Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
      USW alleges COVID-19 violations at Kumho plant
    • Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      Conti starts production of ‘HL' load index tires for select OE customers
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
      Stengel promoted to president of NAPA parent Genuine Parts Co.
    • NLRB certifies USW as bargaining unit for Kumho plant in Georgia
      Air France renews tire supply deal with Michelin
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • Love's plans to add over 30 stores in 2021 with Truck Care/Speedco services
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Evolving delivery trends good for CV tire sector — Cooper exec
      Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
    • Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
    • Air France renews tire supply deal with Michelin
      Russia's Kama Tyres expanding truck, ag tire capacities
      OK Tire adds Cooper, GT Radial passenger tires, Michelin, BFGoodrich commercial tires
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      U.K. race series extends contract with Goodyear through 2026
      Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
    • Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Hankook doubles size range of Ventus V2 all-season UHP line
      Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
    • Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      VIP Tires opens 20th store in New Hampshire, in Keene
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Manley: Tire dealers look to future
    • Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      AMRA to host 5 educational webinars in Feb., March
    • WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
      AAPEX: Using social media to promote your business
    • New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
      Latest COVID relief bill includes $325B in small-business support
    • Nokian Tyres to add up to 150 jobs at U.S. factory
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
    • Video: Demounting
      Demounting Equipment
      Making rims ready for a tight seal
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
    • Video: Safety
      Making friends with OSHA
      Ergonomics on the shop floor
      Customers
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
      Staying safe when repairing a tire
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
    • Video: TMPS Service
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
      Replacement TPMS sensor overview
      The life-saving work of TPMS
    • Video: Training
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
      Options and resources for CE tech training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      Jack stands for commercial tire service
      All types of lifts for all types of work
      Tips and recommendations for lifting safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
      The danger of too much, too little torque
      The importance of torque specifications
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Service Zone
April 11, 2017 02:00 AM

Meter's fuse failure may foment dissatisfaction

Dan Marinucci
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Marinucci

    The lack of a spare fuse may hamper your business' ability to meet — let alone exceed — customers' expectations during every visit.

    Here's what you need to know.

    At first glance, fuses for common meters and test gear don't appear to be a boss' concern, but my field experience has shown that fuse failures can and do occur in every kind of automotive service facility.

    Furthermore, the fuse may pop on a meter or tester that is absolutely essential to diagnosing the job at hand.

    To make matters worse, the blown fuse often happens at inopportune times. For instance, the fuse may blow at 15 minutes to closing time on a diagnostic job that is already hours behind schedule.

    To complicate matters, this car owner may be the least tolerant, least sympathetic person in your customer base. He or she already may be steamed that the job's running late.

    Experience also shows that many otherwise-capable and reliable technicians may be lackadaisical about fuses in general.

    Namely, they never think twice about a meter's or tester's fuse until that fuse fails. Now we're all human; we all make mistakes. (No, don't ask your faithful columnist about his own fuse follies — been there, done it, have the blown fuses to prove it.)

    Imagine that one of your techs is using a meter. He or she makes a mistake and pops the meter's fuse.

    The first thing the tech may realize is that the meter manufacturer didn't include a spare fuse with the device. Or if there was a spare fuse inside its storage case, that fuse is long gone.

    Then he or she discovers that the required fuse is a bit of an oddball item; the local electronics vendors don't have it nor does the mobile tool dealer that sold him the meter.

    Eventually, the tech has to order the replacement via telephone or the Internet.

    If you and the tech are lucky, another employee has a suitable meter for loan. At the same time, many techs understandably loathe loaning anything to anyone.

    Consider this stance: Give each technician a notepad with instructions to inventory every battery-powered meter and tester he or she owns.

    Next to each device, the tech lists the required fuse. Collect and organize these inventories at the next team meeting.

    Then make a one-time gift of a spare fuse for each device your techs own. Then make it shop policy that each tech orders a new fuse immediately after a fuse failure.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • List Rental
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION