-
Welcome to Auto Parts Forum
Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and LinkedIn.
-
Similar Topics
-
By NAPA
Our Top-Selling Craftsman Tools link hidden, please login to view
NAPA is proud to offer Craftsman tools, a reliable brand in existence for nearly 100 years and manufacturing lines of garage tools, lawn and garden equipment and protective work gear. The household brand has changed owners throughout the years beginning with Sears. Today, Craftsman is headed by Stanley Black & Decker. The household name proved that it is one that stands the test of time, and it continues to aid homeowners, builders, early career technicians and master mechanics with top-of-the-line manufacturing practices.
The
link hidden, please login to view comes in the recognizable, beautiful red steel, which resists rust and corrosion plus includes a standard warranty for your protection. The unit is built to last and features a large charging station beneath the lid. The integrated power strip has six outlets and two USB ports so you’re never without the power you need. With each soft-close drawer supporting up to 100 pounds, feel free to add some of your heaviest tools and get organized! You’ll love the internal lock and key system that keeps your things protected and out of the reach of thieves. The iconic
link hidden, please login to view offers you even more storage space and is manufactured for high durability with a 1,500-pound rating. It features 5-inch by 2-inch casters, which sport tow-locking brakes and reinforced mounts, making it a breeze to move around the garage without breaking apart. The robust steel frame includes a full-grip, tubular side handle and is proudly made in the USA. Craftsman makes a host of USA-made and globally sourced products like portable tool boxes, tool boxes on wheels and
link hidden, please login to view (that include foldable workspaces), tool chests, tool cabinets, tool sets, bags, power tools and more. NAPA offers a range of prices to fit your budget so that you can enjoy the Craftsman advantage! Price ranges span from less than $100 to more than $400 and are worth every penny given their durability, track record and customer reviews. There is something for everyone. This
link hidden, please login to view option is designed for mobile mechanics. Made as a secure option for stowing your gear and stacking your tools, it is easy to handle, engineered with heavy-duty, rust-resistant metal latches and designed in the iconic Craftsman red and black colors. What Tools Does Craftsman Sell?
Are you in need of new parts and tools? Because things like work lights frequently quit and may need replacing, this
link hidden, please login to view does the trick when working in low-light conditions or at night. It features a strong hang hook to keep your lumens in place and get precision illumination right where you need it most. Invest in improving your visibility and stay safe. The
link hidden, please login to view delivers up to 35-foot pounds of torque with a speed of 300 RPM and has a variable speed trigger to help you control the unit during use. It’s compact for easy stowing and includes a convenient LED work light to keep you safe. The proof is in the reviews, where one happy customer gave this ratchet 5 stars and stated, “I’ve had two of these for about a year now, so they’ve been tested well. The ratchet mechanism is great and very strong. The power is great, and I think it’s even a little higher torque than it’s rated for personally. It’s the right size, too, not too big to make it unusable in tight spots. Very high quality and when you factor in the price of it, it’s hard to beat.” If your hand tools have started to rust or are stripped, look into purchasing the polished chrome
link hidden, please login to view or the link hidden, please login to view. Additionally, shop for unconventional garage accessories like link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view and even a link hidden, please login to view. Every technician needs
link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, an link hidden, please login to view and especially a sturdy and stylish link hidden, please login to view, so consider shopping the Craftsman brand on NAPA for all of your home or commercial garage needs. Fan favorites include Craftsman rotary tools, Craftsman air tools, hand tool sets and its line of oscillating tools, kits and 20v tools. Order all the tools you want and connect to our professionals from the palm of your hand by link hidden, please login to view. And, remember, NAPA Auto Parts now offers link hidden, please login to view, which gives you one Point for every $1 you spend—sign up today and save! You Might Need These
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Air suspension provides drivers and their passengers with luxurious ride quality, increased safety and load-leveling capabilities. But the high-tech components in an air-suspension system come with high-tech replacement costs.
Chip Lofton, founder of Strutmasters, learned this the hard way.
