Please wait while we gather your results.
In this Technical Focus Article, learn about the main components of Variable Valve Timing, the functions & benefits, VVT history, and common causes of VVT malfunction. We include a case study on a 2004 Honda Accord® EX 2.4L as well!
Learn about the five types of vehicle steering systems in detail: Worm and sector, recirculating ball, rack and pinion, hydraulic power steering, and electric power steering (EPS).
In this additional article to our Vehicle Steering Systems Tech Focus, we'll cover what the signs are of a faulty steering angle sensor, why the steering angle sensor is important, and what are the common procedures one may need to deal with a steering angle sensor.
In this Tech Focus article, we'll highlight the variety of differences between diesel and gasoline engines, including how they ignite the air fuel mixture, and their efficiency and performance. Due to their differences, a diagnostic scanner that has the coverage to address the different systems can change the game. At Snap-on, our scanners have great coverage. Take a look at our GM® and Ford® IQA analysis as well as highlighting of the classic Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter®.
Depending on who you ask, some technicians and shop owners have differing perspectives on EVAP - is it a friend or a foe? We know it can be difficult to diagnose and also a leading cause for comebacks, but in this Technical Focus article we are going to dive into mistakes to avoid and how to make dealing with EVAP profitable for all.
TPMS is designed to alert the driver to low tire pressure while the vehicle is traveling as well as when it is stationary. Low pressure is responsible for many accidents and breakdowns. The possibility is greatly increased when a tire has low pressure. Incorrect pressure also has a negative effect on fuel economy, emissions and tire wear.
The article is about electric vehicles, (EV) for short, also known as battery electric vehicles (BEV). The B in BEV defines an all-electric vehicle versus a hybrid. There are now many OEMs with BEV offerings, such as the Audi® e-tron®, BMW® i4®, Cadillac® Lyriq®, Chevrolet® Blazer®, Ford® F-150® Lightning® and Mustang Mach-E®, Hyundai® ioniq®, Kia® EV6®, MG5®, Mini®, Nissan® Leaf®, Polestar® 2, Rivian®, Tesla® and Volkswagen® 1D.3®. Let's drive in!
Did you know that the purpose of the ignition system is to create a high voltage spark at the correct time and at the required intensity? Learn all about ignition systems - what to do and what not to do.
Take the challenges out of diagnosing modern air/fuel ratio sensors by using this handy process in Snap-on scan tools with up-to-date diagnostic software.
Take a look into Parking Assistance Systems (PAS) and how sensors, cameras, automated controls work in unison to make parking a vehicle a breeze. We'll go over the history of AFAS, the types of Parking Assist Systems (passive, active, and remote), and share how to diagnose and calibrate ADAS with a Snap-on® scan tool.
The epic quest for the perfect A/F ratio continues today. It’s true the industry is so much closer year after year to achieving that consistent stoichiometric ratio. If I had to put a name on where we are in this quest, I would say we have achieved maintaining a well-balanced ratio.
Learn about the benefits of the ABS System, ABS Limitations, ABS Diagnosis with trouble codes, and more in the latest Technical Focus article covering everything you need to know about the Anti-lock Braking System.
Have you experienced the car ABS light on and ESP light on when a vehicle was driven over 5 MPH? In this Audi A4 case study, our technician was able to gather information using Fast-Track Intelligent Diagnostics (exclusive to Snap-on) to get to the bottom of some persistent warning lights and to discover what the abs light means.
The most famous partnership in the 4-stroke engine world is the camshaft and the crankshaft. They form a synchronized partnership that produces the most power with the highest efficiency. In this Technical focus article, learn how to test a cam and crank position sensor and if they're in sync.
With today’s technology, HVAC work can be one of the most profitable types of work a shop or a tech can do. However, it can also be highly subject to a comeback if not serviced thoroughly, and a comeback is the biggest “profit killer” there is. The only thing worse than a comeback is they don’t ever come back!
