Chapter 02

Describe automotive service-related positions. Discuss the level of training and experience needed for each position. Describe the technical skills needed for each position. Explain the relationship of the service manager to others in a shop and company. OBJECTIVES: After studying Chapter 2, the reader should be able to:

entrepreneur • on-the-job training (OJT) • parts counter person service advisor • service consultant • service manager • service writer • shop foreman team leader • technician (tech)• VIN • work order KEY TERMS:

THE NEED FOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS Vehicles are becoming more complex and require a higher level of knowledge and skills. Electrical and electronic components and sensors are included throughout the vehicle. Construction of parts and materials used has changed over the last few years, meaning that all service work must use specified procedures to help avoid damage to the vehicle. Increasing numbers of lubricants and coolants make even routine service challenging. The need for trained and skilled automotive technicians is greater than ever, for several reasons: Continued

All of the above issues take proper training and the ability to follow factory specified procedures to ensure customer satisfaction. Proper training and ability to follow factory specified procedures are needed to ensure customer satisfaction. The number of service technicians needed is increasing due to more vehicles on the road. A good service technician can find work in almost any city or town. This makes Professional Service Technician an excellent career choice.

Vehicles last longer due to improved materials and more exacting tolerances. Vehicles are being driven further than ever before. In the 1950s, vehicle life was considered to be 100,000 miles or 10 years. Now 200,000 miles without a major repair is common, with proper maintenance and routine service. Even needed routine service has been reduced due to changes such as radial tires that now last 40,000 miles instead of needing replaced every 15,000 miles. THE NEED FOR CONTINUOUS VEHICLE SERVICE Continued

Warranties A warranty is a guarantee to the purchaser of a vehicle that it will function as specified. The warranty covers the quality and performance of the product and states the conditions under which the warranty will be honored. Vehicle warranties vary but all warranties indicate a time and mileage restriction. Expressed warranties often include the following areas: New vehicle limited warranty that covers all components (except two), commonly called a bumper-to-bumper policy. Powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission/transaxle and final drive units. Usually longer than bumper-to-bumper coverage. Continued

Sheet metal rust through warranty is usually longer than the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty and covers rust if a hole occurs starting from inside the outer metal surface of the body. Emission control device warranties depend on the emission rating, the coverage of the powertrain control module (PCM), and the catalytic converter and are covered for 8 years and 80,000 miles up to 10 years and 150,000 miles. Vehicle warranties, unless an emergency repair, must be performed at a dealership, certified by the vehicle manufacturer to perform the repairs. At the dealership, the technician performing the repair must also be certified by the manufacturer. Continued

All technicians should be familiar with what may be covered by the factory warranties to ensure that the customer does not have to pay for a covered repair. Wear and service items are not covered by a warranty in most cases and therefore, offer excellent opportunity for trained service technicians. Increasing Age of a Vehicle The average age of a vehicle on the road today is older than seven years. This means that more vehicles than ever are not covered by a factory warranty, and are often in need of repair. Aftermarket warranties also can be used at most repair facilities, making it very convenient for vehicle owners.

TECHNICIAN WORK SITES Service technician work takes place in a variety of work sites: New Vehicle Dealerships Most dealerships handle one or more brands of vehicle, and technicians employed at dealerships must meet minimum training standards. Training is usually provided at no cost to the technician at regional training centers. The dealer usually pays the service technician for the training time, as well as transportation, meals, and lodging. Continued

Figure 2–1 A service technician working on the brakes of a vehicle in a new-vehicle dealership service department. ( Courtesy of Ogle. Tucker Buick )

Figure 2–2 A typical independent service facility. Independent garages often work on a variety of vehicles and perform many different types of vehicle repairs and service. Some independent garages specialize in just one or two areas of service work or in just one or two makes of vehicles. Independent Service Facilities These small-to medium-size facilities usually work on a variety of vehicles. Technicians usually have to depend on aftermarket manufacturers’ seminars or local vocational school/college to keep up-to-date.

Mass Merchandiser Large national chains of vehicle repair facilities, common in most medium- and large-size cities. Some examples include Sears, Goodyear, Firestone, and NAPA. Technicians employed by these chains usually work on a variety of vehicles. Many companies have their own local or regional training sites designed to train beginning service technicians and to provide update training for existing technicians. Figure 2–3 This NAPA parts store also performs service work in the garage area on the side of the building.

Specialty Service Facilities Specialty service facilities limit their service work to selected vehicle systems or components and/or to a particular brand of vehicle. Examples of specialty service facilities include Midas, Speedy, and AAMCO Transmissions. Many of the franchised specialty facilities have their own training for beginning and advanced technicians. Fleet Facilities Many city, county, and state governments have their own vehicle service facilities for maintenance and repair. Service technicians are usually city, county, or state employees and usually paid by the hour rather than on a commission basis.

TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS There are many positions and jobs in the vehicle service industry. In smaller service facilities (shops), the duties of many positions may be combined in one job. A large city dealership may have all of the following vehicle service positions. A technician is often referred to as a tech . Continued

TYPICAL AUTOMOTIVE ORGANIZATION ARRANGEMENT Large Comprehensive New Vehicle Dealer

TYPICAL AUTOMOTIVE ORGANIZATION ARRANGEMENT Independent Shop

Lube Tech/Quick Service Technician A lubrication technician should be trained in the proper use of hand tools and instructed how to properly service various types of vehicles. The training could be on-the-job ( OTJ ) or could be the result of high school or college automotive training. Some companies provide in-house training for new techs. It is important that the lubrication technician double-check the work to be certain that the correct viscosity oil has been installed and to the specified level. The oil plug and oil filter must also be checked for leakage. TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Continued ( cont. )

Oil and oil filter change Chassis lubrication Fluids check and refill Tire inflation checks Accessory drive belt inspection Air filter check and replacement Cabin filter replacement Windshield wiper blade replacement As a result, the lubrication technician should be skilled in hoisting the vehicle and able to handle tasks efficiently in minimum time. Lubrication technicians perform routine services, including: Continued

New Vehicle Preparation for Delivery A new entry-level position at a dealership often includes preparing new vehicles for delivery to the customer. Often referred to as “new car prep.” Duties performed for new vehicle preparation are generally learned on the job. The vehicle manufacturer publishes guidelines that should be followed. It is the responsibility of the new vehicle preparation person to see that all items are checked and serviced, and all associated paperwork is completed. TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Continued ( cont. )

Installing wheel center caps or wheel covers (if used) Installing roof racks, running boards, and other dealer-installed options Checking and correcting tire pressures Activities normally associated with preparing a new vehicle for delivery include: NOTE: Many vehicle manufacturers ship the vehicles to the dealer with the tires overinflated to help prevent movement of the vehicle during shipping . Continued

Checking all fluids Checking that everything works including the remote key fob and all accessories Ordering any parts found to be broken, missing, and damaged in transit Removing all protective covering and plastic from the seats, carpet, and steering wheel Washing the vehicle

The work order is a legal document that includes the description of the vehicle and the work requested by the customer. The customer then signs the work order authorizing that the stated work be performed. If there are additional faults found then the shop must notify the customer and get permission to change the amount or extent of the work originally authorized. As work is performed on the vehicle, the parts used and the labor operation performed are added. This creates a complete file on the repair. This means that the vehicle has to be properly identified by including the vehicle identification number ( VIN ) on the work order. There is only one vehicle with that VIN, yet there may be many “white Chevrolet pickup trucks.” The work order is the paper trail that shows all operations, labor times, and parts used when the vehicle was in control of the shop. A work order is often required even when the technician is working on his or her own vehicle. Why Is the Work Order Important?

General Service Technician A general service technician usually has training as an automotive technician either in one or more of the following: TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS High school—Technical or vocational school or a comprehensive high school that has an Automotive Youth Education System (AYES) program. College or technical school—Usually a two-year program that can earn the student an associate’s degree. Career college or institute—Usually a 6-month to 12-month program earning the graduate a certificate. Continued ( cont. )

Automotive service technicians perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faults, and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks. Techs adjust, test, and repair engines, steering systems, braking systems, drivetrains, vehicle suspensions, electrical systems and air-conditioning systems, and perform wheel alignments. In large shops, some technicians specialize in repairing, rebuilding, and servicing specific parts, such as braking systems, suspension, and steering systems. In smaller shops, automotive service technicians may work on a wider variety of repair jobs. Continued

Automotive service technicians begin by reading the work order and examining the vehicle. To locate the cause of faulty operation and repair it, a technician will: Use testing equipment, take the vehicle for a test-drive, and/or refer to manufacturer’s specifications and manuals Dismantle faulty assemblies, repair, or replace worn or damaged parts Reassemble, adjust, and test the repaired mechanism Perform scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and filter replacement Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle conditions, and future repair requirements Automotive service technicians may also: Continued

Working Conditions Most automotive service technicians work a 40-hour, five-day week. Some evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required. The work is sometimes noisy and dirty. There is some risk of injury involved in working with power tools and near exhaust gases. Skills and Abilities The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy doing precise work that is varied and challenging. Also, technicians usually achieve job security and a feeling of independence. Continued

Good hearing, eyesight, and manual dexterity (ability to work with hands) Mechanical aptitude and interest Ability to lift between 25 and 50 pounds (11 and 25 kilograms) The willingness to keep up-to-date with changing technology To be successful in the trade, automotive service tech needs: A working knowledge of electricity, electronics, and computers is also required for many service procedures. Continued

