Diesel Mechanic School - 8 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

Here's 8 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling into a Diesel Mechanic School:

1. Has the school been evaluated by NATEF (which stands for the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)?

Note: When I mention -- NATEF it is vital to know that their primary concern is to improve the quality of auto technician training programs throughout the U.S. via voluntary certification accreditation. NATEF is headed by a 14 member trustee board that is appointed by the ASE Board.

2. Has the school met 100% of the Automotive Service Excellence standards?

3. Has the school met the Automotive Service Excellence standards for both the Automotive as well as the Diesel Technology programs?

4. How long has the school been in business educating in the area?

5. Is the school considered an accredited vocational technical school?

6. Is it possible to set an appointment to visit and take a tour in order to learn more about what is offered?

7. Is it possible to speak with one of the counselors to help make an educated decision on which direction may be the perfect choice?

8. Is the school an equal opportunity school whereby students may be admitted to all programs without discrimination either by race, religion, gender, health, age, etc.?

What's great about a trade school is that you can actually learn an incredible trade and begin earning your income in as little as 16 months. Start a new career, increase your income, learn an awesome trade, or earn an AST Degree all within 16 months.

There are trade schools available not only for automobiles but for electrical training and more.

If you know and love mechanics, follow your heart and make a point of finding just the right school. There's nothing worse than ending up in a dead-end job that you hate.

Do you know a good trade school near you? If not start seriously searching for a good trade school right online. Do your homework on the subject. You won't regret taking the time at all. Once you find one the perfect one, set an appointment as soon as possible. This is no time to procrastinate as your future is at stake here. Get that important appointment, set up a grand tour of the school and meet the appropriate people who can help you make an educated decision. Consultants will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Automotive Auto Body Franchise Business is the Way to Go!

Are you tired of working for someone else and letting them get paid for it? Do you want to be your own boss? Have you always dreamed of running your own business? Many people today think these things every day; however they believe it is only a dream. Well this dream could become reality by starting an auto body franchise business.

If you are wondering what a franchise business is, it is simply a method that companies use to disperse its products or services through many different retail outlets which are owned by an independent third party. The third parties or franchisees' are entitled to use trademarks, products, services and even techniques already established by the franchiser (developer/owner). Most of the time the franchiser offers ongoing support and resources for the franchisee to take advantage of. Many franchisers have already accrued many discounts with other business which the franchisee may also use. Depending on the franchise there may be many other benefits associated with running your own franchise!

So why is the automotive auto body franchise business a great way to get into business ownership; just they a look at the numbers. There were 220 million vehicles on U.S. roads in 2003, a figure that had been growing steadily at approximately 5% per year. We can use this figure to project that there will be more than 275 million vehicles on the road in 2008. More vehicles means a larger market, and an increased number of minor accidents as streets and parking lots become more crowded. Every 17 seconds a reported rear end collision occurs, and every 8.5 seconds an unreported rear end collision occurs. The most frequent accident on the road is the rear end collision, at almost 29.7%, and 75% of these accidents occur at less than 10 mph. Fully 12% of Americans had minor damage repaired on their vehicle in the last year alone! 36% of all minor auto body damage is to the front or rear bumper. More than a third!

Compared with other services, auto repair is a real bargain. Over the past decade, the cost of hospital services has risen more than 100%, and the cost of financial services has jumped 90%. Automotive maintenance and repair costs, in contrast, have risen just 44.5%, making auto repair the darling of the service industry.

Now you may be wondering why you should start a franchise instead of starting your own business simply from scratch. Well, the main reason is because 5% of businesses succeed in their first 5 years, meanwhile 75% of franchises succeed in the same time. So you have a much higher chance at succeeding in a franchise business. Another reason is that the franchise already has a working system in place. You will not have to try and fail until you find the solution while wasting your time and money. Another benefit is that there are others out there on your side who can offer advice and suggestions to help your business thrive. Even though there is a system in place it will take your determination and leadership skills to successfully run the business!

