Donna M. Wagner: Pivoting for success in an auto repair shop
By Donna M. Wagner It is easy to get caught in the day-to-day activity of running a repair shop. Between customers, employees and keeping the shop ticking, it can be hard to step…
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ASA Podcast (Episode 58): Training the Next Generation: CTE Programs in the Age of COVID
In this first of a two-part Podcast Series, we talk with instructors at both college and high school Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs whose mission is to train the next generation of automotive and collision repair technicians. It’s a…
Lang Aftermarket iReport: Billions of miles shift to older vehicles
"The over 20% plunge in 2020 new vehicle sales (and the open question of when the new vehicle market will return to pre-Covid-19 levels) will reduce the number of vehicles under 5 years old on U.S. roads. The average age…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): BMW hard start & multiple DME codes after thermostat replaced
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2007 BMW 760Li (E66), V12-6.0L (N73TU), Automatic Transmission Mileage: 128,554 Problem: The vehicle owner asked the shop to replace the coolant and thermostat using the aftermarket part he provided. The technician installed the thermostat and replaced the coolant, but after…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Sunfire's exterior lights dim / wipers slow
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, L4-2.2L, VIN F, Automatic Transaxle Mileage: 162,692 Problem: The owner brought his Sunfire to the shop because the exterior lights were dim, and the windshield wipers ran slow, even when the high-speed setting was selected. Details: The first…
Jody DeVere: Text your way to higher customer satisfaction
This morning, I dropped off my 145-pound Newfoundland, Tess, to be groomed. I scheduled and paid over the phone, and then I received reminders via text. When I arrived and texted PetSmart, an employee met me at the front door…
Report: Telematics programs prompt changes in driving behavior
MALVERN, Pa., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- According to a new study from the Insurance Research Council (IRC), 80 percent of drivers change their driving behavior while participating in auto insurer-sponsored telematics programs, but not all of the changes are permanent. After participating…
AAA: Slow movement at the pump, but all eyes on tropical storms
From AAA At $2.18, the national gas price average increased by one cent on the week. That is the same price as a month ago and 41 cents cheaper than a year ago. The minimal change reflects the slow movement…
The Latest: Car recalls for mid-August
From the Detroit Free Press The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued recalls for August 13 through 20, including a Ford recall involving 488,594 units and a Freightliner recall involving 5,374 units. See the list of this week's…
Car Care Council: Learn the ABCs of car care
From The Car Care Council Back-to-school season is the ideal time to review your ABCs; the ABCs of car care, that is. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists brush up on their auto care knowledge to make sure their…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): After repairs, Mini's EVAP monitor won't complete
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2010 Mini Cooper S Clubman, L4-1.6L Turbo (N14), Automatic Transaxle Mileage: 105,393 Problem: A customer brought his Mini Cooper to the shop because the malfunction indicator light was on. The problem was a bad catalytic converter.…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Dual-zone A/C blows warm on driver side
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2WD, L4-2.0L, Automatic Transmission Mileage: 51,004 Problem: The vehicle owner complained that the air conditioner was not cold enough. Details: The technician verified that the vehicle was equipped with a dual-zone system. The…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Easy fix for a hot Nissan alternator
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2004 Nissan Altima, L4-2.5L (QR25DE) Mileage: 198,234 Problem: This Altima originally came into the shop because the battery light was ON. The technician diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator and replaced it. When…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Chevy Equinox power steering quits working
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2010 Chevy Equinox, AWD, L4-2.4L Mileage: 96,002 Problem: This vehicle was towed in because the power steering was working one day, and when the owner got in to drive it the next morning, the power…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Chevy Aveo A/C blows hot air
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, L4-1.6L Mileage: 98,266 Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C was not working. Details: The tech connected a scan tool and found no diagnostic trouble codes. Next he checked to be…
13.9 million Americans to receive IRS tax refund interest; taxable payments to average $18
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service will send interest payments to about 13.9 million individual taxpayers who timely filed their 2019 federal income tax returns and are receiving refunds. The interest payments, averaging…
ASA Podcast (Episode 57): Talking Technology with KUKUI
Jimmy Lea has the title Product Evangelist at KUKUI Corporation, an ASA Sponsored Benefit Provider and technology partner with many ASA members. We caught up with Jimmy to find out how KUKUI is helping ASA members through the current pandemic,…
Study: Some new vehicle technologies risk failing, others become 'must have'
TROY, Mich. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New-vehicle buyers are being offered an increasing number of advanced technology features, some of which are hits while others are currently missing the mark. The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study,SM…
