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Staying Comfortable Behind the Counter
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By Clifford Auto Parts
Every time you start your car, accelerate on the highway, or cruise through city streets, there’s a silent genius at work ensuring everything runs smoothly—the Engine Control Module (ECM). While it may not be the most glamorous part of your vehicle, the ECM plays a critical role in ensuring your car performs at its best.
Let’s dive into the world of ECMs to understand why this small but mighty component is so important and how it impacts your driving experience.
What Exactly is the ECM?
The ECM is often referred to as the brain of your car, and for good reason. It’s a sophisticated computer that processes data from various sensors throughout your vehicle. These sensors monitor critical factors like air intake, engine temperature, fuel levels, and more.
The ECM uses this data to make real-time adjustments to ensure your engine runs efficiently. For example, it determines the exact amount of fuel your engine needs and adjusts the air-to-fuel ratio for optimal combustion. Without it, your car would struggle to start, run inefficiently, or even fail to comply with emissions standards.
Why the ECM Matters
It’s easy to overlook something as technical as an ECM, but this little device affects almost every aspect of your driving experience.
Fuel Efficiency
If you’ve ever wondered how modern cars manage to go further on a gallon of gas, the ECM is part of the answer. It fine-tunes fuel delivery to maximize efficiency, saving you money at the pump.
Performance
Whether you’re accelerating onto the freeway or climbing a steep hill, the ECM ensures your engine delivers the power you need when you need it.
Emissions Control
The ECM helps reduce harmful emissions by carefully managing the combustion process. This not only keeps the environment cleaner but also ensures your car meets legal standards.
Diagnostics
When something goes wrong, the ECM doesn’t just sit idly by. It records fault codes that mechanics can use to pinpoint issues quickly. That check engine light? It’s often the ECM trying to tell you something needs attention.
Signs Your ECM Might Be in Trouble
Like any other electronic component, the ECM isn’t immune to wear and tear. If your car is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be time to have your ECM checked:
Difficulty Starting: A failing ECM may struggle to regulate fuel delivery, making it hard to start your car. Poor Performance: If your engine feels sluggish or unresponsive, the ECM might not be doing its job. Unusual Fuel Consumption: A faulty ECM can disrupt fuel efficiency, leading to higher costs at the pump. Check Engine Light: While this can indicate many issues, an ECM problem is one possibility. Replacing or Upgrading Your ECM
If your ECM is damaged or outdated, replacing it with a high-quality unit is essential. When choosing a replacement, ensure it’s compatible with your vehicle’s make and model. Investing in a reliable ECM can restore your car’s performance and save you from costly repairs down the line.
Conclusion
The ECM might not be the most visible part of your vehicle, but its impact is undeniable. It’s the behind-the-scenes mastermind ensuring your car runs efficiently, performs well, and meets modern environmental standards.
So, the next time you enjoy a smooth ride or marvel at your car’s fuel economy, take a moment to appreciate the ECM quietly working its magic under the hood. It’s proof that sometimes, the most important things are the ones we don’t see.
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By Counterman
There are few (if any) counter professionals who know parts as well as Moe Ali. But at the start of his career at Arch Auto Parts, that wasn’t the case.
“My first day at the register a customer asked for a hose clamp,” recalled Ali. “I’m like ‘A hose clamp? I don’t know.’ Then I called one of the professionals over and said ‘Hey, what is a hose clamp?’”
Though he faced a laugh from his coworkers, it marked the beginning of his journey to mastering the parts business.
Moe Ali helps a customer at Arch Auto Parts.
At the time, Ali was only 15, eager to get his driver’s license. He saw a job at an auto parts store as the perfect way to learn. Over the years, the knowledge he gained not only stuck, but grew, shaping his career into what it is today.
More than three decades later, Ali has ascended to an executive role at Arch Auto Parts, becoming the Vice President of Sales. It’s all thanks to a relentless work ethic, a steadfast commitment to customer service and a vast knowledge of parts. It’s those same qualities that make Ali the 2024 AMN/Counterman Counter Professional of the Year, sponsored by WIX Filters.
