Automotive Tech Info Podcast: Recent Episodes
Automotive Tech Info
Automotive Tech info Podcast is produced by Automotive Data Media and is a discussion on diagnostic and repair - and other business tips - for the independent repair shop. For more diagnostic and technical repair information, visit AutomotiveTechInfo.com. CAUTION: Vehicle servicing performed by untrained persons could result in serious injury to those persons or others. Information contained in these podcasts are intended for use by trained, professional auto repair technicians ONLY. This information is provided to inform these technicians of conditions which may occur in some vehicles or to provide information which may assist them in proper servicing of these vehicles. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to perform repairs correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that a topic covered in these podcasts automatically applies to your vehicle or that your vehicle has that condition.
Kevin McCartney is an automotive industry trainer and an expert on all types of automotive lubricants. Many do not understand or appreciate just how highly engineered things like motor oil and brake fluid are these days. In fact, using the wrong motor oil in some modern vehicles can actually set a trouble code. There’s more than you might think you need to know about the lubricating fluids for today’s vehicles.
In this episode, Kevin talks about the information you need to know to make sure you’re using the correct brake fluid, and what it means if you don’t. It’s a matter of milliseconds that can make all the difference.
Listen in as Kevin shares his insights on:
- Why technicians need to understand modern automotive fluids and how they work.
- How Kevin became an expert in fluid technology after mastering electronics.
- Why fluids should be part of your training schedule.
- Kevin’s estimate that 80% of technicians don’t really understand lubricants.
- The details on DOT brake fluid ratings and how they differ.
- How milliseconds matter in modern vehicle control systems.
- Why ultra-low viscosity fluids are the future.
- It’s not just about boiling points today.
- Connecting the DOTs and what they mean.
Dave Facciuto is and the former owner and ASE Master Technician Technician of Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Kevin Orndorff is a former technician working at Dave’s and current owner since he purchased the shop from Dave. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with Kevin and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology. In our final episode, we conclude our conversation with Dave and Kevin on Diagnostic Strategies and talk about what’s next and how Electric Vehicles (EVs) will impact how we work and diagnose this next step in automotive technology.
Listen in as Dave and Kevin share their insights on:
- What they’re doing now to prepare for the EV future.
- How hybrid maintenance helps prepare technicians for EVs.
- Where EVs are popping up pretty much everywhere.
- Why thermal management will be important to EV service.
- Adjusting diagnostic strategies for hybrid and EV challenges.
- Understanding how hybrid systems work by knowing the basic functions of any vehicle.
- How a charging station can help prepare for the future.
- Showing your current clients that your shop will be there when they go electric.
Dave Facciuto is and the former owner and ASE Master Technician Technician of Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Kevin Orndorff is a former technician working at Dave’s and current owner since he purchased the shop from Dave. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with Kevin and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dave and Kevin on Diagnostic Strategies and what you need to do to keep both your experienced and developing diagnostic techs current on changing technology.
Listen in as Dave and Kevin share their insights on:
- The different tiers of training in the educational system preparing our next generation of technicians.
- The value of having a mentor and internships in the shop.
- How Dave uses internships in his shop and gets involved with his local high school and college training programs.
- Why investing in your techs is part of our new normal.
- How much training is enough to keep techs sharp.
- The role online training plays in ongoing learning.
- Why there’s no limit to the amount of training you need.
- The importance of having a training plan and budget.
Dave Facciuto is and the former owner and ASE Master Technician Technician of Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Kevin Orndorff is a former technician working at Dave’s and purchased the shop from Dave. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with Kevin and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology. Dave asked Kevin to join the discussion, and he’s joined us as we continue the series on Diagnostic Strategies.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll continue our discussion with Dave and Kevin. Listen in as Dave and Kevin share their insights on:
- Kevin’s background and path to becoming a shop owner.
- Why the first step in any diagnostic process is a full scan.
- How to identify the best technicians to develop their diagnostic skills in your shop.
- The importance of good communication, problem solving and time management skills.
- The employer’s responsibility in developing diagnostic talent in new technicians.
- How real-world diagnostic challenges are the best teacher for learning sound diagnostic best practices.
