1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: You're listening to Ronanian the Car Doctor, nationally recognized auto 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: expert trusted by Mechanics, weekend wrenchers and vehicle owners alike. 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 1: Ron brings over forty years of hands on experience and 4 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: deep industry insight to help you understand your vehicle. Join 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: the Conversation live every Saturday from two to four pm 6 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: Eastern by calling eight five five five six zero nine 7 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: nine zero zero. That's eight five to five five six 8 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: zero ninety nine hundred, your direct line to honest answers 9 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: and practical advice. Looking for more, visit cardoctorshow dot com 10 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 1: for past episodes, repair tips, and Ron's latest insights, and 11 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: be sure to subscribe to The Car Doctor YouTube channel 12 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 1: for exclusive videos, real repair footage and more. Now start 13 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: your enginies. The Car Doctor is into garage and ready 14 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 1: to take your call. 15 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 2: The theory of relativity. No, it's not going to be Einstein 16 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 2: level physics. That's not what this is about. This is 17 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 2: about the theory of relativity as it applies to auto 18 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: repair shop, Why auto repair shops do things the way 19 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 2: they do, and why it's important. I was thinking about 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 2: this driving home last night. It was the end of 21 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 2: the week and we had worked on a variety of cars, 22 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 2: and you know, you think about all the scenarios and 23 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 2: how you know every week is something different, right, Yeah, 24 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 2: I've got to say, in my very long career, it 25 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 2: seems like every day is a different day. There's just 26 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 2: there's nothing boring about being an auto repair for sure. 27 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 2: This week, Kevin, sort of a regular customer, wanted to 28 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 2: bring us his suburban that needed breaks. He had purchased 29 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:42,399 Speaker 2: the break parts. It was too daunting for him to 30 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 2: deal with. He decided at the last minute, no, he 31 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 2: didn't want to do with it. And one of my 32 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 2: rules that I try to stick to, and I think 33 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 2: I do a pretty fair job of it in the 34 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: back of my head, that you know, you can't bring 35 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: me your parts. There's a variety of reasons. There's a 36 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 2: liability factor, there's you know, there's a business aspect to it, right, 37 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 2: There's a you know, are you bringing me the right 38 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 2: parts and are they of decent quality? You know, the 39 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: shop was a little quiet this week. We talked about that, 40 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:11,080 Speaker 2: you and I and I've said that, you know, the 41 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 2: industry seems to be in in a little bit of 42 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 2: a down or spiral. So I said, oh, what the heck, 43 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 2: you know, we'll fill the day. We'll take a simple 44 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 2: front break job on a suburban. How hard could it be? 45 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 2: GM parts. He got old GM pads, rotors, calipers, break hoses, 46 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 2: even brought his own break fluid. So if nothing else, 47 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 2: he's thoughtful, and he's he's he's fastidious in his approach, right, 48 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 2: he just he wants everything. So the first problem cropped 49 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:42,919 Speaker 2: up because you knew there would be that the calipers 50 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: did not have the brackets, the mounting brackets. And you 51 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 2: need those brackets because they are essential that they'll you know, 52 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 2: that's what holds the caliper to the to the to 53 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 2: the steering knuckle. And you need those brackets because typically, 54 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 2: especially this two hundred thousand mile eleven year old suburban, 55 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: the slides, the pins that move that allow the caliber 56 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 2: to float are going to be stuck or rusted or 57 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 2: worn or something. Well, he had purchased brand new calipers 58 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 2: from GM because he wanted coded calibers. And I understand 59 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 2: that Kevin's a bit of a sports car guy and 60 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 2: a race car guy, and he's looking for a look 61 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: and he doesn't want rusty calibers on the front of 62 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 2: his toe vehicle. I understand that one hundred percent. But 63 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 2: you know, now I've got to go buy brackets. The 64 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: brackets are one hundred and fifty dollars a piece. I 65 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,839 Speaker 2: can get aftermarket coded calibers from a very reliable source. 