Auto Profit Masters Bringing Together Nation’s Leading Trainers For a Two-Day Event Littleton, Colo. – March 21, 2023 – The Team Development Summit is a one-of-a-kind training event hosted by Auto Profit Masters May 6-7, 2023, in Denver, Colo. During the summit, technicians, advisors and owners will have access to ...

Shop4D Invests In Technicians To Develop Careers and Further The Industry Littleton, Colo. – March 7, 2023 – Eight auto repair technicians received scholarships from Shop4D, a fully-integrated shop management system, to attend the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo earlier this month. From a group of both established and aspiring ...

Implementing a process—or multiple processes—in your automotive business doesn’t have to be hard or unclear. These five steps to creating processes for your auto shop will help turn your business into the well-oiled machine of your dreams. Many owners make the mistake of not having processes within their business. Actually, ...

We’ve all heard the expression “he/she is a born leader.” And when you’re looking to take your shop to the next level, it can be tempting to look for that born leader who can step in and start taking over roles and responsibilities with minimal instruction, documentation, or processes. But ...

Everyone is interested in the distinctions between the various types of catalytic converters. This is because catalytic converters are incredibly valuable scrap components, which generates extra revenue for the automotive industry. All original equipment manufacturer (OEM) catalytic converters from gasoline-powered vehicles can be sold for a good price, but many people ...

All good stories from old guys start out with “Back in my day…”, so I figured I’d start there. When I first got started in this industry, we still used Sun Pro machines and OTC gas analyzers, alignment machines with strings attached to the heads, and some cars still had ...

How do you fix cars when you can’t get parts? I wish this was just a philosophical question, the kind usually reserved for falling trees in the woods or single hands clapping, but instead, it’s the reality that shop owners continue to face. When the supply chain is disrupted from ...

ProMAXX Tool Founder Jeff Del Rossa proudly displays the 2022 Technical Innovation Award to his team. PITTSBURGH, PA, January 10, 2023 — In recognition of its proven track record of providing solutions that make technicians more productive, ProMAXX Tool is the proud recipient of the Ford Rotunda 2022 Technical Innovation ...

Change is hard. Realizing that your business needs to change something, and then seeing that through all the way to implementing a new process or procedure or software is one of the biggest challenges that shop owners face. After all, it’s very easy to keep doing things the same way they’ve ...

S-N-A-P…the unthinkable happened, an 8-millimeter tap busted off in the cylinder head exhaust manifold mounting port of a 2015 Ford F-550 6.8L Triton. Worse yet, it happened during a botched repair attempt a franchise shop made on a delivery truck for a major metropolitan newspaper. Every day the vehicle is ...

PITTSBURGH, PA, August 19, 2022 — ProMAXX Tool’s new Cylinder Head Repair Kit, which includes the new Blind ProSert, allows technicians to rescue a botched repair where an attempt to drill out a broken exhaust manifold bolt has penetrated the cylinder head. After fully extracting the damaged bolt, a technician ...

From July 1 through September 30, Service Providers who have registered for KYB’s Excel-Gold program will be able to receive $25 for every set of 4 KYB shocks, struts or Strut-Plus units sold and installed. Professional Technicians and service providers can take advantage or the KYB Excel-Gold Rewards Program by ...

It’s easy to see how adding tablets to your auto shop’s workflow can simplify your front-end operations. However, the benefits of improving your shop’s technological infrastructure don’t have to stop there. When paired with the right software, introducing a tablet for service technician use can seriously enhance your efficiency. Here ...

In all aspects of life, business or otherwise, we’re always more successful when we continue to learn. Take Tiger Woods, for example. Over the course of his decades-long career, he’s racked up 82 PGA tour victories and is hands-down one of the top golfers of all time. But he didn’t ...

Like most northern-climate repair shops, the service department at a busy Ford Dealership northwest of Detroit, frequently fixes diesel engines tasked with hauling heavy workloads in harsh weather conditions. These experienced techs often butt heads with broken bolts caused by Michigan’s dramatic seasonal swings. Tom Easterwood is a diesel tech ...

A catalytic converter is an absolute must-have for your Internal combustion vehicle (ICE). In fact, having a catalytic converter is required by law, and removing or repurposing one could result in a hefty fine. There are penalties for auto repair shops who remove a customer’s catalytic converter without the proper ...

For top operators, the warm summer months usually mean a golden opportunity for growing the shop. That’s because they know two critical facts that allow them to grow in good times and bad. First, those top operators know that during busy summer months, much of their competition will let their ...

With more than 24 years of experience as a gas and diesel technician, Whitey Pfannenstiel has seen his fair share of complicated repairs during his journey to become the service manager of a Ford Dealership in Hays, Kansas. Along the way, Pfannenstiel and his team have continually overcome a persistent ...

