ASA wraps up more training courses

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently hosted three Service Information Workshops in Arizona and one in Delaware. These workshops are being presented around the United States 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 three New Mexico workshops in Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Albuquerque on behalf of the association. John Francis III, co-owner, Francis Automotive Services, West Chester, Pa., presented a workshop in Newark, Del., on behalf of ASA. A representative from Subaru assisted Francis with the Delaware seminar.

“It was a different mix. Half of the attendees were from the collision repair side of the industry; and we had a lot more European import shops,” says Seyfer. “It was fun doing the seminar with the collision guys there.”

The workshops 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, the instructors 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.

“I learned about the many software downloads needed to properly set up my computer with Windows XP so I can more effectively navigate OE Web sites. It was well worth my time to attend,” says Hal Lewis, owner, H&R Auto Service, Kennett Square, Pa. “I had already used OE Web sites and subscribe to Toyota and Honda, so this was a big help on all the others that I only use as needed.”

Attendees were encouraged to ask questions to address specific service information issues they have experienced. The meetings concluded with drawings for training videos and subscriptions to automaker service information Web sites. Bill Denny, Auto & Truck Headquarters, Havre de Grace, Md.; Rusty Bowen, mobile technician, Las Cruces, N.M.; Pete Rumschlag, The Color Works, Los Lunas, N.M.; and James Halmstad, Metric Motors, Taos, N.M., were each awarded a subscription to an automaker Web site.

ASA 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 New Mexico and Delaware 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.

For more information, including dates, locations and times, visit www.ASAshop.org/KEYS.