Passive entry and start systems using a “smart key” have been available on select vehicles for many years now. These systems allow a driver to leave the key in their pocket while both entering and starting the vehicle. The smart key communicates wirelessly with a receiver which then communicates with other modules over a wired network. These systems are typically very reliable, but when they fail and a vehicle will not start, technicians will need to understand how they work to diagnose them.

The goal of this class is to prepare the aftermarket technician to be ready to diagnose and repair push button start systems. Technicians will learn to differentiate between a smart key system fault and a module-controlled starter fault. Technicians will learn the core components involved with all push button start systems, as well as the OE specific components and their operation on four different vehicles.

After completing this class, the technician will be able to:

• Understand module controlled starting system
• Identify the core components of a push button start system
• Understand the necessary inputs to allow for passive engine start
• Identify service and repair issues
• Diagnose wireless communication faults
• Diagnose wired communication faults
• Identify which part of the system has failed and create a diagnostic plan
• Read and interpret a starting system wiring schematic

In this course Sara will take you from beginning to end in the process of having an idea for a social media post, creating the post, scheduling the post, and finally boosting that post to help your engagement increase. We will cover content ideas, how to come up with a plan on what to post and when. How to create graphics in specific sizes for social media using Canva. Sara will walk you through the basics and some more technical sides of using Canva.  Sara will then take you through how to schedule that post to your social media accounts using Hootsuite.

In this course you will learn all about hashtags, Facebook, Instagram, and many other aspects of social media marketing. You will be able to see firsthand how easy it can be to take your idea and turn it into a post that generates likes and engagement. Don’t have any ideas? No worries Sara will give you tools to help you generate ideas and create a social media content calendar! (Sara is not affiliated with Hootsuite or Canva)

Topics Covered:

• How to turn ideas into social media content and create a social media calendar
• The learner will be able to go from point a to z of taking an idea, turning it into a graphic, adding content and hashtags, scheduling it onto their social media, and boosting it to increase engagement
• Understand how to use and implement tools such as Canva and Hootsuite

This course will bring you and your technicians up to speed on hybrid and electric vehicle operations. This course will cover technician safety, vehicle operation, systems theory, equipment needs, HV battery diagnostics and servicing, inverter diagnostics and servicing, and motor-generator diagnostics and servicing. This class will be hands-on, so we recommend bringing some high voltage gloves (we will have limited supply on-site). This course will also be using our newest training tool, a fully operational cut-a-way generation 3 Toyota Prius. This course is loaded with real-world diagnostics for high voltage vehicles and even pattern failures!

What do you need to know when performing diagnostics on a EURO vehicle? Making your job easier, learn to use the platform and engine designations to access the data information. Learn to use OBD2 code setting criteria to determine how a code sets and how to make sense of DIN wiring diagrams. What is the VW Data Blocks?

Why the EURO vehicles use Additive and Multiplicative instead of Long-Term and Short-Term Fuel Trim will be covered. Also, why sometimes you will need more than one scan tool.

Topics covered:

• Scan Tool Types & Set-Up
• New Names to Learn
• Diagnostics Tips on the Big Three VAG/BMW/Mercedes Benz
• European vs. Domestic Fuel Trim
• DIN wiring diagrams
• The type of engine management systems (Bosch Siemens)

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, the participant will:

• Thoroughly understand the European approach to diagnostics and basic principles
• Understand VW Data Blocks
• Locate additional information to help to set up the scan tool for diagnostics

Gasoline direct injection is used on most new vehicles and requires a different approach to diagnosis and service. GDI systems have specific failures and require an understanding of how they work and how to test them when they set a code. In this class, we will dig into these systems and demonstrate common failures, code diagnosis, scan data interpretation, and service procedures. We will diagnose broken vehicles and help you to streamline your diagnosis of these popular systems.

The goal of this class is to prepare the aftermarket technician for diagnosing and repairing gasoline direct injection systems safely and correctly.

After completing this class, a technician will:

• Understand the evolution of fuel systems
• Understand the benefits of direct injection
• Understand the direct-port combo injection systems purpose
• Understand direct injection fueling modes
• Understand and be able to diagnose the low-pressure system
• Understand and be able to diagnose the high-pressure system
• Be aware of the primary cause of carbon buildup on the intake valve and how to address it
• Be able to properly handle direct injection components during repairs to other systems
• Be able to replace fuel injectors or their seals
• Be able to replace the high-pressure pump
• Understand the complex control of fuel injectors and how to scope the control circuits

The money is what really matters. Managing the money is the difference between enjoying your role as an owner or manager and struggling to make ends meet. You don’t need to be an accountant. You need to understand the realities of what really affects your profits. Those same realities give you the ability to make decisions for your business based on current and projected financial performance.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding the Profit and Loss statement
• Properly pricing labor and parts sales
• Staff efficiency and productivity
• Key Performance Indicators – the numbers you need to monitor and the frequency they should be checked
• Budgets for forecasting sales and managing expenses

This course will bring you and your technicians up to speed on hybrid and electric vehicle operations. This course will cover technician safety, vehicle operation, systems theory, equipment needs, HV battery diagnostics and servicing, inverter diagnostics and servicing, and motor-generator diagnostics and servicing. This class will be hands-on, so we recommend bringing some high voltage gloves (we will have limited supply on-site). This course will also be using our newest training tool, a fully operational cut-a-way generation 3 Toyota Prius. This course is loaded with real-world diagnostics for high voltage vehicles and even pattern failures!