For the man who first hired Ali back in the early ’90s, it’s an honor that’s well deserved (and, in Arch Auto’s opinion, long overdue).
“When I heard [that Ali won] I thought, ‘What took so damn long?’” remarked Kish Samaroo, vice president of operations at Arch. “He has just worked his ass off and earned a lot of respect from his colleagues and customers. He is the go-to guy. Customers look for him because he has this personality that’s really cool and calm. He really built himself up and developed really good relationships with customers.”
Those relationships were forged through 30-plus years of hard work. After starting as a part-time cashier, Ali tackled various other roles, including stocking parts and working behind the counter. As he refined his skills and added to his knowledge, Ali was ready to become a store manager. While his career was growing, so was his company. When Arch Auto Parts began opening new locations in the New York City area, Ali became a district manager, overseeing multiple stores. Eventually, his career progression led him to his current executive role.
‘WHERE THE ACTION IS’
Being an executive doesn’t mean Ali is content to sit in an office all day. More often than not, you’ll find him out on the sales floor.
“Although I’m VP of sales, just being in the office and sitting down… that’s not me,” Ali explained. “I don’t want to be (in the office). I want to be in the field. I want to be on the floor selling parts. I want to be where the action is.
Daryl Benton, VP of sales & marketing for WIX North America, speaks at the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year dinner.
“I would say within my work week, half of the time I’m on the counter selling parts,” Ali continued. “Not because we’re short-staffed or anything like that. I want to be out there. I want to be on the floor. I want to see what we’re missing. I want to see what brands we need to bring in. I want to see what items that we need to stock.”
Having developed an extensive knowledge of those items makes it easy for Ali to execute his simple, yet effective, customer service philosophy: “Get them the right part, the first time.”
“Moe has developed excellent parts and sales skills,” said Chris Bodh, group president of general repair businesses at Arch’s parent company, NexaMotion Group. “He’s loved and respected by his staff and customers and has an amazing attitude, even when he is juggling a lot of priorities.”
GENERATIONS OF CUSTOMERS
Ali’s reputation for friendliness and reliability has won him some die-hard customers. Their loyalty has been passed down to younger generations.
“Thirty years ago when he started (with Arch) as a young man, he built relationships with these mechanics and customers,” said Samaroo. “Then their kids started coming to him. And their kids did the same. Moe has built relationships with generations of families.”
What keeps these customers, and their families, coming back to him? It all boils down to great customer service.
“They trust you to give them the right part,” said Ali. “You need to work with them on the pricing and make sure that’s good. Ultimately, you need to have a good relationship with your customers. If you do that, they’re always going to keep coming back.”
GROWING WITH ARCH
Ali is the rare employee who has been with only one company in his career. After 33 years at Arch, he’s more than happy to stay put.
Moe Ali with his wife of 28 years, Ramona.
“It’s a great place to work, but you got to work here to see it,” explained Ali. “And the way we carry ourselves, the way we train our guys, the way we manage our employees, it goes a long way.”
Ali has an appreciation for Arch’s culture of promoting from within. He tells us 95% of the store’s managers were trained just like he was. That training is something Ali takes an active role in now. Not only does he hire new employees, he takes them under his wing, providing the training and guidance they’ll need to succeed.
Ali explained to us what he looks for in a potential counter professional.
“Everyone who gets hired here, we start them as either a stock associate, and then we train them to be a counter professional,” Ali explained. They look like they have the right attitude, they have good attendance, they’re punctual and they keep themselves professional. So those are the guys who I would interview for the counter. (I’d ask) ‘Hey, listen, you want to learn a career? You want to learn something different? You want to make more money? You go to the counter.’”
The Pronto Network’s Steven Ng poses with Moe Ali.
Both Ali and the company he works for have grown considerably. As Ali went from cashier to VP of sales, Arch Auto Parts grew to 22 stores. In 2023, Arch was acquired by NexaMotion Group (NMG). As the company’s growth continues, Ali says he’s excited to be a part of it.
“I’m going to continue to do what I’m doing and help Arch and NMG grow. I’m going to focus on how I can help NMG’s other locations grow like we have.”