Power Windows Not Working, Off Track - How To Car Repair Tips

Power windows not working in a car can be caused by several things. The most common cause is a bad power window's motor, the switch could be faulty or the regulator could be binding or the cable could be off one of the pulleys. Rarely, windows may just be STUCK in the weather stripping (called a run) and need to be freed up and the guides lubricated with silicone spray. As a master auto technician, I've repaired literally hundreds of power windows in nearly all makes of cars over the years. In this how to article I'll let you in on some things to look for when diagnosing power windows not working. Ninety percent of the time, these type of problems can be diagnosed in less than sixty seconds! 

Stops Working 

If the glass moves a few inches and stops, then the motor is allowed time to cool down and will again move a few inches; the power motor will need to be replaced. If there is no sound coming from the motor, it may not be getting power or the motor itself may have an open circuit. Checking for power to the window's motor normally requires removing the door panel to access the wiring. After access to the power window wiring is gained, a test light or meter can be used to see if it is getting power and ground. I've learned over the years a short cut that saves the hassle of removing the door panel for testing the motor. Most of the time when checking this problem, just turn the headlights and interior lights on; look for a slight dimming of the interior or dash lights when the power window switch is pushed. If a slight flicker or dimming of the interior lights occur, this indicates that the switch is functional and the motor is bad. Try this with one of the power windows that is working to gauge the affect on the interior lights. If there is no change in the brightness of the interior lights when trying this with the inoperative window, the switch could be bad.

Appears to Be Off track or is Binding  

Windows don't normally just go off track (the regulator fails causing it to move out of the normal position). If the window appears to be off track, the regulator has most likely failed. Window regulators either use metal gears (which rarely fail) or they use a cable and plastic pulley design - which commonly fail. If the window has fallen, the regulator will most likely need to be replaced. If the glass is cocked unevenly and is binding, the regulator has most likely came apart. The motor will be heard when pushing the switch in many cases but the window won't work correctly due to the failed regulator.

DIY Tips to Try

1. Sometimes electric contacts in the window switch can be worn, corroded or dirty. Try pushing  the switch with your finger hard and deliberately - if the window starts to work, the switch is the problem and will most likely need to be replaced.


2. After accessing the motor, try tapping on it with an object  (like a small wrench or a 3/8" extension) - if it temporarily works, the window motor will need to be replaced.

Auto Repair Estimates - Part 4 - The Labor Times Are Not Concrete

What Is Included In The Estimated Time
First of all, we call the estimating guide, a guide, for a reason. The labor times are not necessarily set in stone. If you feel the labor time or other issue is not fair you can challenge the task. There is a website for submitting your inquirers at degweb.org You may also want to check out this article on ABRN. Many times technicians and/or estimators do not feel like the estimating guide or computerized system gives enough time to perform the operation, but they just take it as the gospel as they do not know how to challenge the concern.

The Problem Will Only Be Corrected If They Know About It
If you truly feel that the guide is not giving you enough labor time, go to the above website and submit your concern, as there have been a lot of changes made to the different estimating guides due to this. The estimating software companies will never know that there is a problem with their database if we do not let them know.

How Are The Times Determined?
Lets discuss how the times are determined. The time is supposed to be the time it takes a skilled technician to perform the task. However, this is for new undamaged parts. This does not include pulling damage to gained access to bolts, rusted or corroded bolts that may be harder to remove than new ones would. If this is necessary, you need to add the additional time to the estimate.

If The Guide Gives 3.0 Hours To R&R, What Is Included?
Let's discuss the fender that we said it would take 3.0 hours to R&R in an earlier blog. This means that you are charging the customer 3.0 hours to take the old fender off and to put a new fender on the car.

Labor Rate
The shop labor rate is what the shop charges per hour. This varies depending on the shop as each shop is responsible for setting their own rate. In fact, it is against the law for shops to get together and discuss labor rates. That would be called price fixing. For this example, if the shop labor rate is $45, the shop would charge $135 to replace the fender. We will talk about paint and material charges later.

