March 8, 2021
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California Auto Care Industry Backs Legislation that Expands Inspection of Vehicle Safety Components
AB 471 by Assemblymember Low Protects Consumers from Unsafe Vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2021
CONTACT
Jennifer Zins, CAWA Director Govt. Affairs
916.871.0603 | jenniferzins@gmail.com
SACRAMENTO, CA – Consumers in California are one step closer to achieving safer vehicles with the introduction of AB 471, a measure that would expand the inspection of vehicle safety components and systems.

Authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), AB 471 combines the state’s current Brake and Lamp inspection program required for salvage vehicles to be registered by the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), renames it the California Vehicle Safety Inspection Program (CVSIP) and will include additional safety inspection criteria and systems as developed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). The bill also allows safety certificates to be electronically sent to the DMV by BAR, saving money for the state, and creating convenience for consumers, inspection stations and repair shops.
 
“We applaud Assemblymember Low and BAR for recognizing there is a safety concern with respect to salvage vehicles and taking action to protect consumers. Unfortunately, many of the revived total loss salvage vehicles could have additional safety concerns beyond lamps and brakes, including cracked windshields, illuminated or damaged air bags, faulty seat belts, etc. Yet they still pass inspection and are sold to unsuspecting consumers who think they are purchasing a safe vehicle,” said Rodney Pierini, President & CEO of CAWA – Representing the Automotive Parts Industry and convener of the industry vehicle safety inspection task force. “AB 471 will ensure consumers who purchase a salvage vehicle are purchasing a safe vehicle.”
 
AB 471 will also allow BAR to collect additional information from the automotive repair dealer application, including educational and training certifications that are nationally recognized and generally accepted by the automotive repair industry (e.g., Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) & Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) certifications).  
 
"Automotive Repair Professionals spend a considerable amount of time and money training automotive service technicians to properly and safely repair vehicles. Under AB 471, these training certifications would be included on the BAR public website to assist consumers to easily identify auto repair shops that have proper training and certification credentials. I think it's a win-win for both consumers and automotive repair shops," said Dave Kusa, Chair of the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) Governmental Affairs Committee, representing Automotive Service Professionals.
 
CAWA formed an advisory task force in 2019 to explore options to create a California Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. Led by CAWA, the task force includes the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA), Auto Care Association, Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality (CARE), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Motor Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (MEMA) and the Association for Sustainable Manufacturing (MERA) and other CAWA member automotive companies.
 
"I am pleased to introduce AB 471, which seeks to address consumer protection and transparency within the automotive repair industry while expanding our Vehicle Safety Inspection Program,” Assemblyman Low said. “While California has put many laws and regulations into place to provide oversight to the industry and provide greater consumer protection, AB 471 continues to improve upon these advances. I want to thank the Bureau of Automotive Repair and the Department of Consumer Affairs for their dedication to improving the automotive repair industry and protecting consumers from unsafe salvage vehicles”.
 
Assemblymember Low represents the 28th Assembly district in California and is the Chair of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. The bill text of AB 471 can be viewed here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB471
 
 
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3 Manufacturer Specific Hybrid Safety Tips
Article by Richard Diegle, Senior Automotive Editor | ALLDATA
Can hybrid and electric vehicles be dangerous to work on? Absolutely. However, if you get proper training and follow OEM repair procedures, you can service and repair them safely and efficiently. Here are a few manufacturer-specific hybrid safety tips that will help you do just that.

Toyota Prius
Replacing Brake Pads Safely

A lot of techs are apprehensive about replacing brake pads on a Toyota Prius – and with good reason – these brake jobs can be dangerous and tricky to accomplish correctly. But if you know the precautions and procedures before you start, it can be as safe and routine as any other brake job. 

  1. Before you even remove one lug nut, disconnect the 12v auxiliary battery. You should also open the hood and leave the driver’s door open with a “DO NOT CLOSE” sign on the door. Why? If someone closes the driver’s door, opening it again with the 12v auxiliary battery connected will cause the hydraulic system to pressurize. Disconnecting the auxiliary battery prevents the hydraulic brake pump from inadvertently pressurizing the brake system and pushing the pistons out of the caliper with either the brake pads out or your fingers in the way.
  2. To allow the brake fluid to return to the master cylinder reservoir when pushing the pistons back into the calipers, remove the two blue ABS relays located in the engine compartment fuse box. NOTE: Toyota doesn’t recommend clamping...
March Partner of the Month: ATI
ATI Spotlight March 2021:

Automotive Training Institute (ATI) has been an ASCCA Corporate Partner since 2018.  ATI is the premier automotive coaching and training company, with more than 1700 active members representing the best shops in the US and Canada. ATI has been helping shop owners improve their businesses and their lives, with proven, measurable and field-tested strategies and practices. Our performance coaches are direct employees of ATI and are certified by the Center for Executive Coaching.

