complied with the
law and today its hard to find a lead wheel
weight.
26
BRAKE FRICTION MATERIAL

Brake pads and shoes pose a more difficult
challenge to manufacturers. Copper and other
toxic substances used in friction material are ending up in rivers and streams. This is a result of
brake dust migrating from the friction material to
the road. The brake dust is then washed into
storm drains or the watershed next to roadways.
Copper is used in brake pads and shoes as an
abrasive to create friction. But to some fish, copper can inhibit their sense of smell and prevent
their ability to find their spawning grounds. If
copper concentration hits critical levels, it can kill
microorganisms that are the critical link in the
aquatic food chain.
Because of this issue, California is phasing in
regulations over the next decade to reduce levels
of copper. The January 2014 deadline necessitated
that cadmium, chromium and other heavy metal
levels in friction materials are to be no more than
0.1% by weight. By 2021, copper must be reduced
to 5% or less of total material content by weight,
and brake pads and shoes must contain no more
than 0.5% copper by 2025.
Beginning in January 2013, brake manufacturers
that were selling in Washington State had to report
the use of copper, nickel, zinc and antimony in
brake friction materials. In order to comply with
[ TechUpdate
the Better Brakes Law, brake pads
may contain only trace amounts
of asbestos, cadmium, chromium,
lead and mercury in 2014. But by
2015, all new brake pad inventory
in Washington State must be certified and labeled to indicate the
absence of these same materials
to comply with the law.
Oregon, New York, Rhode
Island and Hawaii also are in the
process of drafting legislation to
limit copper in brake pads.
There is no direct replacement
for copper in non-asbestos
organic friction materials. Manufacturers instead have to tune the
formulations so copper content is
below mandated levels, while
keeping performance and noise
levels the same as before.
For some brake pad manufacturers that specialize in semimetallic pads, the ban does not
change how their pads are formulated. For manufacturers that
specialize in adhesive-type friction pads, it has been difficult to
get the level of copper to legal
levels.
The full effect of these brake
pad copper laws is more than 10
years out, but many components
of the laws are being phased in
right now, as mentioned earlier.
Manufacturers, distributors and
installers have 10 years to sell
off existing, unapproved inventory.
The laws put new technical
and financial burdens on friction
material manufacturers. Under
the Washington State law, for
example, friction material formu-
28
BRAKE COPPER ISSUE
lations have to be tested by an

approved laboratory and the
applications that use this material must be submitted so the
right label can appear on the box.
Every step in the process costs
money and time. These burdens
may become so great that some
manufacturers could get out of
these markets completely.
WHATS NEXT?
As states try to improve air and
water quality, any product that
contains harmful chemicals will
come under scrutiny. Plus, more
and more states are looking at
annual emissions testing to
ensure that older vehicles are
serviced properly over their
longer lifespans. So, the copper
issue could just be the tip of the
iceberg. IC
[ TechFeature
DRIVETRAIN DIAGNOSTICS
By Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End Magazine
Solving Transmission Electronic

Control Problems
With In-The-Car Diagnostics
roubleshooting an automatic transmission

can be one of the most intimidating diagnostic procedures at a shop. The first reaction is typically, We dont do that type of work.
But there is profit in performing drivetrain diagnostics and in-the-car repairs.
The modern automatic transmission and
attached drivetrain has many mechatronic parts
that control and protect traditional clutches and
planetary gears. These devices shift the gears, lock
the clutches and regulate the fluid pressures. Most
of these items can be diagnosed and replaced
while the transmission is still in the vehicle.
TOOLING UP
Special tools are often needed when diagnosing
transmission problems and when overhauling
units. In days gone by, when transmissions
were purely mechanical and hydraulic, all
you needed was a set of high-pressure
gauges to check line pressures. You also
needed a vacuum gauge to check the
engines intake vacuum and the integrity
of the vacuum modulator. But with
todays electronic controls, you need a
scan tool, scope and a multimeter.
Transmission codes and sensor data on
late-model vehicles are accessed through
the OBD II diagnostic connector and the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) diagnostic gateway module. On some vehicles,
the information is often found in a separate Transmission Control Module (TCM)
or Body Control Module (BCM). Either way,
30
youll need a scan tool to access fault codes and

