new technologies driven automotive hit the ground · 2016. 12. 14. · equipauto 2009 parc...

October 2009Volume 7, Number 7, $5.95

www.autosphere.ca

October 2009Volume 7, Number 7, $5.95

www.autosphere.ca

PM 4

0014

105

Jason Mancinelli and Daryl Kulcsar

NEW TECHNOLOGIESMore Safety Features HUMAN RESOURCESThe New Reality

Electronic Fuel Injection, part II

Hit the Ground Running

DRIVEN AUTOMOTIVE

10 AIA TodayNews From AIA Canada

12 New TechnologiesMore Safety Features!

13 Windshield WipersMany to Choose From

14 Driven AutomotiveHit the Ground Running

16 Survey Says!Maintenance and Repair Decline

18 CARSModest Growth Predicted

20 Human ResourcesThe New Reality

22 Monroe / Capture New Sales in Ride Control

24 ASPs, Take Note!Uni-Select: Much More Than a Parts Supplier!

26 Lindertech 2009Luis Ruiz, Part I

28 Electronic Fuel Injection – 2Description and Flow Control

29 Plugs, Wires, WipersSmall Items Can Cause BIG Headaches

30 Those Were the Days...Legendary Racing Engines

32 2009 AIA Ontario Grand ForumIncrease Your Profi ts Today

34 Best Business Practises Make a Lasting Impression

36 NASCAR’s NAPA Auto Parts 200

F E A T U R E S

I N E V E R Y I S S U E . . .

14 3012

4 Editorial Really Into Your Business?

6, 27, 45Around the Industry

8, 9 New Products

45 Advertisers

C O V E R P A G E

38 Transit Warehouse A Gem Within the Industry

40 NAPA 5000 RallyA True Success!

42 Important Safety ItemBrake Noise Complaints

43 Networking Breakfast Series Getting Together for Business

46 Garage Business White Lies

2 0 0 9 E V E N T S C A L E N D A R

October 13-18EquipAuto 2009Parc d’expositions, Paris North, France✆ Christelle Rey 514-861-5668❚ www.equipauto.com

October 21AIA Ontario ForumDoubletree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Rd., Toronto ✆ Mireille Schippers 1-800-808-2920, ext. 264❚ [email protected]❚ www.aiacanada.com

October 31-November 2International Big R ShowRiviera Hotel & CasinoLas Vegas, NV

November 3-6AAIW 2009Sands Convention Centre & Las Vegas Convention CentreLas Vegas, NV❚ www.aaiwshow.com

October 2009Contents October 2009

November 21Student Aftermarket DayCAI—Georgian College, Barrie, ON✆ Deborah Moynes-Keshen 1-800-808-2920, ext. 223❚ [email protected]❚ www.aiacanada.com

www.bluestreak.ca

Visit us on the world stage.

Our new international calling card.by

CASP BS_Intermotor Contents Page material

www.bluestreak.ca

Visit us on the world stage.

Our new international calling card.by

CASP BS_Intermotor Contents Page material | www.autosphere.ca | October 2009 | CASP | 3

W hen people come to your shop and have a problem with their vehicle, i.e. “My car won’t start,” they can’t tell you what’s wrong. In that instance, you need to ask questions such as “Is this happening all the time or just sometimes?” You fi nd out that this is an intermittent problem, you fi nd out what’s wrong, and then you ‘communicate’ this information to your customer.

Because today’s vehicles are so high tech and different from those of the past, many people will have an inkling about what is wrong with their vehicle, but not what the exact problem is. Your job is to tell them what is, and how you will go about fi xing it. They need to know what is happening with their vehicle, how you will fi x it, what it will likely cost for the repair, and how long it may take you. You must communicate all this to your customer so that he can say yes or no to the repair and realize the outcome.

And another questionOkay, the intermittent problem has been deter-mined, now comes the repair that the customer has to authorize. And here comes another question: “The repair will cost $XXX if we use the quality brand name parts with the full war-ranty that we are accustomed to using, or it will cost $XX if we use less expensive parts with a

Rémy L. Rousseau [email protected]

I really enjoy what I do… it gives

me much satisfaction to be able

to help others in this business.

In fact, I’m passionate about

what we do… are you? If you are,

do you communicate it to others?

Are You Really “Into” Your Business?

Publisher & Editor Rémy L. Rousseau

Associate Publisher Shirley Brown

Contributing Editors Pierre Bissonnette, Leanne Blackborow, Éric Descarries, Pierre Lalonde, Jil McIntosh, Guy O’Bomsawin, Dave Redinger, Mireille Schippers, Frank Tonon

Production Management Valérie St-Cyr [email protected]

Graphic Design Monique Desbiens [email protected]

Revision Shirley Brown

Administration Marie-Hélène Côté [email protected] Allain [email protected]

Circulation Management Nancy Belleville [email protected]

Sales Luc Champagne [email protected]

Nathalie Plouffe [email protected]

Réjean A. Rousseau [email protected]

Garth Vogan [email protected]

SubscriptionOne-year: $27.95 Two-year: $49.95 Three-year: $59.95

Published by Rousseau Automotive Communication455, rue Notre-Dame Est, suite 311Montréal, QC H2Y 1C9T : 514-289-0888, 1-877-989-0888 F : 514-289-5151

[email protected] www.autosphere.ca

CASP Magazine / Carcare Business is dedicated to ser-ving the business interests of the maintenance and repair industry. It is published eight times a year by Rousseau Automotive Communication, a member of AIA Canada. Material in CASP may not be reproduced in any form wi-thout written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its ad-vertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by Rousseau Automotive Communication.

Printed in Canada ISSN no. 1710-3924. Publications Mail Agreement no. 40014105. Return un-delivrable Canadian addresses to Rousseau Automotive Communication / Circulation Department, 455, rue Notre-Dame Est, suite 311, Montréal, QC H2Y 1C9

EDITORIALEDITORIAL

Communication

lesser warranty—if any. What do you want us to do?”

You have communicated to the customer that he has a choice and depending on the age of the vehicle, whether he intends to keep it for some time or not, whether he drives a lot

of miles or not, etc. This will likely determine his answer. Needless to say, these are the parts that you would recom-

mend—the quality brand name parts! This is something else that you need to communicate to your customer.

Maintenance rulesAnother thing your customer needs to know is that his vehicle is an asset to him and if he takes care of it properly, it will do him (and others on the road) a lot of good. You need to communicate to your customer that regular preventive maintenance using quality parts when needed will have his vehicle in tip-top running order all the time.

Yes, you’re a highly professional shop with many skills, but you need to communicate with your customers. They, too, need to know what’s happening and why. They will see that you are passionate about what you do, that you’re proud of your skills and ready to help them have a safe vehicle to drive.

You have obviously noticed our magazine’s new brand name—Carcare Business. A busi-ness magazine for the car care, repair, and maintenance industry, Carcare Business is for industry leaders and shop owners.

We strongly believe that the future of the industry rests in car care managed by businesspeople.

I’d like you to visit us at www.autosphere.ca… you’ll fi nd many items there that will interest you.

4 | CASP | October 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |

New Beck/Arnley Product Specialist

Beck/Arnley has announced that Robert Sullivan recent-ly joined the company as a product specialist. In this role, Sullivan is responsible for product management ef-forts including introduction of new prod-ucts, determining target pricing, creating new product packaging, researching and developing new product applications and technical literature, and working with data management personnel on maintaining catalogue, interchange and pricing data-bases. He reports to Tom Fritsche, director of product management for Beck/Arnley.

Cartmill Joins Beck/Arnley Jacob Cartmill recently joined Beck/Arn-

ley as a product specialist. In this role, he oversees brake hydraulics, in-cluding calipers, master cylin-ders, wheel cylinders, and brake hoses. He’s responsible for product management ef-forts such as the introduction of new products, determin-ing target pricing, creating new product packaging, researching and developing new product applications and technical literature, and working with data management personnel on maintaining catalog, interchange and pricing databases. Cartmill reports to Tom Fritsche, director of product management for Beck/Arnley.

CRP Launches New Web SiteThe new CRP Automotive site features

three distinct brand sites for ContiTech belts, Rein Automotive A/C and Undercar genuine replacement parts, and Pentosin technical automotive fluids. The site is aimed at meeting the demanding needs throughout the entire distribution channel.

An exciting addition is the “CRP Auto-motive Parts Catalogue,” an online auto-motive replacement parts catalogue. This interactive program allows the installer to quickly make the right choice for replace-ment parts on a specifi c European, Asian, or domestic vehicle. The CRP online parts catalogue provides users real time data to find the exact parts match for a vehicle application.