66 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: As a matter of fact, that Advance Autoparts. I think 67 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 2: they make a great caliber, and they're half the price 68 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 2: of what the GMS would be. So we talked about 69 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: it and we got around that. I ordered the GMS 70 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 2: because the whole caliber was less than the price of 71 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 2: the caliber from GM, and Kevin's going to have an 72 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 2: extra set of calibers. That wasn't the problem. That was 73 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 2: all relative. See there's that theory of relativity thing, right. 74 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 2: It was all relative that it got solved, and you know, 75 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 2: we balanced it out, but then we had to move on. 76 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 2: We of course, we're when we're doing breaks, we're also 77 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 2: looking at the front end. We're checking the front suspension. 78 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 2: And you know, I heard Danny ron uh uh the 79 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 2: left front wheel bearing had wiggle in it, you could, 80 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: you know, And we do this. We had taken the 81 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 2: brakes down. We had first checked it with the wheel 82 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 2: on because it's easier to grab a you know, wheel 83 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 2: out to there and give it a wiggle. We clamped 84 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 2: two big vice gripts on the flinge of the wheel 85 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 2: bearing and we were able to rock it a little 86 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 2: bit and you could feel there was probably about four, 87 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 2: maybe five thousands of play. The bearing was definitely on 88 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,360 Speaker 2: its way out because there shouldn't be any play in 89 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 2: a front hub bearing. And you know, I called Kevin, 90 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 2: and Kevin, you need a wheel bearing. You need a 91 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 2: left side wheel bearing, and I said, you know, two 92 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 2: hundred thousand miles eleven years old. He said, yeah, right, 93 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 2: He said, you got to do the right side wheel bearing. 94 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 2: So now we're going to do a right side wheel bearing. 95 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 2: So add that to the ticket. All of a sudden, 96 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 2: the five six hundred dollars labor repair becomes two wheel bearings, 97 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: a little bit more labor. Now we're you know, we're 98 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 2: creeping up to the twelve fourteen hundred dollars mark. And 99 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 2: I'm thinking in the back of my head, but you know, 100 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: a new suburban, not that there's anything wrong with a 101 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 2: new suburban, but you know, it's all relative, right, It's 102 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 2: it's twelve hundred dollars worth a front end and brake 103 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 2: work that, you know, against the price of a replacement 104 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 2: suburban entry level suburban's about eighty eighty five grand the 105 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 2: way this one was equipped. Now it's about one hundred 106 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 2: and five one hundred and ten one hundred and ten 107 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:32,239 Speaker 2: thousand dollars for a suburban. I sound like my father. 108 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 2: My first house was less than that. So we kept going. Well, 109 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 2: you know, we dug a little deeper. Both lower ball 110 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 2: joints were bad, just plumb worn out. Now, in all fairness, 111 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 2: we hadn't seen Kevin in about eight nine months. He 112 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 2: put a ton of miles on it. He changed his 113 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 2: own oil in between, and this is our first chance 114 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 2: to kind of catch up with the vehicle. So now 115 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 2: we need two lower ball joints. Well, and this is 116 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 2: where it kind of gets up. General Motors has two 117 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 2: design control arms because and the problem is the lower 118 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 2: ball joint is swedged, meaning that it's pressed into place, 119 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: and then they bend over a piece of steel flap 120 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 2: to sort of retain the ball joint into the knuckle 121 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 2: into the control arm. Now, the original control arms upper 122 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 2: and lowers are aluminum, and you know, I'm not a 123 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 2: fan of pressing ball joints and aluminum. First of all, 124 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 2: I'd have to grind that bent over flap off, and 125 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 2: then I've got to be certain that I grab it right. 126 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: I've got to take the control arm. The easiest way 127 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 2: is really out of the vehicle. We started looking at 128 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 2: the contours of the arm. I don't think the ball 129 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: joint press would really lay flat. Okay, we'll take the 130 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 2: control arm out. But then I started looking at the 131 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 2: rubber bushings. Because everything's related to everything else, right, the 132 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 2: theory of relativity. The two hundred thousand mile eleven year 133 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 2: old suburban, the inner control arm or the lower bushing 134 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 2: on the on the right side and the left front. 