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Welcome to the OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com newsletter.
This newsletter is provided to share information about our users, their shops, automotive industry news, things going on at Mitchell 1 as well as tips for using the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, or ideas for what you'd like to see in it, please .
In this issue:
New General Motors dexos™ Engine Oil Specification
Beginning in 2011, General Motors issued their own engine oil specification called dexos™. This proprietary global engine oil specification is designed to exceed many existing standards in use in the industry today. The purpose of this new specification is to ensure the durability, fuel efficiency and reduced emissions of General Motors vehicles as well as requiring fewer oil changes. General Motors requires using only authentic, licensed dexos™ oils in all of their 2011 and newer vehicles, except those equipped with certain Duramax diesel engines requiring the use of API CJ-4 engine oil. This new engine oil is fully backward-compatible and can be used in older vehicles. dexos™1 is designed for gasoline engines, dexos™2 is designed for light-duty diesel engines.
Spring Is Here - Time To Check Those Cabin Air Filters
According to Wix Filters, 80% of new car and light truck models are now equipped with a cabin air filter or have a slot where one could be installed. There are also dealer add-on kits for some vehicles. Many consumers aren't even aware that their vehicle has such a filter, yet may complain about poor HVAC system performance or odd smells coming from the vents. These filters are designed to trap dust, pollen, leaves, insects and other debris that might otherwise make its way into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Once they get plugged up they can reduce the air flow to the fresh air system and also generate more odors than they are preventing. It's important to change these filters at the manufacturer's recommended interval or at least once a year.
The beginning of spring is a good time to remind your customers about changing these filters. There are several ways to determine if a vehicle is equipped with one or more of these filters. First you could consult the vehicle's owner's manual which may tell you the location and instructions on replacement. At times this can be hard to find and even if it's not there does not mean the vehicle isn't equipped with one. Another way would be is to check in the Estimator tab in OnDemand5 and ShopKey5. The cabin air filters will be listed under HVAC > HEATING & VENTILATION. Under repair we also provide easy to find repair instructions under the HVAC section. You can use the search in either of these areas by using the phrase "cabin air filter". Even though the manufacturers have different names for the filters, we try to always list the generic name as well. For the newest vehicles you may not find the information right away so you may want to consult the owner's manual or a your local parts vendor for these. You may also want to put a notation in your customer's record to denote that their vehicle does or does not have use a cabin air filter.
Internet Explorer 9 Compatibility - Updated 3/21/11
Microsoft Corporation released Internet Explorer version 9 on March 14th, 2011. IE9 is a major update to this popular browser. Mitchell 1 has conducted various tests to determine the compatibility of this new browser version and the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products.
OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com do work with IE9 with the following conditions:
- IE9 only works with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008.
- Must use official released version of IE9, beta and release candidate versions will not work.
- Must run in compatibility mode.
- SVG viewer may need to be reinstalled to view color wiring diagrams.
Click here for instructions on setting up OnDemand5.com or ShopKey5.com to work with Internet Explorer 9.
How To Get Featured In The Newsletter
Would you or one of your techs like to be profiled in the newsletter? How about your shop? We're looking for techs and/or shops to feature in this spot. This is an opportunity to let other techs know about you and your shop. You can share information on what your specialties are, what special conditions you have to deal with in your area, anything interesting about your shop or even what you like to do in your free time.
We will also list your shop's information such as location, phone number, web site, or any other information you'd like to provide.
- Send your story and photos for consideration to . Please also include your account number.
- Click here for an example of a previous tech profile.
Did you know...
When searching for an ODBII Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in OnDemand or ShopKey, it's best to keep the search simple. Just put the code in the search box. For example search for "p0140" instead of "diagnostic code p0140". Also be sure to use zeros in codes and not the letter "o", and no spaces. This will get you to the information you're looking for faster.Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.
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Tip Contest, Win Cash Prizes
Exclusive to OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com, the Live Tips system allows users to view and share real world tips alongside existing OEM information. The unique combination of both sources of information leads you to the specific information you need to fix the vehicle faster. Mitchell 1 is conducting a tip contest for a limited time in order to encourage and reward technicians who actively participate in the tip system. Each month five tips will be selected and the authors will be awarded $100 each and the winning tips will be featured here in the newsletter.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MITCHELL 1
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Mitchell 1 and Motor Age Team up on Monthly Tech Tip Contest
FEBRUARY 2012 IS THE LAST MONTH TO GET YOUR ENTRIES IN
NOTE: The following contest is in addition to the contest listed above. Winning tips from the regular contest will automatically be submitted to the Motor Age contest.
"Necessity is the mother of invention," and techs can be real mothers when it comes to inventing ways to make life in the shop easier. Motor Age now gives you the opportunity to share those ideas with your fellow techs with a chance for monthly prizes on its Motor Age Tech Tips page.
Motor Age and Mitchell 1 have teamed up in this monthly contest for our readers. Just fill out this form with your best tech tip. Each month, Motor Age editors will select the best tip and feature it and you in the magazine and online. Not only that, but Mitchell 1 has great prizes for each monthly winner. Readers will choose the grand prize winner at the end of the contest year.
In the shop, it's all about helping your fellow techs earn their livings a little easier, a mission we share with you. Submit your tips today and help out your fellow techs all across the country!
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