In 1999, Lofton purchased a 1989 Lincoln Continental. While on vacation, the car’s suspension system failed. Lofton took his beloved Lincoln to a dealership, only to find out that it would cost several thousand dollars to repair the suspension.
Determined to find a more affordable strategy to repair the vehicle, he called salvage yards in hopes of tracking down used air struts, without any luck. To his surprise, however, Lofton found a wrecked Lincoln with a regular set of struts on it. After figuring out where to drill holes in the body and make adjustments to the height, he was up and running – at a fraction of the dealership’s estimated cost. The air-to-coil conversion was complete, and Strutmasters was born.
From the early days of making conversion kits in Lofton’s goat barn and selling them on eBay, Strutmasters has grown into a nationwide provider of affordable suspension solutions, headquartered in Roxboro, North Carolina.
While the Strutmasters portfolio today includes control arms, sway bars, shocks, trailer hitches and other replacement parts, the company’s bread and butter continues to be conversion kits – and with good reason. Citing RepairPal, Strutmasters estimates that the average cost of a replacement air spring is $1,200, while the average cost of an air compressor is $875. Suspension-control modules average $685, while ride-height sensors average $450. And that’s just for the parts.
According to Strutmasters, one OE-replacement front air strut for the Lexus GX 470 costs just under $1,500 for the part alone. A four-wheel conversion kit for the 2003-2009 Lexus GX 470 costs about $800. That’s the entire suspension replaced for less than the cost of one OE air strut.
“Air suspension is extremely expensive, especially for OE-quality parts,” says Scott Beaddles, director of operations for Strutmasters. “If you go back to the dealership with a Mercedes and you want to get your suspension replaced, it’s going to cost you about nine grand. We sell a kit for a fraction of that cost that replaces it all, and it’s not going to fail either.”
A conversion kit enables the customer to remove their vehicle’s air springs, ride-height sensors, compressor and air lines, and replace them with coil springs, hardware, mounts and passive struts. The kits are designed to bolt onto the vehicle, so no welding, cutting or modifications are necessary.
For Strutmasters, a typical customer might be the second or third owner of an air-equipped luxury vehicle.
“When you get that second or third Mercedes owner who bought a $10,000 car and now they need $12,000 worth of suspension parts – they’re not willing to do it,” Beaddles says. “That’s where we come in.”
Air suspension used to be the exclusive realm of luxury sedans. However, more and more OEMs are using air suspension to provide a luxury feel for SUVs and pickups. In parallel with this trend, conversion kits for models such as the 2011-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2013-2018 Ram 1500 have become top sellers.
While conversion kits are a cost-effective alternative to air-ride replacement, the original air-ride quality can’t be duplicated with conventional springs and hydraulic dampening. Still, for a customer with a long-dead system, the improvements will be noticeable.
“The people who are coming to us, their suspension has been screwed up for a while,” Beaddles adds. “They’ve been riding on just nothing, basically. By the time they switch over, the ride is much better because it’s actually functioning properly, and they’re not bouncing on the bump stops anymore, so the strut isn’t locked up or whatever the case may be.”
Beaddles notes that Strutmasters offers conversion kits for several types of active suspension systems – not just air. For example, a number of GM vehicles dating back to the 2002 model year feature MagneRide suspension technology. MagneRide systems utilize monotube dampers filled with magneto-rheological fluid, which contains soft iron particles that become magnetized when electromagnetic coils in the damper pistons are energized by the ECU. Strutmasters offers four-corner OE replacement kits for the 2007-2014 GMC Suburban 1500 and other GM models with magnetic suspension systems.
One final point: Beaddles emphasizes that an affordable price shouldn’t be mistaken for a cheap fix. Strutmasters’ conversion kits are assembled in the United States and are made with durable, high-quality materials such as cold-wound steel springs.
“We also have an ASE-certified staff here,” he says. “If you’re having a problem with your install, call us up, we’ll walk you through the entire install, step by step. If you’re having a problem getting your module installed, or a light’s still on, give us a call. We walk people through it all day long.”
