March 2020

Happy National Napping Day. If your city observes daylight saving time, this holiday is for you. If not, take a well-deserved break anyway. Happy napping!

A HONKY-TONK TIME

Grab your dancing boots because Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper's Grand Ole Weekend sweepstakes promotional period is OPEN! 25 technicians and a guest will travel to Nashville, Tenn. in October 2020 for the southern escape of a lifetime. From exploring American history and the Country Music Hall of Fame to tasting some of that hot chicken and dancing the night away along Broadway, guests will be treated like the starts they are from start to finish.

GO TO COLLEGE ON US

Time is running out. If you want a piece of Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper's $25,000 scholarship pie, apply now! All applications are due March 31, 2020. Visit automotivescholarships.com and select Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper for details. If you're feeling ambitious, check out the Standard Motor Products Women in Auto Care Scholarship or the other University of the Aftermarket Foundation scholarships for a chance at even more scholarship dollars.

TELL YOUR CUSTOMERS YOU MISS THEM

You probably don't have time to send service reminder postcards to your customers. But MechanicNet, which specializes in customer relationship management (CRM), does have time to do that — and they recently upgraded their offerings. New features include an expanded frequency report, a new social reputation manager, and much more to get new and returning customers back to your shop buying more parts and services. Contact your parts supplier for details on MechanicNet and their exclusive deal with Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, and Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS

If you're anything like the rest of the world, Google is your #1 friend when it comes to finding a new place to get your items serviced. And if you're anything like the rest of the smart shop owners out there, you've figured out how to use Google to your advantage by landing your shop at the top of the search results page. Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper have partnered with Brandify to help you achieve this. If Brandify and the SEO/location management services have had a positive impact on your shop, share a quick video testimonial with us to let us know! Contact schavey@alliance1.com to get started.

PEACE OF MIND 24/7

Roadside emergencies are a hassle. They’re expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. But they don’t have to be. Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper have your customers' back. The SafeRoute roadside assistance program is designed to keep your customers' cars running and their families safe even on the unluckiest of days.

CONFIDENCE PLUS SHOP PROFILE: AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE OF SEAL BEACH

High standards are a must for Certified Service Center Owner Andrew Harris. “I have four Master Technicians and the fifth one is almost a Master,” Harris told Shop Owner Magazine . All of them perform oil changes and a full inspection of every vehicle. “I pay my technicians to do oil changes, because I demand a high quality of repair. And my comeback ratio is almost zero. “All my guys are in uniforms – tucked-in shirts, no rags anywhere. Belt, shoes, clean-cut haircut, no facial hair, so to speak. I mean, I’ve sent people home in the past, because they weren’t representing automotive excellence the way my father taught me.” Read the full story on ShopOwnerMag.com .

#1 BEST HISTORICAL CITY TO VISIT

Throughout the years, Washington, D.C. has racked up a number of prestigious titles including "coolest" city , one of the best places to ride an electric scooter , and ninth best food city in America. It's also among the best cities in the country — and the world — for tourists. D.C. is a rocking place to learn about U.S. history, the best place in the country to make believe you're a spy , and home to what is possibly the only bonsai museum in the U.S. Our Alliance Takes the Hill Convention will make industry history when we take the hill in April 2021, and we'll make memories the rest of the week as we explore one of America's top destinations.

ADVOCACY NEWS

The latest in right to repair, access to vehicle data, and consumer warranty protections:

Right to repair ruling is a ‘big win’ for South Africa consumers (Business Day) OPINION | Here's one reason the U.S. Military can't fix its own equipment (The New York Times) More than 175 STEM professors call on manufacturers to embrace repair for future of technology (U.S. Public Interest Research Group)

DID YOU ATTEND VISION?

We had a blast in Kansas City connecting with shop owners and talking about Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, and Confidence Plus. If you were there as well, send your photos from the event to schavey@alliance1.com.

GAINING CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE

When it comes to showing new customers their business belongs with you, what’s a salesperson to do? Sydney Furner, an Auto Value parts technician, recommends taking six steps, starting with a friendly smile and "hello." Read the full article on AutoServiceWorld.com .

GET SOCIAL

Shop owners who post to social media are 72% more likely to live to be 100. There isn't a single iota of evidence to support that (yet), but utilizing social media realistically could help the health of your shop by increasing brand awareness and building your customer base.

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ELECTRICAL POP QUIZ

Test your knowledge on electrical by answering the questions below.

1.) All the lights in a brake light circuit illuminate except one. The MOST likely cause is: a.) An open wire b.) An open taillight switch c.) A blown fuse d.) A burned bulb 2.) Technician A says a voltage limiter is used in an instrument panel to keep the voltage at 5 volts. Technician B says if the limiter is faulty, it may result in high gauge readings. Who is correct? a.) Technician A b.) Technician B c.) Both A and B d.) Neither A nor B 3.) The hazard and turn signal lights are inoperative. Technician A says that they share the same circuit. Technician B says the vehicle may have a faulty flasher. Who is correct? a.) Technician A b.) Technician B c.) Both A and B d.) Neither A nor B 4.) Two technicians are discussing diagnostics and the data link connector. Technician A says the OBD II DLC connector is located in the cabin near the steering wheel. Technician B says to use this connector to test resistance in the CAN (Controller Area Network). Who is correct? a.) Technician A b.) Technician B c.) Both A and B d.) Neither A nor B 5.) Two technicians are discussing a burned fuse element in a fan circuit. Technician A says the burned fuse was caused by high resistance in the fan circuit. Technician B says the burned fuse was the result of an open in the circuit. Who is correct? a.) Technician A b.) Technician B c.) Both A and B d.) Neither A nor B ANSWER KEY

6.) Which solder should be used when repairing an automotive electrical connection? a.) Rosin Core b.) Silver c.) Zinc d.) Acid Core 7.) A CAN (Controller Area Network) is being discussed. Which of these is correct? a.) The CAN now operates at 1Mbps b.) The CAN contains twisted wires to prevent RFI interference c.) The low speed CAN connects to the ECM and the TCM d.) The high speed CAN connects to the mirror and seat controller 8.) Technician A says a faulty cruise control switch can result in an inoperative cruise control system. Technician B says the cruise control system may not disengage if there's a problem with the brake switch. Who is correct? a.) Technician A b.) Technician B c.) Both A and B d.) Neither A nor B 9.) An electric seat will not move backward or forward. A noise is heard coming from the seat when the switch is pressed. The MOST likely cause of this problem is: a.) A short to ground between the power source and the seat b.) A napkin wedged into the seat rail c.) An intermittent open in the connection between the power source and the seat motor d.) A loose plug from the harness to the seat motor 10.) If a technician reversed the leads of a digital voltmeter on a 12 volt circuit, the readout would show: a.) 0.00 volts b.) -0.00 volts c.) 12.00 volts d.) -12.00 volts REVIEW ELECTRICAL