We are honored to be a part of ASCCA. It enables us to partner together for one common goal – to make this industry better. The Team Weekends are a great way to network and learn from each other. Team Talks keep open dialogues with important, timely information that the industry needs to keep current and informed. We believe it is important to support ASCCA and to be able to network with California shops and other suppliers. We have many ATI members in ASCCA and it is important to show that we support them and the association.

ASCCA members have benefited from ATI by being able to get better control of their shops and their lives. By being more productive and profitable, they are able to spend more time with their families and go on long over-due vacations. Through our webinars and our shop strategy sessions, we have been able to change the lives of many ASCCA members.

ASCCA has so much to offer with legislative updates, educational resources and networking. ATI is involved with the Education Training & Information Committee as well as the Revenue & Benefits Committee. The resources available on the ASCCA website are an excellent source of information for all shop owners.

Five words of what ASCCA’s relationship means to ATI:
Partnership, relationships and members helping members.
ASCEF Cars for Careers Donations
Click to Watch the Video! Find out how easy it is to donate your unwanted car to the ASC Educational Foundation. Your tax-deductible donated car will make a difference in a student's life wishing to develop a career in the automotive field.
Take the ASCCA Membership Survey!
ASCCA Members: we currently have a brief, two question survey to help us plan our educational events in 2021. Your response will help us deliver content that you are seeking!

Thank you in advance for your participation!
AutoZone - Ongoing Virtual Training!
(Through March 30th, 2021)
AutoZone is committed to helping shop owners and technicians
by offering ongoing virtual training!

  • Limited time offer: Shops can attend virtual training at no cost.
  • Course descriptions are available on the AutoZonePro.com / A to Z Professional Training landing page and included on the registration form attached along with the duration.  
  • Limited registration is available. 
  • A PC, Mac, iPad or Android device is required to attend.
  • Registration is required and available via the following: AutoZonePro.com A to Z Professional Training landing page 

You can download or open the attached flyer below by clicking on it, and then register to attend any of the virtual training events by clicking on the links on the flyer:
O'Reilly First Call Real World Training Series
Click each flyer to view more and get registered!
Misfire Diagnosis

(March 18, 2021)
Shop Management
Know How
(March 23, 2021)
Advanced Engine Mechanical Diagnostics
(March 31, 2021)
Online Training Opportunities
Successful Women in Automotive Round-Table
Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM (PST): 
Weekly online gatherings for women looking to connect with like-minded women in the industry. Every participant brings an issue to the group to find solutions and support.
Reach out to Dori Eppstein (hello@hellodori.com or 970-980-3661) for more details. 
Register in advance for this meeting: CLICK HERE!
(Upcoming Meetings: March 10th!)
Upcoming ASCCA Chapter Meetings
All in-person meetings have temporarily been postponed. Some chapters are holding virtual meetings. Please see your chapter leader for details as information may change daily.
Featured Remarkable Results Podcast: 
Lift Safety with Rick White
Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company. He also owned and managed several successful automotive repair shops. Early in his career, Rick got his arm stuck under a vehicle while working underneath it. He managed to get out safely but it was a wake up call to him and for all of us as well. 

Key Talking Points include: Lift safety - if you don’t talk about it and acknowledge it you are building risk; deaths from cars falling off lifts; too many distractions - cell phones, tablets, lackadaisical attitude of it never happening, not focused on the job at task, talking to tech next to them; the need to implement an annual training program for everyone in the shop; and much more!

ASCEF Scholarships
Do you know a student wishing to develop a career in the automotive industry? Tell them about the ASCEF scholarship application! We are currently accepting applications for 2021. 

Overall Qualifications: You must be planning to seek employment in the California after-market/independent repair industry and be a California high school senior who plans to enroll in post high school technical and academic training or California college under-graduate in the automotive service field.

Each year, the ASCEF awards scholarships ranging from $500 - $1,000. These scholarships provide assistance to current under-graduates who are in the automotive service field.

Thank you Yorba Linda Auto Services for donating a Tiguan Volkswagen!

Your donation raised $1,625 for the
ASC Educational Foundation!
Support the ASC Educational Foundation every time you shop on Amazon!
Donate to the ASC Educational Foundation every time you shop on Amazon! It's easy to get set up - Visit this page to get started:

Download the ASCCA Logo for your Promotional Materials
Would you like to proudly feature the ASCCA logo in your promotional materials? It's easy for members to download High-resolution images (EPS & TIF files) in the ASCCA Member Resources page.

To view and download the high-resolution images, click here.
The ADA Checklist: 2019 - 2020 Compliance Guidelines to Make Your Website Accessible
ADA website compliance and web accessibility are two terms that are used interchangeably but they are distinct from one another.

ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Courts are construing Title III of the ADA to mean that websites must be accessible. Thus, with ADA website compliance, we're referring to the law.

Refer a Member Receive $125
You're eligible for a $125 referral fee when you refer a new Regular or Associate member to ASCCA!

Referral Awards are paid out when the member's annual dues are paid for their first year.

Contact Benjamin Ichimaru in the ASCCA office if you have any questions at 
bichimaru@amgroup.us or (800) 810-4272!
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