PERSONAL LIFE
Ali is a man who is deeply committed to his career, often working six days a week. The limited time he gets to spend with his family, he cherishes. He and his wife Ramona have been married for 28 years. They have two daughters, both of whom are in their 20’s.
Ali describes himself as a casual sports fan who has been to a few Yankees and Mets games. He also enjoys fishing, though he has no fish stories to share because, in his words, “none of the fish were big enough.”
And while he admits he’s far from a master technician, he has learned through his work how to do things like change the oil and replace the wiper blades, along with other similar tasks.
After more than three decades in the industry, Ali’s passion remains unwavering.
“I really love what I do, and I’ll be here till the end until it’s time for me to retire or not.”
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By Counterman
A major change is underway for the bottles of engine oils that line the shelves of American auto shops and supply factory and service fill stations.
ILSAC GF-7—the next specification for passenger car engine oils—will see its first license on March 31, 2025. That means all factory and service fill engine oils must deliver new levels of performance across a range of criteria, most particularly fuel economy.
For auto service professionals, it’s worth staying educated on developments like these to best satisfy the wants and needs of your customers. In this article, we’ll explore the new performance requirements of GF-7 in more detail, as well as the science that goes into delivering next-generation performance.
A Focus on Fuel Economy: GF-7 Performance Requirements
The new GF-7 specification requires that next-generation lubricants contribute to enhanced fuel consumption rates, as well as enhanced fuel economy retention over the course of the oil drain. To the average driver, these fuel economy gains will likely go unnoticed. But taken across all cars on the road, they will have a major impact on emissions reduction for the American auto population.
But those aren’t the only new requirements. GF-7 will require lubricants to deliver heightened levels of overall engine protection and will measure the lubricant’s ability to prevent low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), piston deposit control, and premature timing chain wear over extended periods. These are important attributes. For example, LSPI is a potentially catastrophic problem unique to modern gasoline direct injection (GDI) and turbocharged GDI (TGDI) engines.
The specification calls for advanced performance in several other areas, including deposit control, seal compatibility, wear and corrosion protection, oil pumpability, and catalyst compatibility. Taken comprehensively, the requirements of GF-7 will help to better protect cars on the road while enabling new-model engines to meet their full potential.
Elsewhere, it’s important to note that GF-7 will in fact be split into two separate categories: GF-7A, which covers legacy viscosity grades 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, and 10W-30, and GF-7B, which covers 0W-16, a lower viscosity that some OEMs have specified in new-model vehicles to drive even higher fuel economy benefits than the GF-7A category. For auto service professionals, it’s worth knowing how and when to recommend GF-7B products to customers in conjunction with automaker recommendations.
The Science Behind Performance
To understand the technology that goes into GF-7 performance or other OEM specifications, it’s helpful to understand the anatomy of an engine oil. Formulations are composed of three primary component parts:
Base oil. The base oil is the carrier fluid and delivers basic performance. It makes up the majority of the formulation and is a critical building block for formulating a high-quality lubricant. Additive. This is the key performance enabler, allowing the finished product to meet operational requirements when in use. Viscosity modifier and pour point depressant. This component ensures the final product will deliver consistent flow across a broad range of operational temperatures and climates. These components complement each other to create optimized performance that will need new performance specifications. Generally, engine oil producers will utilize high-quality base stocks blended with additives and viscosity modifiers to deliver the required performance.
There can be some complexities here. Base oil availability and pricing can be inconsistent, and access to the highest-quality options is not always a guarantee for formulators. But by taking advantage of advanced additive technology, engine oil producers can typically meet the required performance standards with a range of available base stocks.
Additionally, elevated additive performance can enable the use of viscosity modifiers (VMs) that help maximize engine durability while achieving the necessary fuel economy requirements of new specifications. Typically, passenger car engine oils are formulated with VMs that maintain a shear-stability index (SSI) of 35. The higher the SSI, the more easily the finished product will shear, contributing to fuel economy gains. Lower SSI VMs, by contrast, may hinder some of those fuel economy gains, but will deliver higher levels of durability. For example, heavy-duty engine oils for commercial trucks are typically formulated using VMs with an SSI of 25.