The CRP Automotive Parts Catalogue fea-tures parts information for the complete range of their products.

www.crpautomotive.com

New Acklands-Grainger President

Sean O’Brien has been named president of Acklands–Grainger. His new respon-sibilities include oversight of the Canadian business oper-ations which had revenues of C$773 million in 2008. O’Brien succeeds and reports to Court D. Carruthers.

O’Brien joined Acklands–Grainger as vice president, Sales, in 2007 and has led sev-eral key initiatives in business services, inventory solutions, training, and sales ef-fectiveness. Earlier this year, he took on additional responsibilities for E-Business and Marketing.

Activant & Polk to Offer New Parts Demand Intelligence Solution

Activant Solutions and R. L. Polk & Co. are developing the aftermarket industry’s fi rst parts demand intelligence solution fea-turing vehicle data integrated with daily electronic catalogue transactions. Activant Vista Replacement Rate Analysis will be available this fall.

The companies will integrate Polk’s Na-tional Vehicle Population Profile (NVPP) and Trucking Industry Profi le data for class 1- 6 vehicles with the Web-based Activant Vista market intelligence solution, which captures and analyzes an extensive nation-wide database of daily electronic catalogue lookups by part number and vehicle plat-form.

Manufacturers using the new solution will be able to more readily identify emerging parts replacement trends, enhance coverage effi ciency and increase their ability to fulfi ll their customers’ needs.

INDUSTRY NEWS


© 2009 Tenneco

O F F E R V A L I DS E P T E M B E R 1 -

O C T O B E R 31, 2 0 0 9

Contact your localMonroe representative or visit

www.monroe.comfor promotion details.

This is a mail-in rebate. Restrictions apply.Offer may not be combined with any other

discount, offer or rebate.

Monroe’s“Repair Rewards”Rebate Promotion

gives your customersan incentive to buy!

Make YourCustomers’

Vehicles RideLike

L: 2

.165

x 1

0

T: 2

.54

x 10

.5

B: 3

.125

x 1

1.25

MON_90324_Fall09_R4AC v2.indd 1 9/14/09 10:23:02 AM

THERE’S A REASON YOU LOOK TO US FOR EXACTING STANDARDS.THE SAME REASON MANY OE MANUFACTURERS DO.

Our extensive line of shocks and struts cover the unique ride profi le of virtually

every vehicle out there. Each product is carefully designed, built and tuned to

provide OE-style ride and handling.

L: 7

x 1

0

T: 7

.875

x 1

0.5

B

: 8.5

x 1

1.25

T

M

SavingSquirrels.com

©2009 Tenneco

Ride Safe.

MON_90322_SensaREV_P4A v2.indd 1 5/20/09 3:46:52 PM

New Line of Snowmobile & ATV BeltsThese belts are specially formulated

high-temperature Neoprene with the high-est level of Aramid fi bre loading construc-

tion proves to perform better in belt temper-ature and effi ciency than leading competitors,

according to Dayco. The new XTX line of snow-mobile and ATV belts are specifi cally engineered

to withstand extreme torque to maximize the per-formance of today’s 800cc and above high-horse-

power machines. The company says this innovative break-through

design features deeper cogs on top and rounded cogs on the bottom for ultimate fl exibility and longer belt life. The

Dayco XTX belt offers:• Faster and more consistent throttle response at high speeds• Quicker throttle response at mid-speed acceleration• Greater secondary acceleration at high RPMs• Reduction in slippage during the highest levels of torque• Increased horsepower capacity• Better performance during deceleration (more responsive engine

braking)• Tested and proven reliable at well over 12,000 RPMs• Cooler running than the leading competitors.

Talk to your Dayco representative or visit www.DaycoProducts.com for more information.

Liquid Aluminum Coolant Leak SealantNew Rislone Liquid Aluminum has been specifi cally formu-lated to permanently seal the coolant leaks that cause most vehicle overheating problems. It features the proprietary wetting agent Xtreme Cool, which reduces the surface ten-sion of coolant—which increases its wetting ability—as well as improves heat transfer and reduces coolant tem-perature. As a result, Xtreme Cool helps prevent future leaks and overheating.

Rislone Liquid Aluminum is effective in cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, buses, and RVs—anything with a radiator. It is compatible with all types of antifreeze, including conventional green or blue (silicate-based) and extended-life red/orange or yellow (OAT/HOAT) variants. It is added directly to the vehicle’s cooling system. No fl ushing is required. Most leaks are sealed instantly.

For more information about Rislone Liquid Aluminum Cooling System/Radiator Stop Leak, visit www.rislone.ca or call 1-800-521-7475.

Optimum Wear Rotors and DrumsThe drums and rotors from Newtek are designed and engineered to

meet OE specs for fi t and structure and meet the SAE3500 grey iron casting standards. All rotors are mill-balanced to prevent vi-bration and double disc grinding for perfect non-directional fi nish. You can get conventional directional fi nish if requested. The sur-face is greased and shrink-wrapped to prevent rust; they are lab and road tested.

Talk to your Newtek represent-ative for more information or call 1-866-650-1700.

Baking Soda-infused FiltersFRAM has come out with Fresh Breeze cabin air

fi lter that features not only carbon, but Arm & Ham-mer baking soda to absorb odours from the air that passes through the vehicle’s ventilation system. The fi lter removes 98% of 5-100 micron pollen particles and road dust from the air passing through the fi lter. For more information, call 800-243-2323 or visit www.FRAM.com.

Mini Leak Detection Flashlight for Tight Spots

Tracer Products has unveiled the super-com-pact OPTIMAX Jr—a cordless, blue light LED leak detection fl ashlight that reveals leaks in cramped areas inaccessible to larger lamps. It’s just 19 cm long, weighs only 140 g, and is easy to carry in a pocket.

This powerful, low-cost fl ashlight makes all manufacturers’ fl uorescent dyes glow brightly so technicians can pinpoint each and every air conditioning and fl uid leak in seconds! It provides over four hours of peak performance and has an inspection range of up to 1.8 m.

The OPTIMAX Jr is powered by three AA batteries, which are included, and uses an LED bulb with a 100,000-hour life. The fl ashlight comes with fl uorescence-enhancing glasses in a handy clamshell package.

For more information about the Tracerline OPTIMAX Jr leak detection fl ashlight, call toll-free 1-800-641-1133 or check out www.tracerline.com

Trigger Start Hose Torch Redefi nes Mobility

The new Trigger Start Hose Torch is one of the most advanced torches in the market today. Its industry-leading five-foot hose and fuel cylinder holster make it much easier to maneuver and work in hard-to-reach places. The lightweight, ergo-nomic design provides ultra comfort and fi t, adding to the control and maneuverability of the torch.

The high intensity swirl flame provides a hotter, more effi cient fl ame. It has a solid brass regulator that’s pressure-regulated to burn in any direction, and a stainless steel burn tube that’s built to last. The instant-on/off trigger igniter enables simple, one-handed operation; and the adjustable fl ame control knob allows the user to easily size the fl ame for specifi c applications and uses. It also includes a lock button to keep the torch lit for fi nger-free use.

All Trigger Start Hose Torches include a complimentary fuel cylinder holster for added mobility. It’s available in a

torch-only package, or as an integrated solution that includes BernzOmatic’s

latest premium fuel, the Fat Boy Max Power Propylene fuel cylinder.

For more in fo rmat ion about BernzOmatic and its products, ca l l 1-800-654-9011 or v is i t

www.bernzomatic.com.

New Products

high-temperature Neoprene with the high-est level of Aramid fi bre loading construc-

tion proves to perform better in belt temper-ature and effi ciency than leading competitors,

according to Dayco. The new XTX line of snow-mobile and ATV belts are specifi cally engineered

to withstand extreme torque to maximize the per-formance of today’s 800cc and above high-horse-

power machines. The company says this innovative break-through

design features deeper cogs on top and rounded cogs on

Liquid Aluminum Coolant Leak SealantNew Rislone Liquid Aluminum has been specifi cally formu-lated to permanently seal the coolant leaks that cause most vehicle overheating problems. It features the proprietary wetting agent Xtreme Cool, which reduces the surface ten-sion of coolant—which increases its wetting ability—as well as improves heat transfer and reduces coolant tem-perature. As a result, Xtreme Cool helps prevent future leaks and overheating.

Rislone Liquid Aluminum is effective in cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, buses, and RVs—anything with a radiator. It is compatible with all types of antifreeze, including conventional green or blue (silicate-based) and extended-life red/orange or yellow (OAT/HOAT) variants. It is added directly to the vehicle’s cooling system. No fl ushing is required. Most leaks are sealed instantly.