operating data.
A scan tool can also help you check for communication faults between the PCM and transmission controller if the vehicle has separate
computers. Problems here will typically cause the
transmission to go into a limp in mode that
may lock it in second gear.
Some transmission problems may set a fault
code and turn on the MIL lamp, so its important
to always scan the PCM or transmission module
for codes if theres a transmission-related complaint or driveability code. Some engine sensor
failures (for example, the throttle position sensor,
MAP sensor or vehicle speed sensor) can also affect the operation of the transmission. So, it may
be necessary to also check these sensors.
If you find a transmission fault code, you may
have to check the resistance of a solenoid in the
valve body, its operating voltage, or the
frequency of its control signal from the
computer. This will require a digital
multimeter (DMM) that can
read voltage, resistance
[ TechFeature
DRIVETRAIN DIAGNOSTICS
and frequency or dwell.

Youll also need the applicable service information that
includes wiring schematics and OEM diagnostic charts
with test specifications for all components that need to be
checked. This kind of information can be found in OEM
service manuals, on OEM websites (daily one-time access
fees are typically $15 to $25), or through online technical
information service providers.
You should also check for any TSBs that may be related
to the transmission problem. In some cases, it may be
necessary to reflash (reprogram) the PCM or transmission module to cure a particular fault.
DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGIES
When using a scan tool to diagnose a drivetrain problem,
often what is not displayed will lead you to your final
diagnosis. If a PCM or TCM cant see inputs like engine
speed, load or throttle position, it will assume the worst
and put the transmission into a safe or limp mode.
The transmission does not have discreet sensors
connected to the throttle body, crankshaft or intake manifold. Instead, the transmission shares information with the
engine control and other modules in the vehicle using a
serial data bus. Most vehicles manufactured after 2004 put
the TCM or PCM module on the high-speed, two-wire
CAN network along with the BCM and ABS modules.
The topology for these networks is typically a loop. If a
module is not operating, the existing modules can still
communicate on the bus. When using your scan tool to
solve a transmission problem, you may have to look at
the PIDs or Datastream from the ECM or BCM to see
what modules are talking on the bus.
If you cant communicate with a transmission control
module using your scan tool, look for transmission information in the connected modules. The BCM will monitor information from the TCM regarding gear position so it can tell
the instrument cluster which gear to display for the driver.
It can work the other way, too. If a TCM is not able to
communicate with the ECM, looking at the transmissionrelated PIDs for calculated engine load, throttle position
and manifold air pressure may show that the ECM is not
communicating on the network or has other issues. IC
32
THINKING OUTSIDE THE CASE

Three Items That Can Cause
Transmission Complaints
Non-Transmission Sensors Causing
Transmission Problems. Most transmission
control modules use inputs from other sensors on
the vehicle. If a vehicle cant accurately calculate
the load on the engine, it will adjust the line pressure and slippage to the inaccurate calculation,
which can damage the transmission.
Sensors used to calculate the load could include
the Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF), Throttle Position
Sensor (TPS) and Manifold Air Pressure (MAP). If
unmetered air is entering the cylinder through a
leak, the engine load will be below the actual
percentage. This can cause the module to use different shift points and line pressures, which could
then cause the transmission to delay shifts,
overheat and possibly burn the fluid.
Maintenance-related items like a restricted air
filter, dirty airflow meter or blocked crankcase
ventilation system can change the calculated
engine load to the point were it can influence shift
points and shift quality.
Wiring Harness Problems. The wiring harness

and connectors on most transmissions operate in a
unique environment. Normal automatic transmission fluid conductivity is very low. Hybrids usually
have a specification for a fluid that is non-conductive. In most cases, the fluid will not damage or
short the connections, but the detergents and
chemicals will cause degradation of the materials
in the wiring harness that might be outside of the
case.
Also, check for any damaged wires and connections that could have been damaged by impact with
road debris, weak or shifting motor mounts and hot
exhaust systems.
Grounds. Since the mid-1990s, the grounds for
solenoids and sensors have changed dramatically.
Never assume the chassis ground is coming through
the case or valve body. Study the wiring diagrams
before trying to diagnosis a dead or open solenoid.
Some transmissions can have multiple ground points
for the solenoids, module and sensors.
[ TechUpdate
INDIRECT TPMS
By Larry Carley, Technical Editor
Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Making A Comeback On Some Imports
ndirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

