Years ago, the common thing was hook up your AC machine, or hook up your apparatus that you have–a scale and a refrigerant canister, let’s say a 30 pounder of 134a–and give it a half a pound, just to ‘top it off.’ You can’t do that nowadays because these newer AC systems have changed so much. Join Delphi Instructor Dave Hobbs for a short tech tip for you guys out there servicing A/C systems.

Ramp up your understanding of Heating and A/C systems with the A7 Test Prep Program, coming soon from AVI. Dive deep into the extensive refrigeration system, heating system, engine cooling system, and manual and automatic HVAC control system diagnostic information.

By Sergio Fernandez. Real-life repair scenario: 2003 E320, with 3.2L V6 engine and 120,000 miles. A customer brings his car into the shop with a “strange vibration.” After we scanned the vehicle, we found the following DTCs: P0305, misfire on cylinder #5; and P0301, misfire on cylinder #1.

By Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. So many manufacturers are now running the brake lights through BCMs, Integrated Power Modules, bulb detection systems, or the anti-lock brakes. Along with just about every other system in today’s cars, computers are doing a lot of the work for us.

Servicio Automotriz is a professional publication for the Hispanic automotive aftermarket community. The Servicio Automotriz mission is to provide the Latino readers with high quality technical information in Spanish to help them advance their careers and keep up to date with the latest automotive technology.

By Tom Ham. What do you say when your customers ask how many miles are on your car? Are you a member of your state’s automotive trade association? When is the last time you checked your shop for heating and air conditioning leaks? Check out the latest Auto Shop Monthly Management Tips from the Automotive Management Network to get inside secrets on managing your shop and increasing your bottom line.

Join instructor Bill Fulton in this tip clip excerpt from the AVI training program “GM Antitheft” as he talks about Pass Lock Systems Status and modes of operation of these systems.

In this tip clip excerpt from Running a Zoo, an AVI class for services managers and shop owners, AMI approved instructor George Witt discusses “Seagull Management.” George hates to tell you this, but there’s far too many business owners that do this to their workers. Watch the clip to learn more and find out how to avoid being a seagull manager.

Check out the latest tech tip from Delphi. Take a look at the engine management system and common types of oxygen sensors and how they work, as well as common failures and faults.

For all 2012 model year vehicles, stability control is standard. For model year 2008, the majority of vehicles sold were sold with ABS and optional stability control. Most of these systems have something in common, sensors that measure the dynamics of the vehicle and the intentions of the driver.

The Automotive Training Managers Council, a member of the ASE family of organizations, was formed in 1984 by original equipment and aftermarket automotive training professionals. Recently, ATMC members gathered together for their annual conference and exchanged training ideas and strategies helpful to both technical and sales/marketing training professionals.

AVI will soon be releasing a P2: Parts Specialist program, this video will get your knowledge up to speed on everything parts. In this program Tom Dayton joins AVI for […]

By Andrew Markel. A smoke machine may seem like an expensive piece of equipment if it is just used for testing EVAP systems. But, if you factor in other diagnostic tests it can perform, it is a worthwhile investment. The following are 10 tests for smoke machines not involving the EVAP system.

By Andrew Markel. While there are many times where you will be able to repair a vehicle’s brakes without a scan tool, you only have to run into one car that needs this to make it worth having. The reality is that if your customer’s vehicle is 10 years old or newer, there’s nearly a 100% chance that you could need a scan tool to perform some sort of test/repair on the brake system.

Learn the latest in gasoline direct injection service and fuel trim data analysis with AVI instructor Bill Fulton in the new Gasoline Direct Injection Diagnostics class Now Available from AVI. Gasoline Direct Injection offers a 15-20% increase in fuel economy, a 40% reduction in emissions, and a major increase in volumetric efficiency of the engine: knowledge of theory, fundamentals and service procedures are yet another tool you will soon need to have in your toolbox of knowledge.

AVI and AAPEX have joined forces to bring you TWO exciting events at ONE time! AVI will bring their world class technical training to AAPEX at Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas for 2012. Head out to Vegas for industry week for top-notch training and more at AAPEX October 29th – 30th 2012. All classes will be geared towards the needs of the installer/technicians/shop owners to help them be more efficient with diagnostics. Join our amazing instructors, awesome vendors and more for a dynamite training event right in the heart of industry week! Technicians will be able to take advantage of all the valuable industry events at the same time and place!

AVI and veteran instructor Dave Hobbs bring you the ultimate training for the ASE A4 test with the newly released Complete A4 Test Prep Program. Dave not only helps you master the Suspension and Steering test, but also gives you valuable insight on challenging problems coming into your bay on these systems.

