Archive for January, 2009

An Employee needs an employer who appreciates me?

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Elegantgem asked:


I work as a automotive service manager been with this company 3 years, a Family owned business. I have moved up from ansewering telephones to service manager. The owner reconized my ability to handle an important role in his company & gave me the opportunity to move up, which I fully appreciate. I have been recognized and praised for my loyalty & trust worthness. Matter of fact this past year the owner was out traveling while I orchestrated the company competely on my own with 3 tec/mechnics under my direction. I was praised by the owner for bringing in more cash revenue within this past year then the company has in any other year since starting in 1974. I multi task, customer ser., create estimates, complete service/repair bills, schedule appointments, handle cash & credit card transactions, & days end make the financial report. Owners mentally abusive to all. Question: where does a person of my caliper become reconized and wanted by another employer that will be more appreciative?

Terri

Where should I go to get my car speakers repaired in Redding, CA?

Friday, January 16th, 2009
Rakoon asked:


I think some wiring was fused. My CD player/radio still works, but my speakers don’t have sound. Does Walmart do eletrical/speaker repairs? What about AAAA Auto Repair, Bryant Tom Automotive, Earl’s Auto Electric, Goodyear’s Auto Electric, G&T Auto Electric, Nichollos Auto Services, Nor Cal Charging Systems (yellow pages)? Any reviews?

Steve

Someone doing automotive business at home without a business license. How to report him?

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
FirstTimeCabo asked:


A friend went to a guy who has his own automotive business. He has his own website saying it’s a business/company with staffs and he’s known in the discussion boards for providing service to numerous people (Vouchers). He says he’s been doing for years.

Well my friend let him work on his car and purchased parts from him since the person said it was his “automotive business” but just at home and not at a commercial property. When the work was done, he didn’t provide an invoice and said it was ‘under the table’.

Since he’s providing a service to NUMEROUS customers, we asked him for his business license #. The business owner claimed that he has a license but he’s never provided one to him. I also found out that a lot of people are getting ripped off by him.

It doesn’t look like he reports his “business” to the IRS since there’s NO invoice. Do i report him to the Bureau of Automotive Repair? The City? What’s the MOST I can do?

I don’t want people like him taking advantage of others.
MCCAIN, Did you read over what i wrote? You COMPLETELY misunderstood what I wrote. I NEVER SAID fixing a car was simple. I’m only asking you guys so I can give my friend some suggestions.

Melvin

Is it a reasonable goal at 35 to pursue a career as a commercial airline Pilot?

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
Wayne H asked:


I am 35 years old and I own a very busy service facility. Although I enjoy my job I have always wanted to get my pilots license and see how far I can take it. I have my Grade 12, my automotive technicians license but no other post secondary education.

Amber

Short Automotive Questions about car financing? Pleasseee help me?

Thursday, January 8th, 2009
fireworks_galaxy asked:


Automotive Questions. Please help me? id really apprecaite it. thanks in advance and have a great day. =)

1. Why is it important to maintain a good credit history?
a. Because your family will inherit it, and it’s important to plan for their future
b. Because anyone can access your credit history at any time to learn about you
c. Because a good credit history can generally help you negotiate for a lower finance rate
d. Consumer protection laws state it is your responsibility to maintain good credit

2. What might happen if you fail to make several payments on purchases that you made a year ago?
a. The item(s) can be taken away from you, if the item(s) secured the credit obligation you took on when you bought the items
b. Negative information may be added to your credit report
c. You could be denied credit in the future
d. All of the above

3. How can you find what your credit history looks like?
a. Contact a credit-reporting agency
b. Ask a private investigator to find out all they can about you
c. Look yourself up on the Internet
d. Check your family’s credit history

4. Which of the following is not something a creditor will look at before granting you credit?
a. If you pay your bills on time
b. Where you live and your living arrangements
c. How many credit obligations you have
d. How much you owe on all your accounts

5. Net income is also known as:
a. Taxable income
b. Alimony
c. What’s left after you pay your bills
d. Take-home pay

6. About how much of your monthly take-home pay should your car payment not exceed, after subtracting certain monthly expenses, like credit cards?
a. 5% to 10%
b. 10% to 15%
c. 15% to 20%
d. 20% to 25%

7. In addition to vehicle payment, what other vehicle expenses should be considered in your monthly budget?
a. Insurance
b. Maintenance
c. Gasoline
d. All of the above

8. Which of the following is a contract with a dealership to buy a vehicle on time by paying the purchase price plus an agreed upon finance charge over a certain period of time?
a. Gap protection
b. Aquisition fee
c. Installment sale
d. Residual price