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 24, 2022) – Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts supplier, announced an exclusive partnership with Tekmetric Shop Management System, the cloud-based shop management system for auto repair shops. The partnership will provide Advance Professional customers, Worldpac customers and TechNet-affiliated repair shops with an ...

When it comes to the calibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) components, there are two essential servicing concepts, follow the prescribed vehicle manufacturer instructions and document everything from pre-calibration setup to post-calibration validation. The Autel Standard Frame ADAS Calibration System, the MaxiSYS IA800 Intelligent ADAS optical positioning system adaption ...

A catalytic converter is an absolute must-have for your Internal combustion vehicle (ICE). In fact, having a catalytic converter is required by law, and removing or repurposing one could result in a hefty fine. There are penalties for auto repair shops who remove a customer’s catalytic converter without the proper ...

There is no more dire problem that we face in the automotive industry than the technician shortage. That’s a big way to open, especially given the current landscape. Inflation is eating profits, supply chain issues are slowing production, and municipal lock downs continue to threaten our ability to serve our ...

Whether the vehicle needs new winter tires or the tire sensor is flashing for attention, one important step in the repair process is replacing the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). This system monitors the air pressure in a vehicle’s tires and alerts when they become too low for comfort. However, ...

A catalytic converter is an absolute must-have for your Internal combustion vehicle (ICE). In fact, having a catalytic converter is required by law, and removing or repurposing one could result in a hefty fine. There are penalties for auto repair shops who remove a customer’s catalytic converter without the proper ...

Let’s talk resolutions. We’re faced with the same choice each January: will this brand-new year be different – better even – than the one we just left?  In some ways it’s inescapable. I saw the first “New Year’s Resolution” commercials for losing weight and quitting smoking before Thanksgiving this year. ...

PCMO (Passenger Car Motor Oil) has been through a series of ongoing changes to address challenges with newer engine technologies, driven by regulations to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been tasked with implementing hardware changes to meet these requirements. A few of these newer ...

Leesburg, Virginia – Dec. 6, 2021 – As the year comes to a close, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) reminds service professionals with certifications expiring on Dec. 31 to schedule their tests now to ensure they have time to get recertified. To register, visit the myASE web ...

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Nov. 30, 2021 – Christopher Funk of Monticello, Iowa was named the 2021 Mitchell 1 / National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician of the Future during the ASE Board of Governors Meeting and Annual Technician Awards held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funk received a ...

Nothing replaces seeing an automotive system in action. But the opportunity to get this kind of close-up look at new products doesn’t happen as often these days. Enter Joe’s Garage! This real-world shop setup with eight service bays, provides a platform for exhibiting brands to demo their equipment. Beyond just talking ...

Autel has partnered with MOTOR repair data services to enable technicians to access MOTOR’s extensive vehicle systems and repair information directly within Autel’s tablet diagnostic interface. With the MOTOR subscription, the MaxiSYS user can access the MOTOR information directly after the system scan. All vehicle and code-related information can be ...

There’s an awe that tends to follow truly great salespeople. “They could sell sawdust to a lumber-mill,” we say, with reverence. “He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves!” But not even the best salesman could sell snow tires in Miami. No matter how incredible their ...

Marketplace platforms are designed to allow anyone to buy and sell items through online listings. The user experience is generally simple and the process of creating a listing is quick. That is great if you want to get rid of an item you own and is legally in your possession, ...

There is a new sound coming from the engine. The noise is disturbing but initially unknown. You hook up the diagnostic tool, but a code doesn’t pop up. With technology rapidly changing, it’s important to have an up-to-date onboard diagnostic scanner to maximize technician intelligence and accelerate an overall repair ...

Conway, AR – June 9, 2021 – The new John Bean® Tru-Point™ Augmented Reality (AR) Experience app lets shop owners and service technicians explore the new Tru-Point advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration tool in a whole new way. “The Tru-Point AR app gives users a complete view of the ...

The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) is 100% committed to shop safety; are you? Each year, thousands of Americans are subject to unsafe working conditions resulting in minor to severe injuries. Unfortunately, not all workplace safety accidents allow the worker to come home; far too many unnecessary fatalities occur. ...

The health of a vehicle’s battery has always, of course, been essential to a vehicle’s operation. The chemical reaction within produces electrical energy that excites the starter, and the starter turns the engine. But throughout the years as comfort, safety, and performance features (think Start/Stop systems) have been added, the ...

Road buyers drive the market for stolen catalytic converters, enticing criminals to steal catalytic converters from your vehicles. This blog will explain who these road buyers are and who enables this criminal activity. These roaming road buyers play a large role in contributing to the theft of catalytic converters. These ...

Engine manufacturers are meeting standards calling for reductions in particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to near zero levels in a variety of ways. One of the most common is the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology that utilizes diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). DEF is mixed with the ...