Employment and Advancement Service techs are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car and truck dealerships, and by large organizations that own fleets of vehicles. Experienced automotive service technicians may advance to service manager or shop foreman. Some automotive service techs open their own repair facilities. Many technicians can also start work in a shop or dealership and learn on the job. Most technicians keep up-to-date by attending seminars or classes on specific topics. Continued

All of the tasks performed by the lubrication technician. Engine repairs including intake manifold gasket replacement; cylinder head replacement; oil and water pump replacement; other engine-related tasks. Brake system service and repair including disc brakes; drum brakes; parking brake and antilock brake (ABS) diagnosis and service. Specific tasks performed by a general service technician can include the following: Continued

Suspension service including tire inspection and replacement; shock and strut replacement; servicing or replacing wheel bearings; steering component inspection and parts replacement; wheel alignment and vibration diagnosis. Electrical-related diagnosis and repair including starting and charging problems; correcting lighting and accessory faults; general service such as light bulb replacement and key fob reprogramming. Engine performance-related diagnosis and repair including replacing fuel pumps and filters; cleaning or replacing fuel injectors; solving emissions-related failures; and determining the cause and correcting “Check Engine” lights. Continued

Manual transmission service and repairs including replacing clutches adjusting, or replacing clutch linkage; and performing four-wheel- drive diagnosis and service procedures. Automatic transmission service and repairs including performing routine automatic transmission service; removing and replacing automatic transmissions; performing diagnosis and service checks including fluid pressure and scan tool diagnosis. The vehicle is then driven by the service tech to verify the repair.

Technician Team Leader A team leader is an experienced service technician capable of performing most work that the shop normally handles. The team leader then assigns work to others in the group based on the experience or competency of the technician. The team leader then checks the work after it has been completed to be sure that it has been correctly performed. The number of hours of labor for each member of the team is totaled each pay period. Each member of the team is paid an equal share of the time but at different rates. The team leader gets a higher per hour rate than the others on the team. TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Continued ( cont. )

The rate of pay per hour is based on the level of training and experience. A beginning technician may or may not be paid as part of the total team hours depending on how the team system is organized. Some shops don’t use teams. Many large shops or dealerships have two or more teams. The advantage of team organization is that everyone on the team helps each other if needed because they’re all paid based on the number of hours the team generates. The team leader performs the duties of a shop foreman but only for those members on the team and not the entire shop. He or she is under the direction and control of the service manager. Continued

TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Shop Foreman A shop foreman (usually employed in larger dealerships and vehicle repair facilities) is an experienced tech , usually paid a salary (per week, month, or year). He or she is a knowledgeable, experienced tech who keeps up-to-date with the latest vehicle systems, tools, and equipment. Continued ( cont. )

Test-driving the customer’s vehicle to verify the customer concern (complaint) Assigning work to the service technicians Assisting the service technicians Assisting the service manager Verifying that the repair is completed satisfactorily Typical shop foreman’s duties include: The shop foreman is under the direction and control of the service manager.

TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Have a professional appearance Be able to speak clearly Be able to listen carefully to the customer Write neatly and/or type accurately Be familiar with industry and shop standards and procedures Service Advisor A service advisor , also called a service writer or service consultant , is the person at the dealership or shop designated to communicate the needs of the customer and accurately complete a work order. A service advisor should: Continued ( cont. )

Most service advisors would benefit from taking a short course on service advising skill development and interpersonal relationship building. A service advisor should be familiar with the operation of the vehicle, but not to the same level as a service technician. A service advisor should not diagnose the problem, but rather state clearly on the work order what, when, and where the problem occurs so that the service technician has all the needed information to make an accurate diagnosis. Continued

Figure 2–4 Typical Work Order. (Courtesy of Reynolds and Reynolds Company)

The service advisor’s duties include: Recording the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle on the work order Recording the make, model, year, and mileage on the work order Carefully recording what the customer’s concern is so the service tech can verify the complaint and make proper repairs Reviewing the customer’s vehicle history file and identifying additional required service Keeping the customer informed as to the progress of the service work A service advisor must be at the shop early in the morning to greet the customers may need to stay after the shop closes to be available when the customer returns at the end of the day.

