Newsletter from CAS! (June 2015)

May 1st, 2015: Autologic made a surprise move and announced that they were immediately stopping any future sales of their very popular 'Blue Box' platform......

The 'Blue Box'

Technology marches on and in this case it has seen Autologic announce a new interface device that is next generation to their long standing and popular Autologic 'Blue Box' scan tool. The new platform tool named; 'Assist Plus' incorporates a number of changes that go beyond simple hardware updates. The highlights are many but include:

A standardized software package that for one price now includes all of Autologic's offered car lines including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Volvo, VAG, Land Rover and Jaguar.
Integrated video camera's for sharing on car shots with both customers and Autologic Tech support.
3 Years Technical Support with the Autologic Assist support team.
Inclusion of a separate J-2534 interface device. Built by Drew Technologies, Autologic is now including the CarDAQ+ interface kit with all Autologic 'Assist Plus' shipments.

After their announcement hit the streets, there were a number of 'Blue Box' owners who expressed concern about being 'left behind' holding a discontinued device. Autologic's position was that "no one would be left behind' and released the attached statement on their web site.

For further information on this product line development CAS can be reached at 1-877-263-4897 Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM

Bartec TPMS Subscriptions do exist!

TPMS tools.... Most every shop has at least one of the popular TPMS tools in their arsenal of diagnostic equipment. At CAS, we have been exclusively selling the Bartec brand of TPMS tools. They work, the support is great and the software development continues on at a fantastic rate. If your shop has a Bartec TPMS tool, chances are you are happy with it!

This situation however is a bit of double edged sword. Because the Bartec tooling works great and does not 'time out' if you don't update it, many shops never think about an update. That is until they have a car in the bays with TPMS work required that can't be completed because the TPMS tool is behind in updates.

Now, it's an emergency! A call to Bartec has the shop being told to; "Call the distributor" it came from. A call to the distributor may or may not result in getting an update authorization code, let alone assistance in getting the update downloaded and installed...Quite often, the customer's car is held over another day or sent out with a TPMS light on with lots of explaining going on at the front counter.

Want to avoid all this? Call your CAS sales rep or our inside sales group and ask them to process a subscription renewal for you. The renewals certificates are in-stock an can be sent out via US mail or UPS typically same day. Not sure when you expire? CAS keeps a 'subscription database' that contains upwards of 20,000 records, including TPMS account information. Call our office for assistance or call your local CAS rep...1-877-263-4897. After hours and looking for information? Go On-Line to http://www.oemtools.com/contactus.html and send us a message!

Two New Panasonic products introduced!

June 8-9-10th....It was time for another CAS Quarterly Meeting! Between all the sales overviews, guest speakers and technical training sessions, there were also two new Panasonic products added to the CAS product line-up!

Panasonic's recently introduced 'Toughbook' tablet, the FZ-G1 and their newly updated Toughbook CF-54 laptop were overviewed for all to see. The FZ-G1 will be offered by CAS as an alternative to a conventional laptop for running OEM and aftermarket scan tool applications. A number of customers have been asking for a 'tablet solution' that can actually withstand the automotive shop environment. The FZ-G1 being fully 'ruggedized', boasting an 8 hour battery life, a daylight readable screen and able to be used with OEM software because it uses a true Windows Operating System, should fill this request quite nicely. The below link will let you see a brief video overview of this super capable tablet tool.

Click for CF-54 Video

Click for FZ-G1 Video!

The newly released CF-54 is an update to the popular CF-53 laptop. This 'semi-rugged' laptop has been a very popular choice for shop owners looking for a full size laptop display with a full size keyboard that has been 'hardened' for shop use. Click on link to right for intro video!

These new products will round out the CAS laptop PC offerings to compliment the Dell Latitude series laptops we have delivered for years. This will now give CAS customers a greater choice of laptop platforms to choose from. And they all include that great CAS after sale support so many have come to expect!

Training Class Scheduled - 'Fuel Trim Diagnostics'

It will be here before you know it!...The first fall technical training class is now scheduled at the CAS Training Center. 'Fuel Trim Diagnostics' promises to be a very informative, advanced level technical class. Coordinated and sponsored by CAS Rep, Jeff Lemay and being taught by Super Tech, Dave Decoursey this will be a two evening, eight hour class.

CAS Rep

Jeff Lemay

Fuel trim issues can be especially perplexing and as such this drivability condition can be a 'money loser' when a shop is faced with the situation. Instructor, Dave Decoursey stated he has run into this problem many times and many shops call him for assistance. The course will review what works and what trips techs up, based on Mr. Decoursey's experiences. Dave promises a number of actual case studies to be reviewed during the two nights.

To sign up for this course or for more information on cost and available openings, contact CAS rep Jeff Lemay via e-mail, JeffL@OEMTools.com . Typically our evening classes fill up quickly so act now to secure a seat for you or your techs. You'll be glad you did!

Tech Tip of the Month - What?...It has batteries?

This months 'Tech Tip' from the CAS Tech Support guys involves the GM MDI interface device... read on if you own one or are considering purchasing one in the near future.

There have been a growing number of calls into our tech support lines from our customers that are having issues with their GM MDI/GDS-2 system. Seems that in more than one occasion the batteries inside the MDI device have leaked and caused damage. What...You didn't know your MDI had four 'AAA' alkaline batteries in it? Don't feel alone, as most users are not aware of this fact.

The purpose of the battery pack is to save the GM technician time between vehicles. It seems the batteries keep the tool 'initialized' when switching between vehicles. Although the MDI pulls it's power from the DLC connector when connected, without the batteries the tech would have to wait for the tool to 're-initialize' before starting on the next vehicle once he connects up. A 45 second wait period is normal in this case. The batteries prevent this delay period.

Unfortunately, the consequences of not knowing about the batteries results in no one checking or changing them on a regular basis. Since most aftermarket shop owners don't typically move from GM to GM, an MDI interface with dead batteries works fine but simply 'shuts down' after each use. This is not a big deal for almost all users, until those batteries start leaking and damage the device! So, save your self some grief and unnecessary repair costs, change your MDI batteries if they are over 1 year old.

If you or your techs require service on your MDI/GDS scan tool, in either doing a software update, hardware repairs or resolving other operational issues, call your local CAS Rep for assistance or CAS Tech Support at 1-877-263-4897 M-F 8:30am - 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. We're here to help!

Providing Tools, Information and Training to the Automotive Aftermarket