Dave Facciuto is the former owner ASE Master Technician at Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with his former shop and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll continue our discussion with Dave about the different types of diagnostic strategies. Listen in as Dave shares his insights on:
- Differential Diagnostics and it’s role as part of the diagnostic process
- Why it’s important to list all possibilities prior to starting diagnosis
- What diagnostic habits young technicians should be developing now
- How it all starts with a general diagnostic scan to identify all DTC’s
- Finding simple problems with a good visual inspection
- How a review of the vehicle history can steer you in the right direction
- Shop owner responsibilities to develop their diagnostic team
- How having a diagnostic library can add value to your training process
Dave Facciuto is the former owner ASE Master Technician at Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with his former shop and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll continue our discussion with Dave about the different types of diagnostic strategies. Listen in as Dave shares his insights on:
- Differential Diagnostics and it’s role as part of the diagnostic process
- Why it’s important to list all possibilities prior to starting diagnosis
- What diagnostic habits young technicians should be developing now
- How it all starts with a general diagnostic scan to identify all DTC’s
- Finding simple problems with a good visual inspection
- How a review of the vehicle history can steer you in the right direction
- Shop owner responsibilities to develop their diagnostic team
- How having a diagnostic library can add value to your training process
Dave Facciuto is the former owner ASE Master Technician at of Dave’s Import Service in Medford, Oregon. Dave is still active in the industry as a consultant and shares his technical and business management knowledge with his former shop and the industry at large. His extensive background in diagnostic strategies has provided a unique perspective on how best to develop your own diagnostic process for both new and experienced technicians working on today’s modern vehicle technology.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll talk with Dave about the different types of diagnostic strategies. Listen in as Dave shares his insights on:
- His background and experience which allowed him to transfer his knowledge of import repair to a wide range of both import and domestic vehicles.
- Being a certified master technician for over 30 years.
- Why the need for basic how-to diagnostic knowledge is fundamental to creating an effective diagnostic process.
- What show owners should be doing to develop the next generation of diagnostic specialists in their shops.
- The importance of ongoing training to hone diagnostic and repair skills.
- Why a simple diagnostic challenge is the best way to start with young technicians and how the knowledge they acquire can be shared with other technicians in the shop.
- The difference between strategy-based and differential diagnostics.
- Why starting with the basics to verify the complaint leads to effective diagnostic strategies.
Ken Coleman is an ASE Master Technician at Great Falls Auto Repair in Great Falls, Montana who knows a lot about emission controls. For more than 50 years, emission control systems have been working to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions like Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are produced in the combustion processes inside gasoline engines, partly from nitrogen compounds in the fuel, but mostly by direct combination of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen in flames. Auto manufacturers have traditionally reduced NOx emissions through the use of exhaust gas recirculation through EGR valves, but that’s changing.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll talk with Ken about the different types of EGR valves and offers some specific diagnostic and testing tips for troubleshooting trouble codes involving the EGR system. Listen in as Ken shares his insights on:
- The different types of EGR valves and systems.
- How to activate the EGR valve during diagnosis.
- How to identify EGR failures.
- The differences in electronically-controlled EGR systems.
- Specific diagnostic testing tips.
- How VVT is eliminating the EGR system on hybrid vehicles.
- Why EGR systems will be on ICE engine applications for some time to come.
- How to determine the right diagnostic procedure based on EGR trouble codes.
Ken Coleman is an ASE Master Technician at Great Falls Auto Repair in Great Falls, Montana who knows a lot about emission controls. For more than 50 years, emission control systems have been working to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions like Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are produced in the combustion processes inside gasoline engines, partly from nitrogen compounds in the fuel, but mostly by direct combination of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen in flames. Auto manufacturers have traditionally reduced NOx emissions through the use of exhaust gas recirculation through EGR valves, but that’s changing.
In this episode of the ATI Podcast, we’ll talk with Ken about the history of emission controls like EGR valves and their importance in the proper operation of the vehicles using them. Knowing how these devices work and some common failure modes will not only increase your diagnostic capabilities, it will give you a heads-up on what’s next in emission control technology. Listen in as Ken shares his insights on:
- Why emission controls were introduced to initially control crankcase vapors.
- How EGR valves help control NOx emissions and how they work.
- How both mechanical and electronic controls are used on EGR valves.
- How valve timing uses valve overlap to control NOx.
- Typical failure modes for EGR valves.
- How different manufacturers use different control strategies for EGR.
