The Mighty PROS Vol 13 No 3

Are You Equipped for Service? Mighty by MotorVac® preventive maintenance chemical exchange equipment, left to right: Diff-Vac 1000, BrakeVac II, SteerClean 1000, TransTech IV, TransTech III, CoolantClean III and CarbonClean 1000 Owning and operating any kind of an automotive method of servicing automatic transmissions. The unit service facility is a never-ending series of will flush virtually all of the old ATF and replace it with return on investment (ROI) calculations and new fluid, while controlling the flow automatically. The business decisions. The number of bays, TransTech IV provides the additional benefit of also being technicians and lifts in your shop are all able to perform the same service through the vehicle’s examples of ROI decisions because they determine the dipstick tube, requiring no additional tools or adaptors. volume of customers you can service in your shop over a period of time and the resulting revenue stream. BrakeVac II Investing in the right tools helps ensure your technicians The BrakeVac II provides a simple, efficient way to can efficiently and effectively perform preventive thoroughly flush and bleed today’s high-tech brake maintenance or service on your customers’ vehicles and systems. A technician can complete a full brake system keep them returning to you in the future. flush in just 10 minutes. The Mighty by MotorVac® line of chemical exchange SteerClean 1000 equipment are excellent examples of tools that serve the dual purpose of improving your customers’ perceptions of The SteerClean 1000 utilizes a professional power steering the service your business provides as well as generating flush or synthetic power steering flush like Mighty’s PS105 greater profitability. or SB104 to thoroughly clean out almost all of a vehicle’s old power steering fluid in just 5 minutes so fresh new CarbonClean 1000 fluid can be added. Utilizing a professional fuel injector cleaner like Mighty’s Diff-Vac 1000 VS7® FL135, the CarbonClean 1000 performs a thorough fuel system cleaning and engine decarbonizing optimized The Diff-Vac 1000 is a multi-purpose fluid exchange through a fuel injection rail connection. machine for use with differential lube, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant and CoolantClean III transfer case fluids. The CoolantClean III exchanges virtually all of the used Acquire the Mighty by MotorVac® equipment that best coolant in a vehicle’s system and can increase a shop’s suits you and your customers’ needs, and take full profitability by completing the process in approximately advantage of the excellent product and sales training 15 minutes. provided by your local Mighty representatives. Then prominently display the equipment in your shop where TransTech III and TransTech IV your customers can see it and gain a greater appreciation for the professional services you provide. The TransTech III connects through transmission cooler lines and provides a clean, environmentally-friendly

MILLENNIALS: A New Generation of Consumers Have you been hearing a lot about millennials lately? navigate without much scrolling and resizing? Do you wonder why this topic is so prominent and If not, you should consider making your how it affects you? site more mobile-friendly. Millennials prefer communicating via text and social media You may know that the term “millennial” refers to the over email and phone calls. Remember this generation born between 1980 and 2005. But, are you when offering options for dispensing service aware that these 80 million 18 to 35-year olds make up reminders and special offers. 40% of the U.S. workforce AND represent the fastest growing generation of consumers? Did you know that REVIEWS & REFERRALS millennials are expected to outspend baby boomers by the year 2017, causing a major shift in the marketplace? Requesting referrals and reading/posting reviews is fast and easy with mobile devices. Millennials grew up using the Internet, which has shaped Are you monitoring what is being said about the way they communicate and make buying decisions. you? Remember, negative reviews need to be More than any other, this generation relies on research addressed — you can turn a bad experience for making even small decisions. They select their around, saving a customer and building a loyal preferred brands and service providers carefully. However, relationship. But don’t forget to encourage once they choose, they tend to be extremely loyal. happy customers to rate your business and provide incentives for referrals (they may This is not a generation of Do-It-Yourselfers. In fact, oblige right from your waiting area if you offer most millennials will never even look under the hood free Wi-Fi). These are inexpensive, highly of their car. This is good news for those of us in the effective ways to attract new customers…of automotive service business. However, attracting any age. ■ millennial customers requires adapting certain business practices that are in line with how these smart, tech-savvy consumers operate. JUST THE FACTS The nature of today’s technology encourages shorter attention spans. Millennials, in particular, are averse to reading fine print or working too hard to find answers. They want options, transparent pricing and clearly-stated facts. They also understand the importance of preventive maintenance and tend to be “upgrade buyers.” (Hint, hint…perform those vehicle inspections!) INTERACT ON THEIR TERMS Almost exclusively, millennials access the Internet through mobile devices. Think about potential customers looking at your website from a smart phone. Is it easy to read and

