Need more "tools" to aid your technicians in the performance of their duties? Plenty of updated automotive service information already has been released this year.
Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA)
AMRA's revised and newly expanded "2010-11 Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) Uniform Inspection & Communication Standards (UICS)" has updated standards for the following automotive systems:
* brakes;
* drive-train & transmission;
* electrical, engine performance and maintenance w/ exhaust;
* HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning); and
* steering and suspension.
Seven manuals cover more than 700 components and more than 10,000 conditions that are used by AMRA/MAP members to communicate “required” and “suggested” repairs to consumers. Each UICS manual contains a terminology section containing definitions of commonly used terms, plus a check sheet. A "Routine Inspection Reference Guide" also is included with the manuals.
A PDF version of each of the seven manuals can be downloaded from the Member section of
either the AMRA (www.amra.org) or MAP (www.motorist.org) Web sites. Printed, spiral-bound copies of the manuals will be available by March 1, 2010, and a CD with the PDF versions can be requested from the AMRA/MAP office.
MAP is a comprehensive effort to improve service to auto repair customers. It is designed to "assure customers consistent and high quality service," according to AMRA.
Cengage Learning Corp./Chilton
Chilton recently released three domestic vehicle service manual sets under its "Chilton 2010 Service Manual" series.
Organized by vehicle manufacturer, the new labor guides include the following:
1. a two-volume set of "Ford Service Manuals" (ISBN 1-1110-3657-8, $159.95);
2. a two-volume set of "Chrysler Service Manuals" (ISBN 1-1110-3654-3, $149.95);
3. a three volume set of "General Motors Service Manuals" (ISBN 1-1110-3661-6, $189.95).
Information detailing how to accurately and efficiently diagnose and repair 2008, 2009 and available 2010 cars and trucks is included in the manuals.
The latest Chilton service manuals, which are available in either a printed or CD-ROM format, contain specification charts, enhanced graphics and detailed, step-by-step procedures to make it easy for technicians to diagnose and repair vehicles. All content is arranged alphabetically by vehicle model group.
A new Chilton service manual series for imported vehicles will be available later this year.
For more information about Chilton products, visit www.chilton.cengage.com.
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)
Version 3.0 of the AAIA's latest electronic data catalog, "Aftermarket Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES)," begins the new decade with technology "that completely supports the management and exchange of application catalog content, including digital assets, for a wider range of vehicle classes," according to the association.
With ACES, suppliers can publish automotive data with standardized vehicle attributes, parts classifications and qualifier statements.
"Version 3.0 is the product of two years of effort to apply the business benefits of standardized catalog content to all classes of vehicles in the U.S., Canada and Mexico," says Scott Luckett, the AAIA's vice president for technology standards.
AAIA has added the following to the ACES Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb): "powersports" equipment (including motorcycles), lawn and garden equipment, farm and agriculture equipment and Class 8 heavy duty trucks. In addition, the association has added light-duty automotive coverage for Mexico, 1995 and later.
Another major enhancement of ACES version 3.0 is digital assets support.
"We recognized that images, drawings and other digital assets are an integral part of the catalog content for some categories of product," says Luckett. "Now, an exhaust supplier, for example, can add a system diagram to (his) electronic catalog data, making the file as complete and useful as a printed catalog page."
With the release of ACES version 3.0, the association comes closer to retiring the original AAIA catalog standard by the end of 2012. Beyond that date, the AAIA will no longer support the Legacy standard, and will invest all of its efforts in ACES.
Complete documentation for ACES version 3.0 is found on the AAIA Web site at www.aftermarket.org/technology/aces.
In January, the AAIA introduced its online directory for aftermarket training and education, a resource for available training and education information, materials and programs.
The "Directory of Resources for Industry Valued Education (DRIVE)" has more than 300 pages of listings, and is located at www.aftermarket.org/DRIVE.