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
When I hear the term diesel, the first thing I always picture in my mind is an 18-wheeler. Then my thoughts drift to gleaming chrome stacks, tons of load-hauling torque and the sounds of a semi-truck. The next thing you know I’m kicking back to watch the greatest trucking movie of all time, “Convoy,” for what’s probably the 10th time.
I’m sure it’s generational, because growing up, diesel engines were only popular in heavy-duty trucks. Whether the big rigs defined the persona of a diesel engine or vise-versa I’m not sure, but to me the term “diesel” always has been synonymous with power and strength. So, what’s a light diesel? It seems like a contradiction of terms to me.
A light diesel in the simplest way of thinking is anything diesel-powered that resides in someone’s driveway as daily transportation, including everything from cars to pickup trucks. The true definition gets a little muddy at a certain point because the federal standards have different weight cut-offs for their light-truck classifications.
Using these standards, most full-size pickup trucks are all considered light-duty, even when they’re equipped with torque-monster diesel engines. But, if it’s a dually crew-cab 1-ton, it just might make it into the heavy-duty classification. Either way, it really doesn’t matter. Parts are parts, and if they’re driving it and fixing it, they’ll look to you – the counter professional – for what they need.
Diesel Drill-Down
As with any subject, knowledge gives you the power to sell, so I’ll start with what’s different about a diesel. There are three things that diesels are typically known for: fuel economy; lots of power; and long life.
Why does a diesel engine get better fuel economy? Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline. This means that it takes less of it to produce the same amount of power resulting from combustion. Diesel engines also have much higher compression ratios than gasoline because the fuel is ignited by the heat of compression, and higher compression ratios in general lead to increased combustion efficiency.
Why do they produce more power? Although modern diesel engines have the ability to produce incredibly high horsepower numbers, the “power” normally associated with a diesel engine is actually high torque. Torque is low rpm power for pulling, and horsepower is the high rpm power for acceleration. Diesel trucks are designed for pulling, which is why torque is so important.
When the air/fuel mixture burns in a gasoline engine, it burns quickly, and the force of the expanding gasses drives the piston down in the cylinder. This creates power. However, once the air/fuel mixture has burned and the piston is traveling downward, the further down it goes, the less force is exerted upon it.
Diesel fuel burns slowly. When the combustion process begins, the force of the expanding gasses pushes the piston downwards, but the air/fuel mixture continues to burn as the piston travels downward, exerting continuous force on the piston until it nears the bottom of the stroke. This continuous force on the piston is why diesel engines produce so much torque. Modern electronic control of diesel-fuel systems has allowed them to precisely control fuel-injection time to maximize this effect.
Do they really last longer? As long as they’re properly maintained, yes – and here’s why. Gasoline is a harsh solvent with no lubricity. It wreaks havoc on everything it comes into contact with, including the inside of the cylinders in an engine. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, has a high level of lubricity, drastically reducing cylinder wear.
Another reason for increased longevity also has to do with the slower speed in which the diesel fuel burns. The combustion of gasoline is a violent process that applies incredible stresses on the rotating assembly, whereas the diesel-fuel combustion process is less violent, applying a steady, continuous downward force on the piston.
Then there’s temperature. Diesel fuel ignites at a lower temperature than gasoline, so combustion temperatures, as well as exhaust temperatures, are lower. And finally, there’s construction. Because of the higher compression ratios, diesel engines are built stronger and sturdier from the block and heads to the rotating assembly, often with increased oil capacity and improved oiling systems.
Sales Opportunities
In recent years, there’s been turmoil and scandal related to diesel-powered vehicles, and now there’s plenty of speculation that the end of the diesel isn’t too far off. But diesel owners aren’t ready to give up – meaning parts opportunities abound. With fewer diesel vehicles available, there will be a stronger push to keep the current ones on the road.
