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 .
Missed a previous edition or want to read an article again? Just go to the Newsletter Archive page for a list of links to past headlines.
NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Dealing With Vehicle Shakes
Providing a smooth ride for your customer can be a frustrating process.
Motor Age -- As a technician, you've likely had the opportunity to drive a fair number of different vehicles. Light-duty trucks ride differently than passenger cars, and compacts ride differently than full-size sedans. But all of their owners want a comfortable ride and appear in your service drive when they don't feel that's what they're experiencing. Sometimes the cause of these complaints is mechanical and repairable, and sometimes it's a matter of customer perception. Understanding the factors that influence ride quality can help you solve many of these complaints and explain to your customers why you can't solve them all.
What Defines Ride Comfort?
Manufacturers spend a lot of time and money making sure their products ride and handle well. Several factors impact that quality, including high frequency vibrations, body noise, body roll, pitch characteristics and others. One of the biggest contributors to ride comfort is the car's own natural vertical oscillation characteristics. When an umdamped suspension impacts a road deflection, it will have a tendency to oscillate vertically at its own natural frequency. (Dampeners, or shock absorbers, are designed to quickly dissipate this kinetic energy by converting it to heat, and are used to maintain as constant a pressure as possible on the tire's contact patch.)
SAE publishes 18 standards on new A/C refrigerant HFO-1234yf
SAE.org -- A suite of 18 new or revised engineering standards to support the industry's forthcoming phase-in of the low-global-warming A/C refrigerant HFO-1234yf has just been published by SAE International. The huge undertaking, following an SAE Cooperative Research Group study that indicated suitability of the chemical in 2009, was the effort of work groups in the Interior Climate Control Standards Committee, which represented all segments of the industry.
The standards, which will soon be accompanied by the U.S. EPA's posting of HFO-1234yf as a "SNAP List" refrigerant, cover refrigerant purity and safety; components design; engineering measurements; service equipment; and technician training. The first vehicles with this refrigerant are expected later this year, shortly after HFO-1234yf production quantities become available. The current refrigerant, R-134a, will continue to be used as HFO-1234yf is phased in.
Although many of the standards had been completed over the past year, the entire group was held for a single release because there is considerable cross-referencing. Indeed, SAE J2911, an umbrella standard that specifies how certification to many of the other standards is obtained, was approved by SAE Motor Vehicle Council in early February.
Extended new-car warranties and free maintenance programs would appear to pose a threat to independent shops. Rather than panic, let's try to gauge how big the threat really is and what can be done about it.
Automotive Service Association, By John Lypen, Contributing Editor -- Efforts by automakers and their franchised dealerships to gain a competitive advantage over independent shops for the service and repair needs of customers who purchase new vehicles from them is nothing new. Over the years we've seen initiatives ranging from lifetime powertrain warranties to free maintenance programs to stand-alone original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair centers to dealership quick lube lanes, and everything in between.
In a presentation at this year's Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), a group of executives representing parts manufacturers and distributors tackled the issue of "OE Warranties and Their Effect on the Aftermarket." The group began its presentation by displaying a chart showing every automaker currently selling light vehicles in the United States together with their current warranty policies. Seeing all this information in one place really brought home for the audience the fact that factory warranties vary widely among manufacturers, and many of them are quite generous indeed.
July 26th, 2011 -- Shane Robertson from Bumpass, Va. received the 2011 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student Scholarship during the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference held recently at Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Each year Mitchell 1 recognizes one U.S. or Canadian student for outstanding achievement in automotive technology scholastics. Robertson was presented with a check for $2,500 along with a recognition certificate courtesy of Mitchell 1.
"Mitchell 1 is proud to have the opportunity to recognize Shane Robertson for his outstanding achievement and strong dedication to pursuing educational excellence in the automotive technology field," said Karen Wagner, senior marketing manager for Mitchell 1.
Robertson graduated from Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va. in May, 2010. He is currently attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va. where he is enrolled in the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP). In addition to school, Robertson works at the Reynolds Cadillac GMC Truck Buick Subaru, Inc. in Orange, Va.
Robertson's goal as a technician is to do the job right, the first time, and to satisfy the customer to the best of his ability. With this goal in mind, he would like to be able to fix any vehicle, from Audi to Volkswagen. His future plans include returning to school one day to pursue an associate's degree in the computer field because he sees cars and computers being so closely related and feels this will give him an advantage in his career as a professional technician.
During high school, Robertson received many accolades for academic excellence such as the 2010 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, 2010 Melvin Robinson Award and the 2010 President's Award for Educational Excellence. He made the honor roll 2007-2010. Robertson was also active in football and wrestling, and received several awards including the 2010 United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, Heart of the Lion Wrestling 2010 Award and the 2010 Doug Straley Student-Athlete Award.
Motor Age 2011 Top Shops Contest Continues
Motor Age -- The last few years have show us one thing about the independent repair market: There are some really great shops across the country.
It's time for you to show us just now good your shop is, as Motor Age has launched its 2011 Top Shops contest. The contest is open through Aug. 19, 2011, and there's no time like now to get started on entering.
We've listened to readers this year, as well, and have revamped the contest entry process. This year in order to enter, you will be required to answer nine questions describing your business in a simple-to-complete form. Judges will score each shop on 10 categories: experience, training and education, shop operations, supplier relations, marketing, website presence, aftermarket involvement, community activities, technical offerings and a photo tour of the shop.
Sponsors of the 2011 Motor Age Top Shops Contest are:
Internet Explorer 9 Compatibility
Before installing or upgrading to Internet Explorer 9, please read our page of information detailing what to do and issues that may occur with this update.
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.
Did you know...
You can print a portion of text from a repair or TSB article instead of an entire section. Select the text you want to print and then hit "Ctrl" and "P" on your keyboard. This will bring up the print dialog. Under Page Range pick "Selection" and then click the Print button. If there are graphics in the section of text, you will need to print them separately.
Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.
Mitchell 1 is running a tip contest for a limited time in OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com. Below are the latest winners of the contest. Each of these tips earned the tech a $100 prize. Click the links below to see the complete tips and for more information on how you can enter.
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!
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (c)
Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By accessing and using Mitchell Repair's web sites, each user agrees that they have read and agreed to be bound by the Legal Notices governing Mitchell Repair Online. Our Privacy Policy. The Mitchell 1 name is used herein by permission from Mitchell International, which has no ownership interest in Mitchell 1.
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.
