Ford has used “returnless” fuel systems for quite some time now, but we still get many calls regarding the theory of operation and diagnosis of low or high fuel pressure problems. There are two types of returnless fuel systems. One is a mechanical returnless system and the other is the electronic fuel returnless system. This article will deal with the electronic returnless system used on 2004 and newer F-150 trucks.

Tags: Ford F-150, Fuel systems, Service bays, Technicians, Underhood service

If you encounter a Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager minivan (up to the 2002 model year) with the left front brake locking up, see if the right rear brake is locking up as well. This vehicle has a component called a “dumping unit” that is screwed into one of the outlet ports of the master cylinder. The brake line for the left front and right rear brakes come out of this dumping unit. It has been common for the dumping unit to prevent brake fluid from returning back into the master cylinder.

Tags: Brakes, Minivan, Service bays, Technicians, Under-car service

Technology is advancing rapidly, with automakers jumping through hoops to offer the “latest and greatest,” both to meet ever-more-stringent federal mandates and to make their vehicles more appealing to the buying public.

Tags: Anti-collision avoidance systems, Auto Service, Brakes, Diesels, Emerging technologies, Engines, Fly-by-wire, Heads-up display, Intelligent tire systems, Mike Mavrigian, Multiplexing, Steering, Vehicle lighting, Vehicle video cameras, Wheel Alignment

People may be driving around on them longer and longer these days, but at some point, it’s certain that every driver in your city will buy a set of new tires — from someone. The market has become so competitive, however, that need alone does not guarantee customers will show up at your door with their wallets open.

Tags: Consumer viewpoint, Kymberli Hagelberg, Marketing, tire retailing

Mike Berra Jr., 41, has been involved in the tire retreading and repair business all his life. His late grandfather, also name Michael, started Community Tire Co. Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., in 1935.

Tags: Mike Berra Jr., TIA, Tire Industry Association

Knowing what you want out of life can help you become a better person and better business leader. One way to sharpen your focus is to put pencil to paper — or fingers to keyboard — and craft a personal mission statement. It helps zero in on why you’re here (surely there’s more to life than worrying your mother).

Tags: Business insight, Tom Gegax

The 2008-09 Nissan Rogue’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) uses transmitter-sensors installed in each wheel that transmit low pressure information when the vehicle is driven at speeds of 20 mph and higher.

Tags: Nissan Rogue, TPMS

Harsh best describes the 2009-2010 winter season in the United States. More than 60% of the country experienced below-normal, sometimes record-breaking cold temperatures.

Tags: Goodyear, Nitto, Uniroyal, Vredestein, Winter tires

Air conditioning service and repair can be profitable, with few comebacks, or it can be your worst nightmare. Most technicians know that when a customer walks in and wants a tune-up, it’s time to ask a lot of questions. Customers assume their driveability issue will be solved by the magic of this service. It may be, but don’t count on it. The same issue occurs when they ask for “a shot” of refrigerant to fix their air conditioning.

Tags: Air conditioning, Service bays, Technicians, Underhood service

I received a call on a 2008 Dodge Caliber with an intermittent loss of the instrument cluster (IC) gauges and the warning lights would come on. The symptoms would only occur when the vehicle was actually driven. I asked the technician to check for codes in all of the modules. He called me back with a list of eight stored codes.

Tags: Electrical Service, Service bays, Technicians, Underhood service