- How electronic controls work and differ from mechanical systems.
- What you need to know when diagnosing EGR system failures.
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network and an expert on Advanced Driver Assist Systems.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In the final episode of our ADAS series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons with important information on what you need to do to keep up with the changing automotive technology and why you need to keep your customers informed as well. This important information applies to both mechanical shops doing vehicle maintenance and collision repair facilities preparing estimates for damaged vehicles equipped with ADAS. In our final episode nine, we’ll discuss:
- Educating your customers on the safety and value ADAS provide.
- How ADAS are helping to reduce some common accidents by 84%.
- Building customer trust by sharing information about their vehicle.
- How technology affects the cost of maintenance and repair.
- Taking advantage of the opportunity to spotlight your technical expertise.
- New service challenges created by technology.
- The importance of reinforcing the professionalism in your business.
- The need for new regulations and updated vehicle inspection rules due to ADAS.
- How partnering with collision shops is a new business opportunity.
- Advice on keeping up with rapidly-changing vehicle technology through Automotive Tech Info, Diagnostic Network, I-CAR, AMi and other industry partners.
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network and an expert on Advanced Driver Assist Systems.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In our continuing ADAS series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons with important information on the research necessary to recognize vehicles equipped with ADAS and find the appropriate service information to identify necessary ADAS system calibration procedures for routine maintenance services such as wheel alignment. This important information applies to both mechanical shops doing vehicle maintenance and collision repair facilities preparing estimates for damaged vehicles equipped with ADAS. In Episode eight, we’ll discuss:
- Educating your customers as well as your employees on ADAS.
- The importance of the service advisor as the touchpoint between the customer and technicians.
- How Scott handles update training at his shop to keep his team up to speed on the latest automotive technology.
- Tips on what to look for to identify ADAS-equipped vehicles at a glance.
- Hiding cameras behind manufacturer logos and checking the warning lights to identify ADAS equipment.
- Where to look for service information that’s not easy to find.
- Mastering the inspection process.
- Remember the Owner’s Manual when looking for technical info.
- Why there’s no need to fear servicing these systems.
- The importance of verifying ADAS functionality through periodic inspections.
- Why all service personnel need some seat time in new vehicles.
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network and an expert on Advanced Driver Assist Systems.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In our continuing ADAS series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons with important information on the research necessary to recognize vehicles equipped with ADAS and find the appropriate service information to identify necessary ADAS system calibration procedures for routine maintenance services such as wheel alignment. This important information applies to both mechanical shops doing vehicle maintenance and collision repair facilities preparing estimates for damaged vehicles equipped with ADAS. In Episode seven, we’ll discuss:
- What information do you need to perform ADAS service?
- How the service information can be a bit ambiguous.
- Examples of normal maintenance services that may require calibration on ADAS-equipped vehicles.
- Why your service consultant needs to understand how ADAS works as much as your technicians.
- How the need for research is growing in automotive service.
- What Scott does to ensure his service team is up to speed on modern technology.
- A few anecdotal examples of new challenges presented by ADAS-equipped vehicles.
- How your service equipment may be able to provide a heads-up on necessary calibration procedures.
- Why collision shops see more ADAS calibration needs than mechanical shops.
- New challenges in educating your customers on modern ADAS they may not know they have on their vehicle.
- And much more!
Jordan Hill is a diagnostic technician with ASE Master Tech and L1 credentials. With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Jordan has worked in several shops and has developed some interesting ideas about how independent repair shops can use some of the quality-control practices commonly found in the manufacturing world. In this episode, Jordan explains how adopting a Just-In-Time management system for your frequently-used parts can not only improve any repair shop operation that stocks parts, it can help develop and retain your best employees as well! Listen in as Jordan discusses:
- What are Just-in-Time methods for parts management?
- How Just-in-Time (JIT) systems developed in Japan after WW2.
- Why JIT helps eliminate waste in inventory control.
- The specifics of JIT programs and what you need to think about.
- How much is enough when it comes to having parts on hand?
- Using your existing management systems to identify frequently-used parts.
- Finding the right people in your shop to manage your inventory system.
- The benefits of JIT thinking in employee development.
- The simple way to track and manage frequently-used inventory.
- How JIT can improve your supplier relationships while saving money!