9. What is one of the major differences between buying and leasing a vehicle if you choose to buy?
a. The dealership is listed on the title as the vehicle owner
b. You need to turn in your vehicle to the dealership after a certain length of time
c. You will need to pay a security deposit, acquisition fee and other charges
d. You are the owner of the vehicle and your name is listed on the title

10. Monthly lease payments are usually lower than monthly finance payments when comparing leasing and financing for the same term because you are only paying for the vehicle’s expected depreciation during the lease term, plus a rent charge, taxes and fees.
a. True
b. False

11. When you finance at the dealership, you are entering into an installment sales contract between you and the dealership.
a. True
b. False

12. When you lease a vehicle, you are responsible for excess wear and tear, damage and missing equipment.
a. True
b. False

13. Which of the following items can you negotiate with your dealership?
a. Annual Percentage Rate
b. Length of contract
c. Price of the vehicle
d. All of the above

14. Which of the following can be used to lower your monthly payment?
a. Getting a higher APR
b. Choosing the shortest term available
c. Making a larger down payment
d. None of the above

15. Which of the following are additional items that can usually be added to the finance contract?
a. Optional Credit Life Insurance
b. Option Gap Protection
c. Optional Service Contract
d. All of the above

16. What is the purpose of purchasing optional disability insurance?
a. Covers the gap between the vehicle’s value and what your insurance company provides in the event of total vehicle loss
b. Pays the balance of your contract in the event of your death
c. Makes your scheduled car payment in the event of sickness or disability
d. Protects owners against unexpected major auto repair expenses

17. What is the purpose of a service contract?
a. Adds additional time to the vehicle warranty
b. Protects owners against unexpected major covered auto repair expenses
c. Pays all of the vehicle repairs regardless of the circumstances

Heidi

The automotive bailout?

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
blueneonstars9597 asked:


I would like to know peoples opinions on this subject. For or against the government bailing them out and why??

I just got into an argument with a family member over this subject. I have worked in an automotive factory as well as other factory jobs. In my opinion I have seen over and over again that no matter what your loyalty or good service to your company the big wigs will scr*w you over every time given the chance. I am just a peon and do my job and take pride in my work but when the ship starts sinking your job gets cut like you are just a rat that needs to be exterminated.

If this bailout goes through who REALLY benefits from it?? Corporate or the every day worker.
itchmm. I hear what you are saying.
xb thank -you
xb thank -you

Julio

Automotive maintenace tools - need best answer help please?

Monday, January 5th, 2009
Yamobethere asked:


1. For automotive work, common wrench sizes range from:

_____ a. 1/8 inch to 5/8 inch (standard) and 6 mm to 60 mm (metric).

_____ b. 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch (standard) and 3 mm to 36 mm (metric).

_____ c. 1/4 inch to 1-7/8 inch (standard) and 6 mm to 40 mm (metric).

_____ d. 1/4 inch to 1-5/8 inch (standard) and 6 mm to 32 mm (metric).

2. If a bolt or nut is stripped, a/an __________ wrench should be used to remove the stripped part?

_____ a. pipe

_____ b. impact

_____ c. adjustable

_____ d. combination

3. When installing an oil filter, you should:

_____ a. use an oil filter wrench.

_____ b. tighten it by hand.

_____ c. tighten it at least 1 ½ turns.

_____ d. turn it counterclockwise one full turn.

4. After cleaning battery terminals, some technicians use a little chassis grease to:

_____ a. insulate the terminals from accidental shorts.

_____ b. seal the terminals and retard corrosion.

_____ c. improve the electrical connection between the terminals and cables.

_____ d. make the terminals easier to remove the next time.

5. The specific gravity, as measured with a hydrometer, of a fully charged cell in a lead-acid automobile battery is:

_____ a. 13.1 to 16.0.

_____ b. 12.6.

_____ c. 7.0.

_____ d. 1.27.

6. If the charging voltage of an automobile electrical system is over 16 volts, the __________ is/are likely to be defective.

_____ a. battery

_____ b. starter

_____ c. voltage regulator

_____ d. battery cables

7. How should an ammeter be connected when checking the load, or current drain, from a battery?

_____ a. Red meter lead to positive battery terminal; black meter lead to disconnected end of positive battery cable

_____ b. Red meter lead to negative battery terminal; black meter lead to positive battery terminal

_____ c. Red meter lead to positive battery terminal; black meter lead to negative battery terminal

_____ d. Black meter lead to negative battery terminal; red meter lead to chassis ground

8. If there is any doubt about what should be added to a cooling system using a new extended-life coolant after testing the specific gravity:

_____ a. flush and refill the system.

_____ b. consult the vehicle owner’s manual.

_____ c. add water.

_____ d. add coolant.

9. A vacuum gauge is used to:

_____ a. detect leaks in the cooling system.

_____ b. detect intake and mechanical problems in the valve and piston area of the engine.

_____ c. adjust the flow pattern of fuel injectors.

_____ d. check ring and pinion gear backlash.

10. A good fuel injector should produce a/an:

_____ a. oval spray pattern and remain open after firing.

_____ b. irregular spray pattern and partially close after firing.

_____ c. circular spray pattern and remain open after firing.

_____ d. cone-shaped spray pattern and shut off after firing.

11. When setting the ring and pinion gear backlash of a differential, for greater accuracy, you should:

_____ a. set the clearance between .008″ and .010″.

_____ b. use a hydraulic press.

_____ c. look up the setting for the specific differential being serviced.

_____ d. use a smaller clearance setting on differentials that run hot.

12. The toe angle is usually set “in at the front,” which means that the front tires are:

_____ a. pointing toward each other when viewed from the front.

_____ b. pointing toward each other at the top, inward toward the center of the vehicle.

_____ c. pointing away from each other at the top, outward from the center of the vehicle.

_____ d. perfectly parallel to the vehicle.

13. When removing a shock absorber, a special tool is used to:

_____ a. remove the two bolts at the top.

_____ b. hold the end of the shock while the nut is removed.

_____ c. hold the end of the shock while the upper bolt is removed.

_____ d. remove the nut and two bolts holding the shock in place.

14. A/An __________ is used to correct static and dynamic tire imbalance.

_____ a. drum gauge

_____ b. alignment machine

_____ c. tire balancer

_____ d. tire changer

15. In addition to special brake tools, what regular hand tool is needed to assemble shoe type brakes?

_____ a. A pair of pliers

_____ b. A Phillips-head screwdriver

_____ c. A ball peen hammer

_____ d. A soft face hammer

16. A brake shoe-to-drum gauge is used to:

_____ a. adjust the drum to the circumference of the brake shoes.

_____ b. adjust brake shoes to the diameter of the drum.

_____ c. determine the placement of the brake drum.

_____ d. measure the thickness of the brake drum.

17. A continuity tester is used to check electrical circuits for:

_____ a. improper voltage.

_____ b. insufficient current.

_____ c. excessive current.

_____ d. a broken connection.

18. An ohmmeter is used to check the:

_____ a. voltage in an electrical circuit.

_____ b. amount of resistance in a wire or circuit.

_____ c. amount of current flow in a circuit.

_____ d. amount of power consumed by an electrical device.

19. Most headlights are set:

_____ a. horizontally straight ahead, because the low beams automatically drop lower and to the right.

_____ b. first for the high beams and then for the low beams.

_____ c. low and to the right.

_____ d. low and to the left.

20. The lower (smaller) the gauge number of an electrical wire, the:

_____ a. thinner the wire’s insulation.

_____ b. lower the current-carrying capacity of the wire.

_____ c. higher the current-carrying capacity of the wire.

_____ d. smaller the diameter of the conductor.

Shirley

How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?

Monday, January 5th, 2009
Thomas B asked:


I have a Nissan Pathfinder, but would like to know the general rule of thumb to have automotive brakes inspected and possibly shoes & pads replaced in order to avoid complete replacement of rotors and brakes every couple of years.

Raymond

Can you help this student with a survey about fast food and taxes? Feel free to add additional comments?

Thursday, January 1st, 2009
Alexis asked:


1. What is your age and state of residence (only)?
2. How often do you eat fast food? Why?
3. How often do you use the drive-thru to order your fast food and why?
4. How much automotive idle time do you estimate you use at the drive-thru?
5. How do you currently feel about environmental issues, and do you think the idle emissions from automobiles contribute emissions to the greenhouse effect, if you believe the greenhouse effect is a dilemma?
6. Is the drive-thru a major/minor convienence to your life and why?
7. Would you consider paying a nominal tax for use of the drive- thru each visit, if you knew the nominal tax would be used for state environmental iniatives?
8. Would you be willing to pay a $0.15 service tax for usage of the drive-thru, if the tax funded research for alternative fuel? Why, or why not?
9. What is the maximum amount you would consider for a drive-thru service tax?
10. How do you feel this might affect your lifestyle?
(Thank you from a very greatful student. :)

Edward

Should I get into Real Estate?

Thursday, January 1st, 2009
ubet426 asked:


I am an automotive service consultant & one hell of a salesperson. I am very aggresive & love to “work the deal”, real estate has always interested me for several reasons. One of course is the “potential” income, and another is not being stuck in an office all day. I am under the impression you kinda get to make your own schedule and do you own thing in Real Estate. I am well aware, being a commisioned employee now that ups & downs suck, but at least you are able to control your income to a point, I would like to hear from seasoned real estate profesionals that can give me an honest opinion of this career and the success & failures that are involved. I work hard and hussle to get work, I think I may be a good fit…. what do the experts say???

Chad