Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

06/02/2025

Haakan Light guarantees this prevents modules from bricking.

28/01/2025

Tomorrow there'll be an episode about Domestic Violence and more specifically Intimate Partner Homicide (IPH). I hope you listen to it as my guest, Margaret Light, is on her A game bringing information on some of the underlying mechanics of what leads to this and signs for us to be aware of to spot it in others, and honestly in ourselves.

I hope you listen to it and share.

Many of you are already aware of why the topic was even brought up.

For those of you who don't, and for those of you who do but didn't know that there is a GoFundMe for the surviving sons to help with final expenses and biohazard cleanup of their home, here is the link:

We are heartbroken to share the tragic loss of Cathleen Lesni… Lindsay Brecheisen needs your support for Remembering Cathleen Lesniak: Aid for Sons After Tragic Loss

17/01/2025

Master Ken summing up what far too many feel aboutASE Certifications.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1KQ3ezKqJM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/01/2025

Mike Reynolds presents some excellent information about ADAS calibrations and some concerns with insurance company's coverages/payouts.

03/01/2025

Dive into everything you need to know about Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2025! Mark your calendars for March 6-9, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Key Topics:
-The Power of Lifelong Learning
-Behind the Scenes at Vision
-Scholarships and Awards
-Tech Talks with Matt Fanslow
-Networking and Community Building

Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future. Register for Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2025 and experience the education, inspiration, and connections that will take your automotive career to the next level.

https://visionkc.com/

25/12/2024

They should probably check fuel trims.

Designed to power giant container ships, the 14-cylinder Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C two-stroke turbocharged diesel engine is the world's largest combustion engine. Measuring thirteen meters high, twenty-six meters long, and weighing a whopping 2,300 tons, the 14-cylinder Wärtsilä-Sulzer

23/12/2024

I'm sure everyone knows quite a few Scot Manna facts. Like Scot Manna's tears cure BMW module bricking issues during I-Levels when using a JBox; the problem being that Scot Manna doesn't cry.

I have facts about myself, but they truly pale in comparison.

Like: Matt Fanslow gets in trouble letting Chevy Bolts run in the shop without an exhaust hose connected.

20/12/2024

Well...it turns out that spending some time with your "competition" can result in mutually beneficial change and positive change for the profession, at least locally.

I do a fair bit of work for other shops, both collision and repair. It mostly centers around programming and diagnosis, ADAS for collision shops of course.

A shop that's about 20 minutes from my shop brought a vehicle in to have a salvage module programmed. Unfortunately, you can't just plug it in and program in, and away you go. It takes some...finessing...

After I succeeded, I spoke with the client shop owner and offered a tour of our shop. I start in the waiting area, including the client-dedicated restroom, then my boss's office and then my office/lab/disaster area, and my shop area with all the scan tools, key cutters, fuel injector flow benches, exhaust gas analyzers, and many other "toys". Then the alignment bay with the latest Hawkeye Elite, and then the general shop areas (the shop is very compartmentalized). The bead blaster, the monster press that presses stuff apart or together or destroys it, the RoadForce Balancer, and the tire machine.

So, by now this just sounds/looks like bragging, but it's not, it's what we need to do what we do.

He was awestruck.

"How can you afford all this stuff?!?! What are you paying your 'guys'?"

I gave him a rough range of what our mechanical and technical specialists' W-2s will say and then simply stated that we charge almost $200/hr for diag, and our lowest rate was $168. There's was under $100. His highest-paid tech made just over half of our second-highest-paid mechanical specialist.

I heard from one of the parts store reps that because of that conversation, and my choosing to not berate him over their rate but just try to speak plainly and logically (well...as logically as I'm capable) he got back to his shop and raised his rates to above $120.

I've seen my boss try to have similar conversations with other ESOs, but often he unwittingly sounds condescending, and I feel makes a mistake of stating that it makes our shop look bad. I disagree with the tactic and the perception altogether.

So...long story short, spending some time with the competition and just shooting straight just might make for a positive change for that shop, and your own local market.

20/12/2024

A watched scan tool never updates.

20/12/2024

🚗🔧LIVE: Ask Us Anything with Matt Fanslow and Brin Kline!

Join us for a dynamic and unfiltered 'Ask Us Anything' Live Stream featuring two automotive professionals ready to answer YOUR questions! This is your chance to get expert advice and insights from those who know the industry inside and out.

Register NOW to secure your spot!

Our Live Q&A is all about YOU, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect directly with the pros.

Why This Matters:
Continuing education and asking questions are critical to staying competitive in the ever-evolving automotive industry. Networking with peers and learning from experts can open doors to new ideas, solutions, and opportunities for growth.

📆 Save the Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 PM EST

Register Here: https://streamyard.com/watch/M3JjMR53s5Ct

19/12/2024

SEE YOU TONIGHT AT 8 PM EST!

LIVE: Ask Us Anything with Matt Fanslow and Brin Kline!

This is your chance to get expert advice and insights from those who know the industry inside and out.

📆 Save the Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 PM EST

Register Here: https://streamyard.com/watch/M3JjMR53s5Ct

13/12/2024

"The shop worked on a BEV, and something went sideways. The insurance company does not want to cover it because they found out none of their technicians had any level of electrified vehicle certification."

Take a dive deep into the significance of ASE certifications, the evolution of the automotive repair industry, and the importance of continuous education and proficiency testing.

Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of the aftermarket industry.

06/12/2024

Partnering with a recruiter isn’t just about filling a position—it’s about building a team that drives your business forward.

In this episode, Kelly Cavanaugh, VP of Recruiting at Promotive, Brian Burris, Account Manager at Promotive, and Matt Fanslow, Shop Manager and Diagnostician at Riverside Automotive, share expert insights on attracting and retaining top talent in the automotive industry. Gain valuable perspectives from both a recruitment company and the shop level, offering a well-rounded view on hiring strategies, retention, and building successful teams.

Dive into critical topics shaping the industry, including:
-Recruiting Strategies to attract top talent
-Retention Techniques to keep employees engaged
-Overcoming Ghosting in today’s hiring landscape
-Resume Building tips for technicians
-Cultural Fit and why it matters in building strong teams

Register Here: https://streamyard.com/watch/YASgGfxfRFmS

26/11/2024

📣LIVE: 'Ask Us Anything' with Matt Fanslow and Brin Kline

Register NOW to secure your virtual spot!

📆 Save the Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 PM EST

Register Here: https://streamyard.com/watch/M3JjMR53s5Ct

18/11/2024

04/11/2024

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” - Oscar Wilde

22/10/2024

“However good the product or service is objectively, if you market it badly it is worthless.” - Rory Sutherland