Estimating Times
All estimating guides use tenths. You may see 2.3, which is 2 hours and 18 minutes. There are 6 tenths in an hour so multiply each tenth by 6 to determine the time in minutes..5 equals 30 minutes and 1.5 equals 1 hour and 30 minutes. This gives us an idea of how the labor times are determined.

Back To The Basics
We don't need to worry if the estimating system is correct or not at this time, as we're just getting started. I just wanted to give you an idea of how it works and that the times in the guides are not set in stone.

by Donnie Smith

Identifying Factors That Damage Your Truck's ECM Unit

With the alarming rate at which global warming is affecting the planet, it does not take a genius to predict that unless we apply strict regulations for controlling pollution of the environment, it will be difficult to save the planet from destruction. Keeping this in mind, the US government has brought about strict laws for the computerization of cars and heavy duty trucks.

The ECM (Electronic Control Module) works like the power control module for your car and heavy duty truck engines. It is the control module for tractor engines, and the mechanical transmission control for buses, trucks, coaches, and heavy machinery computerized controllers.

Heavy duty transportation and efficient handling of mechanical equipments is important for the success of all types of commercial businesses, whether big or small. Unless you have a delivery service operating efficiently, you will not only lose money but this will also cost you several hundred extra dollars in manufacturing, leasing fees, revenue etc. At present, when you face a problem with a non-functional ECM, your only option is to buy another one which may cost you as much as five thousand dollars.

You may consider buying a used ECM unit; however it would have to be coded and reconditioned to make sure that it meets you requirements and parameters. Moreover, buying a used unit does not help you identify the specific problem that affected the ECM, and this makes it difficult to avoid similar damages in the future.

If you are facing a similar problem then this article will tell you about some of the common factors that are responsible for the damage of the ECM. These factors that adversely affect the electronic controllers of a heavy duty vehicle are normal operations such as neglected injector(s) in the diesel engine, fuel solenoid operation, powering up or down, lightning strikes, and engine idle sensors. In several cases, the ECM units are mounted on top of the engine and exposed to the outer environment; hence even the simple maintenance operations may damage the ECM.

It has been found that several models of the engine and electronic controllers of trucks and heavy machinery, often known as ECMs, are frequently exposed to several factors that play havoc with the internal electronics of ECM. Many models fail to function well after three to five years of use. Sometimes this may be due to the breakdown of ECM's internal components. These components must be repaired and fixed to ensure that your computer controller board functions properly.

Whether your ECM has been affected due to the bad injector(s), fuel solenoid, engine idle sensor or a compromised actuator harness, you can get your ECM tested and repaired. Take the machine to an ECM testing site, where the professionals will be able to examine ECM and identify the problem. Locating the problem will ensure that you do not damage another ECM replacement. After the machine is repaired, you may get it reprogrammed to meet your specific requirements including rear axle ratio, cruise control, rpm settings, governor settings, and so on.

Virtues You'll Need in Mechanic School

You may think that you're going to breeze your way through auto mechanic training. Why? Because you're mechanically minded like your mother, and smart with computers like your father, both skills that are necessary in today's modern garages. But maybe there's something else that your parents fostered in you that will help ensure your success at mechanic school: your strong character. It is our characters, our virtues, that enable us to weather life's up and downs. Here are just some of the virtues that will stand you in good stead as you pursue your auto mechanic course.

Courage

Courage is what empowers us to apply to auto mechanic training in the first place. Courage is what gets us to show up in class on the first day. Courage is what carries us at exam time. So as daunting as it may be to learn the ins-and-outs of anti-lock braking systems, front suspensions and air conditioning systems, brave we must be. It can be especially humbling for someone who feels as though they know a lot about cars to realize just how many gaps there are in their knowledge...

