By Dave Hobbs. In addition to his work with Delphi, Dave Hobbs serves as an instructor for Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College. He is also a frequent speaker at national training seminars, is a qualified hybrid instructor and writes for various industry magazines. Two decades of training engineers and service technicians around the world has provided Hobbs the unique ability to bridge the theoretical with the practical. Today, Hobbs talks with us about turbochargers and superchargers — what they are, how they run and what technicians can expect when servicing or installing these engine performance components.

Automotive Video and veteran instructor Dave Hobbs announce the A4 Steering and Suspension Test Prep training class! Dave not only helps prepare you for the A4 certification test, but also gives you valuable insight on challenging problems coming into you bay on these systems.

By Tom Ham. Do you pay close attention to your Google Reviews? How do you keep up communication between you and your employees? How does your shop follow up on Estimate Requests? 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.

In this case study–an excerpt from the MACS Quick Hits training video–Paul DeGuiseppi talks about a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with a blend mode issue diagnosed to be a problem with the control head. The vehicle ended up being a comeback with the customer complaining about the same issue. Paul goes on to talk about how important the ability to diagnose electrical and electronic issues has become in HVAC repair and service.

In this tip clip from the Quick Check Diagnostics class, instructor Jim Wilson talks about some simple test you can perform to verify proper functionality of the PCV valve. He goes on to discuss what to watch out for and how fuel trim can be effected.

Your busy and on the go. The AVI Mobile Site gives you all the information you need about AVI training courses, products and services all in a mobile optimized format. The mobile site has information about our entire catalog of over 100 training courses, including video clips and links to buy the DVD or signup online.

In this series of highly informative video clips, ASE’s John Tisdale give us an insider look at ASE testing programs. John talks about how important the tasks lists are, how the test questions are developed and some tips for passing your tests. You already know how to work on cars, now learn how to ACE the ASE.

Help your customers keep their cool with the latest in A/C service in the newly released “MACS A/C Quick Hits” class from Automotive Video! Since A/C systems are constantly being updated with new technology and service procedures, MACS instructor Paul DeGuiseppi goes in-depth to show you the latest techniques so you can quickly diagnose A/C repairs.

When will Winter 2012 Testing open for registration? Where can I register for my ASE test? What do I do if my credentials have expired? Tony Molla, Vice President of Communications for the National Institute for ASE, answers all these questions and gives you a first hand look at how to find a rewarding career in the automotive industry.

Some of the most difficult problems to diagnose are engine problems, but with Automotive Video’s newly released “Base Engine Analysis” class with Dave Scaler, you can perform misfire diagnostics faster, more efficiently, and without engine disassembly. There is no scan tool that can tell you that you have a bad cam lobe on Cylinder #4. Instructor Dave Scaler shows you some great techniques to diagnose base engine problems with the tools you already have in your shop–and without disassembling the engine!

So you don’t have an electronic control valves testing unit like the MT 1400 for testing AC solenoids while in operation? Well in this tip clip from the MACS Quick Hits AC Service class, trainer Paul DeGuiseppi gives you some helpful tips and pointers.

Learn when it is necessary use Enhanced Data Modes on your scan tool in this clip from Jim Wilson’s Quick Check Diagnostics Class. He goes on to discuss some key terminology and details the steps needed to perform an Automated System Results test.

By Jason Stahl. No more written exams. That was one update on the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) given by Tony Molla, vice president of communications for ASE, at the Collision Industry Conference held Jan. 12-13 in Palm Springs, CA.



In this tip clip, ASA’s Bill Haas talks about the importance of email marketing. He goes on to talk about some helpful tips, how to effectively build a list of your customers emails and how to use that info to generate additional sales.

Most technicians rely on their personal scan tools, but not all scan tools can be reliable in all situations. What happens when a customer comes in and you pull out your handy scan tool or multimeter and NO CODES are present? What do you do? Find all all the answers and more in Bill Fulton’s Intermittent Pattern Failure class on AVI OnDemand.

The 2011 Technical Service Information Seminar Program, presented by top industry transmission specialist Wayne Colonna and Peter Luban, can save you hundreds of dollars in lost time due to mis-diagnosed problems! It covers extensive transmission related concerns for most major car manufacturers, including hybrids and medium duty trucks. The fixes and information in this 4.5 hour seminar will help you get the job done right the first time.

In this class ASA’s Bill Haas presents some concepts and information to help you better understand and market to generations X and Y. Meeting their expectations is the easy part. Communicating a message to attract and engage them seems to be the challenge. You cannot ignore these two groups at 80 million strong – the opportunities are enormous.