In this tip clip from the Vehicle Stability Control class, instructor Dave Scaler measures the DC bias voltage of a wheel speed sensor and shows you how understanding these sensors will make active wheel speed sensor testing much easier.

Bill Haas outlines how to develop an advertising strategy for Generation Y in this tip clip from Marketing to Generation X & Y. Bill tells you what media works best to reach Generation Y and why traditional media doesn’t successfully reach them as it did previous generations.

By Andrew Markel. The overall response to the 7 Brake Myths Busted article was huge. I took a lot of abuse, but that was the goal of the article. Too many times technicians get stuck in a mindset that leads to false diagnoses. The point of the article was to shake things up in your diagnostic thinking.

Training, that is. You’re going to get trained one way or the other. When it comes to business, you can do it the hard way or you can do it […]

Gasoline Direct Injection offers a 15-20% increase in fuel economy, a 40% reduction in emissions, and a major increase in volumetric efficiency of the engine. Learn the latest in fuel trim data analysis with AVI instructor Bill Fulton in the soon-to-be-released Gasoline Direct Injection Diagnostics class from AVI.

With the ever-changing technology in automotive repair, having a solid foundation of knowledge is crucial to learning more advanced diagnostic and repair procedures. Learning the fundamentals of each system is just the beginning. The NEW Basic Essentials Training bundle from AVI is the perfect supplement to your automotive repair education.

In this short video clip from the A4 Suspension and Steering class, Delphi instructor Dave Hobbs discusses and shows some basic tips and knowledge to help you better diagnose alignment issues based on tire wear helping you more quickly and accurately use the alignment machine to put everything in spec.

Join Bob Pattengale in this video tip clip as he works on a 2007 FJ Cruiser with an EVAP code. He uses the scan tool to discover a leak in the system. Using a smoke machine, the Bosch SMT 300 to look for the leak he demonstrates and discusses how to quickly and efficiently use smoke to diagnose EVAP codes.

By Andrew Markel. There are some myths about brake pads, rotors and hydraulics that need to be busted. These myths can hurt and hinder a technician’s ability to diagnose and solve some brake problems and customer concerns. On the surface, some of these myths make sense. The logic can seem sound and explain a problem, but they do not resolve the real issues with a brake system.

Inside info from several of the industries best presenters, trainers, and experts are ready to be watched inside these video clips. You want to know what these experts are thinking about training, the industry and the future of automotive diagnostics then sit back and listen up.

Want to stay current? Check out new technology? Missed a recent tradeshow? Check out our video clips from of various tool demos, and companies at Vision KC talking about their tools, equipment and other services.

Conquer the F.R.E.D.s (Frustrating Ridiculous Electronic Devices) in your shop with the newly available ‘FRED Kicks the CAN’ training course on AVI OnDemand, complete with videos, quizzes, manuals, and other valuable resources. Veteran AVI instructor Dave Hobbs shows you what you need to know on how these systems work so you can make an accurate diagnosis.

By Tom Ham. Are you using the latest methods to send reminders to your customers? Do you share positives with your customers before you tell them what’s wrong with their car? Does your shop take photos of various failures? How do you share them with your customers? Check out the latest Auto Shop Monthly Management Tips from the Automotive Management Network to get inside secrets on managing your shop and increasing your bottom line.

Effective March 1st, Automotive Video now offers product sales and support via a “live chat” option available on its websites. Chat securely and conveniently with our online support and sales operator to find answers about our products, shipping information, get suggestions, technical assistance, and more!

Keep your diagnostic skills sharp with the NEW All Access Pass for the ability to access the information you need instantly for On The Job reference and training. AVI has been pioneering innovative learning solutions to help you access technical diagnostic training faster and more efficiently, and with our new All Access Pass it has never been more affordable.

Dave Hobbs is at it again in his new class on F.R.E.D.s (Frustrating Ridiculous Electronic Devices)–now available from AVI. Do you know what to do when your scan tool says “No Communications”? Can you quickly diagnose those dreaded “U-Codes” that report serial bus problems? The average vehicle today has more than $8,000 in electronic content with more modules (a.k.a. F.R.E.D.s – Frustrating Ridiculous Electronic Devices) as well as smart sensors connected to communications networks. In order to accurately diagnose, you must understand how these systems work.

February 22, 2012 (Lansdale, PA) – Are you Section 609 certified to recover and recycle refrigerant? If you have not yet complied with this federal regulation you must comply before you work on a vehicle mobile A/C system in the United States. In order to facilitate more technicians gaining access to the training they need to become Section 609 certified the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide will hold a Section 609 test prep webinar on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 1pm EDT. Underhood Service Magazine and Automotive Video (AVI) are co-sponsoring this webinar with MACS Worldwide.