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Where did I put my cell phone?

By David A. Kolman - Monday June 17, 2013

Here's a statistic I found startling: Every minute in the U.S., 113 smartphones are stolen or lost. That is according to research from Protect Your Bubble ( www.protectyourbubble.com ), an insurance company that, among other things, covers smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Along with the cost of replacing a missing smartphone comes the loss of important data and information. That includes such things business transactions, contact lists, account information, e-mails, business documents and so on. Plus, there is that sense of devastation that comes about because there are a number of people who have become very dependent on the information stored in their mobile devices. Add to that the worry about whether or not the...
Thoughts on automotive training: Why we have to do it

By Craig Truglia - Thursday June 13, 2013

I'm unlike most people in this business, because I didn't get into it by enjoying working on my cars as a teenager. My first car was a 1985 Chrysler LeBaron that I bought for $100. Sure, my father and I fixed it up, but he's an old-school Italian who was very critical of my work, so it just never left a good taste in my mouth. Now, fast forward ten years. I own a repair shop in Mahopac, NY. The business has grown on me a little since then, but I would not consider myself a "fan boy." I run my business not so much out of passion, but more as a pragmatist. So, one thing I could never understand was how there is a clique of technicians and shop owners out there that have fun going out to training events. They make VISION or Showpower their...
Unwanted help behind the wheel

By David A. Kolman - Monday June 10, 2013

Seems there's a survey on just about everything. For example, one survey found that couples who marry in January, February and March tend to have the highest divorce rates. Another determined that two out of three people sleep on their sides, and they're about equally divided as to which side. About 40 percent of the U.S. population has never visited a dentist, a study found. A poll found that about one in four American workers, if they could do so, would fire their boss. Now, a recent study by Insurance.com ( www.insurance.com ) has rated backseat drivers. According to the Worst Backseat Drivers ( www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/safety/worst-backseat-drivers.html ), spouses are the most annoying backseat drivers. Imagine...
Where did I put my cell phone?

By David A. Kolman - Monday June 10, 2013

Here ' s a statistic I found startling: Every minute in the U.S., 113 smartphones are stolen or lost. That is according to research from Protect Your Bubble, an insurance company that, among other things, covers smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Along with the cost of replacing a missing smartphone comes the loss of important data and information. That includes such things business transactions, contact lists, account information, e-mails, business documents and so on. Plus, there is that sense of devastation that comes about because there are a number of people who have become very dependent on the information stored in their mobile devices. Add to that the worry about whether or not the data in these devices has been...
Chrysler takes a gamble rejecting recall; repair options called limited at present

By Elliot Maras - Friday June 7, 2013

Chrysler’s decision to reject an NHTSA recall of 2.7 million Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUVs marks one of the company’s boldest moves as it rebuilds itself from bankruptcy. One that could prove disastrous. The company’s defiance can be seen as part of its new-found confidence. Or it could result in a public relations problem that will affect future sales and profitability. NHTSA claims the cars in question – Grand Cherokees from model years 1993 to 2004, and Libertys from 2002 to 2007 – have a higher than average fire rate and are responsible for more than 50 deaths. Chrysler disputes NHTSA’s analysis and claims the vehicles meet or exceed all safety rules. It’s too soon to know which side is right. There may or may...
Too many frivolous lawsuits in auto repair

By Craig Truglia - Tuesday June 4, 2013

One of my friends is a lawyer, so one day I asked him how he makes a living. "Frivolous lawsuits," he replied. Most frivolous lawsuits get settled out of court, so you never hear about them. However, just this March many of you read about how a Toyota dealer from the Philadelphia area lost $15.7 million to a doctor who's questionable driving (according to the defense), and a supposedly bad ball joint (according to the plaintiff), caused a major car accident. So, the person who actually caused the car accident escapes blame, but the Toyota dealer, on what must have been a very a busy day, probably overlooked upselling a ball joint ( something that's not even a safety criteria for New York State safety inspections! ) and they are...
Nationwide top 10 driver and vehicle violations

By David A. Kolman - Monday June 3, 2013

In a recent industry presentation, Stephen Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), noted the top nationwide driver and vehicle safety violations as revealed by data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( www.fmcsa.dot.gov ). The top driver violations were: 1. Log form and manner. 2. Driver's record of duty status not current. 3. Driver not in possession of medical certificate. 4. Non-English speaking driver. (I find this amazing.) 5. Speeding (6 to 10 mph over posted speed limit). 6. Failing to use a seat belt. 7. Over the 14-hour on-duty limit. 8. Failing to obey traffic control device. 9. False record of duty status. 10. Expired medical examiner's certificate...
Nationwide top 10 driver and vehicle violations

By David A. Kolman - Monday June 3, 2013

In a recent industry presentation, Stephen Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), noted the top nationwide driver and vehicle safety violations as revealed by data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( www.fmcsa.dot.gov ). The driver violations were: 1. Log form and manner. 2. Driver's record of duty status not current. 3. Driver not in possession of medical certificate. 4. Non-English speaking driver. (What a world that this is in the top five.) 5. Speeding (6 to 10 mpg over posted speed limit). 6. Failing to use a seat belt. 7. Over the 14-hour on-duty limit. 8. Failing to obey traffic control device. 9. False record of duty status. 10. Expired medical...
One tenth of Americans purposely drive dangerous vehicles, survey says

By Craig Truglia - Tuesday May 28, 2013

According to a poll from CouponCodes4U.com, out of the 2,724 Americans polled nationwide, 35 percent of the respondents who own vehicles said their car was "unsafe." A whopping 37 percent of the respondents that admitted to driving these deathtraps said they were "worried" their vehicle was dangerous enough to cause a car accident. That means more than 10 percent* of drivers knowingly risk people's lives simply going for a ride. *Simple math: 2,724 multiplied by 35 percent equals 953, and that multipled by 37 percent equals 352. So, 352 people out of 2,724 polled admitted to purposely driving a vehicle they though posed a dangerous to themselves and others -- almost a total of 13 percent of the poll's respondents. No wonder...
Ford EcoBoost recall likely due to unproven fuel-saving technology

By Craig Truglia - Thursday May 23, 2013

What happens when a bunch of politicians get to dictate to automotive engineers how they should build cars? Obviously, technical problems! The recent recall of Ford 3.5L EcoBoost, much like the recall of 1.6L EcoBoost whose antifreeze would get so hot it would light on fire*, merely highlights this fact. *I bet that cooling the turbocharger that gave the 1.6L almost 180 hp could have contributed to the complications that the improved software is meant to address. It's no secret that vehicles with direct injection suffer increased carbon build-up and that turbochargers add yet another expensive and highly technical component that can break on vehicles. Yet, because of a federal mandate not subject to a vote of Congress mandating...