The New A/C … Now that you are comfortable with The refrigerant needs timing of the crash, correct the R-134a refrig- airflow to engine compartment, extreme exhaust erant standard system temperatures and refrigeration release in automotive air at the exact moment for it to ignite. Accord- conditioning, governmental ing to SAE, these occurrences are not normally regulators decided it is time experienced at the exact time during a crash. So for a change! It started with most manufacturers are relying on SAE research the European Union (EU) and that states R-1234yf is safe and effective, and the new directives they base they are now including the new air conditioning on Global Warming Potential systems in new model introduction. To move the (GWP) standards established for mobile air conditioning Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. To appreciate this reflects the number of years a change, you must understand refrigerant exists in the atmosphere the reasons for the change. and affecting global warming before it breaks down into a constituent or GWP reflects the number of harmless gas. years a refrigerant exists in the atmosphere and affect- change more quickly, the EPA is issuing tradable ing global warming before it credits to help the auto manufacturers comply breaks down into a constituent with new fuel economy and greenhouse gas or harmless gas. During its life, standards that will increase to 54.5 mpg by 2025. the refrigerant has an adverse effect on global warming, Can R-1234yf directly replace R-134a? which continues until it breaks down to a harmless state. If No. While the engineering and components of you follow the evolution of auto refrigerants you will find: the two systems are similar and seem alike in many ways, R-1234yf is a unique compound. As a u R-12 (1994 and prior) has a GWP of about 8,500 and will take result, by law, the new systems are designed with more than 150 years to break down. different ports (the new ones are a bit smaller), some components have different shapes, and u R-134a (1994 to present) has a GWP of approximately 1,440 and the connectors have different thread patterns. takes only 13 years to break down. The evaporators and some other components are totally different than previous systems. Also, The change in 1994 looks great, doesn’t it? The industry went from a the new R-1234yf systems use less refrigerant refrigerant that took more than 150 years to break down to one that only than old systems. If the old and new refrigerants takes 13 years! Unfortunately, new EU legislation 2006/40/EC bans the were to mix, the air conditioner would experience use of any refrigerant with a GWP higher than 150 for all new vehicles system pressure issues, component damage sold starting on January 1, 2017. As a result, many vehicles designed and throughout the refrigeration system, and diag- introduced today are equipped with a new refrigerant that meets this nostic errors on the service machines. new standard. Will I still be able to use current PAG The new refrigerant most auto manufacturers are turning to is officially oils and dyes? named hydro-fluoro-olefin 2,2,2,3 tetrafluoropropene. Don’t worry; the automotive industry uses a simpler name, R-1234yf. This new refrigerant R-134a PAG oils will not work with R-1234yf, so not only meets, but also far surpasses, the EU mandate. It has a GWP of keeping the oils correctly marked and stored about 4 and will break down to constituent gases in less than a week! separately is important. However, if the ultraviolet But let’s take a closer look at how this new air conditioning system may dye you use is tested and certified safe in ac- affect your business. cordance with SAE J2297 (latest revision January, 2013), it will not harm seals or lubricants and can Are all manufacturers going to R-1234yf? be used for either refrigeration system. Going one step further, leak detection equipment must No, but all must change from R-134a. Some German auto manufactur- meet the current SAE J2913 standard issued in ers are focusing on a refrigerant based on carbon dioxide (CO2) called February, 2011, to correctly detect leaks in R- R-744. Their reasoning is because R-1234yf is slightly flammable. How- 1234yf systems. ever, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has issued findings of its own stating R-1234yf can ignite, but it would be extremely difficult. It can only ignite if the critical factors in frontal crashes simultaneously occur.