Some areas of repair – such as timing belts, water pumps and hoses – ultimately don’t differ from a gasoline vehicle. However, an area where you can capitalize is maintenance. Diesel engines can last a long time, and that longer service life extends the opportunity to sell maintenance items.
Fuel Treatment
An immediate area to take advantage of is fuel treatment. The fuel system is the heart of a diesel. Fuel quantity controls engine speed. There’s no ignition system, and there’s no air-volume control or throttle plates like those on a gasoline vehicle. (In case a customer decides to call you out, there are some diesels with throttle plates, but they don’t have anything to do with controlling engine speed – they only smooth out engine shutdown and increase exhaust-gas recirculation.)
Diesels have complex and expensive injection pumps and injectors. Not only does diesel fuel extend cylinder life with its lubricity, but it also preserves the life of the fuel system itself.
The problem is that in order to reduce air pollution, ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel was introduced in 2006. By losing the sulfur, diesel fuel also lost the majority of its lubricity. This can be, will be and has been a big problem. Diesel-fuel treatments add back this lubricity, and while they may seem expensive to a customer, a small bottle treats many gallons, and if it’s properly measured, it ultimately only results in a minor fuel-cost increase.
Cold-weather performance is another problem. Diesel fuel has always had a tendency to gel in extremely cold temperatures, and the loss of sulfur has made it worse. Diesel-fuel additives will combat this problem as well. Additives also battle cylinder deposits, and on a diesel engine these deposits soak up diesel fuel and effect fuel economy. Fuel additives should be recommended for continuous use.
Filters
Next on the easy-sell list is filters. Air filters fall under standard replacement guidelines that you’re used to, but fuel filters are an area to concentrate on. Contaminants can be very damaging to diesel-fuel pumps and injectors, and water accumulation in diesel fuel is a common problem. Diesel fuel often is stored for longer periods of time than gasoline, and the water accumulation is a result of condensation from temperature change.
For this reason, almost every piece of heavy equipment has an individual water separator, and even many small diesel cars have water-drain valves in the bottom of their fuel filters. Generally, water accumulation isn’t a problem at larger-volume gas stations, but there’s no way of knowing for sure, so it’s better to err on the side of caution. Diesel-fuel filters should be replaced at least once a year.
Performance
Performance upgrades are common among diesel enthusiasts – especially intake and exhaust systems – but it can be a difficult market to get into since there are so many different options and applications. The best opportunities lie with accessories and upgrades that fit all models, such as gauges, lighting and interior accessories.
Oil Changes
When diesel fuel burns, it leaves behind black soot. This soot finds its way past the piston rings into the crankcase and turns the engine oil black. Even when changing the oil, there’s almost always enough residual oil in the pan and throughout the engine that the new oil is black almost immediately. The soot doesn’t harm the properties and performance of the oil, but think of it like any dirt particles: If there’s too much of it, the oil performance will degrade.
It’s easy to see oil condition on the dipstick of a gasoline engine, but on a diesel there’s no way of telling. It’s critical for vehicle owners to document oil-change mileage so they don’t go over. It’s best to follow manufacturer recommendations for oil type, and it’s a good idea to recommend a high-quality oil filter. While diesel-powered cars typically have standard oil capacities, many pickup trucks have much higher capacities – sometimes 10 quarts or more. If your customer isn’t sure, take the extra step of looking it up so they don’t get home and end up short.
Cleanup
If your customer is doing an oil change, this is the perfect time to sell latex gloves, disposable rags and other cleaning supplies. Diesel oil will stain your hands for an entire day, and it doesn’t help the look of your garage floor either. We always should wear gloves to protect our skin during an oil change, but admittedly I don’t always do that on a gasoline vehicle. Diesel is a different story.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
For the 2010 model year, the EPA mandated that diesel engines reduce the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which is linked to the formation of acid rain and smog. Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is what allowed manufacturers to meet these requirements. DEF is a solution of urea and deionized water that’s injected into the exhaust system before the catalytic converter. The chemical reaction forms ammonia, which then works in conjunction with the catalyst to convert NOx into nitrogen and water.
