Sat.Jan 18, 2025 - Fri.Jan 24, 2025

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Why you should offer cheap, even free, oil changes

Auto Service World

An easy way to draw new customers into your shop is to offer cheap oil changes, according to a shop coach. At last year’s Midwest Auto Care Alliances Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo, Shop Fix Academy coach and shop owner Jay Huh acknowledged that offering such deals isnt popular but its an easy draw. Thats the best way to get new customers, he said during the session How to Run your Shop Stress-Free.

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Think You’re Setting the Right Goals for Your Shop? 8 Questions To Ask Yourself First!

Institute for Automotive Business Excellence

Setting goals is essential for any successful automotive repair shop. Whether youre aiming to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, or streamline operations, setting the right goals can drive your business forward. But are you focusing on the right objectives? Before you map out your next strategy, consider these eight critical questions to ensure your goals are realistic, impactful, and aligned with your shops vision. 1.

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Choosing the Correct Angle Grinder Disc for Your Project

Eastwood

Ask anyone who works in a welding or fab shop and theyll tell you an angle grinder is an indispensable tool. From cutting to grinding to stripping, theres almost nothing as versatile in the shop. The key is understanding which discs or wheels are right for the job at hand. Each one is designed for specific tasks and materials. Angle grinder discs come in various materials and designs, each suited for a specific task.

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Short supply of used cars a big issue in otherwise rosy 2025 outlook

Auto Remarketing

The arrows are pointing up for almost all aspects of the auto retail industry in 2025 with one notable exception. The supply of used vehicles. In Cox Automotives recent 2025 forecast call with industry media and analysts, chief economist Jonathan Smoke painted a rosy picture for whats ahead. His analysis of economic conditions showed green lights for the overall economy, consumers buying ability and auto finance, and no red lights.

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Most unreliable EVs for winter driving

Auto Service World

A new study has identified the most unreliable electric vehicles EVs for winter driving, with the Nissan Leaf topping the list. The study from Vaziri Law Group Personal Injury Attorneys identified the most unreliable EVs for winter driving by evaluating key metrics that affect performance, safety and convenience in cold conditions. Data was collected for each EV model across four main metrics: Verified winter range loss (as a percentage), which measures the percentage reduction in driving range

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Beating the Tech Shortage Through Mentoring

Brake & Front End

How understanding the 80/20 Rule and creative mentoring can make the shortage less threatening. Boomers will soon have left the workforce. There are not enough career-technical education schools, instructors or students available to meet demand. Unemployment is a super low 3.4%, which means most unemployed are not capable or interested in work. This isnt just happening to you the worker shortage is a worldwide phenomenon.

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The Importance of Accurate Data in a Complex Automotive Landscape

Solera

As vehicles evolve with advanced electronic components and safety features, the challenges of accurately assessing their value and identifying the right parts have intensified. Collision repair professionals and automotive insurance companies often find themselves investing significant time conducting research and calculations to produce precise damage estimates.

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From the Magazine: Acquisition or fresh start?

Auto Service World

In the final of this three-part series, its time to figure out which route to expansion is best for you OK, youre profitable and your shop is running without you, like a well-oiled machine congratulations, that in itself is a huge feat! Now, its time to make a big decision: Buy an existing business or get a building and start fresh. Both options have pros and cons, it just depends on your time and finances.

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6 Reasons Your Car AC Is Leaking Water & How to Fix It

RepairSmith

Ever noticed a puddle forming under your car or water dripping inside your cabin after blasting the AC? While a little moisture is normal , if these symptoms persist, its time to dig deeper. Wondering what causes your car’s air conditioner to leak water? Read on to explore the culprits behind a car AC water leak and how to fix them before your AC starts spraying water instead of cool air.

Car
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Simplifying AWD Systems

Brake & Front End

No matter the manufacturer, there is almost always an all-wheel drive (AWD) option for most platforms. Most of these systems are designed to be transparent to the driver. Many AWD systems came onto the market in the 1990s. Unlike 4×4 truck systems of the day, these systems were always engaged and could not be disengaged by the driver. Many of the early systems used mechanical ways to manage the distribution of power to the four wheels.

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5 Exciting 2025 Industry Trends to Watch After Dispatch Training

Automotive Training Centre

As the logistics and transportation industry evolves, 2025 promises exciting changes for dispatch professionals. If youve completed or are considering dispatch training , staying ahead of emerging trends will prepare you for a dynamic and rewarding career. From advanced technologies to shifting industry practices, here are five trends to watch in the year ahead. 1.

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Removing Interior Odors

Tomorrow's Technician

What is that smell? For customers who need to get rid of an unpleasant vehicle odor, a better question is: where is the smell coming from? Identifying the source of the stench will help you recommend the right product to eliminate the ungodly scent. In some cases, the source is obvious. It could be a dirty container of takeout food or something a pet left behind.

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Lotlinx Unveils Virtual Inventory Agent for Machine-Assisted Dealerships at NADA 2025

AutoSuccess

Lotlinx has announced its new suite of innovative data technology resources leveraging a first-of-its kind Virtual Inventory Agent powering today’s Machine-Assisted Dealerships at booth #803 at the National Automotive Dealership Association’s (NADA) 2025 conference. The Lotlinx Virtual Inventory Agent can securely host and analyze any dealership’s proprietary data in real time to help make smarter, more timely and precise decisions in pricing, stocking, merchandising and promot

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Considering Auto Mechanic School? See How Luxury Services Differ

CATI

If youre considering auto mechanic school , chances are youre curious about the range of vehicles you could work on in the future. From compact cars to SUVs, mechanics encounter various challenges every day. However, servicing luxury vehicles often comes with its own set of requirements and expectations. Understanding these differences can prepare you for a rewarding career, especially if you dream of working with high-end brands.

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Three tips to increase profits in your tire shop

Tire Review Magazine

Vehicle service is the backbone of most retail tire dealerships. You probably have vehicles on your lifts right now. But does vehicle service generate enough profit for your shop? Lets discuss three creative ways to increase vehicle service profits in your shop. Plan Profits with a Strong Financial Strategy Boosting service profits involves more than raising rates.

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Here’s how Canadians are approaching car buying

Auto Service World

Despite ongoing economic challenges, Canadians are demonstrating resilience in their vehicle purchasing habits, according to new research from AutoTrader. The study, conducted in August 2024, found that vehicle purchase intent has remained stable compared to the previous year, with 27 per cent of Canadians planning to buy a vehicle in the next six months.

Car
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Take Control of the Cyber War Against Your Dealership

AutoSuccess

Cybercriminals have learned that ransoming data to stop sales operations can result in handsome rewards, and they are increasingly turning their attention to auto dealerships. The costly attacks of Findlay Auto Group and CDK Global in early summer are two noteworthy examples. Findlay reportedly lost millions of dollars a day following the attack, which resulted in class-action lawsuits.

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8 Critical Reasons Why Your Auto Start-Stop Is Not Working

RepairSmith

A start-stop feature that fails to activate at the traffic light or when the car is idle can be annoying. After all, this innovation is designed to boost fuel efficiency and cut emissions but only if it works! If you’re asking yourself, Why is my auto start-stop not working? , you’re not alone! Sometimes, an open driver door or a faulty accelerator pedal sensor can stop this feature from engaging.

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Hankook Weatherflex GT Review Tests All-Weather Tire Performance

Tire Review Magazine

During the waning weeks of 2024, Hankook Tire invited Tire Review to Joliet, Illinois, just outside Chicago, to experience the Weatherflex GT. It’s the company’s newest all-weather tire offering. For this Hankook Weatherflex GT review , we took to the track at the Autobahn Country Club, taking several laps with professional racing instructors offering guidance.

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How poor communication can push employees out

Auto Service World

A growing communication disconnect is threatening employee retention, according to a recent study. The findings from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in partnership with Staffbase could be instructive to an industry where attracting and retaining talent are ongoing challenges. The Employee Communication Impact 2024 report reveals that 61 per cent of employees considering leaving their jobs cite poor internal communication as a factor, with 26 per cent naming it a major c

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CDK to Exhibit Hybrid Intelligence Leadership at NADA 2025

AutoSuccess

CDK is gearing up for another successful NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans on Jan. 23-26 , where it will showcase the benefits of hybrid intelligence compared to other industry solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) alone. Through hybrid intelligence, CDK creates deep integrations between its decades of industry leadership, rich market data and advanced technology to help dealerships, OEMs and independent software developers solve complex problems more efficiently.

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$25,000,000 Wasn't Enough To Buy Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 917 Used By Steve McQueen In 'Le Mans'

Jalopnik

Bidding for perhaps the most iconic Porsche in the history of the German automaker failed to meet the lofty reserve set by seller Jerry Seinfeld. In spite of the fact that no Porsche has ever sold for more than $14 million, and this very 917 sold for just $1.32 million back in 2000, Mr. Seinfeld turned down a bid of Read more.

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BendPak unveils new two-post lift that doubles parking capacity

Tire Review Magazine

BendPak introduced the PL-6000DCX parking lift to improve parking capacity and vehicle access. The lift features a wider platform for better accessibility. This design offers greater convenience for operators and users in commercial and personal settings, BendPak said. Key Features of the BendPak PL-6000DCX Parking Lift The PL-6000DCX installs in 8-foot parking spaces, indoors or outdoors.

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ASE Test Prep – Understanding Coils And Plugs

Tomorrow's Technician

When it comes to ignition systems, the ASE G1 focuses on the inspection and replacement of ignition coils, spark plugs and other items on the secondary side of the ignition coil. The tests will not go into sensors. On the inspection side, being able to read a spark plug is a required skill along with being able to recognize signs of flashover on the ignition coil and boot.

ASE
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TradePending Partners with WheelsTV

AutoSuccess

TradePending announced a new partnership with WheelsTV. This collaboration integrates WheelsTVs extensive library of year/make/model video test drives into TradePendings AutoBio product, offering dealerships and consumers an improved vehicle research experience. TradePending is proud to elevate the car-buying experience for consumers through our new partnership with WheelsTV, said Brice Englert, CEO of TradePending.

