A New Tool to Keep You Up to Date

Main Navigation

Advertisement
Social Connect
Resources
Our Brand Family
Techshop Magazine
The automotive industry’s knowledge base for equipment, tools and supplies
Legacy Content

A New Tool to Keep You Up to Date

Avatar
By Jeff Stankard
Published:

Do you have Internet access at your shop? If so, is the computer with Internet access in a location so your techs can easily use it to find technical repair information?

Related Articles

I hope the answer to both of these questions is yes, but I know it isn’t. Nonetheless, the computer remains a viable tool in your quest for technical information.

In June of this year, we conducted an Internet survey among the subscribers of ImportCar and its sister publications, Brake & Front End and Underhood Service. The good news is we found that more than 75% of shops claim to have Internet access at the shop. Also, of these shops with Internet access, 43% have Internet access in the service area. This number is up from 8% when we conducted the study in 2003. The growth in this statistic tells me that you truly value the Internet as a tool to help your shop face the increasing challenge of fixing the ever-growing population of technologically advanced vehicles.

And while our survey showed that you are not spending any more time surfing compared to 2003, I know you’re getting more out of it because 70% of you currently have some type of high-speed connection (either DSL or cable).

How else do you use the Internet?

  • 29% get training information;

  • 48% research equipment and tools;

  • 40% research parts suppliers and manufacturers;

  • 8% advertise for technicians;

  • 27% use chat lines like iATN;

  • 42% order from your main supplier;

  • 41% purchase equipment and tools;

  • 26% purchase shop supplies; and

  • 65% get specific repair information.

To help make your search for valuable information a little easier, we’ve introduced a new email subscription newsletter called autocarepro:news. Autocarepro:news is delivered to your computer’s inbox every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and is filled with the latest information on new products, tech tips and automotive news. Go to www.autocarepronews.com to check it out and click on “subscribe” to sign-up to receive your own free copy. Let us know what you think. We value your input.

You May Also Like

Features

Several States Declare April As ‘Car Care Month’

Several governors across the country have declared April as Car Care Month in their respective states, urging their residents to be car care aware and perform the service necessary to ensure their vehicles are operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.

TechShop Staff Writers
By TechShop Staff Writers
Published:

Several governors across the country have declared April as Car Care Month in their respective states, urging their residents to be car care aware and perform the service necessary to ensure their vehicles are operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.
The following governors have issued official state proclamations that April is Car Care Month: Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama, Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois, Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan, Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Gov. John A. Kitzhaber, M.D. of Oregon, Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina, Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia.
“We want to thank these governors for officially proclaiming April as Car Care Month,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Car Care Month provides a unique opportunity for the auto care industry and the government to educate car owners on the importance of proper vehicle care. Motor vehicle safety continues to be a major focus for state legislatures and regulatory agencies across the country, so we commend each of the governors for making these important proclamations.”
Spring is the perfect time for motorists to make sure their vehicles are running reliably after a rough winter and before the summer driving season begins. Many independent repair shops and community organizations throughout the country will conduct car care events during April. These events have revealed that three out of four vehicles inspected are in need of some type of maintenance or repair.
The non-profit Car Care Council offers many free tools on its website to help consumers drive smart, save money and be more environmentally friendly, including the popular 60-page Car Care Guide and a custom service schedule and email reminder service.
“By following a service schedule and performing preventative vehicle maintenance, motorists can ensure that their vehicles are safe and dependable. Plus, auto care can help save money in many ways, including reducing fuel consumption and extending vehicle life,” continued White. “We encourage all car owners across the country to get their vehicles inspected this April.”

Read Full Article

More Legacy Content Posts
Intake Manifold Gaskets: A Service Rundown

Back in the days when most

By Larry Carley
Monroe “Quick Rewards” Program Offers Incentives For Sales Of Monroe Quick-Strut Assemblies

Tenneco’s Monroe brand will offer an incentive to counterpeople for the sale of popular, ready-to-install Monroe Quick-Strut premium replacement assemblies. The Monroe “Quick Rewards” scorecard promotion – available for sales between April 1 and May 31, 2014 – will reward participants with a $10 prepaid card for each pair of qualifying Monroe Quick-Strut units sold.

By TechShop Staff Writers
Three AGM, Gel Cell Battery Myths

Chances are if the battery is not under the hood, it is an absorbent glass mat (AGM) or gel cell battery. These batteries pack a lot of power for their size and weight, which allows manufacturers to shave off a few pounds from the vehicle. That’s a big ­reason why they are being found more and more on late-model vehicles. Here are three AGM/gel cell myths.

By Andrew Markel
10 Toughest Cabin Air Filter Jobs

There are still many late model vehicles that are not easy to service, and they require a significant amount of disassembly to gain access to the filter. For your shop, this is billable labor. Here are the 10 toughest jobs according to the editors of Underhood Service.

By Andrew Markel

Other Posts

New AmeriBRAKES Part Numbers

The newest AmeriBRAKE line services some Fords, Volkswagens, Audis and Mercedes.

By TechShop Staff Writers
A Different ‘Angle’ On Brake Pulsation

Brake rotor thickness variation is the condition that generates your typical brake pulsation concerns. In this article, contributing writer James Blair examines two atypical causes of thickness variation that can have a “problem vehicle” back at your shop again and again if not addressed.

By JAMES A. BLAIR
Timing Belt Replacement On 2.2- And 2.3-Liter Honda Accord Engines

These tips outline the belt replacement for the popular 2.2- and 2.3-liter Accord engines. The other Honda engines are similar, but don’t require the balance belt. They shouldn’t present any challenge to the experienced tech, but there are some things to keep in mind as you tackle these jobs.

By TechShop Staff Writers
MOOG Coverage Expanded With Dozens Of New Parts For Foreign Nameplate And Domestic Models

Federal-Mogul has expanded coverage provided by its MOOG Steering and Suspension brand with dozens of new parts now available for popular late-model foreign nameplate and domestic applications. As the automotive service industry’s “Problem Solver,” MOOG offers innovative technologies that improve on original designs for longer life, superior performance and easier installation, according to Federal-Mogul.

By TechShop Staff Writers