Higher-performance additives, however, can change those considerations. Top-tier additives enable finished engine oils to achieve higher fuel economy gains in combination with lower-shear (25 SSI) VMs. This means no compromises when it comes to protection and durability while delivering meaningful fuel economy contributions.
GF-7 is nearly here, and it raises the bar for what modern lubricants can contribute to today’s and tomorrow’s vehicles. Ultimately, today’s additive science is the reason engine oils are reaching those loftier performance standards—and that is a positive thing for every car on the road today.
Padu Sreenivas is Product Manager at The Lubrizol Corporation and manages Lubrizol’s North American passenger car motor oil business. He has over 25 years of industry experience and has held numerous positions in technology, testing and commercial roles globally.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view, a global manufacturer of filtration products, and AMN/Counterman magazine named Moe Ali of Arch Auto Parts the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year. Ali is the vice president of sales at Arch Auto Parts, a division of NexaMotion Group. The Counter Professional of the Year award, sponsored by WIX Filters and presented at AAPEX in Las Vegas, annually recognizes an automotive aftermarket parts professional whose dedication, work ethic and expertise elevate their business and the profession as a whole.
“Moe’s commitment to customer service is what sets him apart,” says Tina Davis, senior marketing manager – WIX global and US. “No one is more dedicated to getting the right parts for his customers. It’s why they continue to come back to him decades later. We are honored to recognize Moe as the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year.”
Born in Guyana, Ali came to the United States at the age of eight. He was still in high school when he took a job as a part-time employee at Arch Auto Parts in Hollis, New York. Over the years, he took on a variety of roles, all of which helped develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an aftermarket parts professional.
“Moe has developed excellent parts and sales skills,” said Chris Bodh, group president of general repair businesses at Arch’s parent company, NexaMotion Group. “He’s loved and respected by his staff and customers and has an amazing attitude, even when he is juggling a lot of priorities.”
Ali has made a career based on exceptional customer service. Developing relationships is what keeps generations of customers coming back to him. His philosophy is simple: “Get ‘em the right part, the first time.”
“Moe just worked hard and earned a lot of respect from a lot of his colleagues and customers,” said Kish Samaroo, vice president of operations at Arch Auto Parts. “He is the go-to guy. Every customer wants him because he has this personality that is really cool and calm.”
Despite ascending to an executive role, Ali doesn’t shy away from the sales floor. He says he’d rather be “where the action is.”
“It is truly an honor to award Moe as the 2024 Wix Filters Counter Professional of the Year,” said Jeff White, managing editor of Counterman. “He is deeply dedicated to his work, but it’s a labor of love. Moe goes beyond just selling a part—he cultivates relationships with his customers. People like Moe make the aftermarket great.”
As dedicated as he is to the business, Ali still makes time for his family: his wife of 28 years, Ramona, and their two daughters, both in their 20s.
As part of the Counter Professional of the Year award, Ali and his wife received an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2024. He was honored during the AWDA luncheon and was presented the award during the AMN/Counterman Counter Professional of the Year reception.
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By Counterman
There are just a few weeks left for you to nominate someone for the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year award. Counterman has proudly honored the winner of this award every year since 1986.
link hidden, please login to view, a long-time sponsor of the award, is once again sponsoring the Counter Professional of the Year for 2024. The winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas, where he or she will be honored in-person at
link hidden, please login to view, scheduled for November 5-7. The Counter Professional of the Year will also enjoy a VIP experience at the Babcox Media/WIX Filters recognition program. The winner also will be featured in the cover story in the December 2024 issue of AMN/Counterman. The Counter Professional of the Year award recognizes America’s most trusted “go-to” men and women behind the parts counter. The 2023 winner was
link hidden, please login to view, an assistant manager at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Chicago. link hidden, please login to view “I wanted to do parts. That was always my main thing,” said Shambro. “I enjoyed it. Back in the day, I had part numbers memorized, so I could pick them up right off the shelf without looking anything up.”
If you know a counter professional with the dedication, passion and knowledge similar to Shambro’s, visit our
link hidden, please login to view and fill out the form. We will continue to accept nominations through August 16. The post
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