135 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: Both bushings were bad. As a matter of fact, we tried. 136 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 2: The other side of this was we tried to turn 137 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 2: the cam bolts. When I say cam bolts to do 138 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 2: an alignment on a GM truck, the upper control arm 139 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 2: bolts pivot and there's a there's a cam that you 140 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 2: can change. You can change your alignment settings. Well, the 141 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: upper bolts were just frozen. We could not get them 142 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 2: to move, so we would have to cut the bolts out. Well, 143 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 2: when you cut the bolts out, you're going to cut 144 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 2: through the rubber bushing. But it's cheaper than a new suburban. 145 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 2: So we called up our local parts guy, my guy, 146 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 2: Dennis up at Bowman Chevrolet in Rockland County, New York. 147 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 2: And I love Dennis. He's great. Dennis has been with me, 148 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: geez forty five years, at least the mid eighties. Dennis 149 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 2: and I started our journey together in the order repair business. 150 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 2: And you know, hey, Ron, yeah, then hey, you know what? 151 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: I told him what we're working on. I pulled up 152 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 2: the illustrated picture of what I had, because I have 153 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 2: GM parts information at the shop, and he says, what 154 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 2: do you need? I go one through twelve and he 155 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: looked at me, or he looked at me. He looked 156 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 2: at me through the phone. I guess in my mind, right, 157 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 2: I can see Dennis staring me down. What do you 158 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 2: mean one through twelve? I said, well, I need the 159 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 2: two control arms, which you've got to explain to me. 160 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: There's four different part numbers listed, and it turns out 161 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 2: that there's a first design, a second design, and then 162 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: maybe it might be this one anyway, so GM's guessing 163 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: their best. So it turns out now we have steel 164 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 2: upper and lower control arms instead of aluminum. But I said, 165 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 2: I need all the mounting hardware. I need the cams, 166 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: the bolts, the nuts, the washers. I want all the 167 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 2: clips all right. Two hundred thousand miles, eleven years of 168 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: New Jersey winters, salt, grit, dirt, dust, you know, it's 169 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 2: all there. It's all beat up. And the point becomes 170 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 2: and I explained it all to Kevin, and Kevin got it, 171 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 2: and I convinced Dennis that this is what I wanted, 172 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 2: and I got it all right. But the point becomes 173 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 2: you have to think like that. It's very important because 174 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 2: as it turned out, and I hate to say, I 175 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 2: was right and I told you so, but I was 176 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 2: right because as we're starting to do the repair, the 177 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: three of the four control arm bolts on one side 178 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 2: and all of the control arm bolts on the other 179 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 2: side were frozen in the rubber bushings. They were the 180 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 2: sleeves you'd have to cut all the bolts. So now 181 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: you have to cut all the bolts to get the 182 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 2: crossmember out right. If the bushings weren't bad before, they're 183 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 2: bad now, and the choice would be, well, we could 184 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: leave the vehicle on the lift, let it sit there, 185 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 2: and order the parts we needed as we needed it. 186 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 2: And this is where you start to think about relativity. 187 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 2: What's important. You know, we want to get the vehicle in, 188 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 2: we want to get the vehicle out, we want to 189 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,559 Speaker 2: get it off the lift as fast as possible, because 190 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 2: a vehicle sitting on a lift isn't producing money for 191 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 2: the repair shop, and it's also not helping the day 192 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 2: along as you're trying to get through the other three 193 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 2: or four or five or ten cars to p on 194 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 2: the size of the shop. So everything is relative, and 195 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 2: that's what I was thinking about driving home last night. 