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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:
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.
Access ProDemand or ShopKey Pro Using Your Existing Login
ProDemand and ShopKey Pro are now available to all OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com subscribers using your existing username and password. You no longer need to request an updgrade. It's now easier than ever to start using the new product. Just click the appropriate link below to give the new product a try.
Want to know more about ProDemand or ShopKey Pro?
Join us at one of our training workshops where we show you how the new product works. Workshops are held each week at varying times. You only need to attend one 45 minute session to learn the basics of using the program. There is also a question and answer session at the end to help you with anything else you need to know. Click the appropriate link below to visit our training site and to sign up for a workshop.
Informative ShopConnection blog posts about the new product:
Now Includes Improved Estimator/Quotes module, VIN Decoder and SureTrack Preview
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New Mitchell 1 Shop Connection Blog
Mitchell 1 has a new blog site dedicated to providing the latest updates on our products as well as interesting and informative industry news and stories. Much the same content as you're used to getting here in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 newsletter but expanded to cover more products.
Contents include:
- Product Highlights
- SureTrack Real Fixes
- Product Update Information
- Product Tips & Tricks
- Quick Product How-To Videos
- Industry News and Insights
- Automotive Repair Articles from Motor Age and Other Sources
- And Much More
Click here to visit the Mitchell 1 Shop Connection blog now.
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Internet Explorer 9 or Newer Compatibility
Before installing or upgrading to Internet Explorer 9 or newer, please read our page of information detailing what to do and issues that may occur with this update. Some users will get Internet Explorer updates automatically from Microsoft.
Click here for more information.
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What's New in Hybrid Systems?
OEMs continue to develop new hybrid offerings. Are you taking notice? John D. Kelly/Motor Age -- What's new in hybrid systems? The hybrid world changed in the last year because of totally new plug-in hybrid powertrain designs from Honda and Ford; other similar ones are being designed by other carmakers, but honestly, who cares? As an automotive professor, I have a hard time finding anyone who cares. Hybrids seem like a foreign concept to the majority of the people I talk to, and they almost laugh at me for even asking. The concept of using a hybrid-electric vehicle seems almost cult-like, only for tree huggers. Some people find the hybrid idea interesting, but do not like the additional cost of a hybrid. The majority of people I talk to about hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles seem to concentrate only on the cost of the vehicle, not the money saved in decreased fuel costs with the increase in fuel economy or the possible environmental benefits. Hybrids have been available in the United States for 13 years now, but still are far from a vehicle the general population would consider purchasing.
It was predicted that more 15 million vehicles would be sold in the United States in 2013; more than half of them were trucks and SUVs that average less than 20 mpg. It seems to me that very few people care enough about high fuel prices and energy independence to even consider a hybrid or alternative-fueled vehicle for their next purchase. This last summer, Toyota announced that it had sold its 5 millionth hybrid vehicle worldwide; just a little more than 2 million of them have been sold in the U.S. in the last 13 years. That is not a very good sales record; all other manufacturers of hybrid vehicles fall short of Toyota's 5 million hybrid milestone. So once again I ask, who cares? You should care. Why? Because you are going to see a lot more of them in the next few years due to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tailpipe emissions regulations and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) fuel economy regulations.
Entering The Hybrid Service/Repair Market - The Trainer Video SeriesSource: Motor Age
Entering The Hybrid Service/Repair Market - The Trainer Video Series
Motor Age -- Do you know when the first hybrid traveled American roadways? Your first thought might be the introduction of the Honda Insight, the first mass produced hybrid offered for sale back in 1999. But hybrid and electric vehicle technology actually dates back to 1839, when Robert Anderson of Aberdeen, Scotland built the first electric vehicle.In 1898, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche built his first car at age 23, the first to use front wheel drive. His second car could be considered the first hybrid; using an internal combustion engine to spin a generator that provided power to electric motors located in the wheel hubs. On battery alone, the car could travel up to 40 miles. Sound familiar? Sounds like the same performance offered by the Chevy Volt! In 1900, American car companies made 1,681 steam-powered cars, 1,575 electric cars and only 936 with a gasoline engine. At this point in American automotive history, only the wealthy could afford a car and the majority preferred electric. The reasons? Less noise, less mess, and easier to start! Beginning in the late '60s, electric and hybrid designs were encouraged by the U.S. government as a means to reduce air pollution. With the oil embargo of 1973, interest in these designs got an added government boost as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Every administration since has enacted programs to fund research in hybrid technology, especially in the area of battery development. Today, the United States hosts the largest hybrid fleet in the world with nearly 3 million sold since 1999. During the first nine months of 2013, hybrid sales represented 3.32% of total new car sales. Back in 2000 you had two to choose from and today nearly every auto maker offers at least one hybrid model. With the hybrid fleet aging and warranties expiring, the aftermarket possibilities are beginning to grow. In this edition of the Trainer, we take a departure from our normal technical how-to and talk to some industry experts on what that means to your shop's bottom line and the right way to enter this potentially lucrative market segment. Source: Motor Age
Honda IMA Service and RepairHonda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) has been in production for nearly 15 years and chances are you have had some of these vehicles in your bays already. Dave Macholz/Motor Age -- Entering the realm of hybrid repair can be a daunting venture for many technicians and shop owners. Servicing Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) vehicles is a great way to get your feet wet, as the technology on these vehicles is intentionally not as evolved as competing manufacturers' hybrid platforms. Understanding the system's operation and recognizing service and repair concerns will help you in your quest to become a hybrid-capable repair technician or facility.
Honda introduced its IMA system with the 1999 Insight and beat the competing Toyota Prius to the market by a margin of more than a year. Honda's approach to the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) platform was to improve fuel economy by designing a lightweight, low-cost vehicle with an electrically assisted internal combustion engine (ICE). The IMA system utilizes a three-phase AC motor-generator (MG) sandwiched between the ICE and the CVT transmission. This design is considered a simple or parallel hybrid and separates the IMA from its heavier Toyota counterpart that utilizes two motor-generators within a hybrid transaxle. The use of only one MG unit allows for the use of a fairly small HV battery, which also contributes to its weight reduction. The IMA has been used successfully in the Insight, Civic and Accord platforms, but because of increased EPA fuel economy demands, it will be replaced by a dual motor-generator hybrid drive, similar to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, in the 2014 Accord. IMA Overview Before you commit to servicing or repairing IMA vehicles, it is important to have a basic knowledge of system operation. The heart of the IMA system is a brushless three-phase AC motor-generator contained in a housing that bolts up between the ICE and the Constantly Variable (CVT) transmission. The rotor is a permanent magnet type that is bolted directly to the crankshaft, which means anytime the crankshaft turns, so does the rotor. The IMA motor provides power assist when needed, and also takes on the role of the conventional starter motor and alternator. The rotor includes a tone ring, and the IMA position sensor contained within the IMA housing monitors it.
Source: Motor Age
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.
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SureTrack Real Fixes
Mitchell 1's long running a tip contest ended on July 31, 2013. We will be focusing on the new SureTrack system available in the new ProDemand and ShopKey Pro programs and will probably have a contest there in the future. We would like to express our gratitude to all have participated in the tip contest in the past. If you have not tried the new products and SureTrack, click here request your upgrade.
- Click here for the archive of OnDemand5/ShopKey5 tip contest winners.
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