This course will demystify the age-old debate of factory vs. aftermarket scan tools and their capabilities.  Our instructors will dive deep into the capabilities and limitations of each type.  More importantly, we will explore just how much we can do with the aftermarket scan tools on a variety of models.  This course is also loaded with diagnostic tips and testing strategies, which can be used with either type of scan tool you currently own!  This course will have actual hands-on testing throughout the class.

Turn every call from a phone shopper into a valuable conversation. When you ask powerful questions, listen better and differentiate your solutions. You will be the shop of choice. Never feel pressured to discount or price match again and avoid price base selling when you:

• Utilize Powerful Questions
• Become a Better Listener
• Create Presentations that Communicate your Value
• Differentiate Your Solutions

Now, you can offer solutions to their problems and meet their expectation

Have you looked under a car recently and wondered why there seems to be more control arms than you’re used to or noticed that the steering rack is electro-mechanical now? That rack could have been missing the hydraulic pump for a lot of Manufacture since 2004.  Did you notice electric motors at the rear calipers?

Take three hours and ensure you’re up to speed on today’s chassis systems, and understand the correlation between this system and electro-mechanical parts. ZF has developed and produced chassis systems for many OEMs. The high percentage of OE business allows technicians to go on a deep dive into why control arm counts are increasing and learn how to interpret fault codes and steering data in order to properly diagnose and service chassis systems. The participant will get an understanding about new brake technology like, Brake booster, Electric Park Brake and what is special on brake systems for electric vehicles. On top of this the Instructor will touch base on ADAS technology and will explain the influence of the suspension systems towards this technology. This class will bring you up to speed on new Chassis, ADAS and Brake Technology.

After completing this training, the participant will be able to:

• Describe components within the suspension system
• Explain different chassis angles and angle settings
• Differentiate between popular chassis systems
• Describe a multi-link suspension system
• Explain how to control bump steering
• Identify electric steering systems
• Describe common failures related to the suspension in steering systems
• Identify different driver assist functions and their operations
• Describe functions and impacts of radar and camera systems
• Show basic settings of radar and camera systems
• List braking components and their functions
• Describe common brake pads installation errors
• Explain electrical park brake systems
• Describe proper mechanical release of electrical brake system
• List braking components and their functions
• Explain assistance based emergency braking
• Identify noise issues
• Diagnose brake systems and errors

This course, “Understanding Electrical Oddities,” is a continuation of Dave Hobbs series on electrical issues and unique challenges related to troubleshooting vehicle voltage systems. Dave’s presentation will instruct on traditional electrical systems such as CAN, bus, and 3-phase motors and delve into the mysteries behind hybrid and electrical voltage HV leakage and the HV system main relays. This course will also cover overlooked essential subjects such as motor current draw, Ohm’s law, A/C circuits inductive and capacitive reactance, ohmmeter false positives in parasitic drains, measuring starter relay outputs, and EMI/RFI quick fixes.

Compared to the mid-90s, diesel vehicles have made a serious comeback. The increase in popularity is largely the result of a steady string of advancements and improvements to the diesel engine. New engine designs, noise- and vibration-damping technologies, and improvements like electronic engine control have spawned a new generation of engines that are more powerful and 30-35% more fuel efficient than similar-size gasoline engines, all while running quieter and smoother than diesel engines of the past. Cold-weather starting has been improved. Noise levels are down. Reliability has been improved. Tail pipe emissions are down. Most importantly, horsepower and torque are up significantly! Many of today’s diesel engines that come as an option in the medium-duty trucks are now advertising over 800ft-lbs of torque. Those numbers were unheard of 20 years ago.

The future of your business depends on having people to perform the work and serve the customer. Are you up for the challenge of providing a culture that employees are looking for?

With the right culture, talented people have a desire to stay. Gain an understanding of the characteristics and values employees are looking for. Learn the seven questions employees ask themselves when evaluating their job satisfaction. Influence employee’s attitude towards their work when you provide an environment and culture that includes effective management, empowerment, recognition, and a balance of challenges and opportunity.

Have a culture that defines your competitive advantage.

This course, “Understanding Electrical Oddities,” is a continuation of Dave Hobbs series on electrical issues and unique challenges related to troubleshooting vehicle voltage systems. Dave’s presentation will instruct on traditional electrical systems such as CAN, bus, and 3-phase motors and delve into the mysteries behind hybrid and electrical voltage HV leakage and the HV system main relays. This course will also cover overlooked essential subjects such as motor current draw, Ohm’s law, A/C circuits inductive and capacitive reactance, ohmmeter false positives in parasitic drains, measuring starter relay outputs, and EMI/RFI quick fixes.

This overview of AVI’s EV course is dedicated to the professional educator looking to either add or enhance their current electricity modules, hybrid modules, or electric vehicle modules in their curriculum. This course is a complete start to finish class that you can provide to your students, bringing current and timely content to them. The curricula will cover everything from Ohm’s law through hands-on high voltage testing and diagnostics. Tomorrow’s technicians will need to service the electric vehicles that are growing in popularity with each passing year.

In this course, we will be using our new instructor generated curriculum, which includes objectives, lesson plans, power points, quizzes/tests, student activity sheets, etc. The instructor will also be featuring activities on the AVI cutaway hybrid Prius that is not only a fully functional and driving vehicle but also has a second set of non-functional high voltage components that can be used to teach the students without fear of high voltage safety risks. You’ve heard about this exclusive course in all the trade magazines, now is your chance to witness it first-hand!