Automotive Video believes that a strong distribution network will help promote training and thus industry professionalism and image. We have created a distribution program that helps qualified distributors achieve good margins while growing a sustainable business.

A scan tool is a big investment, and you want to be sure you are choosing the right one for your shop or school. Once you make the investment, you need to know the features and buttonology to get the most out of the tool. ShowMeTools.com will help you make an informed decision by demonstrating the features of various scan tools on the market. You will also find hands-on tutorials to show you how to use many of the tools.

A little while back I wrote an article concerning key numbers for auto service shops. The numbers covered at that time included total spending, total gross profit, potential work found per car, number of oil changes, number of new customers and tech vs. non-tech ratio. I was recently asked to cover some additional key numbers, so here we go!

In this training tip clip from the Complete Hybrid Training Program, Craig Van Batenburg talks about the battery backup for the brake by wire brake system and no start issues on the Toyota Prius. He touches on no start issues and concerns such as wrong or too much oils P309 High Voltage leak codes, corridor resolver connections and low battery pack issues.

Peter Orlando with the third of his ABS Tech Tip clips, this time with a hydraulic tip that you can use on any brake system. Peter gives us the breakdown on some tips for monitoring and controlling contaminate issues during a brake system service that can cause problems with the ABS system.

In this clip instructor Peter Orlando gives us some hands on instruction on resistance testing ABS solenoid assemblies. Peter gives several in depth tips tricks and gotchas related to resistance testing the isolation valves and working with the component schematics to perform the pin out testing

In this tech tip clip, Instructor Peter Orlando gives you a helpful tip concerning your new ABS wheel speed sensor. He explains to you how to use your voltmeter and a screwdriver to test if the new part is bad or good BEFORE you even put it in the car.

In this tip clip case study instructor Dave Hobbs presents the case study of a 2004 Malibu with a no start condition. Diagnostics later revealed a short in the radio causing the rest of the components on that bus to be unable to communicate. In this Tip Clip Dave gives some helpful info on diagnosing these types of interconnected problems.

By Dave Hobbs. No matter how complex ‘smart’ charging systems appear at first glance, it still comes down to a battery, an alternator and some modules monitoring and controlling voltage regulation. We’re sure you’ve got the smarts to handle that.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are and have been a required feature on U.S. Passenger vehicles since 2008. Introducing this technology to the way we maintain our vehicles has improved safety and vehicle performance, increased fuel efficiency and tire life. It also has forever changed the way autos and tires are serviced. Any operation that works on tires has been faced with serious challenges to the way they do business. Thus is the nature of change. You can either run from it (lose business) or embrace it and seize the opportunity to grow and enhance your business.

Fort Myers Florida — May 04, 2010 – Wheelrite customers can now log in and sign up for scheduled webinars on various TPMS topics. Clinics are now being scheduled for basic TPMS, Sensor Service, Diagnostics, Re-learn procedures and Tools.

By Scott “Gonzo” Weaver. Ever wonder how your cable TV comes into your home on that single coaxial cable? In simple terms… it’s like a CAN system. A good definition of a CAN system would be: High speed communication sent via data lines to and from components.

By Larry Carley. Diagnosis is often the biggest challenge, especially if the cause of a no-cooling problem is not obvious. Is it the refrigeration circuit, an electrical problem or a control issue?

Fort Myers Florida — May 20, 2010 – Mobile A/C training to fit your schedule, that’s what webinar presentations are all about. The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide has scheduled two webinars for June to deliver training for busy technicians and other interested participants.

The electrical system is the perfect place to begin building a foundation for an automotive education. This program takes a complex system and gives you the fundamentals in terms easily […]

Check out all of our tech tips in one location in our exclusive video player!

In this month’s Diagnostic News show, we focus on keeping it cool. With summer around the corner, it’s time to get ready for air conditioning service work! Check out several articles with A/C tech tips to get you started on AC repair. Also, get the inside scoop on diagnosing transmission problems! Get everything you need and more from AVI’s Diagnostic News!

From 1993 to 2008 the GM 4l60E transmission used a pressure switch manifold to tell the computer what gear was selected. In this Tip Clip instructor Wayne Colonna gives a detailed technical overview of this component with some helpful info on diagnosing associated problems.

Orange cables in hybrid vehicles means SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. In this Tech Tip Clip instructor Dave Hobbs gives us instruction and insight on what to look for in safety equipment and multimeters for use in Hybrid applications. Remember techs, safety first when dealing with hybrid vehicles and high voltage.