196 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 2: Everything is relative. You have to look at every repair 197 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 2: as how bad or how much do you need? How 198 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 2: complete do you want to be? How fast do you 199 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 2: want to get it done? Because all those questions and 200 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 2: more go through the mind of every technician, every repair 201 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 2: shop owner, every time, every day that they're working on 202 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 2: a vehicle, because if you don't, it takes longer, it 203 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 2: ends up costing the same It actually costs more for 204 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 2: production loss for a vehicle stuck on a lift, and 205 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 2: it frustrates the customer and ruins their day too, both 206 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:50,359 Speaker 2: pocketbook and from lack of having their vehicle. Really important 207 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 2: theory or relativity, Einstein was onto something I think I 208 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 2: am too. I'm running any in the car doctor, I'll 209 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 2: be back right after this. Don't go anywhere, and we're back, 210 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,080 Speaker 2: and it's if you didn't know, and just to close 211 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 2: it out right regarding that suburban. So when we were done, 212 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: you know, it was upper and lower control arms, all 213 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 2: new ball joints, obviously, control arm bushings, the bolts, the hardware, 214 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 2: everything that bolts it in. We ended up pads, rotors, calipers, 215 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: break hoses, sway bar bushings, sway bar links, and it 216 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 2: was about a five thousand dollars repair all told. But 217 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 2: is that cheaper than a new vehicle? The trans has 218 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 2: been done, he's been religious about his oil changes, he's 219 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 2: done all his other fluids and maintenance, he's done his 220 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 2: fuel system cleaning, and the body's in great shape. So 221 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 2: the relativity thing is, you know, I guess it's twofold 222 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 2: and I'm modifying it now thinking about it. One is relativity. 223 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 2: It's relative to what's the replacement price, and it's relative 224 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 2: to how great has your relationship been with that vehicle? 225 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 2: Have you taken care of that vehicle? Have you done 226 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:15,839 Speaker 2: what you're supposed to do? 227 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 3: Not? 228 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 2: Well, I think I can get ten thousand miles between 229 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 2: oil change intervals because all the trolls on the internet 230 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 2: tell me that's okay, So that's not real world because 231 00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 2: that doesn't happen. No vehicle goes twenty thousand miles on 232 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,960 Speaker 2: ten thousand mile oil changes. I haven't seen it, so 233 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 2: but just think about that before I go into this email. 234 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 2: By the way, I think about this too. If you 235 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 2: like what you're hearing, and we hope that you do, please, 236 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 2: and you're doing this by podcast, please make sure you 237 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 2: click subscribe whatever podcast method or vehicle you're using. Obviously 238 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 2: we originate out of iHeart, but it's available on Apple 239 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 2: and Google and all the other sources for you know, podcasting. 240 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 2: Just click subscribe. If you can tell your neighbors, if 241 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 2: you can tell your friends, hey, you're looking for a 242 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 2: good mechanic. Here he is because we're trying to drive 243 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 2: the numbers, and the numbers are working right. I think 244 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 2: we were up last count in our social media meeting. 245 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 2: This week we were up eleven and a half percent. 246 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 2: So whatever you guys are doing, keep it up. You're 247 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 2: doing a great job and we all appreciate it. Tom 248 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 2: and I and everybody that's here trying to make the 249 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 2: car doctor grow bigger. Like I said, my wife wants 250 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 2: to see me on TV. I don't know how crazy 251 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 2: I am about that idea, but you know what, the heck, 252 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 2: we'll give it a shot. And don't forget We've got 253 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 2: a YouTube channel and hat and T shirt seasons coming up, 254 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 2: So get out the card doctorshow dot com. This email 255 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 2: comes to us from John and this is sort of 256 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 2: following up to what we were talking about. Hey, Ron, 257 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 2: we've spoken to this car a few times. Two thousand 258 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 2: and four, Explorer may have bitten the dust. My wife 259 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:41,599 Speaker 2: was driving the car in the fast lane on a 260 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 2: four lane interstate here in Portland, Oregon, and noticed that 261 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 2: the DAA said check gagees. It did this once before, 262 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:49,319 Speaker 2: and it was for a cracked plastic thermostat housing, a 263 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:52,439 Speaker 2: coolant loss and overheating. No issues, new housing and stat 264 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 2: cars fixed, ran fine. This time was for the same 265 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 2: condition check gages, but this time the car felt like 266 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,760 Speaker 2: it was losing power. She said she was able to 267 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 2: limp over to the shoulder. I called for a toe, 268 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 2: came out and swapped cars with a good man, and 269 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 2: stayed until the car was towed to my mechanic. I 270 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,439 Speaker 2: make sure he dollied it. By that, he means he 271 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 2: make sure they didn't flat tow it right, because there's 272 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,560 Speaker 2: a concern with an all wheel drive vehicle depending upon 273 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 2: the setup. This time, it won't start. It sounds like 274 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 2: there is no compression, like maybe a timing chain, which 275 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 2: is notorious on the four liter engines. It is, and 276 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 2: it's a big job. It's a lot of work. The 277 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 2: mechanic quoted forty hours of labor to pull the engine 278 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 2: and replace plus parts, probably a five thousand dollars job. Yeah, 279 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 2: I'm not going to have him do anything, but I 280 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 2: would love to remove the engine just to see what happened. 281 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:36,040 Speaker 2: Do you think the two are related? Overheating and timing chains? 282 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 2: As you know, there are four of them. There are 283 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 2: enough YouTube videos out there showing how to pull a 284 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 2: four row from a Ranger explorer and replace chains and guides. 285 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 2: I might try this, but it's a big job at 286 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 2: maybe yard time, John, I think if I was going 287 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 2: to keep this vehicle, well, a couple of thoughts go 288 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 2: through my mind. Number One, it's an O four, so 289 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 2: it's twenty two going on twenty three years old. You 290 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 2: got to think about parts. You know. I don't know 291 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 2: the exact history of this vehicle. I know you've taken 292 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 2: very good care of it, or try to. But my 293 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 2: concern is parts, parts availability. I'm not going to run 294 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 2: the You know, if the trans blew up in six 295 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 2: months after he did the engine, would you fix it? 296 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: Because already know the answer to that question. I already 297 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: know the answer to the question of how good a 298 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 2: shape is the body in because I've come to know 299 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 2: John through emails. I wouldn't know if he was standing 300 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 2: next to me, but I can tell you this man 301 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 2: is fastidious. You could probably eat off his garage floor, 302 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 2: all right. And I think the concern becomes instead of 303 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 2: going in just to do timing chains, I don't remember 304 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 2: how many miles are on this explorer, but I think 305 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 2: it was over one hundred grand, I think I would 306 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 2: seriously just consider replacing the engine. I think I would 307 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 2: do this once and drive it another five or ten years, 308 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 2: and you know, just be aware of parts and start 309 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 2: stockpiling a few things here and there. And you know, 310 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 2: even if it was ten grand, ten grand is cheaper 311 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 2: a new explorer, which I don't think is as nice 312 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 2: as the older explorer. To be honest, we looked at 313 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 2: explorers two years ago and we thought they'd gotten a 314 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 2: little tiny and lack of insulation and a bunch of 315 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 2: other things. But you know, I think if you look 316 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 2: at the price of a new Explorer, they're in the 317 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 2: sixty to sixty five thousand dollars range. Everything is turbocharged, 318 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 2: which in this mechanic's opinion, I think turbos have their place, 319 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 2: but I don't think on every vehicle made in the 320 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 2: United States. It's so hard to buy a vehicle without 321 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 2: a turbo now. And the problem for the record, I 322 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 2: think is that it's added cost. You know, nothing against 323 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 2: putting three carburetors on a vehicle fifty sixty years ago, 324 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 2: but if you just needed basic transportation, you didn't need 325 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 2: three carburetors to have one of them fail and cost 326 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 2: a couple one hundred dollars back then to fix. You 327 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 2: don't need a turbo charger on a grocery getter. You 328 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 2: need something that's reliable, longevity, that's inexpensive to fix. Turbo 329 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 2: Charged anything is not inexpensive