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Vehicle inventory swings back, maybe too far

Auto Service World

After years of shortages, dealership lots are now overflowing with vehicles, marking a significant shift in the automotive market as supply catches up with demand. New vehicle inventory is back, explained Todd Campau, associate director of the aftermarket at S&P Global Mobility, during his AAPEX 2024 presentation, Trends Impacting the Aftermarket.

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Bridgestone LaVergne Tire Plant Will Close

Tire Review Magazine

Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced its decision to close its LaVergne Tire Plant effective July 31, 2025. This decision is part of the companys strategic initiatives to optimize its business footprint optimization, strengthen its competitiveness, and enhance the quality of the companys U.S. operations. Bridgestone said it remains committed to contributing to society, the economy, and mobility of people and goods across the U.S.

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Manual Transmission Failure Causes

Brake & Front End

The most common reasons behind why a manual transmission fails are lack of lubrication, incorrect lubrication and improper or no clutch release. COMPLEXITY OF LUBRICATION Lubrication should be simple, but in the modern world NOTHING is simple. There was a time when virtually all stick transmissions ran on 90w gear oil. The synchronizer rings were brass or bronze, the cars and trucks shifted around 3,000 rpm and we had 3- and 4-speed transmissions.

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Repair OnDemand Announces Data Integration with vAuto

AutoSuccess

Repair OnDemand announced a data integration with Cox Automotives vAuto platform. This new solution collaboration will provide benefits for mutual dealer customers of both Repair OnDemand and vAuto. Repair OnDemands advanced diagnostic tool, BlueDriver MAX, will now be integrated into the vAuto trade-in appraisal system. The integration enables dealerships to access real-time diagnostic data on trade-in vehicles, allowing for more accurate appraisals and reducing the risk of unexpected reconditi

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5 Good Reasons to Track the Time Spent on Your Project

Eastwood

When I got serious about restoring my old Range Rover , I decided to track the time I spent doing so. My stint as a restoration shop manager opened my eyes to how many hours go into a quality restoration. And while Id resurrected several cars in the past, none of them was as involved as this one would be. I built a spreadsheet to manually record each days progress (even if it was often only two days a month).

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Beontag, Michelin partner on integrating RFID-enabled tires to vehicles

Tire Review Magazine

Beontag has partnered with Michelin to integrate RFID-enabled tires into commercial and passenger vehicles over the next two years. These UHF embedded tags use a pod and antenna design to provide traceability throughout a tires life cycle. That includes manufacturing, distribution, installation, and recycling. Ensuring Complete Traceability Beontag and Michelin initiated their partnership in 2019 to create durable tires with RFID technology.

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Repairing Electrical Connections

Tomorrow's Technician

When repairing electrical connections, or doing any type of electrical work, you have two options to join wires together or connect them to a terminal. You can solder them, or you can use crimp connectors. Soldering produces a chemical bond. Crimping produces a mechanical bond from the force of compression. Many prefer soldering, as the repair is smaller in size, and often argued as more permanent due to the chemical nature of the bond.

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Numa Unveils AI Agent Platform for Auto Dealerships

AutoSuccess

Numa unveiled the first AI agent platform for dealerships, designed to address communication breakdowns with customers and provide full visibility into all service communications within the dealership. With its AI agent platform, Numa is releasing two new AI agents the Appointment Agent and the Call Intelligence Agent. These are the first add-on AI agents for the Numa platform.

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Is EV All Hype, or Is the Revolution Really Coming? The Digital Shop Talk Radio Ep. 190

AutoVitals

The increase in electric cars has sparked both excitement and skepticism in the automotive industry and in the most recent episode of AutoVitals Digital Shop Talk Radio, host Lauren Thunen and Brittany Schindler, owner of Rods Japanese Auto Care and Rods Master Auto Tech, explored whether EVs are merely hype or the sign of a significant industry shift.

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Hankook Tire relaunches ONE Program with enhanced incentives for dealers

Tire Review Magazine

Hankook Tire has relaunched its ONE Program to provide enhanced dealer incentives and recognition nationwide. The program, first introduced in 2012, now includes more rewards and support for dealers. The Hankook ONE Program rewards dealers with cash based on quarterly and annual sales of Hankook and Laufenn products. Dealers can now earn higher cash rewards at lower sales thresholds, making the program more accessible.

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How Instructors at Our Auto Mechanic School Leverage Their Rich Industry Knowledge

Automotive Training Centre

At ATC Cambridge, our auto mechanic school ‘s foundation lies in our instructors’ expertise and passion. These industry professionals bring years of hands-on experience into the classroom, ensuring students graduate with practical knowledge, confidence, and the ability to excel in real-world scenarios. Recently, we had the privilege of speaking with Vince Legault, an experienced instructor at ATC.

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Cox Automotive Releases Dealertrack 2025 Compliance Guide

AutoSuccess

Cox Automotive Inc. announced the release of its annual Dealertrack Compliance Guide for 2025 , its 20 th edition. As the automotive industry remains stable yet faces major market shifts in the coming year related to fair financing, vehicle electrification and omnichannel buying, dealers must prioritize compliance to protect consumers and themselves from risks.