For more information about Cooling System/Radiator Stop Leak, visitor call 1-800-521-7475.

Optimum Wear Rotors and DrumsOptimum Wear Rotors and DrumsThe drums and rotors from Newtek are designed and engineered to

meet OE specs for fi t and structure and meet the SAE3500 grey iron casting standards. All rotors are mill-balanced to prevent vi-bration and double disc grinding for perfect non-directional fi nish. You can get conventional directional fi nish if requested. The sur-face is greased and shrink-wrapped to prevent rust; they are lab and road tested.

represent-ative for more information or

a lock button to keep the torch lit for fi nger-free use. All Trigger Start Hose Torches include a complimentary fuel cylinder

holster for added mobility. It’s available in a torch-only package, or as an integrated

solution that includes BernzOmatic’s latest premium fuel, the Fat Boy Max Power Propylene fuel cylinder.

BernzOmaticca l l 1-800-654-9011 or v is i t

www.bernzomatic.com

pact OPTIMAX Jr—a cordless, blue light LED

This powerful, low-cost fl ashlight makes all


Now in Canada—Universal Products Premium Sealant

Universal Products manufactures quality sealants for the automotive aftermarket industry and their premium products are now available in Canada. Universal Products’ mission is to satisfy every customer that uses their products. In order to do that, they offer exceptional customer service to the retailer as well as the end user. They also develop solid working relationships with the warehouse distributors and retail stores who sell their products.

These products Include: Red Angel A/C Stop Leak and Conditioner; Blue Devil Head Gasket Sealant; White Shepherd Stop Leak; Power Steer-ing Stop Leak; Transmission Sealer; Rear Main Sealer and Hydraulic Stop Leak.

For more information: Brian Kemp, 1-866-456-8865 or 410-507-3163, [email protected].

ERRATUMYou probably noticed that, in the Winter Tire report in our last issue,

we used the wrong picture for both the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and the Yokohama IG20. Our sincere apologies to you, readers, and to the con-cerned manufacturers. The right pictures are as follows. Yokohama IG20 Pilot Alpin PA3

New Products

Grez-Off Safely Removes Heavy Duty Grease and Dirt

This new Spray Nine biodegradable heavy-duty degreaser features an aqueous formula that safely and effectively removes heavy duty grease and dirt from all types of automotive parts/equipment. It combines powerful, but completely water-soluble, grease cutting agents with a pleasant fragrance to create a fast acting and environ-mentally safe degreaser.

Grez-Off is nonfl ammable, emits no fumes or unpleasant odors, and contains no abrasives, petroleum solvents, or acids. It removes heavy grease, dirt, 5th wheel grease, lubricants, oil, hydraulic fl uid, grime, heavy molly grease, tar and other contaminants. It requires

no mixing and is ready to use on engines, machin-ery, tools, workbenches, garage fl oors/walls, as-phalt, and condenser coils, as well as stain-less steel and chrome surfaces. Grez-Off is available in

many sizes. Contact your Permatex representative for more information.

grime, heavy molly grease, tar and other contaminants. It requires no mixing and is ready to

use on engines, machin-ery, tools, workbenches, garage fl oors/walls, as-phalt, and condenser coils, as well as stain-less steel and chrome surfaces. Grez-Off is available in

many sizes. Contact your Permatexfor more information.

Yokohama IG20 Pilot Alpin PA3

Universal Products Premium Sealant Universal Products Premium Sealant

New Products

Universal Products Premium Sealant

New Products

| www.autosphere.ca | October 2009 | CASP | 9

I n addition to the Grand Forum, there are vendor opportunities available for the event. At that time, you can meet your current and future customers to discuss your products. As a vendor, you are guaranteed excellent exposure with prospective customers and shop owners.

AIA and I-CAR InternationalAIA Canada has begun negotiations with I-CAR International, the Inter-industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, to reach an agreement under which AIA would be licensed to deliver I-CAR training in Canada.

I-CAR develops and delivers technical training programs to professionals in all areas of the collision industry. In 2008, the I-CAR International Board of Directors announced that it would no longer be directly providing training in Canada but would instead seek a third party capable of assuming the role. The I-CAR Board wanted to ensure continued access to I-CAR products in Canada after closing its current U.S.-based regional operation.

AIA members involved in the collision sector recognize an on-going demand for I-CAR training and approached AIA to become part of the process. After due consideration, AIA submitted a response to the RFP process. The AIA proposal was selected by the I-CAR International Board and the Association will now enter the fi nal stage of the process through negotiations with I-CAR on the license agreement.

Marc Brazeau, AIA president, noted, ”AIA is committed to the long term well being of the Collision sector in Canada. Training in this highly complex fi eld is essential to maintaining professionalism. We are hope-ful that the next stage of discussions will result in a mutually benefi cial agreement that will set the stage for I-CAR training in Canada for many years to come.”

About Be Car Care Aware and Car Care CanadaYou can never be reminded enough that Be Car Care Aware is a campaign to in-form Canadian drivers about the benefi ts of regular, vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The campaign’s purpose is to em-power drivers to make sensible decisions about their vehicles and avoid costly re-pairs due to neglect. Be Car Care Aware is spearheaded by Car Care Canada and built around three key themes: safety, en-vironmental protection, and maximizing value for money spent on vehicle mainten-ance and repairs.

To learn more, go to the Be Car Care Aware website at www.carcarecanada.ca.

October Car Safety Month is here and a good time to learn about the benefits of proper vehicle maintenance! The Fall schedule includes a media tour in Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal, and the Greater Toronto Area with spokesperson Kelly Williams. As well, a number of Women’s Car Care Clinics will be held across the country. Make sure to check

the event calendar at www.carcarecanada.ca to fi nd out about events in your area.

Used Tires Program LaunchedOTS or Ontario tire Stewardship is the agency set up by Waste Diversion Ontario, and supported by the provincial Government to determine the best way to cure the scrap tire problem in Ontario. The goal is to divert tires from burning for fuel and land fi lling to 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) processing and uses. Registration has begun for the Program, which offi cial-ly launched September 1, 2009. Within fi ve years, the Program will divert 90% of scrap on-road tires and collect and recycle 50% of all scrap off-road tires.

The program that has been recommended and accepted will add a fee to the sale of a tire in the province of Ontario.

What is the OTS Fee?Passenger or Light truck

$5.84

Medium truck $14.65

Industrial $12.52

Agriculture $15.30

Off the Road (OTR) $22.26 - $250.41

AIA Today

News From AIA CanadaAIA Canada has a lot on its plate this month, especially the Ontario Grand Forum.

There is a column on it in this issue, so be sure to take a look and attend this event.

Shirley Brown [email protected]


Quality Service. Tested, tried & proven.

2009 applications for most domestic and import cars and light trucks

Toll Free: 1-866-650 -1700 | Phone: (519) 650-1700 | Fax: (519) [email protected] • www.ntaautomotive.com

• On time delivery• Excellent fi ll rates• Competitive pricing• Latest product offering• Wide range of products• Electronic cataloguing

cp11 newtek v1.indd 1 9/24/09 1:44:55 PM

New Technologies

More and More Safety Coming Up!

Éric Descarries [email protected]

The Mercedes-Benz ESV prototype has all its innovative safety features illustrated on its body.

If the latest Mercedes-Benz Experimental Safety

Vehicle is an indication of what’s coming up in

automotive technology, you’d better be careful

where you put that screwdriver of yours next!

T he latest ESV car by the German manufacturer was recently displayed at its huge museum in Germany. There are, according to the manufacturer, 27 innovations ranging from more clever use and placement of airbags to simple refl ectors.

If you look carefully at the bottom of the body, you’ll see bright orange reflector strips running down the body, a technol-ogy that would be made invisible in a production model but would refl ect light when headlamps are aimed at them. Then, infrared cameras mounted within the ESV headlight clusters would scan for any potential hazard like pedestrians or animals and would fl ash a bright LED light on them when detected.

More electronics involvedTomorrow’s cars will surely include more and more electronic technology. As fuel economy seems to be the main target, a lot of innovations will also be aimed at passenger safety. Among the many topics, there is one that is gaining

speed—automatic car-to-car communica-tions. The Mercedes-Benz ESV is equipped to get the message of a preceding car with emergency fl ashers or electronic stability control activated. It is also alerted by ap-proaching emergency vehicles. Mercedes has even tested its technology with its ESV communicating with a BMW and a smart.

Among the most unusual functions in-cluded in the ESV is the Braking Bag. This is a large airbag deployed skid plate that lifts the front end of the car off the ground 100 milliseconds before a frontal collision slowing the contact enough to lessen both damage and impact speed.