to fix. It's a lot 330 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 2: of bucks. So you know, John back to this, this 331 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 2: is a very simple, practical vehicle. It's got a couple 332 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 2: of laws and holes in it, but replacing the engine 333 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 2: will resolve the timing, chain, water pump, leaky valve cover problem, 334 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,440 Speaker 2: and you'll know where you're at at that point. And 335 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,200 Speaker 2: I think I would price that engine that way as 336 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 2: far as you know, a complete overhaul if this is 337 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 2: less than one hundred thousand mile vehicle. All right, now, 338 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 2: we've got to make the argument in my head at 339 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 2: overheated once, what sort of damage happened to it when 340 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 2: the chains fell off, If that's what happened, and yeah, 341 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 2: pull it apart and let's do an exploratory. But I 342 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: think engine replacement is more in the future of this vehicle, 343 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 2: for the longevity of the vehicle, regardless of the price. 344 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 2: It's all relative. I'm ronnin Any in the Car Doctor. 345 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 2: Coming up next Tim McDonald for Mitchell one Software. We'll 346 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:43,399 Speaker 2: be right back after this. 347 00:17:48,960 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 3: City streets to the open road tonight, run bureaule and rid. 348 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 2: This next segment of the Carboxer, Thanks for being here. 349 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 2: Is all about information, management of, coordination of and efficient 350 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,959 Speaker 2: use of and we've reached out to none other than 351 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 2: our good friend Tim McDonald over at Mitchell one, and 352 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:38,919 Speaker 2: Tim's here today with us to talk about it and 353 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 2: some of the changes upcoming over at Mitchell what they're 354 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 2: doing to keep us on our toes and keep us 355 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 2: on the cutting edge of this industry that's always evolving 356 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 2: and always changing, and it's always fun to talk with Tim. Tim, 357 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 2: welcome a. 358 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,440 Speaker 4: Board, sir, hey n nice with you. 359 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:56,640 Speaker 2: So right. Information. We always start the conversation here every 360 00:18:56,720 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 2: year about management and expectations, and you know where we 361 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:04,239 Speaker 2: want to start. We want to talk about, you know, 362 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:07,239 Speaker 2: how we're managing the shop repair information. You tell me 363 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 2: what's new and exciting in the world of Manager and 364 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:12,880 Speaker 2: Mitchell Repair. What's going on over there? 365 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,399 Speaker 4: Well, thank you. Top of mind for me from my 366 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 4: daily experience here at Mitchell One is going to be 367 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 4: the shop management software. So we're making progress always on 368 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 4: several fronts. Typically I would lead off with Manager. See 369 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:30,120 Speaker 4: that's our flagship product that's in tens of thousands of shops, 370 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 4: and you know, we're always making incremental changes and improvements. 371 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 4: And we've really been successful in the last eighteen twenty 372 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:42,879 Speaker 4: four months in introducing some major changes figuring out how 373 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 4: to do new things to make it possible. The first 374 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 4: I would want to mention is the job view function 375 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,239 Speaker 4: and set of features. So what it does is it 376 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 4: organizes on your order screen if you're a service advisor, 377 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 4: instead of considering all those grid line items that you're 378 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:01,120 Speaker 4: looking at, parts, labor, sub no, it's all those things. 379 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 4: Instead of treating that as one monolithic item, we have 380 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 4: introduced job view containers. And by doing that it means 381 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,399 Speaker 4: that I've always been able to check profit on the 382 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 4: whole order. Now I can check profit per job. With 383 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 4: the job containers, I can control the shop supplies, has 384 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 4: math fees discounts first time, multiple discounts are possible now, 385 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 4: and with the right click if they decline, I can 386 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 4: push it to the revision screen. I can say, hey, 387 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 4: make this one into a can job. All I got 388 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 4: to do is put a name on it. So there's 389 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,960 Speaker 4: lots of continuously applied shortcuts that are now possible with 390 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:36,879 Speaker 4: job View. But the kicker is the document that we 391 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 4: hand the customer. It's now perfectly delineated with subtotals for 392 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 4: each job, so they can clearly see what each item 393 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 4: is going to cost. Say yes or no. 394 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 2: It's easier to read in simple english. It's not that confusing. 