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 .
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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro Now Available
FASTER, EASIER, SMARTER
ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro are now available to all OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com subscribers at no additional charge. For more information and to request ProDemand™ or ShopKey®Pro to be added to your account, click the link below:
FASTER - eliminating the need for multiple information look-ups. By returning relevant content in one look-up, ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro quickly give the technicians everything they need to complete the job.
EASIER - allowing the technician to effortlessly navigate from procedures to TSBs to specifications to wiring diagrams and more. ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro bring the information to the technicians so they can focus on the vehicle.
SMARTER - intelligently cross referencing components, phrases, and codes in the database. Technicians don't have to know the OEM specific term because ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro will find the information regardless of term entered.
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. Some users will get IE9 automatically from Microsoft.
It's easy to blame the part, but the truth is it's usually the installation.
Motor Age -- Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last Groundhog Day (Feb. 2, in case you forgot), and whether or not your neck of the woods really had six more weeks of winter or not, as the legend of the groundhog implies, finally spring is here and that means air conditioning season is well underway. As the cars come into your shop, some of those A/C jobs will require compressor replacement.
Unlike the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, you don't want to see that same A/C job coming back day after day after day with repeat compressor failures. Fix it right and hope it stays fixed, right? In most cases, a compressor job goes well and the customer is happy for good. What about those times where "in most cases" doesn't seem to apply?
I've spoken with many good techs who have had compressor jobs come back to bite them. Almost without exception they blame the compressor manufacturer/remanufacturer. As a tech, I've seen all types of parts that failed long before their time. I even have seen parts that were bad in the box. On the other hand, for quite a few years I have worked for a company that manufactures compressors. I have friends who work for other compressor manufacturers and at conventions we get together and talk about everything including warranty returns and analysis.
One thing we seem to share is the common observation that the overwhelming majority of warranty return compressors don't die from factory defects or natural causes -- they are murdered. Because none of us likes to do a job over (for free, anyway) and we all want to keep our A/C service season as stress free as possible, let's cover some of the most common problems that lead to those "murdered" compressors.
A/C Leak Detection and Other Tips: The Trainer Video Series
Motor Age -- Today's mobile air conditioning systems are doing more with a lot less. Refrigerant capacities are getting smaller and smaller, with some models holding as little as 11 ounces! Leaks that would allow a system to last the whole year before experiencing a problem now result in a hot, sweaty...and unhappy...customer returning to your shop before the dog days of summer are over.
Finding these small leaks is a matter of using the right tools and the right methods. This month, technical editor Pete Meier shares tips on how best to prepare for servicing today's systems, and finding those annoying leaks.
Motor Age also holds a series of web casts on various topics of interest to automotive technicians. Go to the Motor Age web site for more information and to sign up for these webcasts.
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... When you post a tip or question in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 Live Tips system, there is a spell checker available. It is the right-most button on the tool bar above the text box. Just click the button before you click the post button.
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.
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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.
When you post a tip or question in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 Live Tips system, there is a spell checker available. It is the right-most button on the tool bar above the text box. Just click the button before you click the post button.
