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Auto repair technicians have to work to stay current

auto repair technicians stay current
The best auto repair techs stay
current by taking ongoing
training on the latest
developments in the auto
industry.
How do auto repair technicians stay up on changes to cars? That’s a darn good question considering that changes are relatively frequent in the auto industry.

Consider a recent article in FamilyHandyman magazine that listed 14 new changes coming down the pike:

  1. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
  2. Self-Driving Cars
  3. Augmented Reality Dashboards
  4. Adaptive Suspension Systems
  5. Adaptive All-Terrain Navigation
  6. Interior Cabin Radar Systems
  7. Invisible Hood View
  8. Massaging Front Seats
  9. Electric Cars for Everyone
  10. Greener Cars
  11. Over-the-Air Updates and Diagnostics
  12. Smartphone and Cloud Connectivity
  13. In-Car Personalization with Biometrics
  14. Integrated Air Purification

That’s quite a list. But it generally only refers to new and improved features on cars. What about mechanical changes and recalls?

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) maintains a Website with recalls for problems with vehicles. The same page shares information about “Defects Investigations,” “Compliance Investigations,” “Vehicle Importation,” “Special Crash Investigations,” and “Complaints.”

Manufacturer Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins alert car owners to problems experienced by other owners of the same vehicle.

At a quality auto repair shop, they strive to stay on top of such changes and reported issues. But staying up on changes goes beyond that.

To stay abreast of the latest changes in the auto industry, auto repair technicians often need to augment their training. This requires reading the latest Technical Service Bulletins. But it can also involve taking additional classes and seminars.

Quality auto repair technicians have ASE certifications (Automotive Service Excellence). They need to take the latest coursework to maintain their certifications. What this means for car owners is that, when they bring their vehicle in for service, they know they have a technician working on their vehicle who knows what they’re doing.


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