More…You know about those metal side-impact beams in doors? Well, in the Mercedes-Benz ESV, they “inflate” with the same propellant used in airbags making the beam larger and stiffer. Obviously, im-minent collisions would be recognized by side-mounted radars. According to Karl-Heinz Baumann, a safety researcher at Mercedes-Benz AG in Stuttgart, this kind

of side-impact bar is deigned like a soda can. You could crush it when it’s empty but if it is fi lled with 290 psi pressure, it would be impossible! Incidentally, the system also saves 5 pounds per car.

Interior protectionBut, not only is the car protected—ob-viously, the passengers should be pro-tected fi rst. In the Mercedes-Benz ESV, exactly 200 milliseconds before a side impact, the outboard side bolster of the front seats infl ate, pushing the occupants 2 to 3 inches inward. And, to avoid hitting each other’s head, another airbag infl ates between them. In case of a four-seater car, a central console deploys electrically. Always within the ESV, at all seating pos-itions, infl atable seat-belt airbags double the surface area across which the belt pulls, reducing potential injury from the belt. There is even a child seat in the ESV made of side bolsters and seat bottom, but no seat back, giving more legroom for the occupant.

Not all 27 innovations were described here. But expect many of them to be included in the future, near or far. And expect tomorrow’s technicians to be spe-cialists in maintaining and repairing such devices. So… put that screwdriver away—new tools will surely be designed for such purposes!


W indshield wipers are a great in-vention… not just because of rain and snow, but because of their safety factor and we have a woman to thank for that. Yes, Mary Anderson of Birmingham, Alabama was granted a patent for a “window cleaning device” in 1903 and the windshield wiper became standard equipment on all American cars in 1916.

Which are bestThe wiper blade should always be in-spected when your customer brings in the vehicle for regular preventive maintenance service. To figure out what windshield wiper best suits your client’s vehicle, you have to take a few factors into consider-ation—such as geographical location. If the customer is in the B.C. area, he won’t need the same type of windshield wiper as a person who drives in northern Ontario or Quebec.

Winter bladesWinter wiper blades are designed specifi c-ally to handle ice and snow on windshields. A standard wiper is likely less expensive but a good winter blade should be able to suffi ciently handle snowfall and still give good visibility. Most of these blades have a sturdy rubber boot type blade surface; the arm is made of heavy gauge steel to help resist severe weather conditions and to prevent snow and ice from accumulat-ing. These blades should also be easy to install and remove.

Other typesSilicone blades are also popular, as the blade surface will last longer than rubber and give better quality vision to the driver. A lot of manufacturers will back up their product with a lifetime guarantee because they feel confi dent about the quality of silicone.

Other blades conform to the windshield and employ Teflon for a longer life and smoother wipe. Different “coatings” come into play with different manufacturers—specially blended graphite coated rubber is another alternative. Some blades come with a two-point coupler or multiple pres-sure points in order to hug the windshield and have constant even pressure on the entire surface. These types of blades are deemed “all weather” and come in sleek modern styling for the vehicles of today. They too, have easy installation. Yet an-other manufacturer has an innovative plug-on connection for ultimate ease in blade replacement.

There are even heated winter windshield blades now with a heating element inside the rubber of the blade. Although more ex-pensive, they do give superior vision over standard winter blades. And last, but not least, don’t forget the rear wiper blade!

Windshield Wipers

Many to Choose FromThe windshield wiper has certainly evolved in the last few years, from different shapes and sizes to the now fairly uniform fl at blade for most new vehicles. In addition, there are many brands to choose from.



“H aving worked for Auto Electric Service together gave us a base to start our business on and the chance to do things our way,” says Daryl. “We had different ideas and wanted to put them into practice. We built positive ideas and ways that we would im-prove things if we owned our own business, so one day, we did just that—and Driven Automotive was born!”

Driven Automotive underwayDriven Automotive came into being in April of 2006 with four employees; today there are seven—fi ve technicians and two support staff. “We didn’t have as much equipment when we opened, but we’ve added many pieces and can call ourselves a full service repair shop. We’ve been into diagnostics since day one, as Jason is very skilled in that area.”

“We’ve developed a good track record, have gained confi dence and believe more in ourselves,” Jason added. “Because of all the changes now coming about with deal-ers and sales, you have to look ahead and try to navigate the road that isn’t built yet. Confi dence is needed for that.”

Driven Automotive has seven bays encom-passing 4,200 sq. ft. “The waiting room is quite unique; it’s quite passive, like a doctor’s waiting room, and the people who spend time there really like it. Daryl designed it that way,” states Jason.

Deciding together“I run the front part of the shop and look after clients, but if decisions need to be made, Jason and I do that together,” Daryl continues. “We’re different types of people and have different types of ideas. As to managing the shop, when I worked for Auto Electric Service, I took numerous management courses/training sessions. After we opened Driven, I took a TACT three-day service manager course and attended when it was available on a monthly basis. We had Kelly Bennett come to the shop and do an assessment to see where we needed to improve. Jason has attended GM training all the way up to service manager level as well.”

Shirley Brown [email protected] D V E R T O R I A L

Everyone wants to move

forward—some more

than others—but for

Daryl Kulcsar and Jason

Mancinelli, moving

forward was a must!

Believe in Yourself

Hit the Ground Running

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Jason Mancinelli and technician Scott Molnar

Daryl Kulcsar and Jason Mancinelli


The technicians at Driven Automotive have ACDelco training provided by Auto Electric Service. In fact, the technicians are enrolled in all types of technical train-ing that’s available. “A lot of knowledge is gained through the CARS training we attend during AAIW in Las Vegas. We’re a pretty aggressive shop and going to that training gets us right up-to-date,” Jason adds. “We’re also on the CARS site here in Canada through ACDelco.”

Driven Automotive is very up-to-date and progressive; they have all the scan tools, computerization, tech bulletins—anything necessary to do the job correctly. They also have the contacts to get the information they need in order to repair a vehicle.

Business successWhen asked what they attributed their success to, Jason exclaimed, “Attitude! We have a lot of pride in what we do, we treat people like we would like to be treated, we respect our customers and they respect us. We combine all this with a thirst for knowledge and we feel everything has worked out well.”

“We were very fortunate when we opened Driven Automotive,” says Daryl. “We hit the ground running! I believe that was due to the relationships we had before we opened our own business—our customers, our peers, our bank, Auto Electric Service. Our business was strong right from the start. We approached things differently and we think that helped as well.”

About 60-70% of Driven customers are long-term customers. When Daryl and Jason are in public, they always speak to the people who do business with them.

you know they stand behind what they do. When we run into a ‘problem’ car and have to start fi guring a way through what’s going to be ordered and how it’s going to work, they always step up to help us.”

Survival and growth“I believe the aftermarket will survive and grow in the future. With the automakers limiting the numbers of cars they’re build-ing, to me, that’s a real bonus for the aftermarket—less part numbers. It also means a longer time per car on the road. Right now, we see the dealers going after service—not sales! But thank goodness people have gotten smarter and I think they know that dealers are under a ‘fl awed’ plan right now. Today the dealers are with-out great technicians. Most dealership technicians do not make what we pay our techs. We have a lot of satisfi ed clients going out of our shop and that’s going to keep us going for a long time. Our team is proud of what they do.”

I believe Daryl and Jason at Driven Automotive are doing their best and doing it correctly. Jason says he’s proud to be a mechanic and has a lot of knowledge. Daryl looks after the ‘front end’ of the business and all is run ethically—they do a great job and take a great deal of pride in their work.

That’s important to them and builds good customer relationships.

Market realityGiven the market reality of today, we wondered how this was affecting Driven Automotive. “It’s been positive,” Jason states. “The industry technician shortage has really shored up—we’re able to hire better quality technicians today—it’s a true profession now. It’s also helped out the industry; you can’t get people to come into your shop just because your price is less expensive and don’t really care what goes back out through the door! We care and it shows, and that will lead to further growth.”

Auto Electric Service was both Daryl and Jason’s former employer and still plays an important role with Driven Automotive as their parts supplier. Daryl says, “We purchased most of our equipment from them when we started the business—today they’re our parts supplier. They have really terrifi c sales people who keep us abreast of all the new things coming out. They show up in a timely manner, have a great warranty program, they have training programs through ACDelco, management training from outside train-ers and, through Auto Value, we have the Nationwide Warranty. Their order desk and delivery system is very prompt and they have great inventory. They’ve always been a leader in the industry.”

“We saved money on inventory in our start-up costs as our supplier was very close with a lot to choose from,” states Jason. “At Driven, we’re not into the ‘white box’ brands… we try to counsel our clients into repairing their vehicles properly, with brand name parts.”

