Manufacturer-Specific Hybrid Vehicle Repair Safety Tips by Richard Diegle Replacing Brake Pads on a Toyota Prius — and with Good Reason
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AUTOGRAPHICS' March 2021 AutoGraph’s Automotive Report 1 VOL 33, NO 10 www.AutomotiveReport.net MARCH 2021 MonthlyMonthly News for News the Automotive for the Enthusiast Local working Automotive in the Automotive Industry Repair Industry. on investment would be the ability to AutoGraphic Publishing Companyrepair the Ford F-series.” What MSOs are thinking about and doing – and Stephen Kendrick Jr., CEO of Kendrick Paint and Body, which has seven shops in what1121 single-locationAirport Center Drive shops • can Suite learn 101 from • Nashville, it Georgia and SouthTN Carolina, 37214 said he hasn’t much return from the company’s invest- By John Yoswick Though the sources for what follows are have many OEM certifications, but has ment in OEM shop certifications, though those involved in MSOs, what they have considered its Ford aluminum certifica- he acknowledged his company needs to do Whether you’re a single-location shop to say could prove valuable to the single- tion a good move, given that the company a better job marketing its certifications to owner, or a multi-shop operator (MSO), location shop owner as well. wasn’t equipped and trained for aluminum consumers and insurers. and whether you’re looking to buy or sell Limited return on OEM certifications repair prior to the introduction of the alu- “I think one of the good things has been a shop — or just remain at your compa- Like many single-location shop own- minum F-150. the education part of it, the classes on how ny’s current size — you’re likely able to ers, MSOs generally say they have seen a “Our 17 shops are within a 40-mile to properly fix these vehicles,” Kendrick learn something from those in one of those mixed return (at best) on their investment radius, so we picked a couple locations that added. “That’s been very beneficial to other categories. From OEM certifications in automaker shop certifications — so far. had excess capacity, and put those [Ford] everyone in our shop, even though it’s not to dealing with ADAS, and thinking about Steve Kelly, chief operations manager for certifications in there,” Kelly said during a monetary [return]. It’s been good to have growth or exit strategies, some issues cross Mike Rose’s Auto Body in the San Fran- the “MSO Symposium held virtually back that education, that access to repair infor- the spectrum of collision repair businesses. cisco Bay Area, said his company doesn’t in November. “So I would say our return Continued on page 6 Manufacturer-specific hybrid vehicle repair safety tips By Richard Diegle replacing brake pads on a Toyota Prius — and with good reason. These brake jobs Can hybrid and electric vehicles be dan- can be dangerous and tricky to accomplish gerous to work on? Absolutely. However, correctly. But if you know the precautions if you get proper training and follow OEM and procedures before you start, it can be repair procedures, you can service and as safe and routine as any other brake job. repair them safely and efficiently. Here are Before you even remove one lug nut, a few manufacturer-specific hybrid safety disconnect the 12-volt auxiliary battery. tips that will help you do just that. You should also open the hood and leave Replacing Toyota Prius brake pads the driver’s door open with a “DO NOT A lot of techs are apprehensive about CLOSE” sign on the door. Why? If some- one closes the driver’s door, opening it again Retro Release: Pontiac’s Proto- with the 12-volt auxil- iary battery connected Sport4 Press release from January 1991 - 14 will cause the hydraulic system to pressurize. Disconnecting the auxil- iary battery prevents the hydraulic brake pump from inadvertently pres- surizing the brake sys- tem and pushing the pistons out of the cali- per with either the brake pads out or your fingers in the way. To allow the brake fluid to return to the master cylinder reservoir when pushing the pistons back into the calipers, remove the two blue ABS relays located in the engine compartment fuse box. Shop Profile: NOTE: Toyota doesn’t recommend clamping German Motorworks - 20 the brake hose and vent- Rear View: 1976 Cadillac Truck - 36 Continued on page 30 What’s Inside: GM sets goal of going largely electric by 2035 - 8 2022 Cadillac V-Series Blackwing: The most powerful Cadillacs ever - 25 Collision repairers, insurers and OEM weigh in on issues - 10 Smaller insurers again get top grades from auto repairers - 26 Recalls: Compiled from AP, OEMs, EPA and NHTSA - 12 McDowell hopes Daytona victory brings more success to team - 32 Ex-Nissan boss’ accused smugglers seek Supreme Court’s help -19 Toyota offers payment relief to customers affected by winter storm - 34 2 AutoGraphic’s Automotive Report March 2021 Area’s Largest BACHMAN Supplier of AUTO GROUP Genuine GM Parts! Hotline for Bachman Parts Center 800-334-3041 502-491-3662 9650 Bluegrass Parkway Louisville, KY 40299 Daily Delivery to Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati and Southern Indiana! 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Cast-iron spacers are included in the kit to lift the 1121 Airport Center Drive • Suite 101 • Nashville, TN 37214 PLANO, Texas – There’s no denying Tacoma 1 inch in the rear. VOL. 33, No. 10 • March 2021 the popularity of Toyota Tacoma among The additional lift provided by the truck enthusiasts – just look at its track Tacoma TRD Lift Kit gives the truck a record as the best-selling midsize truck taller stance, but the kit offers more than Editor for the past 16 years! Now, 2020-and- just looks thanks to the improvement to Barry L. Forkum newer Tacoma owners have a suspension off-road capability it provides. With the lift option available from Toyota Racing kit installed, frame ground clearance [email protected] Development (TRD). The new Tacoma increases by 1.7 inches. The kit also TRD Lift Kit is now available nationwide improves the approach angle (+3.1 to as a dealer-installed option, providing up 32 degrees), breakover angle (+1.6 to 23 Publisher / Advertising Director to a 2-inch front and 1-inch rear lift on degrees), and departure angle (+0.5 to 24 most V6-powered 4×4 Tacomas. Best of degrees). Garnett Forkum all, this kit was designed and tested by The icing on this ruggedly tasty cake TRD engineers and is the only one vali- clearly must be the TRD Pro-style front dated to be compatible with the Toyota grille, which is highlighted by heritage- IT & Art Director Safety Sense (TSS) system. inspired TOYOTA lettering across the Tacoma owners are already very accus- front. The kit includes a new Toyota Allen Forkum tomed to getting off the beaten path and Safety Sense (TSS) system millimeter- exploring the great outdoors, and the wave sensor (and new camera support Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is designed to bracket) that is designed to precisely fit Copy Editor complement and enhance that lifestyle within the grille to retain the function- thanks to the added ground clearance and ality of the TSS system once the kit is Tom Williams improved approach, departure and break- installed. This is the only lift kit validated over angles it provides. to be completely TSS-compatible. Also At the heart of the kit are new mono- included are two matching black bezels Contributors tube Bilstein shocks that adopt digres- that fill in the deleted fog lamps and com- sive valving to provide improved on- and plement the TRD Pro-style grille.