Have You Seen This Before? A Tech’s Guide For Dealing With Skeptical Customers
“Have you seen this before?” That’s the typical question asked by skeptical customers the world over. How do you answer that? A “yes” answer can lead you down a rabbit hole you don’t want to travel, while a “no” answer can present its own set of problems.
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.
Autonomous Vehicles: Changes Are Coming
With every passing year, there are fewer cars and trucks needing throttle cables, distributor caps and spark plug wires. Even if we have lost these service opportunities, we have gained twice as many in the past two decades.
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.
Human Resources: Putting It All On The Table
Hiring, firing and quitting are unavoidable events in the automotive repair industry. Everybody hates to deal with these aspects of the business because it can be risky on both sides of the table — not just monetarily, but emotionally, as well.
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.
Gonzo’s Tool Box: You Know You’re A Mechanic If …
If you’re one of these people questioning whether you’re really meant for this profession, here are some unmistakable signs you’re a dyed-in-the-wool professional mechanic whether you like it or not.
Diagnostic Logic: Why ‘I think …’ Is The Most Dangerous Diagnostic Phrase
I have a friend who is always telling me about his latest diagnostic misadventures. The phrase he uses a lot starts with “I think,” followed by a patchwork tale of myths, stuff he read online and personal experience. He often theorizes about what is going on inside of the combustion chamber and relates it to a random MIL code.
A Shop Owner’s Guide To Employee Training
This guide was put together to help you create an employee training program that will enable you to join the ranks of the industry superstars.
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.
Auto Care From A Male Perspective
Shops, and the industry as a whole, need to be more savvy about marketing and PR. Most shops have a heart of gold and perform miracles on their customers’ vehicles. The media needs to know about it.
Telematics Awareness: It’s Time To Pay Attention
By 2020, virtually every new car sold will be equipped with this technology. Regardless of your stance at the moment, telematics should be taken seriously, and here’s why.