The networkJason says tha t “Auto Value/Auto Electric Service is a very dependable network and we’re happy to be part of it. You know what they’re offering you,

A D V E R T O R I A L

Driven Automotive

S N A P S H O T . . .

ADDRESS1015 Osler St.,Regina, SK S4R 8N5

PHONE 306-569-2886

FAX 306-569-2892

OWNED BYDaryl Kulcsar and Jason Mancinelli

S IZE 4,200 sq. ft.

EMPLOYEES 7

BAYS 7

CERT I F IED TECHN IC IANS

5

TYPE Full Service Repair Shop


R epair and maintenance services average annual spending was found to have declined from $920 in 2008 to $856 in 2009. These facts and fi gures can be seen in the recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study. In addition to those figures, the people who say they go to the cheapest place for service has increased from 17% in 2008 to 23%.

“In a difficult economy, vehicle owners seem to be delaying what they perceive to be non-essential maintenance or seeking out the lowest-cost option,” said Darren Slind, senior director and Canadian auto-motive practice leader at J.D. Power and Associates. “In the long run, this may prove more costly in terms of vehicle reliability, but in the short term, consumers are deal-ing with other spending priorities.”

Survey Says!

Maintenance and Repair DeclineA study recently released by J.D. Power and Associates showed

that money spent by consumers on vehicle repair and mainten-

ance had declined considerably. Since 2008, those average

annual expenditures have gone down by 7%.


Service behavioursThis study was redesigned for 2009 and so provides a measure of the service behaviours, satisfaction and loyalty of owners of 3- to 12-year-old vehicles. Five key factors were determined in the over-all customer satisfaction of the service experience:

1. process of getting the vehicle in for service,

2. service advisor performance,

3. service facility,

4. quality of work performed,

5. the process of vehicle return/pick-up.

This study examines customer satisfaction with service at both the new car dealer-ship and the aftermarket facility levels.

The highest-ranking repair outlets for satisfying Canadian service customers were NAPA AUTOPROs. They received an overall index score of 876 out of a pos-sible 1,000 points. They perform very well in service initiation, service advisor, work quality and vehicle return. O.K. Tire (858) and Pennzoil (851) follow in second and third place.


SuperiorCustomerService

ApplicationSpecific Sourcing

OE Quality & Fit

Broad Vehicle & Part Coverage

ProductEnhancementsand Solutions

For nearly 100 years, Beck/Arnley has been a leading specialty supplier of premium quality, genuine foreign nameplate parts with the look, fit and performance of original equipment. Beck/Arnley offers broad vehicle and part coverage, product enhancements and solutions, and superior customer service, making life easier for professional import technicians. Because of Beck/Arnley’s commitment to excellence, the Beck/Arnley® brand is favored by import technicians everywhere, every time.

For nearly 100 years, Beck/Arnley has been a leading specialty supplier of premium quality,

Parts Made Right. Life Made Easy.TM

© 2009 Beck/Arnley Worldparts, Inc.

To learn more and find a distributor, visit www.beckarnley.com.

Aftermarket service providers have gainedNew car dealers are still losing mar-ket share in terms of service to the aftermarket service providers, the study showed. It seems that now aftermarket providers account for 59% of the estimated $11.2 billion annual service market for vehicles between 3 and 12 years old. This is up from 57% in 2008.

“While a two-percentage-point shift may not seem substantial, this equates to more than $220 million in lost revenue annually for deal-ers,” said Slind. “Given declining new vehicle sales—which are down more than 16% in Canada so far this year—dealers must rely more than ever on their service and parts operations. We expect that dealers will fi ght back aggressively in the coming year to re-capture this lost market share.”

ASPs do a great jobThe study also provided the informa-tion that aftermarket service provid-ers perform very well in the areas of service initiation (including ease of scheduling visit and timeliness of vehicle drop-off) and vehicle return (including timeliness and explana-tion of work and charges). New-car dealers perform well in the quality of their facilities (convenience, comfort, cleanliness, etc.).

It would seem that fi nally people are realizing that having their vehicle serviced by a new car dealer is not the only option… they have ultimately found the many professionals in the aftermarket world. They have also discovered that ‘warranties’ are not lost when their vehicle is repaired outside of the new car dealership and the aftermarket now seems to be in a winning situation.

F ewer businesses are predicting growth for 2009 (46%) than ex-perienced growth in 2008 (53%). However, given the economic instability over the past year, it is optimistic that a significant number of em-ployers are predicting to at least maintain their current revenue level or see some modest growth.

Interestingly, employers whose revenues grew between 2007 and 2008 were more likely to have had both a training plan and a training budget as part of their overall business plan. Employers who had neither of these were more likely to include those whose revenues stayed the same or declined. The unfortunate news is that 59% of the industry has nei-ther a training plan nor train-ing budget in place.

Looking forward, employers were also asked to relate their plans or thoughts about their business over the next 12 months and over half (52%) see the opportunity to grow their business in the next year and almost as many (41%) plan to “wait and see” as the economy stabil-izes. Those most optimistic are businesses

whose primary activity is the sale or dis-tribution of parts with 64% seeing an opportunity for business growth over the next 12 months.

The survey was completed by 2,181 em-ployers across Canada during the spring of 2009 and was a key component to the new labour market study to update the

Preliminary data from a new labour market study commissioned by the Canadian Automotive

Repair and Service (CARS) Council indicates that 53% of employers across Canada have ex-

perienced revenue growth from 2007 to 2008 and 28% have stayed the same over the same

period. Further, the number of locations expecting revenues to stay the same in 2009 (35%) is

higher than the proportion of those that reported fl at revenue for 2008 (28%).

By: CARS Council www.cars-council.ca

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.

data from the 2005 report, The Road Ahead. The timing of the survey proved to be in-teresting given the economic conditions of the past year and provided an opportunity to see how the industry was “weathering the storm.” The research explores current and emerging human resource trends, with a focus on:

• Recruitment and retention

• Training and skills acquisition

• Workforce characteristics

• Economic and regulatory environments

A national advisory commit-tee has guided the project and the research team has benefited from many other contributors across Canada.

The completed research re-port will be available on the

CARS Council web site (www.cars-council.ca) by early December. If you would like to receive an e-bulletin to alert you to the report’s availability, please send an email to [email protected].

Modest Growth Predicted by Employers

Data derived from 2009 CARS employer survey

Data derived from 2005 and 2009 CARS employer surveys.

Data derived from 2009 CARS employer survey


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M uch has changed since world econ-omies started to free fall in 2008. The recent economic slump has impacted all industries, creating challen-ges for business owners and their employ-ees not just here in North America, but all over the globe.

Although Canada is weathering the eco-nomic storm better than most developed nations, all of us face a new reality as the economy claws its way out of the abyss of the recession. While economists say they can already see a light at the end of the tunnel, those of us who have businesses

to run still have to deal with day-to-day realities. That means garage owners might still have to make tough decisions even as the world meanders down the road to economic recovery.

Theoretically, recessions are supposed to be good for the aftermarket since financial uncertainty creates an environment where consumers put off buying big ticket items like brand new vehicles, preferring instead to dedicate their cash to taking better care of vehicles they already own with the hope that the trusty family sedan will last longer.

Human Resources

The New RealityHow has the economic slump impacted your business,

and how can you manage your human resources so that

you’re ready for the recovery ahead?

That’s why some shop owners have re-ported a “business as usual” atmosphere during this recession. Some are having a good year. Business is brisk and they see no reason to panic. But others are not as fortunate and are looking for ways to cut costs in order to stay afloat financially.

If you count yourself among this latter group, you’re likely already thinking of ways to cut costs and slash expenses. And if you’re thinking of wielding your cost-cutting axe in the human resources department, make sure you do the math before you cut and slash.

Think long termAlthough eliminating employees as a cost-cutting measure may make sense in the here and now, will this cost-cutting measure help you in the long run? Your employees have skills and know-how you value and need... that’s why you hired them in the first place. Will you miss these skills in a few months when business picks up again?

Before you let anyone go, understand the core competencies your business needs in order to thrive and survive and then take a close look at your staff to see who possesses these vital skills and know-how, and who might be expendable.

In some cases, you might need to cut down on the number of techs you have working in your bays. How will you decide who is expendable? While you might be tempted to cut the most expensive tech out of the picture, that could be a big mistake.

The tech who makes the most per hour is likely the one who brings in the most busi-ness. His expertise allows him to get the job done right the first time, with zero or very few comebacks.

On the other hand, the tech that’s respon-sible for the most comebacks may be the one who is most expendable no matter


Jack Kazmierski [email protected]

how much you pay him. Do the job once and the client pays you. Do the job twice and you’re paying for it.

