OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com Newsletter
March 2011   

Welcome to the OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com newsletter.

This newsletter is provided to share information about our users, their shops, automotive industry news, things going on at Mitchell 1 as well as tips for using the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, or ideas for what you'd like to see in it, please .

In this issue:


NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

EPA Announces Waiver To Allow The Use Of E15

On January 21, 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a partial waiver to fuel and fuel additive manufacturers to allow the introduction of E15 fuel for use in model year 2001 and newer light duty motor vehicles. They previously granted a partial waiver for model year 2007 and newer vehicles. E15 is a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. The previous ethanol limit was 10%.

The EPA has placed two types of conditions on the waiver for E15. Mitigating the potential for misfueling of E15 into vehicles, engines and equipment for which E15 is not approved, and addressing fuel and ethanol quality. All conditions must be met prior to the introduction of E15 for consumer use. The EPA is completing work on regulations that would make it more practical to meet the conditions.

The EPA lists the following vehicle types that will be able to use E15.

  • Flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs).
  • MY2001 and newer cars.
  • MY2001 and newer light-duty trucks.
  • MY2001 and newer medium-duty passenger vehicles. (SUVs).
The following vehicles will not be able to use E15.
  • All motorcycles.
  • All vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as school buses, transit buses, and delivery trucks.
  • All off-road vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles.
  • All engines in off-road equipment, such as lawnmowers and chain saws.
  • All MY2000 and older cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs).

This waiver has been opposed by vehicle manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute based on concerns of the adequacy of the testing, and their claims that the use of E15 could damage engines of vehicles not designed to use the higher ethanol content. There are also concerns that consumers will be confused by pump labeling which may lead to mis-fueling and damage to earlier vehicles. Both groups have filed lawsuits to stop the implemtation of this waiver.

Several problems can happen when a vehicle not designed to run on E15 is fueled with it. Driveability problems such as lack of power, hard starting, hesitation, stalling at low speeds and others. Physical damage may include damage to metal, rubber and plastic parts of fuel system, corrosion of metal parts in fuel system and engine, wear and damage of internal engine parts. General problems with ethanol/gasoline fuel could include water contamination of the fuel due to absorption, drop in octane, vapor locking, decreased shelf life of the fuel, etc.

There are various methods of testing the percentage of ethanol in the fuel if you suspect this may be the cause of problems with your customer's vehicle. The simplest being a measured glass beaker where you start with a specific amount of water and then add fuel from the vehicle. You shake vigorously and then let this mixture stand for several minutes. The combined water and ethanol will separate from the gasoline and the percentage of ethanol can be determined.


Tip Contest Returns!

Click here for the tip contest rules. Exclusive to OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com, the Live Tips system allows users to view and share real world tips alongside existing OEM information. The unique combination of both sources of information leads you to the specific information you need to fix the vehicle faster. Beginning in March 2011, Mitchell 1 is conducting a tip contest for a limited time in order to encourage and reward technicians who actively participate in the tip system. Each month five tips will be selected and the authors will be awarded $100 each and the winning tips will be featured here in the newsletter.



Problem Opening PDF Attachments in Tips

Adobe has updated their free PDF Reader application to version X and this update may cause issues with opening PDF attachments in the OnDemand/ShopKey Live tip system as well as other web sites. If you try to open a PDF attachment and you get a blank or gray window, hit refresh and the PDF should display. You should also be able to click on the blank window and hit the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh it. If this does not solve your problem, please contact our Technical Support group. Contact information is provide on the right side of this newsletter.


Internet Explorer 9 Compatibility - Updated 3/21/11

Click here for more information. Microsoft Corporation released Internet Explorer version 9 on March 14th, 2011. IE9 is a major update to this popular browser. Mitchell 1 has conducted various tests to determine the compatibility of this new browser version and the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products.

OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com do work with IE9 with the following conditions:

  • IE9 only works with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008.
  • Must use official released version of IE9, beta and release candidate versions will not work.
  • Must run in compatibility mode.
  • SVG viewer may need to be reinstalled to view color wiring diagrams.
Click here for instructions on setting up OnDemand5.com or ShopKey5.com to work with Internet Explorer 9.


TECH PROFILE   ^  

Robert Elgersma, TJ's Auto and Collision Center

Click here for larger view.

TJ's Auto is a multifaceted automotive business located in Central Wisconsin. It consists of a full-service body shop and a salvage shop. We sell late model, used cars; light trucks; and, occasionally, RVs and heavy equipment. We also have a full service of mechanical repair, which is where I come in.

