ASA wraps up workshop series in Arizona

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) hosted three more Service Information Workshops in Arizona recently. Workshops were held in Glendale, Tucson and Mesa to educate shop owners and technicians about the availability of service information to automotive repair shops. Donny Seyfer, co-owner, Seyfer Automotive, Wheat Ridge, Colo., led the workshops on behalf of the association.

“Donny did an excellent job presenting the material,” says attendee Jonathan Riggle, technician, Avondale, Ariz. “I spend as much time as anyone immersed in this stuff, and I learned a handful of things I didn’t know before. It was well worth taking the time to attend.”

The agenda included education on computers and Internet resources necessary to access service information, use of manufacturer and third-party Web sites and diagnostic tools that may assist in handling the repair most efficiently.

Additionally, Seyfer explained the role of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), which accommodates the identification and correction of gaps involved in the access of automotive service information, diagnostic tools and equipment, and training.

Attendees were encouraged to ask questions to address specific service information issues they have experienced.

“Information is changing faster now than ever before for repair professionals,” says attendee Dave Lanspeary, owner, Dave’s Auto Repair, Youngtown, Ariz. “Even though I have been aware of and have used some OEM Web sites in our shop off and on over the past several years, I was amazed at the improvements, changes and expanded coverage that many automakers continue to add to their sites.”

ASA reports that it believes the current voluntary, industry-supported service information process protects independent repairers and consumers by allowing them access to the same information available to manufacturers and dealers. The workshops in Arizona are part of ASA’s efforts to educate shop owners and technicians about current systems and how they can manage the service information options available to them.

Additional workshops are scheduled for Delaware, New Mexico, Nevada and Florida. For more information, including dates, locations and times, visit www.ASAshop.org/KEYS.