December 2019
Happy holidays!

A few highlights from this year: The 222 shops that joined the Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper and Confidence Plus Certified Service Center Program, the magical week in Florida for the Orlando Experience , celebrating the three Technicians of the Year in Detroit, upping the ASE rebates to $250, giving away six powersports vehicles , sealing an exclusive new deal with Identifix , and exploring the wilderness during the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure . Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!
Ready or not, technology has come to the world of communicating with customers. If phone calls and in-person visits are not satisfying your customers, texting them could be the solution.

Autotext.me offers texting and digital vehicle inspection along with a variety of other integrations. The company automates text message updates on a vehicle's status, such as repair details, recommendations, photos, and more. The program also makes it easy to track work orders, ensures quality control, and offers an internal chat tool for communicating within the shop.
And they've offered Certified Service Centers an exclusive deal!

Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, and Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers are eligible for 10% off standard pricing and one month free when they sign up.

Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper's own Jason Jackson was celebrated in style at the 2019 ASE Technician Awards Banquet . Jackson, the 2019 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year, was one of 53 ASE-certified technicians honored for his commitment to excellence in providing the very best in auto repair. He works for Automotive Excellence , a customer of Warren Distributing , in Seal Beach, Calif. Congratulations Jason!
Warranty is a pretty critical factor in purchasing decisions for most customers. And once covered by warranty, customers are diligent about not voiding it.

Many are mistakenly led to believe that having vehicle repairs performed with aftermarket or recycled parts will void the warranty.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits that.

The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the Magnuson-Moss act, states both the consumer protections and the limitations of liabilities. It's a critical aspect of the efforts we'll be focusing on when the Alliance Takes the Hill in April 2021.
When ordering a battery for a vehicle, you can't just look at the battery itself. You have to look at the vehicle too.

Engine type, engine code, and vehicle options are just a few factors impacting the battery selection.

Find out how to be certain you're ordering the right battery for your vehicle .
Our quest to find the best has been a success!

18 technicians across the United States have been selected as finalists in the 2020 Technician of the Year competition. These 18 automotive professionals are the best of the best in the industry. In March, they'll fly out to San Antonio for four days of celebration, camaraderie, and a custom ASE test to determine the winner. Congratulations to all the finalists!
Changes to vehicle technology are going to blow many shops out of the water unless they are prepared to take their shop to the next level.

Bob Greenwood of Greenwood's Garage is in the know on resources to help you move forward in order to stay competitive.
Calling all members of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper network: You can earn a scholarship for yourself or your child to go to college!

Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper will once again be giving away $25,000 to students attending or preparing to attend a college or university, vocational school, or ASE/NATEF-certified post-secondary automotive, heavy duty, or collision technician training program. Applications are due March 31, 2019.
Your customers are already on social media , so you may as well use the platform to help your business.

If you're already working Facebook or the 'gram, you're a rock star! Like and follow the Alliance for more helpful content to share.

New to social media? Need content? Use ours.
DRIVE BELT WEAR QUIZ
Test your knowledge on drive belt wear by answering the questions below.
1. Today's modern belts are made from durable synthetic runner called EPDM. What does EPDM stand for?
a.) Ethylene Poly Diene Monomer
b.) Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
c.) Ethylene Pentene Diene Monomer
d.) Electro Pentene Diene Monomer

2. A glazed or slick appearance on a belt is a sign of slipping. What causes this?
a.) Contamination
b.) Wear
c.) Improper Tension
d.) All of the above

3. Technician A checks a neoprene drive belt for wear by touching and twisting the belt. Technician A notices no cracks or fraying on the belt on the front side of the belt. Is this belt worn?
a.) Yes
b.) No
c.) Neither yes nor no. It is unknown because the tech did not inspect the back of the belt.

4.) What is a sign of internal failure of the belt that could have been caused by installation error?
a.) The ribs of the belt have separated from the backing
b.) The belt is cracked
c.) The belt is very flexible
d.) Both a and b

5.) True or False:
Neoprene belts should be replaced when you find three cracks in a three-inch section.
6.) Shoulder wear on the belt is a sign of what?
a.) A material problem on the belt
b.) An alignment problem on the pulleys
c.) Rib separation from the belt
d.) Both b and c

7.) Technician B is checking an EPDM belt for wear by twisting the belt and checking for cracks. Technician A says Technician B should actually look for material loss on the rubber rib surface because EPDM belts resist cracking. Which Technician is correct?
a.) Technician A
b.) Technician B
c.) Neither Technician A nor B


8.) True or False:
EPDM belts can run 100,000 miles or more with no visual cracks.

9.) As little as _____ rib material loss and surface wear can affect how the belt performs, and just _____ belt slippage can affect the overall driveability of a vehicle.
a.) 10%, 20%
b.) 20%, 10%
c.) 5%, 10%
d.) 10%, 5%

10.) What are some early indicators that a belt could be slipping?
a.) Reduced engine cooling
b.) A persistent check engine light
c.) Inconsistent power steering performance
d.) Poor A/C system performance
e.) All of the above