It’s ultimately a simple solution, but diesel owners need to keep the DEF reservoirs full. If the DEF runs out, the vehicle will not start. If they’re running, they won’t quit, but often go into a low-power mode.
Block Heaters
Historically, diesel engines were known for difficult cold-weather starting, since the heat of compression ignites the fuel. Modern combustion-chamber design and technology have greatly improved this problem, but in the far northern regions of the United States and in Canada, diesel owners often don’t have a choice but to install a block heater. Even in areas where starting isn’t a problem, block heaters are popular in the winter since diesel engines take a long time to warm up.
There are two different types of heaters. Most factory-style heaters are designed to fit directly into the engine block in place of a casting plug, which places a heating element directly into the engine coolant. This is generally the preferred method, as it’s the most effective.
The second type of block heater is designed to mount flat on the bottom of an oil pan. The heat travels up through the pan and warms the engine oil. These are effective, but only given that they fit the pan properly and are out of harm’s way. Some factory applications are designed like this, but aftermarket designs are intended to be “universal,” and they don’t always work as well. Familiarize yourself with the heaters you have in stock, and what they fit, or where you can locate an application chart. Most people shopping for a block heater will know they want one – it’ll be an easy sale – but getting the correct one for the application is the hardest part.
Tips for Your Customers
The best advice you can give your customers is explaining the importance of diesel maintenance. A critical tip, however, involves replacement of a diesel-fuel filter. When a diesel runs out of fuel, air is drawn into the lines, and they simply won’t start until the air is bled out. Cranking the engine won’t do anything except overheat the starter.
Some diesel trucks and heavy equipment are equipped with primers, such as those you may be familiar with on small engines. They’re designed to draw fuel from the tank and fill the filter and pump. Some newer vehicles have electronic primers that do this when the key is cycled on, but many diesel-powered cars don’t have either of these features. When the fuel filter is replaced, it needs to be filled with diesel fuel before connecting the lines. It often requires a small funnel, and it can take a few minutes to get it done, but it’s mandatory.
Seasoned diesel owners should be familiar with fuel-filter replacement, but it never hurts to ask and make sure they are. You can save your customer a lot of trouble.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Over the years, I’ve been in many different roles in an automotive shop, from sweeping and washing cars to technician, shop manager and owner. As a result, I’ve heard many different approaches to selling oil filters. Many times, I was just listening in, sometimes on the receiving end of a sales pitch, sometimes on the delivering end, explaining to a customer what filter is being used on their vehicle, and why there can be a drastic difference in cost.
Overall, there’s a lot to consider – from both sides – but the best place to start is with the facts. There are multiple manufacturers of oil filters, and as with many things, they’re often branded and sold under different names. Keeping track of who makes what can seem to change quicker than the weather, and as a technician, I always relied on my suppliers – the counter professionals – to keep me in the loop.
Under any given brand, there usually are at least two and sometimes more grades, or quality, of filters. The only real exceptions are OEM-branded filters, which generally don’t offer options. They tend to offer a top-of-the-line filter. But no matter how you stack it, quality is the factor that drives the price, and rightfully so, as it also drastically affects the performance.
Selling is all about knowing and differentiating between the levels of filter, and it comes down to the individual components that make up the filter itself. I’ll use a typical spin-on filter as the basis for explanation.
The filter housing is where dependability begins. High-quality steel is important for a tough, sturdy housing, because not only must it protect against pressure surges, but no filter is immune to the possibility of getting hit by road debris, and a sturdy housing also guards against punctures. Additional features such as a non-slip or textured grip applied to the outside simply make it easier to install and remove them.
The seals all might look the same, but they’re all not created equal. It’s generally known to apply a thin film of clean engine oil to the seal before installing the filter. The reason, if your customer asks, is that it reduces the friction that normally builds between the oil-filter flange and the seal, preventing damage and potential leaks. However, the oil also is forced out as the filter is tightened, resulting in high seal friction during removal.
