Donny Seyfer, Author at Brake & Front End - Page 2 of 3
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Nurturing The Next Generation Of Technicians

As shop owners, we wear a lot of hats. Unfortunately, it just so happens that talent development/trainer is not a role with which most of us are accustomed. We expect that vo-tech schools will bring us service-ready technicians. For now, we need to adjust this expectation as these schools transition to a new model.

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Subaru Forester Active Valve Lift System Diagnostics

I recently had a 2007 Subaru Forester with an elusive problem in the shop. It was equipped with the 2.5L SOHC Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) and the horizontal four-cylinder engine. While one of our techs and I were working through it, I was also teaching a Subaru driveability class for NAPA.

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Right To Repair In The Aftermarket: Whose Responsibility Is It?

Today, aftermarket associations, carmaker associations, parts manufacturers and suppliers are working together to solve a myriad of complex issues with the original core issue hanging over their head: money.

Hybrids And Electrics: The Future Of Your Shop

Vehicles are having a very noisy rebirth. The type of work you are going to be seeing is changing as the vehicle mix begins to evolve toward more electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as cars with small, turbocharged engines.

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Artificial Intelligence And Communication At CES 2017

The single biggest disruptor in our world right now is the evolution of cars. Specifically, technological advancements in the areas of communication and computing offer some of the biggest opportunities our industry has ever seen.

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Vehicle Service Life: A Paradigm Shift

Currently, there are about one billion cars on the planet. If folks continue to buy and own cars as they do now, it will take two billion cars to keep up with projected growth and mobility needs. The problem is there is no room to park two billion cars if you still want open roads to drive them on.

The Driverless Future: Where does auto repair fit into the future?

Nearly every government acronym you can think of and all the OEMs are working very diligently to make driverless cars (some call them drones) a reality. Creating a strong business case for these vehicles is an aging population who will need mobility, children who have so many activities that they need an administrative assistant, and people who can’t be bothered to drive while they are texting.

ADAS System Diagnosis And Service

If you have been tracking my columns, you will recall that I have been talking a lot about future technology. Recently, I participated in an event where this technology was on display, which then became the topic for a previous article. Imagine my surprise when this seemingly distant future tech showed up on a television

Better Diagnostics: Using Your Brain Effectively

Did you know that when you stop learning new things you also forget the things you already knew? This chilling fact is an area of great concern for the technician population, which is getting a little older on average each year. I have personally witnessed excellent diagnostic technicians who have decided that they already know everything they need to know and begin to lose their “diagnostic processes” as new technologies enter their bays.

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August Is Brake Safety Awareness Month

During the month of August, many member facilities across the country will help teach local drivers about proper brake system safety and maintenance. Many shops will offer safety awareness inspections that will provide consumers with a free check of the thickness of their brake pads and linings, plus an opportunity to learn proper brake system care and vehicle maintenance.

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CARS And NACE: Training You Can’t Afford To Miss

CARS is no longer a training event. It is now an informational, strategic planning and networking event unlike any other. While there are classes, they have been restructured with a new model in mind.

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CARS-NACE: Training You Can’t Afford To Miss

We are in the midst of one of the most interesting transformations our industry has ever seen. There is an unprecedented amount of cooperation occurring throughout the industry and that’s a good thing. There is also a number of substantial and disruptive changes coming.

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