If you think you're done with a car just because you fixed the issue, think again! Learn quickly about the importance of post repair workflow!
If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a reflash and a relearn, Keith Wray, our Snap-on® National Training Manager, will tell you the difference. Check it out.
Vehicles today need a secure gateway to protect them from getting hacked, yet allow for diagnostic tool access. Read more about how Snap-on® is on the leading edge with Security Link®
Uncover the transformative impact of "Guided Component Tests" in streamlining processes and enhancing results, exclusively available through Snap-on.
Unlock peace of mind for both you and your customers with a comprehensive health check. Dive deep into unseen issues within vehicle systems that often go unnoticed by warning lights or alerts. Elevate your shop's professionalism and technician credibility with detailed Diagnostic Health Scan Reports, reinforcing the value of diagnostic charges.
Discover the advantages of Brushless Fuel Pumps in technical focus article. Learn how brushless fuel pump technology improves efficiency and reliability. Stay ahead in automotive diagnostics where we show you how to evaluate a brushless fuel pump with a Snap-on® tool equipped with Guided Component Tests.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are revolutionizing road safety, but maintenance and calibration of these systems are vital for optimal performance. ️Times are changing! Independent shops are now equipped with the training and tools to perform ADAS calibrations independently.
In this article: We look at why this shift is happening and the benefits ADAS work brings to both independent shops and your customers to ensure you're not turning business away unnecessarily.
Do you know what ADAS calibration is? There are three main methods of ADAS calibration: Static calibration, Dynamic Calibration, and Initialization. Furthermore, there are ADAS calibration tools, such as a diagnostic scan tool and proper calibration target that need to be taken into account. Learn about OEM procedures for ADAS calibration and more in the latest tech focus article.
VW Golf Real Fix for Codes 01331, J386 & 01336
In this month's Technical Focus article, we'll take a look into maintenance of car batteries, how diagnostic tools have made the entire process more streamlined, and we'll take a deeper dive into a case study involving a Land Rover battery using our diagnostic scan tool, TRITON-D10™.
In this month's Technical Focus article, we'll take a look into maintenance of car batteries, how diagnostic tools have made the entire process more streamlined, and we'll take a deeper dive into a case study involving a Land Rover battery using our diagnostic scan tool, TRITON-D10™.
Learn the importance of resets & relearns as well as how easy they can be to complete with a diagnostic scanner. In this technical article, we'll go over how modern vehicles have a wide range of resets and maintenance reminders that if are not reset, could cause expensive damage to the vehicle.
Part two case study on timing chains. Timing chain stretch is not the stretching of the timing chain steel. It is an elongation of the timing chain caused by wear to the chain's components.
The most common cause of timing chain elongation is lack of maintenance, regular oil changes and the wrong oil. Learn more about timing chains by reading this informative article.
Timing chain stretch is not the stretching of the timing chain steel. It is an elongation of the timing chain caused by wear to the chain's components.
The most common cause of timing chain elongation is lack of maintenance, regular oil changes and the wrong oil. Learn more about timing chains by reading this informative article.
Motor vehicles have become increasingly more complex over the last two decades to meet ever-tightening emissions regulations, increased fuel economy requirements as well as passenger comfort and safety. This added complexity means technicians are flooded with additional data when diagnosing vehicle faults.
Pressure transducers can be valuable in our Diagnostic fault-finding process in many different ways. We can use the pressure transducer to look at ‘Fluid pressures’ such as fuel, transmissions, hydraulics, and ‘Gas pressures’, such as compression, manifold, and exhaust backpressure. Let's take a deeper dive into how to use this tool to find your diagnosis.
The Clear View Flag Tracker is a feature that can help a technician to identify when a data parameter (PID) value goes out of specification. Here is how to use it:
Motor vehicles have become increasingly more complex over the last two decades, this means technicians are flooded with additional data when diagnosing vehicle faults. Read this technical article to learn more.
