March 2022

Is it really St. Patrick's Day without a pint of green beer? Grab your supplies and enjoy this edition of the Right Turn to celebrate the Emerald Isle's heritage!

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces beer
• 1 drop green food coloring

Steps:

• Add 1 drop of green food coloring to a glass
• Pour the beer into the glass. Serve immediately

The 2022 Aftermarket Jackpot VIP Sweepstakes is LIVE!

10 lucky winners and their guests will win a VIP trip of a lifetime to the 2022 Aftermarket Jackpot Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper. Now through April 30, 2022 enter for a chance to win. Professional technicians receive automatic entries into the VIP High Roller Sweepstakes with each qualifying invoice made through MyPlace4Parts.

Google's Changes to Local Search

How will this specifically impact auto repair shops? Depending on your web presence, this change has the potential to greatly decrease or open an even greater opportunity for your business. Repair Shop Websites walks you through the changes and how each will affect your shop or listen to the podcast Here.

LAST CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Now is the time to apply for a scholarship! By applying for an Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper scholarship through the University of the Aftermarket, you or your children may be eligible for a variety of other industry scholarships, including specific scholarships for Minnesotans, women, and others.

March Maintenance IQ:

Don't Top it Off. Diagnose First.

C-level techs might think they are doing the customer a favor by topping off brake fluid, transmission fluid or power steering fluid. If these fluids are low, it is not because they are burned or evaporated. We cover inspection and where to look for leaks.

Are you Ready for Tax Season?

Everyone's favorite time of year is upon us! Tackle your taxes with knowledge and confidence - using Tekmetric's real-time reports help you file with less stress. Read these 5 tips that can help you have a better auto repair shop tax season.

Online Reputation Management Guide

Did you know that 9 out of 10 consumers look at online reviews when making a purchase decision? Online reputation is not only an essential factor in your online visibility, but also your customer acquisition. The better news, SOCi is here to help and has created a downloadable guide for managing your online reputation.

The Laws of Combat

Struggling to retain talent? Not increasing your ARO? Lackluster business performance?

"Leadership is the solution to your problems; take extreme ownership of the work in your sphere." Take a few lessons from a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer and co-author of "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win".

Talking ADAS

"Consumers that are actively embracing these ADAS technologies want to know that their repair shop has both the equipment and the knowledge to repair ADAS-equipped vehicles."

There is a growing need for auto shops in all sectors to not only know about ADAS systems to effectively fix them, but to also inform customers about what those systems are and what they do in the first place. If shops take advantage of that opportunity, it's just another way to build trust and reliability with the customer base.

March Tech IQ:

Power Steering Pump Noise.

Many technicians can’t discern between normal power steering pump noises and a pump that is about to fail sounds. They also can’t diagnose if it is the belt or pump. This video would cover basic tests a technician can perform to confirm a problem before ordering or returning a power steering pump.

MPA Part Smart

Get Part Smart with MPA's latest Tech Sheet, talking all things LIN-controlled alternators. LIN is an acronym for Local Interconnect Network. Learn more about LIN alternators and how to test them.

Alignments & ADAS

Can your customers trust that you are properly aligning all components of ADAS while performing other service work on their vehicle? Read more from Brake & Front End on the importance of proper alignment with ADAS features here.

Why You Need Aftermarket Solutions for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Join ShopOwner Magazine and experts from Mevotech in this first free webinar of a 4-part series. The increasing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road means repair facilities will need to adapt their skillsets and businesses to accommodate them.

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Time: 2:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Pacific

Register: Link to Register HERE

POP QUIZ: There is a clunking and popping sound coming from the front of a vehicle that only occurs when turning. Which of the following is causing this condition?

A) Loose rod ends

B) A faulty power steering pump

C) Weak coil springs

D) Worn brake pads

View the answer. View explanation.