395 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 2: I'm not sure what I bought, but I spent twelve 396 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 2: hundred dollars exactly. 397 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 4: It's not that driveway moment of trying to explain the work. 398 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 2: I've had people do that. They'll bring me, They'll bring 399 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 2: me an invoice from you know, sometimes it's the dealer, 400 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 2: sometimes it's another shop and you can't read it. It 401 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 2: doesn't it doesn't decipher. Well, you're breaking it down into 402 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 2: different because really, you know, as a consumer out there, listen, 403 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 2: our shops love hearing this stuff. That listened to this 404 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 2: radio show. But you know, the consumer out there, they're going, 405 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 2: why do I care about this? I think they care 406 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 2: about this conversation because the shop that's using Mitchell Manager 407 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 2: Essa is an efficient shop, is an organized shop, and 408 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 2: they're able to, you know, manage history. It's I always 409 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 2: go back to. One of the things I really enjoy 410 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 2: about Manager as we use it in the shop every day. 411 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:43,920 Speaker 4: Is. 412 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 2: It's got the same feel. It always reminds me of 413 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,679 Speaker 2: when I go to the doctor. You ever go to 414 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 2: the doctor and how they run their schedule and and 415 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 2: they take you in and they sign you up for 416 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,840 Speaker 2: various tests and you know, various things to do. That's 417 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 2: really what Mitchell Manager has become over the years. And 418 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 2: now the job view function breaks it down into such 419 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 2: simple language that I can I can tell missus Jones, 420 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 2: you know what, here's the oil change, here's the break check, 421 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:14,200 Speaker 2: here's the tire rotation. Oh you don't you know, we 422 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 2: don't want to do the break check this time. That's fine, 423 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 2: And it's it's simple. I'll use your word delinination, right, 424 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 2: deal deal in it. Say the word say the say 425 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 2: the word tim It's delineation. That's the There you go, 426 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:29,679 Speaker 2: got a little stutter today, But it's it's the same breakout. 427 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 2: It's that simple breakout of what I'm not doing versus 428 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,720 Speaker 2: what I'm doing. And that's what I think manager does 429 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 2: so well. Uh in that in that use with job view. 430 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 4: Right. So the thing about the relationship with the customers 431 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 4: is is just building that confidence and trust and if 432 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 4: it is a significant ticket, you know, the high dollar 433 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 4: item that had happened, that they can come away from 434 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 4: that and know exactly what you did and see the 435 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:54,199 Speaker 4: value of. 436 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:57,879 Speaker 2: It clearly, right, And then if they don't do something, yeah, hey, 437 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 2: I want to put that off till next time. Now 438 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,359 Speaker 2: we can transfer that over to a revision and and 439 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,359 Speaker 2: it sits there now. It used to be one of 440 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:09,680 Speaker 2: the things that I found kind of got to be 441 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 2: a blockade. I only had nine revisions at one point, 442 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 2: and it's very easy in this day and age for 443 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 2: somebody to have, you know, nine revisions or sometimes we 444 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 2: use the revision function for storing certain history if we 445 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 2: want on hand up close in personal. But now you've 446 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 2: changed the revisions around, right, tell me about that. 447 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 4: Yes, So since we laid the groundwork with job View, which, 448 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 4: by the way, one two P ten awards, that's an 449 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 4: industry organization that both experts and people choice was done 450 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,359 Speaker 4: to hold that trophy just the other day for a photo. 451 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 4: But that laid the groundwork for the rework that we 452 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,440 Speaker 4: did on the revision screen. So yeah, we had shops saying, 453 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 4: you know, I really need to have more than nine slots. Well, 454 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 4: we agree with you. So what we did is we 455 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,399 Speaker 4: changed the architecture of the screen, taking what we built 456 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 4: into it with Jobview and used to plus one approach. 