Specialty auto repair centers offer special dealer alternative maintenance and service packages. Some of them give extended warranties services for their clients. They even undertake heavy engine and transmission repair and replacement if needed. Some of these dealers have their own websites from which you can download special auto repair discount coupons.

There are specialty auto repair centers that repair and service specific auto parts such as the brakes, engines, air conditioning, mufflers, and radiators. They also take care of wheel alignments, transmissions and paintless dent repair. Replacement of windshield or window is also included in specialty repair.

Specialty auto repair is regarded as a business with reputation and significant advertising budgets. For specialty auto repair, technicians need a trade certificate, which could be as automotive service, auto body, heavy equipment or recreation service technician.

Specialty auto repair has several benefits. Standard jobs such as lubrication, oil filter, and oil change charges are less compared to general repair. These types of services have retail outlets and the service hours ideally match the timings of customers. Specific fluids, light bulbs and other critical parts are readily available in such shops. Specialty repair shops make use of computers to maintain complete and detailed information.

The disadvantage of going to a specialty auto repair shop is that they have a high sales pitch, they might urge you to do more and more work.

Looking for the Marks.  Many auto mechanics, when changing a timing chain in the past could just look for the timing marks and not even have to look up the timing mark diagram in the service manual (me included). It was pretty simple, bring the number one cylinder to top dead center and look for the obvious timing marks. Most of the time there was only the crank and only one camshaft to deal with and the pulleys went on one way. Times are changing.   

European Influence.  In the past, most of the vehicles that did require specialty cam/crank holders and line-up tools were Volkswagen’s, BMW’s and Volvo’s. More cars sold in the US are using European designed or influence engines. They are not as easy to work on, some have VVT (Variable Valve Timing), SOHC (Single Over Head Cam), DOHC (Double Over Head Cam) engines that aren’t nearly as simple. Now with American cars using more engine designs from overseas, auto technicians are finding that the old familiar timing marks that were stamped on the timing covers or pulleys are now gone.

Ford Explorer.  One very popular engine that requires cam and crank alignment tools is the German built 4.0 SOHC that is used in Ford Explorers from 1997 and up. Rotunda has been selling specialty tools for years that are used for holding the proper alignment of the cams and crank, since the pulleys can be pressed on in any position. There are eight tools required to align and hold everything in place when aligning the crank and cams. As with many Ford Rotunda specialty tools, once they have been the exclusive supplier of specific dealer required tools for a certain period of time, they start selling these auto tools under the OTC (Owatonna Tool Company) label. The above mentioned Rotunda equivelant auto tools are in a kit, the OTC6488-OCDEM.

All Makes.  Ford is not the only manufacturer that uses European designed engines that require these specialty tools. Chevrolet and Chrysler also have gone with import designs for their engines as well. Alignment tools required for Chrysler are usually labeled Miller specialty tools and Chevrolet required specialty tools are usually labeled as Kent Moore. Rotunda, Miller, Kent Moore and OTC specialty tools along with many other brand names are all under the SPX Corporation (Sealed Power Corporation) umbrella.

Professional Repairs.  Since there are many different specialty auto tools required for changing timing chains or aligning the old timing chain after having a cylinder head off, this precludes many DIY’s (Do It Yourselfers) from tackling this type of job. This is good news for professional auto repair shops that are willing to invest in specialty auto tools like the OTC6488-OCDEM required to repair these engines. For the well equipped auto repair shop, there will be no shortage of repair work in the future.

Direct or indirect TPM systems are based on used cars today. Direct pressure of the pneumatic control systems have sensors that) the exact tire pressure in each tire (including the spare models to some extent. The tire pressure sensors are used either by a steel band mounted or integrated into the valve stem. Such sensors have a battery that can, over time, like any other battery. The sensors are not operational, so that when the device's battery is not replaced.Caution must be taken when changing tires with the direct type TPM sensors, they can be damaged inadvertently when breaking the bead of the tire when using the tire machine. Consumers should also be aware that “fix a flat” or any similar tire sealer can damage the sensors.

Indirect TPM systems do not have tire pressure sensors on each wheel, they use the vehicle’s ABS (Anti Lock Brake) wheel speed sensors to calculate the speed of each tire. The idea is that equally keep tires inflated to the same speed. The computer recognizes the slight difference in the rate of under inflated tires, and turns on the alarm.

OTC is the main OE (original equipment), maker of tools for making counter most car dealers Manufacturer specific essential (seller) diagnosis TPM / GM Reset Tool OTC TPM Reset Tool number is J-46079 (Kent Moore), Ford Automobile number of special tools to reset the TPM warning lightRotunda 204-363 ( Rotunda TKIT-20006V4-FLM). OTC owns both Kent Moore and Rotunda along with other manufacturer specific auto specialty tool manufactures. The problem for the average auto repair shop is that it is not feasible to own each of the manufacturer specific TPMS auto specialty tool for each vehicle manufacturer. And, each manufacturer specific tool is only capable of resetting their specific brand. For instance if you have the Ford Rotunda TPMS tool it will work only on Ford and not Chevrolet, Nissan, etc. OTC-3833 Tire Pressure Monitoring Reset Tool is a popular choice when it comes to tools of self special TPMS. The reason is that is produced by the OTC and software that could be relevant for a wide range of reports, not just a manufacturer.