Measurement of the volume and density of airflow entering an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is critical to ensure the system is operating efficiently and within the emissions specifications.
The question is do you have a diagnostic procedure? Most technicians have their own specific approach for diagnosing typical drivability problems, electrical or mechanical issues. Why is it that one technician can take 20 minutes diagnosing a car and another may take a week to only come up with the same fix? Here are some Snap-on tips to get to the fix quicker....
See how to calibrate the front radar on a Toyota Corolla using a Snap-on scan tool and EZ-ADAS
There are many systems and functions in the modern motor vehicle that require a method of controlling and reversing the electrical polarity of a circuit. The most common process is controlling the direction of rotation of a motor, e.g. electric window motor, electric power steering motor, electronic throttle control motor, etc.
This Toyota Prius had malfunction warning lights illuminated and two faults relating to the High Voltage System stored.Intermittently the vehicle would not enter “Ready Mode”. See how this Prius was put back into ‘Ready’ mode…
This vehicle had a bulb failure warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster and the brake light on the right-hand side of the vehicle appeared to be lighting at full brilliance at all times.
This customer had purchased himself a 2010 Ford Focus ST, and after a few weeks of owning the vehicle, some symptoms appeared, so it was time to investigate.
Electronic control modules process data from various sensors and modules controlling multiple systems. Control modules operate on the principle of Boolean logic (the binary system), this is where a statement is either true or false.
Take a look at our 2-minute 48 Volt Electrical System Class here!
The rise in demand for ‘high-tech’ vehicles has challenged engineers to rethink and create more sophisticated internal systems which promote efficiency. The humble motor is a great example of this with many vehicle manufacturers now using brushless direct current (DC) motors in automotive applications. The brushless motor has many advantages when compared to conventional ‘brushed motors’ but whilst more efficient, the commutation control of the brushless motor is more complex. Take a look at the article to learn more.
This 2017 Volvo XC60 with a 2-liter engine had multiple electrical failures reported by the owner. These were all relating to the Body electrical system. The faults were intermittent in nature. The vehicle would start and operate as expected even with the issue present. A scan tool was connected to the vehicle’s Data Link Connector (DLC) and numerous fault codes were stored. Read the article to see the fix.
Explore the key concepts of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration in our latest article. Learn about passive, active, and manual regeneration methods in vehicle diagnostics and maintenance. Stay informed and keep your automotive diesel customers engine running smoothly.
This article describes to technicians how a relatively simple fault became slightly more complicated to rectify when a component with different operating parameters was fitted. Damien Coleman will guide you through how to resolve the issue quickly and effectively by further investigation and testing, using a TRITON-D8 and a multimeter from Snap-on.
ADAS systems come in many forms, with everything from blind spot warnings to night vision technologies, and because of the vital job these systems do, it's important to ensure that they are properly calibrated and functioning to prevent any malfunction of the system.
Sometimes a vehicle will suffer from driveability issues and fault codes relating to valve timing. Such conditions can be difficult to diagnose without the correct equipment.
The purpose of variable valve timing (VVT) is to help increase the engine’s volumetric efficiency and limit the exhaust gasses produced by the vehicle. By altering when the valves open and close you can optimize the performance of the engine.
The development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have been a technological leap forward for the automotive industry. However, new challenges handling car repairs for workshops and bodyshops when ADAS systems are impacted are common.
This deep-dive case study walks through the steps taken when a 2016 Mercedes E350 was involved in a collision and repaired, only to find that a warning message indicating ‘lane keeping assist inoperative’ was displayed in the instrument cluster.
The development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have been a technological leap forward for the automotive industry. However, new challenges handling car repairs for workshops and body shops when ADAS systems are impacted are common.
This deep-dive case study walks through the steps taken when a 2016 Mercedes E350 was involved in a collision and repaired, only to find that a warning message indicating ‘lane keeping assist inoperative’ was displayed in the instrument cluster.
