Most Audis will have engine and transmission ID tags that are easy to access and read. With many models, having the VIN is all that's needed to determine the drivetrain. I won't get into specifics in this article, but just remember that having a clear determination of the exact model and equipment will make parts ordering and repair much easier.

From a historical perspective, belts and hoses have moved from a recommended replacement interval to an inspection interval. This means that, unless otherwise required, there is generally no recommended replacement interval for belts and hoses.

In this article, I will cover some of the more common repair procedures we perform at the shop. Probably more than 90% of the BMWs we service are six-cylinder cars that range from mid-1980s to 2003 models.

If you missed getting involved in any Fall Car Care Month activities in October, it's never too late to extol the benefits of preventive maintenance - something that should be a year-round theme.

Hybrids are hot. As the price of gasoline goes up, so does the demand for new vehicles that can squeeze more miles per gallon from every drop of gasoline. Hybrids do that by combining the best of both worlds: electric power for low-speed, stop-and-go driving, and gasoline power for highway cruising and long-range driving.

Like so many other late-model vehicles, the Hyundai vehicle lineup won't necessarily keep your bays busy with "repair" work, but can present you with profitable maintenance opportunities. We can no longer afford to let any opportunity for service go unnoticed, and hope that the customer will come back for the next job. It's an important part of our job to look over the car while it's in the bay with an eye for safety, dependability and value - all of which will ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.

If the check engine lamp doesn't light with KOEO, hook up your scanner to check for communication. If you have none, it's a safe bet that the computer is not getting powered up. Kia uses a main relay that's conveniently located in the underhood fuse and relay box. You'll notice an identical relay next to it used for fuel pump control. If you're faced with a no fuel pump problem, start your diagnosis there. If there's any doubt, replace them both.

Back in the 1960s, I owned one of those small, cramped British sports cars and put up with the cold, rain and wind as these elements inevitably came into the car. I worked at a used car lot in the University District of Seattle that specialized in these sorts of cars and had the opportunity to work on, road test and dream of owning a number of different makes and models. One of the cars that I would never have dreamed of owning was an early Porsche; they were just too different, too much like an old VW, and just looked funny.

Finding a used, red 780 Volvo with a black interior was tough since only six were made for the U.S. (Many 780s had a two-tone tan interior, which I didn't like.) I finally came across a mint 780 with only 90,000 miles, a turbocharged B230 engine, and a very clean body and interior. The powerplant of choice was a 1998 Corvette LS1 5.7L, SFI, OBD II, all-aluminum engine.

Seat belts, steering systems, occupant sensors, on-board diagnostics and air bag components and systems, as well as proper alignment of structurally related components, are only a few of the critical considerations confronting you. Manufacturers often update procedures that point to on-board safety systems, so you need a way to reference them in order to prepare an accurate, safe and effective repair plan.

Although vehicles typically need wheel bearing replacement when the mileage is between 80,000 and 118,000 miles, SKF recommends that you inspect the wheel bearings during any brake replacement work (regardless the age of the vehicle) to ensure maximum safety and reliability. Read on to get those recommendations and tips.

Local resource for tune-up service in Salisbury, MD. Includes detailed information on local auto service centers and auto repair shops that give access to auto tune-up, engine tune-up, spark plug replacement, distributor cap replacement, rotor replacement, air filter replacement, oil filter replacement, as well as to other tune-up procedures.

The New Beetle has been around for several years now, and except for the classic shape, it’s not the Beetle of old. Unlike its ancestor, this New Beetle is conventional, modern and sophisticated. It has all of the bells and whistles of other current models, the performance and handling of a conventional front-wheel-drive car, and is still cute.

In most cases, that level of upkeep is a large investment, but proper care means the vehicle will retain a higher value. Most Volvo owners keep their cars for much longer periods of the time than any other car in our repair facility. Read on to know more about Volvo service and driveability.