Not as Simple as 1, 2, 3, 4 YOUR A/C SERVICE AND THE EARTH — By Tim Craig Is a leak detector the only new equipment I will • BMW i3 and i8 need? • Cadillac XTS No, it is only the start. Whether you use basic recovery equip- ment or combination recovery, recycling, recharge (RRR), the • Chevrolet Malibu, Spark EV and Trax equipment used for R-134a will not work on R-1234yf. The new equipment is designed to safely address the flammability • Chrysler 200 and 300 property of the new refrigerant. This equipment is designed so no combustion of refrigerant is possible. The new equip- • Dodge Charger, Challenger and Dart ment connects to the new-style fittings designed specifically for R-1234yf systems. • Ford Transit The service will be performed in the same manner as the R- • Honda Fit EV 134a, so at least technicians will not need extensive retrain- ing. Some brand-new RRR equipment is designed to accom- • Hyundai Santa Fe modate both R-1234yf and R-134a systems. While it is more expensive, the dual-system equipment may prove to be a • Infiniti Q50 good investment in the long run. • Jeep Cherokee Since the designs of the two refrigerant systems look very similar, any shop will want to have a refrigerant identifier as • Kia Cadenza, Optima and Sorento part of their shop tool inventory. These are sold as a stand- alone tool, or some newer RRR equipment makes the identi- • Mazda CX-5 fier capability a feature on the machines. • Mitsubishi Mirage How concerned should I be regarding flammability? • Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Basic precautions and common sense must be utilized, but • Ram 1500 it is not an aspect that should cause extreme alarm. Some items to address in the immediate work area: • Tesla Model S u Remove anything that causes a spark — welders, The list isn’t long, but in a few years, the new refrigerant grinders, dryers, etc. Even switches or motors that may will be the norm on new vehicles. One research firm noted spark internally must be moved to another area. that while newer vehicle production is quickly changing to the R-1234yf system, it might be 10 years before this system u Use LED drop or work lights in this area, preventing represents 50 percent of all vehicles on the road. the possibility of a broken bulb that can cause a spark. There are millions of the R-134a systems in use, and coupled u There should be absolutely no smoking anywhere with continued vehicle life growing each year, the market will near the A/C service area. That may not be a concern, be a slow but constantly growing process. Going forward, because today most shops do not allow smoking any- here are some points to keep in mind in developing and where inside the service area. growing your air conditioning service over the coming years: u Just in case, make sure a properly maintained fire ex- u For repair and maintenance shops, the change to R- tinguisher is in the work area, stored without obstruc- 1234yf is going to be a long process, so there is little tion, and that employees know how to use it. need to run right out and purchase new equipment, unless you specialize in mobile air conditioning. u Refrigerant storage tanks must not be stored in low areas, such as basement-type locations or stairwells. u When you are in the market for new RRR service ma- Besides the above precautions, standard personal pro- chines, keep in mind the higher priced equipment that tection should be used when completing any service. accommodates both R-1234yf and R-134a may be a good investment in the long term. Also, any other new Just how popular is the new R-1234yf? Do many equipment or tools (such as ultraviolet leak detectors) cars have it today? should be capable of R-1234yf service. The list is growing, usually as new body styles and models are u PAG oils are dedicated to each type of refrigerant, but introduced. This is a partial list of newer cars with R-1234yf dyes are available that will not harm seals or lubricants systems: for both systems. You may want to start using the dyes that conform to SAE J2297. Once again, the only constant in automotive maintenance and repair is change. As legendary basketball coach John Wooden said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Prepare for the change to R-1234yf, and you will prepare for success. Tim Craig is a 37-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, a special consultant to Mighty and a partner in R/T Marketing. Craig can be reached at [email protected].

NEW PRODUCTS STORM GUARD® VISAO 33500 EZ SENSOR (315 & 433 MHz) WIPER BLADES Additional offset 9x3 hook This new programmable TPMS sensor consolidates adapter (in package) ensures the applications of the 315 MHz and 433 MHz This “hybrid” style wiper exact OE fit and performance. sensors into one EZ sensor part number. blade is fitted as original Easily connects to standard 9x3 equipment on 40 million hook arms. u Provides over 90% coverage. vehicles. u Matches new OE design on 2015 Ford F150s and Mustangs. Glass-filled polymer outer OE style spoiler shape u Easily programmed using a Bartec WRT500, structure matches OE uses the wind to keep WRT400 SD or WRT400P TPMS tool. design and function. the squeegee against the windshield at high speeds. u Important: Bartec tools must be updated to the current software version. Graphite coated squeegee ensures quiet, streak-free wiping performance. Compression-molded natural rubber for durability and long life. MFX134a and MFX1234 A/C REFRIGERANT MACHINES MFX134a FEATURES: MFX1234 FEATURES: u Fully automatic operation. u Includes identifier. u Easily programmed to charge u 7” color graphical touch screen display high, low side or both with custom GUI, multi-language support u Heater blanket to expedite charging in all temperatures. u Patented motor-controlled ball valves. u 7” color graphical touch screen u Patented oil-less compressor. display with custom GUI, multi- language support. u Displays maximum load up to 220 lbs. (100 kg). u 50 pound internal storage tank. u Refrigerant Management System u Automatic leak check. monitors filter life and refrigerant usage. u Printer. u SAE J2843 Certification. Animated Videos That Educate Our library of animated consumer videos has expanded to a total of 15! The latest are: Why Should I Have My Brake Fluid When Should I Have My Brakes Checked? (1:45) Serviced? (1:16) This animation shows the possible signs of brake wear, This helps the consumer understand the importance of how to identify the vehicle’s warning signals, and the the role brake fluid plays in the braking system, how it importance of maintaining this vital safety system. breaks down, and the correct type for their vehicle. Why Should Your Tires Be Inspected? (1:45) What is the Mighty VS7® Lifetime Protection Warranty? (1:27) The video reminds the vehicle owner of the importance of tire inspection and having tire inspection and repair The details are explained to the consumer – how to get done correctly by a trusted tire shop or professional. started, and how to maintain the warranty for the life of their vehicle. To access the animations playlist scan the QR code or go to http:// fqrct.com/t/ae88364.