Courage can also come into play at mechanic school when we decide to specialize in a particularly challenging aspect of the career. For instance, some students attend school with the bold intention of becoming a NASCAR race care technician.

Detachment

Mechanic school is pretty serious - with all those courses on drivability, fuel and ignition systems, diesel engines, etc. - but try not to get too wrapped up in it. There are other aspects of life. Remind yourself of them regularly! Take the occasional night off from studying for your auto mechanic course. Go to the movies. Pull out your old skateboard. Go bowling or hit the bars with some friends. Put down that climate control manual and let loose.

Patience

You may be eager to know everything there is to learn at mechanic school: electronic fundamentals, the art of preventative maintenance, systems and diagnostics. But slow down. It can take six months to two years to acquire a mechanics degree. You don't have to learn everything about all kinds of vehicles at once.

Compassion

In mechanic school, you will need compassion for people who have made mistakes. Sometimes the person who has made the mistake will be you. Sometimes it will be a classmate. Either way, show acceptance and caring.

Helpfulness

Does your teacher at mechanic school need some help cleaning up the facilities after a diagnostics demo? Is a fellow student struggling with to understand catalytic converters? Meet them over coffee for an informal tutoring session. Engaging with the people around you will only bring you more pleasure.

Courtesy

Remember to thank your teachers for all that they've taught you about transmissions, chassis, etc. Be polite to your fellow students. Good manners are basically about showing others that we respect them as human beings.

These are just some of the character traits that you will need to develop before you can succeed at auto mechanic training. Can you think of any others?

Diminution of Value to Your Vehicle Following an Automobile Accident

Has your vehicle lost value after an auto accident? How many of us would agree to pay the full fair market value for a car that we knew had received substantial property damage in an accident? One of the basic questions any buyer asks before purchasing a car is whether it's been damaged in an accident. Professional auto buyers are trained for the signs indicating body repair damage on a car. The average person knows they should always request a Carfax report on a vehicle before purchasing it. This is because we all recognize that vehicles lose their value after the vehicle sustains substantial damage in an accident. Vehicles simply are not worth as much as a vehicle that has never been damaged.

Florida recognizes the existence of a tort claim for diminished value of a vehicle against the tortfeaser (the party causing the accident). These claims do not exist in first-party cases, those in which your own insurance company has paid for the repairs under their contract of insurance with you. First-party claims are governed by the law of contracts and not by the law of tort actions. The claim for diminished value of your vehicle is just one of the claims for damages which may be pursued under Florida's tort laws, in addition to the more well known claims for bodily injury. Diminished value claims may also be called lost value, reduced value, or reduction in the value claims. It could be argued diminished value claims should apply to any vehicle including trucks, motorcycles, autos or automobiles, boats, trailers, and even wheelchairs.

The measure of damages has been addressed in at least two cases. Florida's Third District Court of Appeals in the case of McHale v. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. 409 So.2d 238 (1982) stated the proper measure of damages is the cost of repair, plus the reduction in the value of the vehicle. The burden of proving the reduction in the value of the vehicle is on the plaintiff bringing the claim.

Progressive Insurance Company, in Siegle v. Progressive Consumer's Insurance Company, 819 So.2d 732 (Fla. 2002), was sued by one of its own insureds for a diminished value of the vehicle which it had repaired for their insured. In Progressive's legal brief to the court, they argued that, while a diminished value claim would not exist in Florida against them by their own insured, third parties would be entitled to seek recovery on their claims for loss of value. Thus, while denying the existence of these claims in first party cases, Progressive acknowledged they do exist in tort for third-party claims.

We always recommend our clients obtain quality photographs of their vehicle showing the damage sustained, prior to repair. Once we obtain the repair records, an appropriate expert may be obtained to give an opinion on the loss of value of the vehicle after its repair. There is nothing in reported cases which requires that the vehicle must have been sold or traded in order to pursue this claim. The actual loss sustained, of course, must be proved and must be substantial enough to warrant the time and expense required to pursue these claims successfully.