Say no to layoffsIn some cases, you may not want to lay anyone off. Perhaps you have assembled a top-notch team of experts who work together like a well-oiled money-making ma-chine. Everyone is compe-tent, everyone works hard, and no one is expendable.

Can you still cut costs without taking anyone off the payroll? It’s certainly pos-sible, although doing so may take a bit of creativity.

Some companies have opted for a job-sharing scenario where all employees work only four days a week, taking a day off without pay. This allows everyone to keep their respective jobs while cutting the budget for salaries by one-fi fth. On the other hand, perhaps your employees would be willing to work a full week, while taking a cut in their salary. This is an op-tion some companies have tried with vary-ing levels of success.

But before you make any cuts, or even suggest them to your employees, be sure to have a recovery strategy in place out-lining how your employees will be re-warded for their sacrifi ces once the econ-omy recovers and business picks up. You

have to offer your staff a light at end of the belt-tightening tunnel if you expect them to buy into the idea of a slashed salary.

TeamworkPerhaps you can cut costs in other ways. Not sure where you can minimize ex-penses? If finding ways to save money sounds like a daunting task, why not share the responsibility? Encourage everyone to pitch in and fi nd ways to reduce expenses, improve effi ciencies and identify new rev-enue streams.

If your staff has unrealistic ideas of what it takes to run a shop, imagining perhaps that you expect them to make cuts on

their end while you line your pockets with all the profi ts, consider an eye-open-ing exercise recommended by Dennis Forbes, owner of Forbes Service Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.

“I had a meeting where I got my em-ployees to open and look at the bills the business has to pay—hydro, taxes, etc.,” Forbes says. “It’s a great wake-up call that shows the employees why we have to charge as much as we do and why we have to be profi table, as opposed to just busy. The typical reaction I get from my

employees is, ‘Holy cow, I had no idea!’ It’s a real eye-opener.”

Most economic downturns are relatively short lived, and there’s no reason to think this one is any different. If you’re doing well and business is good then count your blessings. But if you’re not doing as well as you’d like to, your goal as a garage owner is to fi nd ways to stay afl oat fi nancially, manage your human resources with the future in mind, and prepare your staff and your shop for the inevitable turnaround in the economy.

Before you let anyone go, under-stand the core competencies your business needs in order to thrive and survive.

Franchise opportunities at www.mistertransmission.com

Worried about your future?Let us show you how you can own your own automotive business!

Starting at $35,000, fi nancing available (oac).


I n addition to customers who under-stand the benefits of replacement ride control components, there is a massive audience of consumers who haven’t been exposed to the industry’s 80,000-kilometre* ride control replace-ment message. Remember, shocks and struts work in concert with the vehicle’s brakes and chassis components—a sys-tem called the Safety TriangleSM—to help provide safe steering, stopping, and sta-bility. The presence of even one worn ride control unit can increase the required stopping time and/or steering precision in an emergency.

Hitting the ‘OE’ targetAsk any vehicle owner what he or she expects following a ride control repair and you’ll probably hear, “I want it to feel like new.” Your ability to provide shocks and struts that deliver this OE-style ride and handling is a key to ensuring strong cus-tomer satisfaction and loyalty.

The ride control experts at Tenneco have simplified this process through a proven application-engineering ap-proach for every Monroe Sensa-Trac®shock and strut. Because every vehicle

application—import or domestic—has a unique ride and handling profi le, Monroe engineers apply specifi c construction and valving technologies to each Sensa-Trac unit to provide a “prescription” ride for each vehicle. This application-engineered approach also includes premium Monroe Sensa-Trac monotube shocks for vehicles that were originally equipped with mono-tube units.

For customers who use their trucks and SUVs for work, periodically carry heavy loads, tow a boat or RV, or drive off-road, the best bet could be an upgrade to shocks that provide a fi rmer, more con-trolled ride. Monroe Refl ex® and Refl ex Monotube shock absorbers are ideally suited to the operating requirements of these vehicles.

Customers who drive light trucks, SUVs, vans and full-size wagons are also ideal candidates for Monroe Sensa-Trac load-adjusting shock absorbers. These units combine application-engineered valving with a heavy-gauge calibrated spring to maintain precise ride height even under 1,200 pounds of extra load.

The Ideal Strut SolutionThe shift to strut-type suspensions in the 1980s brought about a dramatic change in the way many shops sold ride control service. While struts wear out just like conventional shock absorbers, they’ve also traditionally involved a more com-plex and time-intensive repair. Thanks to the revolutionary Monroe Quick-Strut® assembly, strut replacement is now sig-nifi cantly faster and easier, helping shops boost bay productivity and aggressively pursue this growing segment of the ride control market.

The Monroe Quick-Strut assembly is a one-step solution that eliminates the hassles and extra time involved in individ-ually ordering and assembling each strut tower. Each Quick-Strut unit eliminates the need to compress and install the coil spring, upper bearing plate and other safety-critical hardware.

* For many popular-selling vehicles, replacing worn shocks and struts that have been driven for 80,000 kilometres or more can improve the vehicle’s handling characteristics and comfort. Actual mile-age may vary depending upon driver ability, vehicle type, and type of driving and road conditions.

A D V E R T O R I A LA D V E R T O R I A L

Capture New Sales in Ride ControlOne of the secrets to increased sales in the ride control category is keeping things simple for

the customer. Whether the application is a Toyota Camry or Chevy Tahoe, the vehicle owner is

looking for the parts and service that will put it back on the road with the right blend of control

and comfort.


For advertising opportunities, call us at 450-448-2220.

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K am Sukhram, Marketing manager, Uni-Select Ontario Division, took the time to chat with CASP on the value of being part of the Uni-Select net-work, especially as an Automotive Service Provider (ASP). By offering effective busi-ness solutions along with their extensive expertise in the fi eld, the Ontario Division has secured many new customers in the past few years.

The Uni-Select NetworkUni-Select is a North American network of close to 70 distribution centres strategic-ally located across Canada and the United States covering over 2 million sq. ft. of warehousing space. Uni-Select provides service for over 2,500 members in over 3,500 outlets with sales over $1.3B. In Canada, it is one of the largest independ-ent wholesaler groups with 12 distribu-tion centres across the country servicing close to 480 independent wholesalers with over 700 outlets.

Uni-Select’s goal is to be the best business partner for its independent wholesalers and their customers—the ASP. Much more than just a parts supplier, Uni-Select offers cus-tomized business solutions to its network. These solutions are strategically designed to help them increase their sales as well as build loyalty amongst their customers.

Business Solutions for ASPsUni-Select’s business plans and train-ing programs for the ASPs have proven

successful in helping them run their business more profi tably and effi ciently.

With Uni-Select’s comprehen-sive banners and programs, the ASP can remain completely independ-ent but still benefit from multiple ad-vantages such as marketing and sales solutions, “no hassle” Quality Assurance, loyalty recognition program, preferen-tial rates on certain services, rebates on products, and much more. And, as we all know, improving and updating the skills of the industry’s professionals represents one of the key elements of success. As such, Uni-Select also offers business man-agement and technical training and has recently launched an online training pro-gram called Tech-Pro Online. Designed by the Uni-Select Training Team specifi cally for Automotive Service Providers, TechPro Online is a new and unique package offer-ing 24/7 online access to a wide selection of courses and resources for the repair shop and their staff.

“Foreign car parts are NOT Foreign to US!”The Canadian fl eet profi le has migrated to a very strong base of foreign name-plates and the trend suggests an increase in the aftermarket demand for Foreign Nameplate Parts (FNP) in the coming years. Uni-Select has recognized this major shift in the marketplace and has developed a comprehensive offering of products for

foreign nameplates. Therefore, besides the traditional aftermarket brands, Uni-Select offers the Foreign Nameplate Parts (FNP) program focused on the OE Fit, Form, and Function. The offering includes a combina-tion of world renowned brands associated with the Beck/Arnley FNP program featur-ing OE vehicle specifi c products. This FNP program is tailored to answer the most selective shop’s needs and provide them with an alternative to service the owners of these foreign nameplate vehicles.

Uni-Select makes doing business easy!A unique feature offered by the Uni-Select Ontario Division is its Tools and Equipment centre, where the independent whole-salers can bring their ASP customers for onsite demos and training. In addition, the Tool and Equipment Flyer and leasing program both support this initiative. The Division has also developed other regional marketing programs to stimulate organic growth, such as “Driving Success” which featured “scratch & win” coupons for the ASP.