(TPMS) are the systems that do not have
air pressure sensors inside the tires. Rather,
they detect a low tire by comparing relative
wheel speeds via the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) wheel speed sensors. When a tire loses
air, its diameter decreases slightly.
Older indirect TPMS are not as sensitive
to changes in tire pressure as direct systems
that actually monitor the air pressure inside
the tire, but they are not as expensive
either. An indirect TPMS is a relatively
affordable add-on to a vehicle if its already
equipped with ABS. Even so, the vast
majority of vehicles that have TPMS use
direct systems rather than indirect.
Federal law requires the TPMS to alert the driver
if the pressure inside a tire has dropped more than
25% below the recommended inflation pressure.
The same rules apply to direct and indirect TPMS.
Many vehicles abandoned indirect systems for
direct systems to meet the federal mandate.
One of the weaknesses of older indirect
systems is that they may not turn on the warning
light if all the tires are underinflated by a similar
amount. If the recommended pressure is 32 psi,
but all the tires are 24 psi (down 25%), the system
wont know theres a problem because all the
tires will be rotating at the same speed when the
vehicle is being driven.
New systems are taking advantage of better
wheel speed sensors and modules to make indirect systems work. Indirect TPMS began making a
comeback in 2011 on all Audi models. The highly
popular Honda Accord switched to indirect TPMS
for the 2013 model year. The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is
now also using an indirect TPMS. Some of the
VW Golf platform vehicles have switched to an
34
indirect TPMS. Most of these models have the

optional ABS and stability control system.
But even the newer systems suffer from the
inability to read the tire pressure when the
vehicle is sitting still.
Indirect TPMS applications include:
Audi 2011-14
BMW X5 2002-05
Honda Accord 2013-14
Lexus LS430 2004-06
Lexus RX330 2004-06
Mazda CX-5 2013-14
Mercedes C-Class 2007
Mercedes SLK 2005-07
MINI Cooper 2004-07
Toyota Corolla 2005-07
Toyota Matrix 2005-06
Toyota Solara 2004-06
Toyota Highlander 2004-06
Toyota RAV4 2004-05
Volkswagen GTI 2007 and 2010
Volkswagen Jetta 2005-07
[ TechUpdate
INDIRECT TPMS
WHERE TO FIND RESET PROCEDURES
INDIRECT TPMS RESET PROCEDURES
All of these applications use a similar technology

and strategy to detect a low tire, but there is no
common reset procedure. Toyota is probably the
best, with only one simple reset procedure for all of
its indirect TPMS (though a slightly different procedure is used on the Lexus models).
With so many different reset procedures, its
important to make sure youre using the right
procedure for the vehicle youre servicing.
TPMS reset procedures may also be found in the
vehicle owners manual (if it hasnt been lost).
Open the glove box and check the index in the
owners manual for any TPMS information.
As a rule, most indirect TPMS have a RESET button

for recalibrating the system. A reset is typically
required after adding air to a low tire, after changing
or servicing a tire, or after rotating the tires on a
vehicle.
AUDI RESET PROCEDURES

1. Find the factory tire pressure specifications on
the vehicle placard located on the doorsill on the
drivers side.
2. Identify the tire thats low on pressure and fill
it up according to factory specifications.
3. Put the key in the ignition and start the car, but
dont turn on the engine.
4. Push the Car button located on the vehicle
control panel.
5. A menu will pop up on the screen, then scroll
down and select tire pressure monitoring.
6. Select Store Curr. Tire Pressure.
7. The screen will then read, tire pressures are
being stored.
8. The tire pressure light should now be reset.
TOYOTA RESET PROCEDURES
36
On Toyota applications, the reset procedure is fairly

straightforward, though it actually takes much
longer to complete. Turn the key on (engine off),
then press and hold the RESET button until the
flashing TPMS warning light goes off. Or, if its not
flashing, hold the RESET button until the light flashes three times. Then, turn the key off.
Hold on, though: The relearn procedure is not complete until the vehicle is driven at 19 mph or faster for
at least an hour. You dont have to do this, obviously,
but your customer should be made aware of the fact
that the TPMS reset procedure wont be complete
until the car has been driven awhile. During this time,
the TPMS system may not be able to detect a low tire,
so make sure all the tires have been inflated to the correct pressure before the vehicle leaves your shop. IC
DTC DIAGNOSTICS
NissanFeature]
By Bob Dowie, Contributing Writer
Driveability Diagnostics:
Check Engine Light & Misfire Issues
he late-model Nissans have proven to be

