Simple Routines Can Leat To Solutions
For whatever reason, the tech lines get an inordinate number of calls regarding a few specific is-sues. That such a high volume of calls is generated by just a few problems leads to the belief that we need to revisit and speak about the lack of understanding by the tech-nician that leads to all this wasted time and phone traffic, as well as failure to get the job right the first time. Let’s start out the year by get-ting to the nitty-gritty of why cer-tain issues seem to confuse so many people.
Age-Related Issues Call for Alternative Measures
With the average age of vehicles on the road hitting an all-time high of 11.4 years, I continue to revise my path of diagnostic “what ifs?” The preponderance of age-related issues creates the need for me to consider alternative pathways to identify the root cause, especially when diagnosing intermittent concerns.
Serviceability Report: Mitsubishi Outlander
Recently Deb, my wife and partner at ACDC, pointed out that I had not covered Mitsubishi in this column. Was it because of the 1985 Galant that sat on my used-car lot for months and then after it was sold the transmission let go during the warranty? Or maybe it was because the Mirage had broken jet valves we hated to service?
I have never been a big fan of this Japanese automaker, but things do change over time. Just look at Ford as it improved and changed its ways over the past 10 years. This time I will break with tradition and compare not the best-selling but the top-of-the-line 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT with the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS. I will try to be fair and let go of the past, but some cars do get on your list.