As part of the work order writing process, the service advisor should look over the vehicle and make a written note of any body damage that may already exist. If any damage is noted it should be mentioned to the customer and noted on the work order. Often the customer is not aware of any damage, especially on the passenger side and thus would blame the shop for the damage after the service work was performed. Check the Vehicle Before Work is Started

TECHNICIAN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS Service Manager The service manager rarely works on a vehicle , but instead organizes and keeps the facility operating smoothly. A service manager can be a former service tech. Many larger dealerships, employ a business major graduate, with organization and record keeping skills. The service manager typically handles all paperwork associated with operating a service department. NOTE: In a small shop, the shop owner usually performs all of the duties of a shop foreman and service manager, as well as the lead technician in many cases. Continued ( cont. )

Establishing guidelines to determine the technicians’ efficiency Supervising any warranty claims submitted to the vehicle manufacturer Evaluating and budgeting for shop tools and equipment Establishing service department hours of operation and employee schedules Assigning working hours and pay for technicians and others in the service department Establishing procedures and policies to keep the service area clean and properly maintained Typical duties of the service manager include:

PARTS-RELATED POSITIONS The parts manager and other parts personnel such as the parts counter person are responsible for getting the correct part for the service technician. Parts Counter Person A parts counter person often learns the details by on-the-job training. A good parts counter person must be able to greet and easily talk to customers and technicians. A parts counter person must also have computer skills and the willingness to help others. Continued

Greet the customer or technician Locate the correct parts for the service technician or customer Suggest related parts (retail customers) Stock shelves Check in delivered parts Take inventory Keep the parts department clean Help the parts manager The parts counter person usually has the following duties:

PARTS-RELATED POSITIONS Ordering parts from the vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket companies Stocking parts Organizing the parts department in a clear and orderly fashion Locating parts quickly within the parts department Developing contacts with parts departments in other local dealerships so that parts that are not in stock can be purchased quickly and at a reasonable cost Parts Manager The specific duties of a parts manager usually include: ( cont. )

SALES JOBS–USED VEHICLES; NEW VEHICLES Sales Person When a vehicle is sold, it generates a potential cus-tomer for the service department. New and many used vehicle sales dealerships employ salespeople to help the customer select and purchase a vehicle. The salesperson should have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as be familiar with the local and regional laws and taxes to be able to complete all of the paperwork associated with the sale of a vehicle . Continued

Greet the customer Introduce yourself and welcome the customer to the store Qualify the customer as to the ability to purchase a vehicle Demonstrate and ride with the customer on a test-drive Be able to find the answer to any question the customer may ask about the vehicle and/or financing Be able to complete the necessary paperwork Follow up the sale with a telephone call or card The usual duties of a vehicle salesperson include:

Sales Manager A sales manager is an experienced salesperson who is able to organize and manage several individual salespeople. SALES JOBS–USED VEHICLES; NEW VEHICLES Continued ( cont. )

The duties of a sales manager include: Establish a schedule where salespeople will be available during all hours of operation Consult with salespeople as needed on individual sales Train new salespeople Conduct sales promotion activities Attend or assign someone to attend vehicle auctions to sell and/or purchase vehicles Keep up-to-date with the automotive market Purchase vehicles that sell well in the local market Answer to the general manager or dealership principal

Sales representative for automotive tools and equipment Technical trainers Technical school instructors Wholesale parts warehouse management Insurance adjuster Automotive technical writer Warranty claim examiner OTHER CAREERS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Bookkeeping and accounting skills Tax preparation (local, state, and federal) Sales tax collection and payment; Real estate taxes Health insurance arrangements for employees Unemployment compensation payments Workers’ compensation payments Uniform payment Garage keepers liability insurance An entrepreneur is a person who starts and operates a business. Many service technicians want to eventually own their own shop and become an entrepreneur. However, operating a shop involves many duties and responsibilities that many service technicians lack, including: What Is an Entrepreneur? Continued

While at first it may seem like owning your own shop would be great, a good technician can often make more money, and have fewer headaches, by simply working for someone else. What Is an Entrepreneur? ( cont. )

SUMMARY A service advisor is the person at a dealership or shop who greets the customer and writes the work order stating what repairs and service the customer wants. A lube or quick service technician performs routine service, such as oil changes, cabin and air filter replacement, and other common service procedures. A new vehicle preparation technician is a person who prepares a new vehicle for delivery to the customer. Continued

SUMMARY A general service technician has training and experience in a wide range of automotive systems, including engines, brakes, suspensions, manual transmissions, electrical, heat, air- conditioning, engine performance, and automatic transmissions. A shop foreman is an experienced service technician who performs diagnosis, as well as helping other technicians. A service manager handles financial responsibilities associated with the proper operation of the service department or shop, including budgets, equipment purchases, and maintenance arrangement, as well as working hours, pay rate determination, and efficiency ratings. Continued ( cont. )

SUMMARY Parts departments are a key part of a dealership and parts delivery and/or inventory is a large part of any shop operation. Vehicle sales, both new and used, generate the need for vehicle service, and the salespeople must have good interpersonal skills. ( cont. )

Chapter 02

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Chapter 02