PCMO (Passenger Car Motor Oil) has been through a series of ongoing changes to address challenges with newer engine technologies, driven by regulations to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been tasked with implementing hardware changes to meet these requirements. A few of these newer ...

As demands for improved fuel economy and the desire to become less dependent on foreign oil, the mandate for the auto manufactures is to produce more electrified vehicles. Electrified vehicles include the obvious battery powered electric vehicles but it also includes plug in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. Tesla is ...

Repairing the Sliding Door Electric Wiring These wires must be able to move from the closed position of the door to the open position. And, these wires must be protected to prevent tangling and damage. A flexible, plastic sheath that looks something like a link chain (see Figure 1) keeps all of ...

If the mid-December 2020 nor’easter is anything to go by, the US is headed for a harsh winter. For automotive repair shops around the country, that likely means increased heating bills. With many businesses already reeling from a pandemic sales slump, soaring energy prices become another stress. However, there is ...

Heated seats are made for driver comfort. Here’s how to keep them working right. If you live in a cold weather climate, heated seats are one of those comfort options everyone loves. In fact, a cold leather seat is just as uncomfortable in the winter as a hot leather seat ...

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries have been installed in vehicles since the 1990s and are being used in approximately 40 million vehicles in North America, growing at a rate of around 8 million batteries per year. They are found in some application of virtually all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) fleets ...

It would be hard-pressed for a modern auto repair shop to consider turning their open sign on without having a scan tool. Most shops have several scan tools at their disposal and often keep investing in more every couple of years. While the do-it-yourself market can usually get by with ...

The generator is a key component in the electrical system of any vehicle. Its basic purpose is to provide current for the electrical accessories on the vehicle and to charge the battery. Without a generator, the vehicle could be started and run, but it would stop as soon as the ...

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Aug. 19, 2020 — The new Snap-on® Pass Thru Assistant (PTA) expands automotive repair and collision technicians’ J2534 programming capabilities, making it easier than ever for them to keep vehicles in the shop, finish the job correctly, and increase profits and customer satisfaction. While J2534 programming can be ...

Since entering into an Alliance in 2004, with subsequent renewals in 2006, 2008, and 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) have worked together to improve workplace health and safety by sharing information, guidance, and access to ...

What is an ADA System? Want to play a game? Between a Boeing 777, Mercedes S-Class, or a B-2 bomber. Which one has the least lines of code? The answer, the Mercedes S-Class has 100,000,000 lines of code while the Boeing 777 uses over four million lines of code. Meanwhile, ...

Most of us have heard of, or even used, Text2Pay; the practice of having your customers pay for a repair on their smart phones after getting a text message from your shop. Sounds and is great! BUT THERE’S MORE… Why not utilize text messaging to save time in the shop ...

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., June 23, 2020 — The perfect companion to any scan tool, the VANTAGE Legend™ from Snap-on® has an updated user interface and an all-new “fireworks” bezel design to ignite the technician’s productivity. With a high-speed two-channel lab scope, digital graphing meter and exclusive expert information, VANTAGE Legend makes ...

Vehicle technology continues to emerge which brings a tremendous amount of convenience features, safety products and efficient engines for the consumers, but it does come at a cost and that cost is usually at the technician’s expense. As if, diagnosing problems within those systems isn’t difficult enough, we now have ...

Conway, AR – April 28, 2020 — Offering a sleek and sturdy new design, the Hofmann® Line of geoliner® Wheel Alignment Systems may have a new look, but these versatile aligners continue to provide shops with the same high level of innovative performance and productivity-enhancing features that they have come ...

There is no denying the COVID-19 era has changed how consumers behave. Now there can be lots of debate on how long the change will stay in effect, but for now and for the short term, I think we can agree these are different times. I think the question we ...

TPMS service is one of the industry’s most straight forward tasks. Understanding tire service and sensor replacement includes basic TPM system knowledge, universal programmable sensors and a TPMS tool able to support that understanding. Adding TPMS service to your shop’s menu requires your team to perform diagnostics, sensor programming and ...

Professional Credentials for Every Step of Your Career Today’s automotive technology would make past generations marvel. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and more are available here and now. Tomorrow’s technology promises even more with augmented reality dashboards, energy-storing body ...

Leesburg, Virginia – March 9, 2020 – The ASE Education Foundation will hold its seventh annual Instructor Training Conference on July 14-17, 2020, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, in Frisco, Texas. The conference will offer more than 60 technical sessions with over 100 hours of training to choose from over ...

Finding a shop you trust can be difficult, this article can help motorists understand what a trustworthy shop can do for their customers. With the increasing complexity of vehicle systems and components, it is important for motorists to have a service provider they trust to do the repair and maintenance ...