Are you keeping your customers and staff safe?
We have everything your shop needs to keep you, your customers and staff safe!
The Latest in Refrigerant Leak Detection
Premium Refrigerant Leak Detector
42-LD7
- Compatible with most commonly used refrigerants today, including R-134a and 1234yf
- Equipped with a stable, long life sensor that will last up to 10 years
- Meets all of the current industry leak detector standards
Charge Up to 10 Batteries at a Time!
- Safe for all battery types including Flooded, AGM or Gel.
- Will never over charge batteries.
- Fully Automatic Operation.
- Use with Bus Bars 6075, 6075CB or 6086 Charging Rack.
There’s still time to take advantage of NADA special pricing!
Whether you went to Vegas for NADA or not, it’s not too late for your to win big with the best prices of the year! All the saving are available online in our DEALS section.
Summer Detailing — CSI and ROI ... 2 Reasons to Offer Car Washing!
See the Car Wash and Detailing Products!
Don’t Get Burned Changing Oil!
Pinpoint the Source and location of Noises . . . All with NO Wires!
682-WCE60643
Wireless Chassis Ear
- Quickly pinpoints the source and location of noises anywhere throughout any vehicle … All with NO Wires!
- Ideal for under-car chassis & suspension problems and under-hood noises!
Can your A/C Leak Detector Identify All the Common Refrigerants?
42-LD7
Premium Refrigerant Leak Detector
- The LD7 is compatible with most commonly used refrigerants today, including R-134a and 1234yf!
- The LD7 is equipped with a stable, long life sensor that will last up to 10 years!
- The LD7 meets all of the current industry leak detector standards!
Happy Easter!
Rotary 4-Post Lift Daily Inspection Video
Air Operated Strut Compressor with Top-Mounted Tool Tray
716-DB8000XL — Air Operated Strut Compressor
- Dual pneumatic cylinders producing 140% more compressing force in less than half the time it takes a manually operated model!
- Air-operated power, efficiently handles any job.
- Adjustable lower support plate keeps strut from falling during disassembly.
- Hands-free control.
- Top-mounted tool tray.
Eurovac Detailing Unit . . . Lower Labor Costs!
811-SYS-020-PDC4CH
4-Chemical Portable Dispensing System
Features:
- Powder coat painted unit.
- 4 – Air Driven positive displacement diaphragm dispensing pumps.
- 4 – 5 gallon automatic mixing proportioners. Mixing ratios range from 1:1 all the way to 240:1.
- 8 – 25’ color-coded coiled chemical lines with application gun.
- 2 – 15’ airline with air gun for blowing out debris and dust in hard to reach cracks.
Benefits:
- Increased Productivity and lower labor – Properly mixed and properly identified cleaning chemicals at your fingertips.
- Lower Training Costs – Well-marked, organized chemicals and ease-of use means that there is less chance of operator error.
- Reduced Waste and theft – Chemicals are always mixed correctly and inventory can be stored in a secure location.
Watch the NSS Sidewinder Mechanical Floor Sweeper Video!
Check Out the 2nd Quarter Promotion!
Springtime Vehicle Inspections
As a technician, you deal with other people’s car problems daily. At the end of a long winter full of ice, snow, salt and potholes in colder climates, you’re likely seeing a lot more customers coming in with squeaks and rattles and undercar problems.
You want to fix the issue quickly and get the car back on the road, but taking a few minutes to give the chassis a thorough look can help diagnose problems the customer didn’t mention but that could be troublesome in the near future. A quick list to run through every spring is a good start to ensure you fix what’s needed, and bring attention to upcoming service needs.
- Check wheels and tires – potholes can knock a car out of alignment, shown in uneven tread wear pattern and vibration, and can also cause beads and ply separation.
- Axle seals, transmission and suspension – these areas get pounded hard running over ice chunks, potholes and rough roads. Check all seals on differentials, ball joints, transmission and suspension parts.
- Radiator and hose inspection – rough, jarring roads and extreme cold can cause plastic to break, knocking a radiator or hoses loose. A replacement bolt or hose now may save a vehicle from major damage in the future.
- Exhaust – road debris causes a lot of unseen damage until you get the vehicle on a hoist. A visual inspection of the exhaust system can detect kinks or bends that may cause damage or an underperforming engine.
- Lighting – many drivers may not know they have a headlight or taillight out, depending on their driving habits. Extreme temperature changes can cause bulbs to burn out quickly.
While increasing vehicle throughput and beating the flat rate is the secondary goal in every shop, the primary goal is getting the car fixed right and back on the road. A bit of extra time inspecting the vehicle, especially after a harsh winter, shows your customers you’re concerned with their vehicle health and prolonging the life of their investment.
Written By OTC, Denny Hanson
Spring Detailing — CSI and ROI ... 2 Reasons to Offer Car Washing!
See the Car Wash and Detailing Products!
What Fuel is Best?
Everyone has their opinions on fuel, whether it’s using premium/high octane, tossing in performance additives or running on E85 because of the cost. Over the years, using something other than the traditional gasoline, including diesel, propane or compressed natural gas (CNG), has grown in popularity. We’ll stick with gasoline here for argument’s sake.
We don’t have a choice on leaded vs. unleaded gas these days, save for specific additives designed to properly lubricate older engines. We do have options on octane rating, ethanol content and high-performance additives.
I know some swear by using the highest octane available, no matter the vehicle, but do you notice any difference? Unless run in a higher compression engine, high octane fuel has little to no measurable performance effect, other than a negative one on your wallet. Do you use it for a cleaner engine, or hoping to prolong engine life?
We know using low octane fuel in a high-performance engine can cause a lag in horsepower, drop in performance and engine knock, but it doesn’t go the other way. Using high octane fuel won’t add horsepower for any engine. Then again, there is something to be said about the placebo effect – if you think it improves performance, then it does. Are the raw numbers as important as how it feels, performance-wise?
One thing nobody can debate is the harm E85 ethanol can do to an engine not designed for its use. Similar to the early 70’s when we made the transition from leaded to unleaded gas, changing the fuel meant changes to the engine and its internal components. Many vehicles can run on E85, but the vast majority of your smaller engines, from motorcycles to snowmobiles to lawnmowers and string trimmers, have not been engineered to run on E85.
Written By OTC, Rob Kochie
Spring Detailing — What Products Does Your Shop Need?
Check out Medco’s line-up of Meguiar’s Detailing Products!
- Shampoo
- Wax
- All Purpose Cleaners
- Interior & Exterior Dressings
- Glass Cleaner
- Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
- Degreaser
- Wheel Brightener
- Mirror Glaze® Compound
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
St Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17, the date of his death. The day is celebrated by millions all over the world and has become one of the most popular cultural events worldwide.
So who was St Patrick? As he was the Patron Saint of Ireland his feast day was important in Ireland’s religious calendar. Popular belief is that he introduced Christianity to Ireland, banished snakes from our island, and used the 3 leaf Shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity. However, these are actually untrue and can be simply classed as Irish folklore.
A day of parades & festivals
Thanks to our cousins in the United States the first St Patrick’s Day parade occurred in New York City during 1766 and today parades are held all over the world inviting millions of people to celebrate being Irish for a day.
Did you know that it wasn’t until 1995 when the Irish government decided to start holding a parade in Dublin, to help boost tourism? It’s now known in Ireland as St Patrick’s festival which takes place over 5 days with events including art shows, plays, concerts, fun fairs and the main parade.
Source: YourIrish.com