MIGHTY ASSIST CAN HELP Is It an Inspection Problem or a Sales Problem? How are your add-on sales going? Air filters. Wipers. Fluid Services. Maybe you have wondered: “Is my team doing a good job of inspecting these items? Is my team effective at selling the needed services our inspections are finding?” Having some facts could help you zero in on exactly where the problem lies… Here is where using Mighty’s free ASSIST know you have an inspection problem because ac- tablet app can help. ASSIST Administration cording to the national average, 15%+ of vehicles in allows you to quickly run an analytics report for service need air filter replacement. that will show you: Example B u The total number of inspections performed for a specific period. On the other hand, what if your ASSIST report shows 20 vehicles “needed” an air filter, only to check and u How many times each item on the inspection find that two were sold. Now you know you have a form was checked Green, Yellow, or Red. selling problem. How is this information valuable? By downloading Armed with this knowledge, you can implement the data as an Excel spreadsheet, you can easily specific training to address the real problem. Run the calculate what percentage of inspected vehicles ASSIST reports again in a month and see the results. needed a specific service. Are you using ASSIST? Don’t forget to use this valu- Example A able Analytics feature. Go to Tech CentralASSIST Analytics to find it. Say for example, your team performed 100 inspec- tions last week, and the ASSIST report shows only Not Using ASSIST? Talk to your Mighty rep about a two “needed” an air filter (checked red). Now you free demo and see all the cool features. ■ Did You Know? A new fluid capacity item has been added to the MICPlus® DVD. As shown at left, Oil Type is now part of the Oil tab within Fluid Capacities. This will indicate whether the OE Oil Type is either Conventional, Synthetic Blend, or Full Synthetic.

WHY MIGHTY WIPER BLADES? STORM GUARD® Because hybrid blades are the single most contact with the windshield has become a prior- popular style wiper installed by manufac- ity for cleaning effectiveness. turers on new vehicles since 2013. There are already well over 40 million vehicles Traditional steel frame blades utilize open vents with these blades on the road! in the top of the frame to combat lifting. These vents reduce the pressure from the oncoming Hybrid wiper blades have been the factory fit- wind but do not use the wind to aerodynamically ment on vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, help improve the wiper squee- Nissan Altima, Honda CR-V and gee’s contact with the glass. many more for more than seven This is why Beam, Flat and Aero years now, so you know the blades have become more com- overall count and percentage of mon since 2004. Their primary vehicles equipped with them is characteristic is the spring steel growing rapidly. beam that gives them their curvature to better match the Before hybrid wiper blades, there surface shape of the windshield. were variants of wipers com- Due to the curvature of the prised of either a traditional all- spring steel beam within these steel frame, a polymer (plastic) blades, manufacturers engineer frame or thermoplastic/rubber greater wiper arm pressure into with a steel spline. Steel wiper these systems to help ensure frames offer greater strength, optimum glass contact. while the variants of molded frames provided the added ad- Hybrid blades combine steel vantage of designing in aerody- components for strength with a namics that would help provide molded polymer from incorporat- maximum wiping performance — ing an aerodynamic design to especially while driving at higher provide optimum wiping perfor- speeds. mance. Because they’re not a beam style blade, hybrid systems Vehicles designed and produced have similar wiper arm pressure before 1990 tended to have to a steel blade system. smaller windshields. These designs could utilize shorter wiper blades to optimally wipe the win- Bottom line – the safest way to minimize shield area and there was less concern regard- wiper problems for your customers is to ing the wiper blades lifting off the surface. always replace wipers with the same style blade that the manufacturer designed for Newer vehicles incorporate larger and more the wiping system. raked back windshields that require longer wip- er blades for sufficient surface area coverage. With tens of millions of hybrid blade equipped Aerodynamics and the engineering required vehicles on the road, and that number growing to better keep the wiper squeegee in optimum quickly, Mighty’s got them all covered with the new Visao hybrid blade – do you? VOL. 13 NO. 3