In order to effectively meet the evolv-ing needs of its merchant members and customers, Uni-Select has developed

Uni-Select is a major player in the North American

automotive aftermarket and is certainly one of the

leading auto parts distributors in the Canadian

aftermarket industry. Uni-Select sells more than auto

parts; it is also known to offer business solutions that

will help its network grow their business.

Automotive Service Providers, Take Note!

Uni-Select: Much More Than a Parts Supplier!



strategic partnerships to help them grow their business and create economic value for their offering. Among the many servi-ces available to the ASP are customer re-tention programs, web based easy-to-use databases of vehicle symptoms for techni-cians, innovative preventive maintenance solutions, and much more.

In speaking with Casey Hermanus of Worgan’s Auto Service, one of the first ASPs in the Ontario division to sign up with Uni-Select’s SelectAutoXpert (SAX) program, we got some insight into how this Uni-Select program has helped him grow his business:

“I’m completely satisfi ed with the program and absolutely think it helped grow my business. By being a SAX member I focus on selling premium products, which is more profi table, we have less comebacks, and my customers are more satisfi ed. I also love the SAX product rebates. Every installer should be part of this program. Some of the other tools I use now are the web databases of vehicle symptoms for technicians offered by Uni-Select. This was a godsend. It saves a lot of time and money because the data is very accurate. Everybody in a repair shop should use it.”

Team Ontario

Jim Valsamos, Sales manager; Don Hamilton, Administration manager; Dennis Evelyn, Operations manager; Kam Sukhram, Marketing manager; Scott Brooks; Sales Development manager Major & National Accounts; Charlie Hutton, Sales Development manager

PHOT

O: JA

CK K

AZM

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Automotive Service Providers, Take Note!

Uni-Select: Much More Than a Parts Supplier!social events; they are informational and inter-actional functions. Uni-Select prides itself on being a good corporate citizen and as such, organizes these ‘outside’ functions to help its customers, as well as its community. Some of these events include:

• Jobber/Installer Woodbine Event—This event is attended by the network’s members and their customers in order to bring them up to date on current market trends. Uni-Select’s suppliers are also on hand to answer any questions the at-tendees may have. It has proven to be very successful from both the members and their customers’ point of view.

• Local Events—Uni-Selects’ Ontario Division hosts an Annual Charity Golf Tournament in order to raise money for the Canadian Spinal Research Organization. This event has helped raise over $165,000.00 to date.

Staying connected!Uni-Select’s E-Marketplace offers a web solu-tion for repair shops which allows them ac-cess into their wholesaler’s system in order to consult their inventory and order elec-tronically. This site gives repair shops the opportunity to rapidly access the E-catalog and prices, quickly and accurately estimate repair jobs, efficiently manage inventory, improve customer service, and more. By of-fering a tool that requires little investment but offers a signifi cant return, Uni-Select can help increase productivity and profi tability, which in turn means growth without addi-tional people and an increase in customer loyalty.

Furthermore, Uni-Select offers ASPs a per-sonalized site with access to news bulletins, product catalogues, a wide range of promo-tions, all the details on banners and pro-grams, news from the network, access to on line training and much more!

All work, and some play!Above and beyond the business solutions that Uni-Select offers, the company also organizes events in order to bring their wholesaler members and ASPs together and allow them to network and learn from these gatherings. They’re more than just

By partnering with Uni-Select, ASPs can benefi t from singular business solutions as well as gain added value through:

• Access to the largest inventory of recognized premium brands and replacement parts

• Customized Business Solutions• One-Stop Shopping• Superior customer service• Efficient Distribution Centres• Sales Focus on Preventive Maintenance Program• Relationship with recognized vendors• Succession planning• Brand recognition

Uni-Select’s Brampton Distribution Centre is located at 145 Walker Drive, Unit 1, Brampton, ON L6T 5P5 and the Ontario Team is headed up by Brendan O’Brien as General manager; Dennis Evelyn, Operations manager; Kam Sukhram, Marketing manager; Jim Valsamos, Sales manager; Charlie Hutton, Sales Development manager; Scott Brooks; Sales Development manager Major & National Accounts, and Don Hamilton, Administration manager. “We are always available to answer your questions or to help you with a solution,” promises Kam.

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I t’s a testament to the versatility of Lindertech’s trainers that New Jersey’s Luis Ruiz taught two very dissimilar courses—GM Duramax 6.6 Diesel, and Volkswagen Engine Controls.

For techs like myself whose shop provides service to all makes and models, this kind of focussed training is highly benefi cial—the small number of GM diesels and VW products that come in our door aren’t enough to establish a comfort level or familiarity, yet we’re still expected to understand their operation and diagnose them when they do.

The Duramax—constantly evolvingIntroduced in 2001 as a joint venture between Isuzu and GM, the 6.6 litre Duramax turbodiesel V8 has undergone continual changes to reduce emissions and improve durability and power; under-standing the differences can greatly aid diagnosis and repair.

Luis’ employer, Mechanic’s Education Association, also offers live tech support and mobile diagnostics, so they have a good sense of pattern failures and trouble spots—failed and leaking injectors being a major weakness in the earlier “LB7” ver-sions. Luis explained what signs to look for (contaminated engine oil, etc.) and how to determine which injector(s) have failed, in both this and later Duramax designs.

As the Duramax evolved, considerable changes were made, not only to the physical construction of the engine and injectors, but also to the control and fuel delivery systems. Luis illustrated where testing methods must be adjusted accord-ingly and why.

Tips and tricksPerhaps the most valuable information a technician can receive is the quick-est, least invasive diagnostic procedures. Recognizing the almost yearly differences in the fuel delivery system allows techs to adjust their test strategies, right down to knowing the easiest locations to access fuel lines or sensors.

Luis can also tell you where not to test, as earlier Duramax injectors required up to a 93 volt fi ring pulse—defi nitely not test-light or technician friendly—and all Duramaxes use extremely high pressures in their common rail fuel delivery design, which requires appropriate caution and equipment to work around.

Possibly Luis’ top test tip: in virtually all Duramax applications, all of the en-gine’s electrical inputs and outputs go through a pair of connectors (C107/108 or C118/119 depending), providing not only excellent access points for testing, but also known weak spots, with multiple TSBs that pertain to them.

Luis might save you from yourselfI was completely unaware that the Duramax utilizes two completely differ-ent, but physically interchangeable glow plug designs. Put an LB7 glow plug (gold coloured) in an LLY engine and you’ll get poor cold performance; put an LLY glow plug (silver) into an LB7, and the tip will melt, break off, and damage the motor. Handy information!

Similarly, it’s important to know that ’06 LLY and newer Duramax engines use pro-grammed injectors—that is, each injector is fl ow-rate calibrated, and this informa-tion must be programmed into the PCM when they are replaced, unfortunately for most repair shops, effectively making this a dealer-only operation, as trouble codes and driveability issues may result otherwise.

Time and money well spentBeing able to avoid potentially costly or trouble-inducing “repairs” just once might be enough to offset the cost of this kind of training.

If nothing else, the time that you’ll likely save yourself a few times in quickly diag-nosing or recognizing a fault will more than compensate you for sacrifi cing part of a weekend. Would you know to look for a loose crankshaft position trigger wheel when tracking down poor driveability in an early Duramax?

Brian [email protected]

Brian Early is a full-time automotive technician in addition to his journalistic endeavours.

Luis Ruiz explains the operation of the Duramax’s injectors, aiding troubleshooting.

PHOTOS: BRIAN EARLY

Lindertech 2009

Luis Ruiz, Part IHeld this past April at a new venue, the Toronto Airport Four Points by

Sheraton, Lindertech North 2009 provided two and a half days of technical

training and access to equipment and service providers.


PHOTOS: BRIAN EARLY

INDUSTRY NEWS

Brake Rotor Safety Public Awareness Message

Affi nia Global Brake & Chassis has recently discovered a ser-ious potential brake safety concern regarding the replacement and use of certain imported brake rotors that are signifi cantly different from the OE rotors they replace.

These replacement rotors deviate widely in thickness, air gaps, vane confi gurations, and overall have a signifi cant reduction in the effective thermal mass or weight. These changes to the rotor makeup and design do not conform to the OE specifi cations and adversely affect the product performance leading to the possibil-ity of rotor failure and braking system problems. Brake rotors are a safety-related component and should never be compromised from OE design without engineering validation.

As a result of these changes, lightweight rotors run hotter and the brake system cannot absorb and dissipate that heat properly. Therefore, the heat creates thermal stress and strain, which induces cracks in the rotor. These cracks lead to, among other things, longer stopping distances and potential wheel lock-up. The heat is also transferred to the brake pads, caliper pistons, and brake fl uid and can cause premature wear of these compon-ents. Ultimately, left unrepaired, these thermal stresses lead to brake system failures.

If you’ve done brake rotor replacements in the last year and the customer has come back with a cracked or separated disc brake rotor, you need to document the incident.

If you have had a brake rotor replacement in the last year, and have encountered an early brake rotor failure such as a cracked or separated disc brake rotor, Affi nia recommends the following:

1. Return to the service repair facility where your vehicle was serviced.

2. After the vehicle inspection, if the repair facility determines there are cracks in the rotor, have the technician document the incident, including:

• Vehicle year, make and model,

• Component, i.e. brake rotor,

• Date of original brake rotor replacement,

• Mileage at time of replacement.

3. Evidence of a defect or non-conforming product should also be registered with NHTSA ODI.

A defect claim can be registered with NHTSA ODI (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration Offi ce of Defect Investiga-tion) directly at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm and fi le a complaint.


O xygen sensors are the primary means by which the control unit determines if the mix is too rich or too poor. Consequently, first check-ing their proper operation is essential, should an engine effi ciency problem arise. If there’s no malfunction, you must then focus on the fuel inlet.

Pressure and voltageSince fuel pressure is an all-important factor, its conformity must be checked in three ways: fi rst turn on the ignition with-out starting the engine. Upon impulse, the pump must perform as required and maintain pressure when shut off.

If pressure rises but the ignition must be turned on again to bring it to the prescribed level, the pump voltage must be checked. Since power comes from the relay and sometimes goes through a safety switch and many connectors, resist-ance may be increased, but the grounded terminal cable could also be eroded.

Filter and throttleIf voltage meets requirements, proceed to the fuel fi lter, which may not have been replaced when needed. If clogged, it not only reduces delivery, but greatly curbs the pump’s performance, even though the pressure reading between the pump and the filter clearly surpasses the normal

level, which can cause breakage due to a marked amperage increase.

Since overheating of segments and con-nectors reduces the voltage required for proper functioning of the pump, replace-ment pumps come with segments.

Added to voltage and fi ltration verifi cation is the pressure regulator, which can be the cause of negative or inconstant pressure. Consequently, be sure to check pressure according to manufacturer’s indications in order to avoid any inconformity.

Tank and fi ller neckIf the pump needs to be replaced, inspect the fuel tank to eliminate all risks of con-tamination or clean it before installing the new part. Dirt and rust that accumu-late in the tank can reduce the pump’s durability.

Moreover, a pierced or corroded filler neck contaminates the tank, resulting in the appearance of codes linked to fuel vapour emission. Usually located inside a rear fender, this accessory is only minimal-ly protected from salt water and sand.

Once the work is done, recheck the fuel supply system by means of a road test and a revision of data. If the system is operating correctly, these data will match the manufacturer’s, and the engine will provide maximum performance with min-imum fuel consumption.

Electronic Fuel Injection – 2

Description and Flow ControlIn the previous article (page 15, September 2009 issue), we described the electronic

injection system and the role of the fuel pump. This time, we’re dealing with pressure

and fuel pump components.

level, which can cause breakage due to a Moreover, a pierced or corroded filler

Clogged fi lter

Strainer

Rusted fi ller neck

Frank [email protected]

Frank Tonon is Product Training manager for Spectra Premium and he develops training courses on the components linked to automotive

cooling systems and air conditioning.


Pierre Bissonnette [email protected]

Pierre Bissonnette was the technical instructor for a major aftermarket manufactur-er. He holds a teaching certifi cate in andragogy – which is the art and science of helping

adults, whose general education has been cut short, in their learning process.

I n vehicles today, most engine heads are made of aluminum alloys; spark plugs are made of another material that can almost weld to the head due to excessive heat. If you take the time to read the owner’s manual, most manufactur-ers recommend removing the plugs after so many kilometres or months of use to check the wear of the electrodes.

My questions here are: do you ever read the owner’s manual, and do many of your customers come into your shop to have the spark plugs checked? It’s my guess that most of you answered no to both questions. Of course, some of you will say you removed the plugs in a customer’s vehicle after 160,000 km and had no problems. Others of you will say you tried that and had 6 out of 8 plugs shear in half while trying to remove them—out of a 5.4 litre Ford engine (you need to read Ford bulletins on this situation)!

Enough horror stories, the main thing to remember is to use the correct heat range plug for your customer’s vehicle plus you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

High Tension wires Enough about plugs, let’s talk about wires. High Tension wires were installed on all engines up to the 1990 models, then along came the C.O.P. engines (Coil On Plugs) which replaced the High Tension wires. In addition, one coil was added for each plug.

This is a very effi cient system, but there is still a little hiccup and it occurs from the coil to the plug. In some cases, if the boot is inside a tunnel and when exposed to high heat, it dries out. If humidity gets in the tunnel and the boot is cracked, you will have a misfi re. Again, check the bulletin on Ford 5.4, cylinder #4, heater bypass hose on top of C.O.P. leaking. In addition, you must also be careful when removing the C.O.P. unit not to break the boot.

Wiper bladesAnothe r i t em to check especially now that winter is on its way is the wiper blade. Fairly new on the block is the flat blade. Now, just why did windshield wiper manufacturers come out with that particu-lar design? I suggest that you take a close look at this type of blade and compare it to the older styles. I think you will see why right away.

The fl at blade does a great job, but instal-lation can be tricky! Make sure you install it the correct way—the wind has to hit

the lower side of the blade going up to the higher side of it. Also, in winter be gentle when you lift the blade off the windshield, you could damage the blade if you do this too quickly.

I know I keep mentioning the Owner’s Manual, but they have been published for a very distinct purpose—keeping your cus-tomer’s vehicle in good shape! Different manufacturers have different rules and you need to know the differences.

Plugs, Wires, Wipers

Small Items Can Cause BIG HeadachesToday, most vehicles on the road are equipped with good spark plugs… in fact, these plugs can last up to 160,000 km. This is great but, like everything else, there is always another side to the coin!


E ach year at the beginning of summer, Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, north of Montreal, Quebec holds a vintage racing car event called “Le Sommet des

Légendes.” And since the paddocks are open to visitors, many of them rush in only to see all those vintage running trains. Many visitors also reminisce… “Those

were the days…” Here’s a pictorial of what could be seen last July at Le Circuit. Do you recognize any of them?

PHOTOS: ÉRIC DESCARRIES

Éric Descarries [email protected]

This is a beautiful DOHC six-cylinder in line Aston Martin engine that powered an exquisite racing DB-4 of the early sixties.

This late fi fties Lotus was powered by an early Coventry-Climax four-cylinder engine… typically British.

The Ford Cosworth DFV DOHC V8 engine won more than 150 Grand Prix’ in the seventies and eighties. It remains one of the most successful racing engines ever.

This four-cylinder Cosworth engine is actually British Ford based and it powers an early Lotus Super Seven.

Though highly modifi ed, this four-cylinder MG Midget engine does not even match one of today’s standard production four banger! But it is fun to drive!

Look carefully and you’ll see a Rover V8 (born as a Buick engine) under the hood of this racing Triumph TR-8.

What would a vintage race be without an early Chevrolet small-block? This 283 powered a 1957

Devin that used to belong to Peter Ryan, one of Canada’s early hopefuls in international racing

who died early in the sixties.

Racing EnginesThose Were the Days...

There was a time when automobile engines—even race engines—were totally different.

Actually, though they were still temperamental, they were “easy” to work on. It was

a time way before computers and technology. It was a time when just about any

mechanic was able to perform his art with simple tools and a lot of patience.


This early sixties Ferrari was powered by a superb V12 engine with only what seems to be three Weber carburators.

This is a fl at-12 Ferrari racing engine and in this case, it is resting in an ex-Gilles Villeneuve T312 Formula One racing car. You can almost hear the screaming sound of the exhausts.

This small four banger is, obviously, a Lotus engine

most probably based on a British Ford engine.

Here is another version of the 1960’s Ferrari V12 engine but this time with six Weber double-throat carburators. Do we hear someone

asking for a screwdriver? A nightmare to adjust…

Though this early nineties race car said it was Oldsmobile Aurora powered on its sides, it’s actually a generic small-block GM V8 (born Chevrolet) we see here. But already, it is cluttered with some modern technology.

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Nine Nine

F ina l Tr im

Eng l i sh - synmonyt rdsp.hp.a iCast ro l SYNTECTrade AdF ina l Tr im 3 .5 x 9 .875SYNTEC Pro f i tab i l i t yMarch , 2007

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new technologies driven automotive hit the ground · 2016. 12. 14. · equipauto 2009 parc...

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