Brake Manufacturers Point Out They Are Part of the Solution to Reducing Copper in U.S. Watersheds
The Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) recently issued a statement in response to recent media reports and PR regarding the negative impact of the use of copper in brake friction products as it affects U.S. waterways.
AVI and Babcox Sponsor Free Management Webinar
On Thursday, March 8, AVI and Babcox are joining forces with Bob Cooper of Elite Worldwide to offer a webinar, “Creating Team Spirit in Your Auto Repair Shop!” which will cover employee management, and more specifically, internal communication and how to manage the relationships between advisors and technicians. Use the special coupon code to enroll in the $29.95 webinar at no charge!
Close Out With a Great Year – Incentives Are the Answer!
During December it’s easy for people in the auto service and repair business to find excuses for why their sales are down. They’ll tell themselves that people have the holiday season on their minds, they’re busy shopping instead of taking good care of their automobiles, etc. Don’t buy into any of these excuses!
Prioritize Your Service Recommendations
Most service advisors go over their technicians’ recommendations and categorize the repairs. They’ll put all the brake-related recommendations into one group, all the drivetrain recommendations into another group, etc. Sound familiar? There’s nothing wrong with this approach, but where they’re missing the mark, especially during these tough economic times, is by not understanding how to properly prioritize their service recommendations.
Petty’s Garage First Spring Fling Car Show and Legacy by Petty World Debut Draw Crowds
Hundreds of NASCAR fans and car enthusiasts made a pilgrimage to Level Cross, NC, on May 28 to honor Richard Petty, take part in the inaugural Spring Fling Car Show at Petty’s Garage, and witness the official reveal of Legacy by Petty, the one-of-a-kind Dodge Challenger custom built by Petty’s Garage to pay tribute to Richard Petty and promote vehicle lift safety. The event was sponsored by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) and its member companies.
FMSI: Serving Shops and Brake Manufacturers for More than 60 Years
If you purchase almost any set of brake pads or shoes, the last three or four digits of the parts number match for most of your brand choices. This is not an accident or OEM conspiracy. This is the product of more than 60 years of cooperation of brake friction manufacturers. This collaboration is the Friction Materials Standards Institute (FMSI) and the FMS number system. The fruits of this endeavor go beyond part number; it has given shops new brake applications sooner and at a lower cost.
Tech Feature: The Past, Present and Future of TPMS
Ebenezer Scrooge would probably fear the Ghost of Christmas Past and welcome the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, if the Scrooge and Marley firm of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was a player in the tire pressure monitoring system industry instead of London’s financial lending community.
Memorial Scholarship Fund Established For Larry McCurdy
Affinia Group Inc. has established a memorial scholarship fund through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation in memory of Larry W. McCurdy, a long-time leader in the industry and Chairman of the Affinia Board of Directors beginning with the company’s inception in 2004. Affinia Group has initiated the fund with a contribution of $50,000 and
Smartphone TPMS Coming from Conti
Continental AG’s TPMS will soon be able to report to smart phones via pressure sensors in intelligent tires. According to the company, the “filling assistant” system also lets the driver know when they reach the right pressure during inflation. Conti expects users to experience “enhanced driving safety and fuel efficiency” as a result of the system.
Tech Tip: Repairing Various Faults in MINI ABS, ASC and DSC Systems
When the Check Engine, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Flat Tire Monitor Lights on a 2002 Mini Cooper are turned on, various faults may be stored in the ABS/ASC/DSC fault memory.