Explore the vital role of Proxi Alignment in vehicle communication and its impact on different OEMs and vehicle components. Although it is more commonly known in the U.K. region, there are a variety of OEM's that require Proxi Alignment like Fiat®, Chrysler®, Jeep®, and Ram® among others.
The cylinder power balance test is a way of measuring the power contribution of each cylinder. That contribution should be relatively equal across all cylinders. Check out how we team up with Fast-Track® Intelligent Diagnostics to make the process streamlined.
Let’s explore the distinctive control mechanism of direct ignition systems, setting them apart from conventional designs.
This article is designed to provide a technician with a process for identifying a parasitic draw from a vehicle battery. The key to diagnosing any issues with parasitic draw, is to ensure the vehicle is shutdown. Take a look here to learn more...
This Toyota Prius had malfunction warning lights illuminated and two faults relating to the High Voltage System stored.Intermittently the vehicle would not enter “Ready Mode”. See how this Prius was put back into ‘Ready’ mode…
Sensor construction and measuring waveforms is a useful place to start when getting to grips with complex brake system faults. Take a look at the article to learn more.
FlexRay is similar to CAN Bus as the data is transmitted over two twisted wires, which act to reduce the effects of external interference on the differential voltage between both wires. Data transfer speeds can be up to 10 times faster than CAN bus, operating at speeds up to 1 Mbits per second.
Controller Area Network (CAN) is a data transfer network designed to allow many nodes (modules) to communicate using a standard structure and format. This article will provide the technician with the necessary tools to successfully validate a CAN bus signal and help to identify faults where present.
Local Interconnection (LIN) Bus is a low speed cost effective alternative to CAN bus. LIN gets its name from being a ‘local’ sub-system. Data Transfer speeds can be up to 20 kBits/second. It is designed for sensor/actuator level.
There are many different ways to diagnose ignition problems on a vehicle using a Snap-on lab scope.
There are many different ways to diagnose ignition problems on a vehicle using a Snap-on lab scope.
Find out how the combination of a Snap-on diagnostic tool and software can help make key programming easier.
Learn about some short but important steps you need to follow when it comes to ensuring that replaced modules are fully recognised by a vehicle.
A very handy feature of the diagnostic software on your Snap-on scan tool is the parameter identification (PID) trigger function. You can set minimum and maximum values and if your data goes outside of those the PID trigger function will automatically save it for you so you can see it later.
Make your life easier by using a Snap-on lab scope and scan tool to check and verify the correctness of vehicle scan data - on the same screen at the same time.
Did you know that fuel injectors on Direct Injection vehicles work differently than a standard fuel injector? Read on to learn more.
Help make diagnosing a misfiring Ford a lot more straightforward with the aid of a quick and simple test available in Snap-on scan tools.
Discover a new technique included in the latest software upgrade designed to make your life easier when it comes to coding vehicle headlamps.
Take the challenges out of diagnosing modern air/fuel ratio sensors by using this handy process in Snap-on scan tools with up-to-date diagnostic software.
See what was happening before and after the code was set thanks to a handy feature on Snap-on scan tools.
Diagnose fuel pump issues by using your Snap-on lab scope and diagnostic software to generate readings for analysis.
Learn about a quick and easy way to test a communication network and get to the bottom of problems efficiently.
When trying to diagnose a misfire on some vehicles you might suspect that a fuel injector is causing the problems.
Read on to improve your knowledge of nitrogen oxides from diesel emissions and how to deal with them.
Read on to see how you can check data and test that the electronic throttle control system is performing normally – and how you can tell if there is an issue.
Having difficulty diagnosing communication problems on a vehicle? A Snap-on diagnostic platform can help you to overcome the challenges and get to the root cause of the problem.
The ever-developing technology on modern vehicles means that having a solid diagnostic routine can make you more efficient in the workshop.