In this excerpt from the 2011 ATSG Seminar class, Instructor Wayne Colonna talks about 41TES and 42RLE VLP transmissions with a P1745 DTC. These codes are usually the result of a problem with a pressure control solenoid that should be reducing line pressure at idle.

By Tom Ham. How often do you check your email? Does your shop look busy enough? Are you still using the fax machine to receive parts diagrams? 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.

Automotive Video brings you the Top 10 Most Read Articles in 2011! The most popular articles include everything from variable valve timing to Duramax, labscope specifications to parasitic battery drains. Check out what other readers are into and post your comments and questions.

Automotive Video brings you the Top 5 Most Watched Tip Clips for 2011! The most popular clips include everything from battery drains to ABS, misfire testing to intake restrictions, as well as O2 slow response codes. Check out what others are watching and share your favorite tip clips.

Check out this technical tip clip on CAN Data with Dave Hobbs. In this clip Dave talks about Class 2 layouts, specifically the ‘loop configuration’ systems. He breaks down the layout of theses systems in an easy to understand manner and talks about how the modules communicate on this type of system as well as how they are electrically wired.

Lets learn how to ACE the ASE! The Study App, announced in Las Vegas at the AVI Training Conference during AAPEX will soon allow technicians everywhere to be able to download the ASE study app on their mobile phones. Check out the most badass mobile test prep training app available to technicians preparing for ASE certifications! Learn from ASE certified master technicians, watch training videos, and take advantage of our practice tests packed with ASE style questions.

AVI and AAPEX joined joined forces in 2011 bringing you TWO exciting events at ONE time! AVI brought their world class technical training to AAPEX at Sands Expo Center in […]

The AAPEX convention & AVI Conference took place on October 31 -November 1, 2011 as part of Industry Week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whether you made the journey out to Vegas for the week or were stuck back home in the shop you will want to check out this ‘virtual show’ video player from AVI. This video player is filled with interviews and video clips from several of the vendors at the event, so sit back, relax and discover something new.

In this tip clip excerpt from the complete Fuel System Testing Strategies class instructor Bill Fulton talks about the Ford Electronic Returnless Fuel systems and how to perform tests on this system using your DSO. He shows us the parameters to watch out for on your scope and how to interpret the info you see.

Are you gonna be in Vegas for AAPEX? Well, if you are you had better be at our training event, but either way Team AVI invites you to stop past our booth at the AAPEX Show and see whats new in the world of technical training at AVI.

If your going to be in Vegas at the AAPEX show but missed out on signing up for our event, now is the time to do so! The AVI Training Conference is only a few days away! If your already planning to be at AAPEX or SEMA our training event is a must see. Join us for world class technical training in Vegas along side AAPEX at the Sands Expo Center, October 31 – November 1, 2011!

In this excerpt from Dave Scaler’s complete training program ‘Base Engine Analysis,’ Dave shares a quick case study on a Pontiac Grand Am with a Quad 4 that came in with misfire DTCs. He discusses the diagnostic procedures and details of the compression test on this vehicles Quad 4. He gives some best practices and helpful hints for dealing with valve timing issues like those exhibited in this case study.

In this excerpt from Dave Scaler’s complete training program ‘Top 10 OBD II Codes: How to Fix Them Fast,’ Dave discusses alternative tests for mass air flow sensors (MAF). He talks about how to use your scan tool in order to check several different things to determine the state of the MAF.

AVI has your training solution to diagnosing one of the most common intermittent electrical problems within any vehicle’s electrical system. In the newly released Victory Over Voltage Drops, Instructor Dave Hobbs takes the hands-on route with a multi meter on both simulators and vehicles in the service bay as he demonstrates how you can perform simple, easy-to-follow real world tests that drive you to the right diagnosis and that problem car right out the door!

The A8 Engine Performance test prep study program from AVI will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to ace the ASE. Read the comprehensive book, get tips on […]

In this tech tip, instructor Bill Fulton gives you a quick modern day tech tip that you don’t see on their scan tool. It’s called Lambda. This is what we call the corrected air-fuel ratio. He discusses Lambda, how it differs from manufacturer to manufacture, and what numbers to look for.

In this tip clip, Bill Fulton discusses the theory and evolution of power-balance testing. Providing insight, techniques, and how it all applies to modern cars, Bill shows you how to better pinpoint fuel balance problems.