Many filters now use an internally lubricated seal, which is one that’s made with friction-reducing ingredients in the elastomer formula. Not only does this offer additional protection during installation as the oil film is forced out, but it also allows for much easier removal. If you’ve ever removed an oil filter or heard someone talk about one that feels as if it’s been welded in place, you’ll appreciate an internally lubricated seal.
On filters designed for longer synthetic oil-change intervals, nitrile rubber seals offer extended durability and temperature protection.
Now let’s get to the business end, on the inside of the filter. The main components are the media, the relief valve and an anti-drainback valve.
There are different types of media, the most basic being a cellulose type. However, there also is synthetic filter media or microglass media, and many different proprietary media blends as well. This is a science all on its own, but it makes a big difference, and it simply comes down to how much dirt they trap and how long the filter efficiently traps dirt while allowing for proper, unrestricted oil flow.
The relief, or bypass, valve is designed to open and allow oil flow under extreme conditions in which the oil is too thick or if the filter becomes plugged. It’s important that this is a well-made part of the filter.
Last but not least is the anti-drainback valve that keeps oil in the filter to provide protection at startup. It’s just one more hidden piece of the oil filter. They all might look the same on the outside, but there’s a clear difference, and ultimately, engine protection depends on what you can’t see.
Selling to the DIYer
Knowing and being able to educate your customer on what makes a quality oil filter gives you the confidence to sell top-of-the-line, every time. But you must be careful characterizing a value-line filter as a low-quality filter – especially if it’s part of your branded line. One approach is to represent a value-line filter as a quality filter that’s designed for more frequent changes, so your customer has the understanding that the filter won’t last as long.
Then you can point out how the different media in a higher-quality filter provides better filtration for a longer period of time, which leads into the additional selling features of more expensive filters. If someone opts for the value-line filter, you’ve still given them the feeling they’re getting a quality filter.
I also like to use the “positive-reinforcement” approach. Many people will come through the door with a pre-conceived notion of the best filter there is, or a filter brand they prefer. When a customer asks for a certain brand, then asks you what you think of them, you’re always better off agreeing that you, too, like that brand.
By agreeing with a customer’s choice, not only does this build rapport by making them feel knowledgeable, but it also makes them more likely to trust your opinion. Maybe that’s not a brand you stock, or maybe you have a better deal that includes a different filter – for example a bundle offer. Since you’ve already gained their trust by agreeing with their initial choice of filters, you then can easily compare how another brand “has the same quality features,” for example, and if the customer knows that another filter is “just as good” as their original choice, they’ll most likely be willing to buy.
Selling to Professionals
This crosses over into different territory. When you’re selling to a shop or professional technician, you generally don’t have to educate them about the construction and quality of filters. We’re all familiar with the fact that top-line filters are much better, which is why we use those products on our vehicles. Truth be told, I’ve used several different brands of filters over the years, but I always use top-of-the-line. I don’t skimp and I’ve never experienced a filter-related issue, or any oil-related issue for that matter.
As technicians, however, we have other hurdles to jump. More often than not, we’re dealing with oil changes that are way over their interval, and the other big one is price competition. Many of us truly care about the quality of our oil-change services, but it’s a simple fact that one of the most popular forms of marketing to get people into a shop is the lure of an affordable oil change. This approach is highly exploited by shops that simply don’t care about the cars. They’re looking at the bottom line and what they can upsell when the vehicle is on the lift.
Of course, upsells are important and we all do it, but there’s the honest upsell and then there’s the other … a topic for another day. As far as the oil change, there are some established shops that may take the stance of only offering top-of-the-line filters and the cost is the cost, take it or leave it. But due to demographics and local competition, many shops have no choice but to offer inexpensive oil changes, simply to remain competitive and get traffic through the door.
