Cintas Expands ASA Benefit with First Aid & Safety Program

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announces a new benefit through Cintas and its First Aid & Safety Division, a leading first aid service provider. The money-saving program will allow ASA members to keep their staff safe, productive and on the job; help maintain OSHA compliance through properly stocked first aid kits and cabinets, personal protective equipment and training programs; and reduce injuries and lower workers' compensation costs. ASA member-businesses that may already use Cintas as their first aid and safety vendor will begin to see an increased savings over their current agreements.

"Keeping your employees healthy and safe is one of the best things you can do for them - and your business. ASA is pleased to bring this important service to ASA members at a discounted rate," said B.J. Johnson, ASA's vice president, member services.

Chris Olsen, national account manager, Cintas Corp., said, "Cintas is pleased to have the privilege of supporting the safety needs of ASA members. We pledge to exceed their expectations by providing outstanding service, premium quality first aid and safety products, and unsurpassed knowledge in the pursuit of making the workplace safer, more productive and more cost effective."

In addition to the new First Aid and Safety Program, Cintas provides ASA members with discounts on uniform services. Cintas offers both a uniform rental program as well as discounts on purchased business apparel. Orders placed by ASA members through a specially designed ASA/Cintas Web site - accessed from www.ASA store.com - receive a 15 percent discount.

To learn more about ASA's membership benefits or how to join, visit www.ASAshop.org or call (800) 272-7467, ext. 295. You may also visit the ASA Web site at www.ASAshop.org; or access the electronic benefits portfolio within ASA OnDemand, which can be downloaded from www.ASAOnDemand.com.

Toyota Lowers Price

Toyota knows times are tough economically for a lot of independent shops and their customers too, so it is trying to help. It has lowered the price of many of its original equipment radiators to about half what it was formerly. With new applications for Sequoia, Sienna and Tundra, shops can now buy competitively priced genuine Toyota radiators to cover 77 percent of Toyota vehicles in operation that are from three to 10 years old.

For more information, visit www.ToyotaPartsandService.com.

Register for Webinar

There's still time to register for the next Webinar to be offered by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

Coming up March 10 is Part II of "He Said - She Said," to be presented by George Zabrecky and Rhonda Hiltbrand.

For more information and to register, go to www.AMIeducationonline.com.

Webinar, short for Web-based seminar, is just like an instructor-led seminar; however, participants view the presentation through their Web-browser and listen to the audio through their telephone. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements - the ability to give, receive and discuss information.

Reader $100 Richer!

Randy Sandlin of Lafayette Auto Body Inc., Lafayette, Calif., is the winner of a $100 gift card to The Home Depot for his participation in AutoInc.'s 2008 Readership Survey.

He was selected, in a drawing, from the nearly 100 respondents to the survey - which was sent to 500 randomly selected readers of the monthly magazine.

AutoInc. uses the survey to measure editorial quality, as well as gather statistics on its readers, their purchasing power and more. AutoInc. thanks all of the individuals who took the time to complete and return the survey.

ASE Announces Week

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has declared June 8-14 as National Automotive Service Professionals Week. This will be the fourth consecutive year for ASE to continue this recognition. It's to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public.

ASE will be enlisting the aid of shop owners in each state to petition their respective governors to mark this special week. Twenty-five states issued proclamations in 2008. For more information, visit www.ase.com.

Identifix Now on TV

Identifix has teamed up with AutoNetTV to provide video content for its Pro Channel.

An Identifix "Tip of the Month" will be broadcast each month to be viewed by professionals in approximately 4,700 service and repair centers throughout North America. The first of 12 "Tips" aired in February.

Each tip will be from Identifix's hotline archives, which are designed to help
technicians diagnose and fix tough problems on the vehicles they encounter.

ASA-WA Supports AMI

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) of Washington recently fulfilled its $50,000 Charter Counselor commitment to the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

This commitment, combined with other leadership contributions, ensures AMI's ability to continue its mission of providing and promoting practical business management education tailored to the automotive service industry.

The presentation ceremony took place during ASA-Washington's Winter Retreat, Jan. 22-25, in Leavenworth, Wash.

AVI Releases Class on Import Testing and Techniques

Automotive Video Inc., also known as Team AVI, recently released a training program with Dave Scaler from Mechanics Education Association to help tackle tough issues on the most popular import models driven today. Many shops turn import customers away because their techs lack the training to diagnose and repair the unique problems that occur with these vehicles. Imports are a growing portion of the repair business, and this class gives shop owners and techs the training they need to capitalize on this segment of the market.

Scaler's program covers basic information for shops that do not work on imports as well as advanced tips and techniques for those that do. Many import shops do not test Toyota air/fuel sensors with the ammeter method described in the program, and many may not understand Toyota/Lexus resonance frequency knock sensors, which is also explained in the class. The section on Nissan/Infiniti fly-by-wire issues covers common failures and also includes wire-by-wire analysis. Scaler also provides unique lab scope tests for ID problem coils in the Nissan coil on plug (COP) section.

The program also covers Honda/Acura electronic load detection with wire-by-wire testing and operation with specs. This portion covers every wire in detail with scope patterns. Scaler provides a complete overview of the VTEC system, its components, how it works, operating parameters, things that affect the system, where to do testing and provides solutions to VTEC issues.

The program also offers information on VW/Audi with lots of engine control and testing tricks.

This portion tackles the No. 1 problem on these vehicles: mass air flow (MAF) sensors. It covers three generations of MAF testing, including the Hitachi 4 and 5 wire, and testing fuel system analysis using additive and multiplicative measuring block data. This section also explains VW COP problems including lab scope patterns and quick tests and covers electronic throttle control codes and their meaning.

This two-hour DVD, along with a manual, is full of techniques and tips. For more information or to purchase this class or any other programs produced by Team AVI, call (800) 718-7246 or visit www.auto-video.com.

Team AVI helps today's automotive repair professionals prepare for tomorrow's technology by producing automotive, diagnostic and diesel training DVDs.