AKRON (March 1, 2016) — The headline “Dumbing down the equipment?” in the Feb. 29 print issue of issue of Tire Business might give the impression that there's a need to make tire changing and tire/wheel balancing equipment so easy to use that any technician in the shop can run it.
In reality that may only partially be the case. Even more important is that today's auto service technicians must be able to solve myriad vehicle ride-control problems correctly the first time, without damaging the tires and rims in the process.
To do that requires more sophisticated equipment that can guide a technician in proper wheel balancing so that the vehicle runs smoothly when the tires are reinstalled. Hence the development of more automated and precise service equipment.
Check out the special section "What's New in Brakes, Shocks, Mounting, Balancing and Alignments" in the Feb. 29 issue of Tire Business.
But service techs still need on-going training — which may seem ironic considering the turn-key operation of some of today's service equipment. Training is necessary so that techs and service writers can properly diagnose issues and explain to customers what is wrong with their vehicle's performance, along with what is required to correct it and why it costs so much.
Consider ride-control issues, for example. This is a service issue that is poorly understood by some service writers, technicians and customers alike.
Techs and service writers need to be able to properly diagnose shock and strut issues not just when it's obvious but before it becomes a major issue for the vehicle owner. Then they have to be able to explain to the customer why spending upwards of $1,000 is a wise and smart move for the long-term reliability of their vehicle.
This all comes about as a result of knowledgeable service writers and techs who can diagnose a vehicle problem, explain it to the customer and solve the issue properly the first time.
On-going training and more sophisticated diagnostic and service equipment go hand-in-hand in offering customers the best professional service.
This editorial appears in the Feb. 29 print edition of Tire Business. Have an opinion about it? Send your comments or a letter to the editor to [email protected]. Please include your name, title, official name of your business, the city and state in which it's located, as well as a daytime phone number and email address where you can be contacted for verification purposes.
