Educating do-it-yourselfers will be essential in assuring a viable future for automotive DIY maintenance and repair, according to David Sholtis, vice president for Filtration Americas, a business unit of Robert Bosch LLC.
"Do-it-yourself work continues to be a viable market for replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket," ays Sholtis. "But today's cars incorporate much new technology, and parts suppliers have both an obligation and a commercial interest in educating motorists to help them perform the repairs and maintenance they're eager to perform. The desire has not changed. It's just that motorists are unsure of how to service today's various automotive systems. Once they know what to do and what not to do, car owners will continue to reap the rewards, both economic and psychic, from servicing their car, truck, or SUV."
Traditional tasks, like changing oil filters and wiper blades, are still easily within the capabilities of most DIYers. Other tasks, like changing engine air filters and spark plugs, are also entirely do-able with user-friendly directions. And still other tasks, like changing alternators or even oxygen sensors, are also within reach of many DIYers if they have guidance on proper procedures and cautions, notes the Bosch executive. Bosch is the joint venture owner of Purolator Filters NA LLC.
"For example," offers Sholtis, "we include well-illustrated, vehicle-specific instructions with most of the cabin air filters we sell. Plus, we recently instituted our Purolator PROs program, in which anyone - consumer, service technician, or parts professional can go to our web site, ask any filter-related question they may have, and expect a personal reply, usually within 24 hours."
He adds that other technical information can help take the mystery out of DIY work.
"For example, a DIYer may get a helpful neighbor or his local auto parts store to pull diagnostic codes after noticing a 'Check Engine' light. A code P0154, for example, indicates a faulty oxygen sensor at Bank 2 Sensor 1. But in an OBD2 car, the DIYer may not know which is bank 2 and which is sensor 1. By explaining that bank 1 is always the bank that includes cylinder No. 1, and sensor 1 is always the pre-cat sensor, we can reassure the DIYer that he's changing the correct sensor."
He concluded that parts suppliers have a wealth of information that can prove encouraging to reluctant DIYers, and that auto parts companies can be proactive in assuring that this segment of the aftermarket remains robust and viable.
For more information, visit www.purolatorautofilters.net.
