Gonzo’s Toolbox: Found It On the Internet
A customer comes into the shop the other day with a handful of papers about his car. Each page was full of information and diagrams pertaining to a repair. He was extremely proud of himself, and proceeded to tell me how he found this wealth of knowledge on the Internet.
Prioritize Your Service Recommendations
Most service advisors go over their technicians’ recommendations and categorize the repairs. They’ll put all the brake-related recommendations into one group, all the drivetrain recommendations into another group, etc. Sound familiar? There’s nothing wrong with this approach, but where they’re missing the mark, especially during these tough economic times, is by not understanding how to properly prioritize their service recommendations.
Directions: Vehicle Age and Smaller Engines Increase Vehicle Maintenance
While the small increase in 2010 vehicle total mileage would seem to be negative for aftermarket product expansion, the changing driving habits of Americans are causing more vehicle wear per mile driven today than in the past.
Perspectives: A New Approach to the Oil Change
Jiffy Lube, which helped establish the fast-lube category more than 30 years ago, is officially introducing a new approach to oil changes.
Score Points with Customers by Creating a Child-Friendly Waiting Area
Generally speaking, as long as we don’t feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, we adults don’t mind waiting a little bit for good work. Plush furniture, a flat-screen television, relevant reading material and a cozy atmosphere will keep parents pleasant while they’re waiting, but their children require a different sort of comfort.
Perspectives: How’s Business? Gas Prices Aren’t Helping
With the topic of high gasoline prices on everyone’s mind, shop owners have a unique opportunity to help maintain their customers’ vehicles for peak performance and the resulting improved gas mileage.
Elite Worldwide Launches New Training Webinars for Automotive Professionals
Elite Worldwide is now offering sales, marketing and management training webinars for automotive professionals. Using state-of-the-art technology, Elite says it is now able to help shop owners and dealerships worldwide, through a medium that is more affordable and convenient than traditional seminars.
Publisher’s Perspective: How’s Business? Gas Prices Aren’t Helping
Higher gas prices and the weather set the tone for business in April. How was business at your shop?
Editor’s Notebook: Got Top Techs? We Want To Know Who They Are
Calling all best techs! Do you make your customers’ vehicles charge ahead, run like a champ and cross the finish line first?
Gonzo’s Toolbox: I Smell a ‘Rat’
A 2002 Lexus LS430 came in the shop earlier this year. It was stumbling and sounded rough. It had a slight misfire but, overall, the owner said he couldn’t feel it vibrate. The check engine light was on and it didn’t seem to have the power it used to have. There were two codes, P1310 (misfire on #3 cylinder) and P0330 (knock sensor code). I figured I better start with the misfire code and see where it leads. It could be that the knock code was a result of the misfire.