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In our fourth episode of our ADAS series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons with important information on the most typical type of ADAS service most technicians will be performing, along with other need-to-know information, such as:
- How this new podcast brought to you by Automotive Tech Info can help you keep up with the lasted developments in automotive technology.
- What is calibration and what you need to know about zero-point reference.
- The specifics on what types of calibrations different vehicles will need.
- When calibration is required during normal maintenance, such as wheel alignments.
- What Z-space is and what it means for calibration service.
- How those Geometry classes in high school are important to learning proper calibration procedures.
- Why proper vehicle configuration, a level floor and good lighting are critical to accurate calibration services.
- Where to find the simple tools and supplies you need for ADAS calibration at your local hardware store.
- The precision and tight tolerances necessary for proper calibration.
- What equipment you need to perform ADAS calibrations and how it varies based on what vehicles you service.
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In Part 3 of this new podcast series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons on what ADAS is and how it works, including:
- How radar and lidar systems work together in the ADAS system.
- The precision of these systems in measuring distance to objects.
- What these systems are capable of in tracking multiple objects in front of the vehicle.
- Why dropping an ADAS sensor or slightly bending a sensor mount can have serious consequences.
- How some vehicles use multiple radar or lidar sensors all around the vehicle.
- Why it’s important to know when a vehicle has been in a collision before trying any calibration operations on radar or lidar sensors.
- What special precautions you need to take when working around ADAS.
- A preview of our fourth and final Episode covering what you need to know about calibrating ADAS.
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS systems is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS systems, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In Part 2 of this new podcast series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott continues his lessons on what ADAS is and how it works, including:
- A closer look at some of the details of the Advanced Driver Assist System
- How ADAS provides cameras and sensors to allow the system to “see” the world around it.
- Using radar, ultrasonic and lidar to supplement vehicle vision systems.
- Why new calibration operations are necessary for ADAS-equipped vehicles.
- How ADAS capabilities and operational characteristics vary between manufacturers.
- Some basic misunderstanding about ADAS by drivers and technicians.
- Why increasing your situational awareness of ADAS systems is important.
- Explaining sensor fusion and how it works.
- The importance of researching ADAS service information before beginning any service operations or calibrations and where to find it.
- A preview of Episode 3 and what we’ll talk about next in this series.
Jordan Hill is a diagnostic technician with ASE Master Tech including L1 and L3 credentials. With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Jordan has worked in several shops and has developed some interesting ideas about how independent repair shops can use some of the quality-control practices commonly found in the manufacturing world. In this episode, Jordan explains how some of the self-improvement concepts often used by large corporations can be adapted to the independent repair shop environment. In the first of a two-part series, Jordan begins with a look at the Andon concept and what it can do to help improve any repair shop operation. Listen in as Jordan discusses:
- His background and qualifications as a diagnostic technician.
- What the Andon concept is and how it works.
- How we think of Quality Control (QC) as the final step in a manufacturing or service procedure, when it really should be in everyone’s job description.
- Tracing QC history to Sakici Toyoda’s automatic loom.
- Making QC the cornerstone of your “fix-it-right-the-first-time” shop culture.
- The advantages of adapting Andon principles into the shop production system.
- Defining roles and responsibilities in a QC program.
- Recommended reading: “The Toyota Way,” by Jeffrey Liker and “The Fifth Discipline,” by Peter Senge
Scott Brown is the co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California and a well-known trainer in the automotive service industry. He’s also the founder of Diagnostic Network.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are now found on most new vehicles today. Knowing all you can about ADAS is important to meeting the diagnostic challenges of vehicles rolling into your service bay today! The more you know about ADAS, the better you’ll be able to diagnose and repair these vehicles. In this first episode of a new podcast series brought to you by Automotive Tech Info, Scott introduces you to what ADAS is and how it works, including:
- Why ADAS is now a key part of our world.
- How ADAS compliments many of the safety systems we’ve had for years.
- The application of sensor systems to help keep the driver and passengers safer on the road.
- What ADAS do to enhance driver control.
- How these systems work together with ADAS.
- How common service procedures, like an alignment, are affected when the vehicle is equipped with ADAS.
- How to identify vehicles with ADAS and what additional operations are necessary to get that vehicle back in service.
- A preview of Episode 2 and what we’ll talk about next in this series.