Gonzo’s Toolbox: ‘Wanna Be’ Technicians
There’s one situation all professional automotive technicians have had to deal with from time to time, and it involves the home-grown garage guy who just so happens to own a couple of ratchets, a repair manual and a broken-down car. Some of these connoisseurs of the all-knowing repair manual skim through sections without truly comprehending them.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Abbreviations LOF!
One of the techs came into the office some time ago to explain some crazy readings he was getting after hooking up to the DLC with the NGS. As he was explaining the problem, a very inquisitive customer was sitting at the counter waiting for an LOF. The technician and I discussed the test results and worked out a way to narrow down the problem even further. The whole time the customer was intently listening to every word of the conversation about MAFs, TPSs, MAPs, ACTs, PCMs and CTSs.
Talent Development
Let’s face it, ours is a very dynamic industry. Vehicle are constantly becoming more technical and customers ever more demanding. For this reason, individuals working in the automotive repair industry must continue to hone their skills to meet the changing needs of customers and their vehicles. Your people are your most valuable asset and they
Replacing Fuel Lines
As vehicles are lasting longer, the chances the fuel lines will spring a leak are increasing. The main reason metal fuel lines fail is corrosion, but most corrosion starts when abrasive materials start to remove the paint or coating on the line. This can occur at a mounting bracket or from debris kicked up from
Pricing, Ethics And The Reputation Of Your Business
At Elite we know that once someone comes into your shop, you’ll do everything you can to generate a happy customer, and make a fair profit. Unfortunately, some customers will put you to the test when it comes to the prices you charge. They’ll tell you they can’t afford the recommended services, they’ll tell you
Are You Getting Enough Labor On Some Jobs?
Some repair operations have finality to them. By that, I am referring to jobs that do not require additional labor after the job is complete. For example; installing a tail light lens, set of wipers, an air filter or cabin filter. Once these jobs are done, they are done. There are other labor operations, such
The Key To Calculating Monthly Sales Goals
Far too many shop owners will set an annual sales goal, and then simply divide that number by 12 to set their monthly goals. However, since this approach does not take the number of work days in each month into account, it is not the way that you should be setting your monthly goals, especially
Community Involvement Will Help You Grow Your Business
Part of your advertising and marketing program needs to incorporate community involvement, whether it’s with local business groups, church functions, the local chamber of commerce or other local organizations. The community needs to know who you are and what you offer. Make it a point to network with business people to help promote local business
The Hybrid Shop Announces Free Hybrid Training Day For Shop Owners During SEMA
The Hybrid Shop (THS), a growing international network of dealers committed to providing expert care for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), will host a complimentary Hybrid Training Day event for shop owners during the SEMA Show 2014 in Las Vegas, in partnership with independently-owned tire and auto service company Ted Wiens Tire and Auto Centers. The Hybrid
AVI Releases New Live Stream 7 (LS-7) Event
Save This Date: On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Customer Service expert Bill Haas will teach a FREE live, online course called “Service Selling Skills – Close One More Job.” In this course from Automotive Video Innovations (AVI), Haas emphasizes the importance of good customer service skills and shop relationships in order to make the customer feel
Wells Vehicle Electronics Releases Video Case Studies Covering Mass Air Flow, Variable Valve Timing Diagnostics
The technical services team at Wells Vehicle Electronics has released two in-depth video case studies covering mass air flow (MAF) and variable valve timing (VVT) diagnostics. Available in English and Spanish, the new videos join more than 40 other free diagnostic case studies available through the company’s website and the “WellsTech” YouTube channel. Produced in
Gates Offers New Spanish Online Training Program
The Gates Corp. has unveiled a new, free online training program for Spanish-speaking aftermarket professionals in the U.S. The program, “Acelera Tu Conocimiento” provides valuable education for this audience to help them to improve the quality of repairs. “Acelera Tu Conocimiento” is a video training program that provides information on vital automotive maintenance procedures. The