quite reliable when it comes to serial-type
problems that would get them to your bay
with check engine lamp issues. Nissan has done a
good job of addressing some of the problems
weve looked at in the past. But that doesnt mean
you wont be seeing Nissans looking for attention,
and that spells service opportunities for you.
So, lets take a look at some of the common
driveability and check engine light issues on the
Nissan vehicle lineup.
One of the more common problems we see on
the late-model Nissans involves the keyless start
system. Weve been faced with a couple of nocrank issues that were related to bad brake pedal
switches, but dont be fooled by simply looking
at the brake lights and assuming the switch
is good. These cars are equipped
with a secondary switch that the
keyless start system is monitoring.
when that code is evident. We found that the cam

sensors werent a problem on the older cars.
The crank sensor is located on the firewall side
of the engine and, while not easy to reach, presents a bit of a challenge when installing. There is
one important thing to keep in mind: Be sure to
plug the harness onto the sensor before installation because it cant be done afterward without
modifying the connector.
Also, as with any code issue, keep in mind that
the code is not part-specific, so be sure to look at the
connector and wiring while youre there. Crank
sensor issues have resulted in intermittent stalling, no-starts and
long-crank
CAM AND CRANK

SENSORS
A common problem youll see on the
ever-popular Altima is a P0335 code
that represents a problem in the
crankshaft position sensor circuit
and is sometimes accompanied with
a P0755 engine speed code. Nissan
identified the problem early on,
issuing a TSB that involved replacing both the cam and crank sensor.
We were changing both sensors
whenever the code was encountered, but weve since changed our
strategy to replacing only the crank sensor
Import-Car.com
37
[ NissanFeature
complaints. If youre faced with
any of these complaints, and a
P0335 code is stored, the sensor
should be replaced.
While the majority of these complaints end up being sensor issues,
remember that these sensors are
also looking at the relationship
between the crank and cam position. There have been some
reports of loose timing chains and
faulty variable timing camshaft
sprockets prompting this code.
These issues are more prevalent in
high-mileage cars, or if there is
any noise from the timing chain
area. Another giveaway is when a
vehicle has had both sensors
changed and the problem persists.
Another area that seems more
prone to problems on the Altima
is the electronically controlled
throttle body and the resulting
P0507 code. After years of including a good throttle body cleaning
in a service, were now very careful not to flood the unit with
cleaner. Instead, we spray the
cleaner on a shop rag and then
carefully clean the throttle plate
and bore. If you should end up
with a high or erratic idle when
youre done, a throttle relearn
will have to be performed. Your
service info or scanner will walk
you through the process
which can be quite tedious.
MAF & MISFIRE CODES
DTC DIAGNOSTICS
OBD II Misfire and Diagnosis

When diagnosing misfires, its important to use tools that allow you to go
beyond a simple code reader that
displays a P03XX. Even an OEM-level
scan tool cant tell you what the firing
voltage is or what the ignition pattern
looks like. Nor can it tell you if the
serial data is accurate or correct.
For that kind of information you need
a DVOM or a graphing multimeter/oscilloscope that can look at sensor voltages directly and display primary and
secondary ignition patterns. If the vehicle has a distributorless (DIS) or coilover-plug (COP) ignition system, youll
also need the appropriate inductive
pickups to get a good ignition pattern
signal from the coils. Mode $06 data
via a scan tool is also helpful on some
vehicles for determining which cylinders are misfiring, as well as the
severity of any misfires.
Misfire causes can be categorized

into four possible areas:
chain/valve timing
- Head gasket failure
- Worn rings, piston mechanical
damage
Air/Fuel System
- Low fuel level/poor fuel quality
- False air/vacuum leaks
- Clogged fuel filter
- Low fuel pressure/volume
- Open or shorted injector coil
- Damaged injector driver
- Injector ground/power supply
circuit problems
- Clogged injectors
- Stuck (open) EGR valve
- Low system voltage
False Misfires
- Rough road
- Heavy acceleration when cold
- Loose motor or transmission mounts
- Transmission/torque converter
mechanical faults
~Courtesy Delphi Product & Service Solutions
Ignition System
- Fouled/worn spark plugs
- Shorts, leaks or open
circuits in secondary ignition wiring/components
- Defective ignition coil(s)
(COP or DIS)
- Intermittent ignition
module/coil driver
- Low system voltage
This scope pattern of a normal secondary ignition
I learned a tip, regarding mass

airflow codes, to keep the engine
running while your scanner is
hooked up. Ive followed this tip
38
event indicates the condition of the spark plug, plug