Air-conditioning service stinks sometimes. Let’s face it. I mean it sometimes stinks literally – like bad odor stink. Those of us in the warmer and more humid climates regularly run into customers complaining of a foul odor that emanates from the dash. Your customer today is driving a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and describes their complaint as this terrible musty odor. When you climb inside the vehicle to confirm the complaint, your nose causes the rest of you to want to do a 180, but you know it’s going to be your job to turn this foul odor into a profitable job. You are all too familiar with the cause and the fix.

Hot weather is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to tool up for summer air conditioning service work. A lot has changed in recent years. A whole new generation of smarter, more accurate, more efficient A/C recovery machines and recharging stations have been introduced to handle today’s reduced refrigerant capacity vehicles.

According to the new refrigerant’s developers, there are chemical differences between HFO-1234yf and the current R-134a system. As a shop owner, you’ll need to learn the Safety, Equipment and Charging Issues surrounding this new refrigerant.

Terry Wynter Auto Service Center’s website recently won an award of distinction for its website at the 2010 Image Awards. Visitors to the website can make appointments, obtain maintenance schedules and view tips on how to properly maintain their vehicles.

Team AVI understands that you are busy. We understand that to keep up with the technology rolling into our shops. To help you stay busy and get the info you need check out our great new desktop app. Download the free app to have the same great training clips, industry news and technical tips you find online delivered directly to your desktop as high quality video.

ATSG’s Wayne Colonna is here to help you by providing answers to some of the most difficult transmission related problems, giving you solutions and demonstrations on how to properly diagnose these issues utilizing aftermarket scan tools.

Automotive Video, today announced that it has received a 2009 All-Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations. Automotive Video was selected for meeting Constant Contact’s best-practice standards for the use of Email Marketing throughout 2009.

Data-bussing and multiplexing can be complex and aggravating. In this clip instructor Dave Hobbs teaches us simple and easy tricks for diagnosing data bus and module issues.

Check out episode 1 of the new monthly news show: Diagnostic News. AVI has partnered with autocarepro: news, a Babcox website filled with the most current industry information and great technical articles.

Gasoline direct injection has been gaining momentum in the industry for some time. BG recently published an article recognizing GDI, and the fact that it will be around for some time. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) was first used in 1925 on the Hesselman engine. Jonas Hesselman designed the engine to start on gasoline and then switch over to run on diesel or kerosene. But in 1952, Bosch developed the first automotive direct injection system that actually ran on gasoline. Mercedes Benz wasn’t far behind in 1955 with the first direct injection sports car, the 300SL.

Airtex offers the following Tech Tip to assist technicians in performing a fuel system voltage drop test. Misdiagnosis is the leading cause of fuel pump problems and returns. Often times a voltage drop test is the only effective way to find excessive resistance in high amperage circuits. It’s a quick and easy test that doesn’t require any dis assembly, and will give you immediate results on whether you’ve got a good connection or a bad one. Check out this tech tip from Airtex offering a step by step procedure to assist technicians in performing this valuable and easy test.

ACDC and Team AVI are catching you up to speed with the latest and future Hybrid technology with Craig Vanbatenburg. Hybrid vehicles have been around for a decade now and with millions of these vehicles on the road if you don’t already service hybrid vehicles in your shop, now is the time to start. This extensive program includes thorough training for hybrid vehicles from GM, Saturn, Ford, Honda, and Toyota providing you with detailed information, servicing tips and hands on demonstrations to keep your shop ahead and up to date with hybrid vehicle technology.

By Mitch Schneider. Intermittent automotive service problems are one of the few things capable of terrifying and paralyzing folks on both sides of the service counter.
Everyone is terrified of something. It’s a fact of life.
Probe deep enough, look hard enough and you will find a phobia that is if not paralyzing, then, at the least, debilitating.
If that fear isn’t enough to inhibit your ability to act, I’ll bet it is significant enough to ensure that at least some of your actions fall out of the realm of what most of us might consider “normal” — whatever normal means.

For the best training on the planet during the automotive aftermarket’s biggest industry event, you will not want to miss this technical training experience. Automotive Video will be hosting a live training event at the end of the 2010 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas.

The Automotive Management Institute (AMI), is accepting applications for the $1,000 Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) Education Scholarship. The scholarship will be applied toward the recipients’ expenses to attend the 2010 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas.