Mechanical news

Diane freeman AARO president portrait

Keeping Up With Technology by Diane Freeman

It’s not just about what’s under the hood. The automotive aftermarket has always tried to stay current with the changes in technology. Today, technology is advancing quicker than training. Therefore,…

Aim for Quality in Brake Pads by André Gamelin

Your customers should never negotiate the quality of replacement brake pads for their vehicles. That’s what you can take away from a conversation I had with Patrick St-Pierre, Sales Director…
Diane freeman AARO president portrait

AARO: A Fair Solution by Diane Freeman

Ensuring aftermarket service providers have access to repair information provides benefits for the entire auto sector. The aftermarket has an agreement with the automakers here in Canada to have access…

Non-functional Recharge by Steve Oborne

A Volt that doesn’t charge. For the first article of 2021, let’s talk about a diagnosis made on an EV, in order to tackle what’s coming up in your shops…
Mechanic Van Repair garage

Keeping Up With the Times by Dave Redinger

It’s time for governments to revisit safety standards. Early in the 1970s, the Government of Ontario enacted a law requiring vehicles to be tested for roadworthiness by qualified mechanics. The…

Assessing Electric Vehicles by Brad York

For technicians and consumers, there are both benefits and drawbacks. We’ve all seen the news about the coming electric vehicle revolution, yet hype is one thing, reality another. For most…

Restore the Image by Mark Potvin

Whether you are an owner, an automotive technician or even a tire technician, you have a duty to always take care of the image your business projects. Be aware that…
robert pitt portrait

Rising to the Occasion by Robert Pitt

The automotive aftermarket proves its mettle during a global crisis. There is no doubt in my mind that every single one of us is extremely tired of dealing with and…

Moving Forward with Right to Repair

At the federal and local level, the battle for data access and protection is ongoing. Following the most recent federal election in September 2021, pending legislative…

Everything Revolves Around the Battery

There are several automotive components related to the battery that need to be looked after. In today’s vehicles, there are a multitude of components. Both mechanical…

Big Changes to Ontario Vehicle Inspection Program

Modernized program adopts digital platform to streamline efficiency. The Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO), has been modernizing the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) program since 2016…

Top Technician Succession Planning

Keeping and growing proficiency and expertise If you’ve opened a trade journal or business magazine in the last 5 years, I am sure you have read…

Mechanical news

As automotive technologies advance and vehicles become more complex, CarCare Business is here to keep our readers stay on top of emerging trends and innovations. Our team of automotive and business experts, exclusive columnists and regular contributors is unique in the industry, and each issue is packed with their insight and advice. Whether conducting a vehicle inspection, dealing with a dead car battery, or running a car diagnostic to determine why the check engine light might be on or why a car won’t start, we know that our readers are on the frontlines of car repair and maintenanceMechanical inspections are the bread and butter of every automotive mechanic technician. When a car won’t start, troubleshooting is at the core of your aftermarket services, and running a mechanical check to determine if it’s a car battery charger issue, or a voltage drop test to see if it’s a serious issue that needs attention, or if the customer simply needs a battery booster to solve the problem, that’s what you do, and do well. We also realize that our readers are dealing with challenges, like the right to repair issue. When it comes to the right to repair, Canada is part of a more global picture, and we know that the right legislation would go a long way to giving professionals the right to repair cars as part of their aftermarket services, instead of forcing consumers to see their dealer.

Electric car mechanic

As our industry continues to evolve, and as we see the world move towards electric vehicles, we know your jobs will change dramatically. Instead of checking the engine coolant, or replacing the odd spark plug, or dealing with a “transmission not shifting” complaint, you’ll be checking the electric car battery. As our industry moves toward electrification, independent repair shops, like yours, will be focusing on EV batteries and how to deal with lithium ion batteries that won’t charge. Questions like, “How long does a car battery last without driving?” will take on a whole new meaning. Perhaps you own a service centre, complete with a gas station. That too will change. Electric car charging will become more important with time, and you may find yourself replacing gas pumps with an electric car charging station. Of course, some things will stay the same. Your customers will still need heating system repair, they’ll still ask you about the best brake pad brand you offer, and they’ll still be concerned about brake pad life. They’ll still complain that their car won’t start cold, except in the case of an EV, the “car won’t start, no noise” will be the issue.

Automotive intelligence

Artificial intelligence in the automotive industry is also sure to change the way you do business. Moreover, the advent of technologies like the smart battery charger for electric cars are sure to impact an EV’s car battery life, as well as the way we think about the benefits and drawbacks of electric vehicles. As the world becomes more sophisticated and as technology takes over, we hope there will still be a place for our readers to enjoy a “mechanic appreciation day”.