Mechanical
wire, ignition coil, air/fuel mixture and even the
- Carbon deposits
amount of air turbulence in the cylinder.
- Worn valve train/burnt valves
- Loose timing belt or
[ NissanFeature
DTC DIAGNOSTICS
with good results, even though I doubted it at first.

With the engine idling, unplug the air mass meter
and plug it back in, then clear the mass air code (with
the engine still running) and see if the idle doesnt
return to normal. I dont have the technical explanation for why it works, but it has gotten me out of
jams when I otherwise couldnt get the relearn done.
Another problem thats most prevalent on the V6
cars are ignition coil failures. If youre lucky, youll
get a solid misfire and code but, more often than
not, youll be faced with a
P1320 Ignition Control
Signal Circuit Malfunction
code that isnt cylinder specific but indicates a coil failure. At this point, you and
the customer have a decision to make. Many times,
the customer doesnt have a
driveability complaint and it
can be a hard sell to
replace six coils. Often, our
customers choose to continue to drive the car until
the cylinder in question throws a misfire code,
rather than replace all six coils as recommended by
Nissan.
On the four-cylinder Altima, you may find a
misfire code that may or may not be accompanied
with a system lean code. These cars may not exhibit
a solid miss but may have a poor idle quality. Be
sure to look at the long-term fuel trim as part of the
diagnostic process. If youre seeing numbers in the
double digits, take the time to check for vacuum
leaks, especially at the intake gasket feeding the
misfiring cylinder in particular. While not a very
common issue, weve seen more than a few intake
gaskets failing. The diagnosis can be a bit of a challenge because its a hard area to reach, but it is
worth the effort to prevent chasing your tale.
The same applies to head gasket failures on the
Sentra; many times a mysterious misfire code may
start making more sense as you notice that the
coolant level is low or you pick up that slight
miss when you start the car cold. Weve covered
40
head gasket diagnosis and replacement in the past,

and its available on the ImportCar website,
www.import-car.com.
Most importantly, dont forget the basics. No
amount of electronics or computer control can make
an engine run well when its not in sound mechanical condition or if basic maintenance has been neglected. Our first step when looking at a cylinder that
sets a misfire code is to pull the plug and test compression, confirming engine condition and getting
an idea on where we stand
with maintenance.
If the engine is sound, we
diagnose and repair the misfire and then contact the
customer, pointing out the
need for service. We never
hesitate to point out and
recommend additional
services, but never do so
without first addressing the
customers initial complaint.
Its obvious that technology is moving forward
and we have to be equipped to handle whatever
comes our way. That means we have to consider
making the investment in the proper equipment,
plus we have to be in a position to handle this type
of work. With solid parts availability and a wealth of
information just a couple of mouse clicks away on
web-based resources, like www.import-car.com,
iATN and other technician community forums, there
is no reason not to capitalize on the service opportunities presented by this popular vehicle lineup. IC
Bob Dowie has been in the
automotive service business
for 43 years, and his shop,
Village Auto Works in
Chester, NY, specializes in
Honda, Toyota, Mazda and
Nissan repair. Dowie owns
and runs a Honda Civic and
Nissan Sentra SER in SCCA
GT Lite Class racing, and
gets his technicians
involved in various aspects
of the sport.
[ ImportTechTips
TOYOTA
FRONT BRAKE RATTLE NOISE
Models: Corolla, Matrix

Years: 2003-08
Some customers may experience
a front brake rattle type of noise
when the car is traveling over
bumps. Updated front disc
brake cylinder (caliper) mountings and disc brake pad support
plates are available to eliminate
this condition.
Repair Procedure:
1. Conduct a road test to verify
the noise condition. Front brake
rattle noise will occur when the
front tire runs over a depression
in the road.
2. Remove and replace the

front disc brake pad support
plates (two per each caliper).
Note: The procedures listed
below are for one side and
should be used for both the right
and left side. Refer to Fig. 1 for
full diagram of front disc brake
components.
a. Remove the front wheel.
b. Remove the caliper by holding the front disc brake slide pin
and removing the two bolts.
c. Remove the two front brake
pads from the front disc brake
cylinder mounting.
d. Remove the anti-squeal
shims and the pad wear indicator plates from each pad.
e. Remove the two front disc
Fig. 1: Front Disc Brake Components
1. Front Disc Brake Cylinder Slide Pin

2. Front Disc Brake Cylinder Mounting LH
3. Bush Dust Boot
4. Anti-Squeal Shim No. 2
5. Anti-Squeal Shim No. 1
42
6. Disc Brake Pad

7. Pad Wear Indicator Plate
8. Front Disc Brake Pad Support Plate No. 1
9. Front Disc Brake Pad Support Plate No. 2
[ ImportTechTips
Fig. 2: Front Disc Brake Grease Application
Squeak to Front Brake Rattle

Noise.
Parts Information:
OP Code: 473301 | Front Disc
Brake Pad and/or Disc Brake
Pad Shim | OFP: 47721-02140
Courtesy of ALLDATA.
1. Area For Disc Brake Grease Application

2. Also Apply Disc Brake Grease Here (1-2 mm [0.04-0.08 in.])
brake pad support plates from

the cylinder mounting.
f. Remove the front disc
brake cylinder mounting by
removing the two bolts.
g. Install the new disc brake
cylinder mounting with the
two bolts. Torque: 107 N.m
(1089 kg.cm, 79 ft.-lb).
h. Install the 2 new disc brake
pad support plates. Apply disc
brake grease to the back of the
brake pad support plate.
i. Install the front anti-squeal
shims. Apply disc brake grease
to the anti-squeal shims.
Notes regarding the antisqueal shims:
When replacing worn pads,
the anti-squeal shims must be
replaced along with the pads.
Make sure to install the
shims in the correct positions
and directions.
Apply a thin layer of disc
brake grease to the area that
contacts the anti-squeal shim.
Disc brake grease can come
out slightly from the area
where the anti-squeal shim is
installed. Be sure to wipe off
44
any excessive grease to avoid

pad contamination. Make sure
that disc brake grease is not
applied onto the lining surface.
j. Install the anti-squeal shims
and the pad wear indicators to
each pad. Make sure to install
the pad wear indicators in the
correct positions and directions.
k. Install the two front brake
pads with anti-squeal shims to
the disc brake cylinder mounting. Apply a small amount of
the disc brake grease (1 to 2 mm
[0.04 - 0.08 in.] thick) to the
areas shown in Fig. 2.
Note: Do not apply grease to
the friction surfaces of the
brake pads or the disc rotor.
l. Install the caliper with the 2
bolts. Torque: 34 N.m (350
kg.cm, 25 ft.-lb)
m. Install the front wheel.
Torque: 103 N.m (1050 kg.cm, 76
ft.-lb)
3. Road-test the vehicle to
confirm the front brake rattle
noise is no longer present.
This information supersedes
TSB No. BROO4-07 and was
originally titled Front Brake
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
SEDAN
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLES, CLUTCH PEDAL
NOT RETURNING TO POSITION
Some things to consider before

unnecessarily replacing
hydraulic components when
diagnosing a customer report
that the clutch pedal wont
return to its position.
- Does it occur when moving
or stationary?
- Does it happen when the
vehicle is turning?
- Are the engine/transmission locating dowel pins in
place?
- Are the engine/transmission supports aligned and
secure?
- Is there anything under the
dash interfering with the pedal
assembly?
- Does the ambient temperature have any influence on
when it occurs?
- Is there any complaint of
noise when it occurs?
- Most important of all, can
you duplicate the complaint?
Courtesy of MotoLOGIC
Repair & Diagnostics: www.motoshop.com/motologic IC
Essentials]
Brought to you by
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visit xado.us.
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Delphi Product & Service Solutions