I’ve heard many a sales rep talk down their value-line filters in an attempt to stock the shelves of a local shop with their better and best products. That doesn’t mean they’re wrong about the quality or that we don’t agree as technicians. However, as I just pointed out, we know from the standpoint of running a business that we simply may have no choice but to stock low-line product in order to remain competitive.
One thing you can do to help professional shops is provide them tools – such as counter displays or pamphlets – that explain what makes a top-of-the-line filter different from a value-line filter. This makes it much easier to offer different levels of oil-change services that include higher-quality filters. It’s always our goal to sell top-of-the-line, but you’d be surprised how tough it can be with so many shops offering inexpensive oil changes. The more tools we have to sell top-of-the-line, the more we can stock in our shops.
Upsells
For your walk-in customer or the DIYer, you always should offer an upsell – not from a negative or pushy standpoint, but out of professionalism and sharing your knowledge, making sure they have everything they need to get the job done. Never assume. But, it’s a safe bet that if they need an oil filter, they’re changing the oil too – even if they aren’t getting any oil. They may already have the oil. A drain pan and shop towels are number one. Just ask if they need either, and it’s always best to replace the oil drain-plug gasket.
link hidden, please login to view Funnels are a good upsell, because how many of us can really hit that hole every time, right on the money? I even like the “extra quart of oil for the trunk.” You’d be surprised how many people agree with that idea.
This is more of a rarity, but if they’re working on an older vehicle (pre-catalytic converter), make sure to ask them if they need a zinc additive for the engine oil. Oil-filter wrenches are another good upsell, as well as latex gloves and hand cleaner.
Tech Tips
There are a few extra things you can suggest that can help your customer. One, if the filter is an element-style filter, check the box and make sure it contains the replacement O-rings for the filter housing. Remind them to be sure to use them. Also remind them about using a thin film of clean engine oil on the filter seal before installing.
Some newer vehicles are designed with single-use drain plugs that require special tools to remove. If they have one of these, not only could they be looking for the tool, but they also might ask if you really have to replace the drain plug. The answer is to recommend “yes.” Is it overkill? Some may argue it is, but these are plastic plugs that turn and lock in place, quickly losing their tension with multiple uses. Have I personally ever seen one fall out? No, not yet, but if the manufacturer says to replace them every time, that’s what I do. Nobody wants to take the chance of ruining an engine.
Sharing what you know makes oil-filter sales easy, and it’s the basics like this that brings customers back to your store.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view 
-
By Counterman
Bosch has introduced Bosch 360, a new custom-fit wiper-blade combo package for sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover vehicles (CUVs).
Currently available on
link hidden, please login to view, the new offering from Bosch includes vehicle-specific wiper blades for front-windshield and rear-window applications in a single, convenient package for the most popular foreign and domestic SUVs and CUVs on the road today. With the introduction of Bosch 360, Bosch states that it becomes “the first automotive parts supplier to address a long-standing problem for SUV and CUV owners by eliminating the need to purchase two or three wiper blades separately.” The all-in-one solution also helps vehicle owners adhere to consistent, regular vehicle-maintenance schedules and it helps SUV and CUV owners avoid a common mistake: forgetting to replace their rear wiper blade.
Bosch 360 features Dual-Strike technology, a double-steel clamping construction to handle harsh driving conditions for superior blade robustness and durability. In addition, Bosch 360 wiper blades are made with HydroDefense technology, which precisely applies liquid graphite to each blade’s rubber element to combat daily wear from salt, bugs and road debris for all-season versatility.
“At Bosch, we’re constantly working to respond to our customers’ needs,” said Thu Teesdale, director of product management and marketing at Bosch. “Bosch 360 represents the latest example of our efforts to bring innovative new solutions to the automotive aftermarket by making purchasing decisions easier for busy families or individuals who drive SUVs and crossovers, two of the highest-selling vehicle segments today. By packaging high-quality and reliable driver, passenger and rear wiper blades together for specific vehicles, we have also set a new standard of quality, safety and convenience for our customers.”
For more information regarding Bosch and its products, visit
link hidden, please login to view. The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view
-
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.