I have enjoyed being the lead, and sometimes only, service technician here for twelve years. At times, my job description knows no limits, including everything from changing tires to rebuilding engines and transmissions. However, it is electrical and driveability diagnostics which I enjoy the most. Most of the 50 or so vehicles on our lot were purchased as repairable collision vehicles, so my job often involves repairing the mechanical and electrical problems with these vehicles. This can be anything from repairing damaged wiring to changing a truck frame or cab.

Click here to visit TJ's Auto.

We offer a full 12 month bumper to bumper warranty on most of the vehicles we sell and give full disclosure of all repairs. I also service a couple of fleets and take general customer work. With the help of my Verus and ShopKey information systems, even the most challenging projects can be accomplished. I started writing tips and answering questions on Shopkey a few years ago as a way to give back for all of the help I have been given over the years. I always try to show in my tips the problem, the solution, and, most importantly, how I went about solving the issue so that the information can be applied to other situations.

During my spare time, I usually tinker with electronic stuff or work in my summertime vegetable garden. I have also taken up running and biking over the past few years and have completed ten full marathons to date. In addition, Central Wisconsin has proven to be a good home to my family, and my wife and I enjoy watching our children grow and prosper. I also spend a few weekends each summer promoting our business by creating floats for local parades and festivals.

Click here for larger view.

Robert Elgersma
Live Tips User Name: GreasyBob
Experience: 12 years cars and light truck repair, 7 years semi truck and heavy equipment, 13 years dairy farmer (farm machinery repair)
Web Site: www.buyrebuilders.com
Location: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
715-423-3999

If you'd like to be featured here or have your shop featured, please .

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Did you know...
In OnDemand and ShopKey there are handy check lists you can print out and give to your customers so that they can document symptoms they are having with their vehicles. These are locted under every vehicle in Repair > General Information > Check Lists.

Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.


FEATURED TIP   ^  

2004 MAZDA RX-8 - TEMP CONTROL DIAL EASY FIX by Brett E at Mark's Auto Service

On most of the earlier model Rx-8, you may encounter a problem with insufficient heating. Before checking the heater core or even the coolant level first check to see if the temp control dial is functioning correctly. With the key in the run or accessory position, turn the radio on and press the POWER and SCAN up buttons at the same time. The radio with display A/C TEMP. If when you move the dial and it does not change from 0 (fully cold) to 16 (fully hot) try and push the knob up or in a little. If you then get a correct reading you most likely have a bad connection at the back of the chip board that it hooks into. Now I'm not one to turn down an easy 6 bills plus labor but if Mazda has not addressed this problem then you will have an angry customer after the new control does the same thing. IT IS A SIMPLE FIX.
  1. Remove the radio assembly w/heater control (there is a hidden 10mm bolt on the drivers side of the radio, you can get to it by removing the cover under the column and then the sheet metal cover).
  2. Remove the chip board from the assembly for the heater control.
  3. On the reverse side of the chip board (where all the connection are soldered together) there are three points (see pictures). If you look closely at them they will probably look cracked at the base of the points.
  4. All you need is a little bit of heat and some more solder.
  5. Reassemble and retest with the button combo.
Click images below for larger view.

Click here for larger view  Click here for larger view

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Tip: TEMP CONTROL DIAL EASY FIX
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8
Category/Subcategory: HVAC / Automatic HVAC System
Title/Heading: HEATER, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) / Temperature Control Dial Inspection
Posted By: Brett E
Shop: Mark's Auto Service
Date: 1/25/11


WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MITCHELL 1   ^  

Vintage Update

Do you work on older cars in your shop? Have you tried our free Vintage Service Information site lately? This product covers vehicles older than 1983 and we've been making some updates to improve it. We've added additional information such as Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning information for 1969-74 domestic cars, Wheel Alignment Specifications for 1957-72 domestic cars and 1965-71 domestic trucks. Other updates include improved navigation, PDFs separated to make data easier to find and a continuing project to rescan images that are hard to read. To access Vintage, just look for the logo seen here in your OnDemand5.com or ShopKey5.com product. The Vintage information is provided free for current subscribers of these products. More updates to come.

Update 3/23/11: More data added to Vintage including 1975-82 domestic car HVAC, 1966-74 tune-up procedures, as well as additional work to navigation and corrections.

Mitchell 1 Tips YouTube Channel

Click here to visit the Mitchell 1 Tips YouTube Channel. Several users of the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com Live Tips system post video tips on YouTube. We've started a YouTube Channel to make these useful videos easier to find. Just click on the link below to visit the channel. If you have your own channel and would like to be included, just let us know in the comments section of the page.


Click here to visit the PerformanceCenter forum.
Want to discuss subjects on running your shop?

Join the free PerformanceCenter forum today. Click here to check it out.



Click here to visit the RepairCert.com web site.
Click here for information on training resources available for OnDemand and ShopKey repair users.




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