announced 12 new ignition coils to its
engine management portfolio covering
almost 7 million Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota and
Volkswagen applications from 1986 to 2012.
Delphi uses a winding process technique to
control the length of wire between adjacent
windings. More length results in greater
voltage differences, which can create more
pressure that could break down the
insulation and wire coating.
Federal-Moguls MOOG Steering and
Suspension brand has introduced 43 new
replacement parts that address the
service requirements of millions
of late-model foreign-nameplate
and domestic passenger vehicles.
The MOOG brand
offers innovative
technologies that
improve on original component
designs for longer life, superior performance
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Solver control arm bushings that eliminate
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<<
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ACDelco has released an additional 143 Professional remanufactured alternator and starter
part numbers covering 19922012 models from Toyota,
Honda, Nissan and other manufacturers. The expansion consists
of 64 additional Professional
remanufactured alternators and
79 Professional remanufactured
starters. On ACDelco part numbers with an A suffix,
the alternators always include new regulators and the
starters always include new solenoids. In total, the
ACDelco Professional remanufactured alternator and
starter line now features more than 2,500 SKUs. Visit
www.acdelco.com for more information.
<<
The PlatinumNAPAFilter offers

technology for the latest advancements in synthetic oil and performance oil filters. Featuring a host of
oil filter innovations, including
wire re-enforced fully-synthetic
media and an ultra-durable
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valve (where applicable), this oil
filter provides the ultimate protection in the NAPA Family of oil filters. Visit
www.napafilters.com for more information.
Reader Service: Go to www.icRAPIDRESPONSE.com
Import-Car.com
45
[ Essentials
Brought to you by
<<
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Standard Motor Products,

Inc. released a new TechSmart
Tech Session video featuring
TechSmart import solutions. Highlighting the Tech Sessions are
TechSmarts all-new, not remanufactured, electronic throttle bodies
for Nissan and Infiniti, and TechSmart VVT chain tensioner kits for
VW and Audi. These VVT kits include
every necessary component to get the job done right.
Also featured are power distribution centers for VW and
Audi, an ignition coil harness repair kit, expansion tank
service kits for BMW and more.
CRP Automotive, a source of OE-quality replacement parts for Asian and

European vehicles, offers coverage on
Asian and European applications with
its AJUSA Cylinder Head Bolt Kit
program. The program features an OEquality line of torque-to-yield (TTY)
head bolts that come packaged as sets
to meet vehicle specific applications.
The sets are provided in a shrinkwrapped cardboard box with assembly
lube included.
<<
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Schaeffler Group USA Inc. released an expanded 2014

LuK Diagnostic Guide, which is a complete guide to
clutch operation and failure diagnosis. LuK has built upon its strategy
for continuous improvement with
the latest edition of the diagnostic
guide featuring updated and
expanded technical and diagnostic
materials, including: Diagnostics of
the top causes of clutch failure,
detailed teardown and installation
procedures, clutch function and
components, installation and technical tips, and detailed failure and diagnostic illustrations.
<<
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Brakes catalog highlights the
continued expansion of the
brands Total Solution line of
ultra-premium brake pads, with
coverage now reaching 97
percent of foreign nameplate
applications. Monroe Total Solution pads are delivered complete
with electronic wire wear sensors, noise elimination hardware,
sensory locking plate (SLP) backing plates and many other ultra-premium features designed
to help service providers complete more high-quality brake
repairs every day.
46
FRAM introduced the FRAM Pro Series

product line, a set of specially designed
oil filters that align oil filter selection
with the specific oil used most frequently by installers during oil changes.
FRAM Pro Synthetic is engineered for
synthetic oil with long-life protection up
to 15,000 miles. FRAM Pro Plus is
designed as a trade-up filter aligned
with synthetic blend and premium convention oils for extended change intervals up to 10,000 miles. FRAM Pro is
engineered for vehicles that use conventional oil with more regular change
intervals of 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Its Fast, Easy and Accurate!

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>> OR, go to www.Import-Car.com and click on the ImportCar Rapid Response Logo.
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Mercedes-Benz USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Moog Steering & Suspension . . . . .20, 21
Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper . . .Cover 4

Bartec USA, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
NAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cover Call Out, 33

NGK Spark Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cover 2, 1
University Of The Aftermarket
Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions . . .31

CARQUEST Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Federated Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . .10, 11
Nucap Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

OReilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Perfect Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42, 43
Wagner Brakes/Federal-Mogul . . . .28, 29

WIX Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
WORLDPAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, Cover 3
Import-Car.com
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DIRECT CLASSIFIEDS
Advertising
Representatives
The Tech Group
Bobbie Adams
badams@babcox.com
330-670-1234, ext. 238
Sean Donohue
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Jamie Lewis
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330-670-1234, ext. 225
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Import-Car.com
51
Track Talk
NASCAR Adopts Knockout
Qualifying for 2014 Season
So long single-car qualifying.
In 2014, NASCAR is
ramping up the prerace
excitement level with a new
knockout Coors Light Pole
Award qualifying format for
its three national series a
move designed to make
qualifying more compelling
and more closely like actual
on-track competition.
We believe the timing is
right for a new qualifying format across our three national
series, said Robin Pemberton,
vice president for competition

and racing development. This
style of group qualifying has
all the makings of being highly competitive and more
engaging to our fans in the
stands and those watching on
television and online.
The new qualifying format
will not apply to the first
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
points race of the season the
February 23 Daytona 500
which features single-car runs
and two qualifying races to set
the lineup for The

Great American
Race. Heat races
to determine the
lineup for the July
23 NASCAR
Camping World
Truck Series
Mudsummer
Classic race at
Eldora Speedway
will still be used
Overhaulin the Coors Light Pole Award qualias well.
fying format, NASCAR says, underlines the
At racetracks
sport's on-going commitment to innovation.
less than 1.25
miles, the Coors Light Pole
draw and may exit pit road at
Award new qualifying proceany time while the green flag
dure will be as follows:
is displayed. Each driver may
The first qualifying
complete as few or as many
session will be 30 minlaps as he or she chooses
utes long and include all
during the allotted time pericars entered in the race.
od for each segment. Pit road
The 12 cars that post the
speeds will be enforced
fastest single lap time in
during each session.
this session will advance
Drivers will be allotted
to the second and final
just a single set of tires durround. The remaining
ing qualifying, which means
cars will be sorted based
fans will see a lot of different
on their times posted in
strategies.
the first round of qualifyFor the drivers and teams,
ing in descending order.
we believe this new qualifyThere will be a 10ing will fuel even greater
minute break between the competition leading into the
two qualifying rounds.
events, said Pemberton.
The second and final
Additionally, it provides our
qualifying round will last
tracks, broadcasters and other
10 minutes, with the
key partners with a greater
fastest single lap time post- opportunity to develop more
ed by each car setting the
entertaining content for our
top 12 spots on the grid.
race weekends.
At racetracks longer
NASCAR previewed the
than 1.25 miles, there will concept of group qualifying
be three Coors Light Pole
with its national series teams
Award qualifying rounds.
late last fall and expects the
Before the start of
new format will be a wellqualifying, cars or trucks
received improvement by its
will be lined up on pit
fans, competitors, tracks, sponroad based on a random
sors and media partners.
Follow NASCAR Performance on Twitter and Facebook

www.twitter.com/NASCARauto
www.facebook.com/NASCARPerformance

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Driveability Diagnostics

Front Brake Rattle

Clutch Pedal Issues

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

Nissan Driveability Diagnostics

Volume 36, No. 2

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New legislation is changing what

Import Specialist Contributor Bob

ImportCar Staff 330.670.1234

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY

Bob Howlett, The Swedish Solution,

30 Tech Feature: Drivetrain

Scott Gonzo Weaver, Superior Auto Electric,

42 Import Tech Tips

Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY

45 Essentials (New Products)

Frank Scandura, Franks European Service,

Babcox Media, Inc.

Editorial Advisory Board

IMPORTCAR (ISSN 1069-4714)

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

he manner in which the

Mary DellaValle, mdellavalle@babcox.com

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

notes John Volz, Jr., co-owner of

ness hours, making communication more efficient and more

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Standard Motor Products Receives

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

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Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

CARQUEST Auto Parts Announced

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

By Scott Gonzo Weaver, owner Superior Auto Electric, Tulsa, OK

Lessons From A Day Being Out

ts the same routine Monday through

GOODBYE COMFORT ZONE

Scott Gonzo Weaver, gonzostoolbox.com

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

Id like to think I could learn how to operate any

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

Toe-ing The Mark

ow can a mysterious case of tire wear

TOE ANGLE DEFINED

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

an inch, whereas toe angle on later-model

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the drag link angle becomes too

cause tire scrub, even when the

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

February 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com