457 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 4: So now just hit the plus sign, add another one, 458 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 4: add another one, add another one. So if you have 459 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 4: a car that I mean, I think the phraseology is 460 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:10,480 Speaker 4: it's a liftthog if it's been around the shop for 461 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 4: a long time, right, and maybe it was supposed to 462 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 4: be there for three days and it's been like four 463 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:16,920 Speaker 4: weeks because you're waiting for parts or who knows what. 464 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,719 Speaker 4: So the idea is you need more revisions to address 465 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 4: those other needs or repairs as they come up. So 466 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 4: this allows you to do that. You can have as 467 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 4: many revisions as you care to do that. And when 468 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,520 Speaker 4: we open up a screen to make changes, we try 469 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 4: to put in other user requests and we added a 470 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:36,719 Speaker 4: comments column so that the shot could put in their 471 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 4: own notes addressing those revisions. Do this one first, talk 472 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:42,879 Speaker 4: to Joe. This is a special tool. You've got to 473 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:45,359 Speaker 4: have those type of things. And then also in the 474 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:50,159 Speaker 4: process was tightening up the revisions to the recommendations. Remember 475 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,919 Speaker 4: the recommendation is that customer language that's important to explain 476 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 4: what the repair is and what needs to be done, 477 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 4: and then the revision supplies those details parts, labor, etc. 478 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 2: Tim we've talked about this over the years, and we've 479 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 2: been doing this a long time, you and I both 480 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 2: here and in our careers. The shop that's most efficient, 481 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 2: the shop that manages the information, sure they're going to 482 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:15,359 Speaker 2: be more profitable. And obviously you know, listen, I go 483 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:17,280 Speaker 2: to a doctor and I hope that he's doing well 484 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 2: and he's going to stay in business and he's there 485 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:21,280 Speaker 2: for my next physical. And I don't know anybody that 486 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:22,920 Speaker 2: walks into a doctor says Jay, I hope this guy 487 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:25,159 Speaker 2: goes out of business next year. He's he's making too 488 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 2: much money. You know. I'm hoping people, you know, walk 489 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:30,439 Speaker 2: into my shop and go, gee, I hope he's here 490 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 2: next year, because I want him to be profitable enough 491 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:35,760 Speaker 2: to be here to take care of my problems next year. 492 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 2: That's what manager. You know, the shop that's using a 493 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 2: manager program, the odds are they're going to be there 494 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 2: because they're organizing and managing their information right, and this 495 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 2: all the things we've just talked about helps them do 496 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 2: that so much more exactly. 497 00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 4: I mean the fact that you just have any of 498 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 4: the vehicle of pier history one click away in the 499 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 4: history tab, and that I can print a tech worksheet 500 00:25:57,520 --> 00:26:00,760 Speaker 4: to give the technician that has dates and category of 501 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 4: service that hey, when did we do the brakes last time? Oh? 502 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 4: There it is and there's the mileage with it. So 503 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 4: having that kind of information insurance that we give that 504 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:09,120 Speaker 4: proper customer experience. 505 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 2: You know, I think everybody that uses manager se has 506 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:17,119 Speaker 2: something that you know, hits their button more than something 507 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 2: else for me and everything you're talking about here, I've 508 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,720 Speaker 2: been using it. It's phenomenal stuff. But I go back 509 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:24,800 Speaker 2: a couple of years when you did the You know, 510 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 2: I can I do it like this? You know, oh, hey, 511 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 2: I need an appointment, Sure, send me an email. I 512 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 2: give out my email to the new new client, and 513 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 2: you know, send me name, address, phone number, and just 514 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,200 Speaker 2: send me the license plate of your vehicle. Well don't 515 00:26:37,280 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 2: you want to know that? Don't you want to know 516 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 2: that your make model? Nope, I don't need that because 517 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 2: I can plug it into Mitchell. I can plug it 518 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,680 Speaker 2: into Manager SA, and Manager will not only tell me 519 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,440 Speaker 2: your make model, it will tell me VIN It will 520 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 2: give me engine choices. It will help me break down 521 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,399 Speaker 2: what that is because you know, it's dialing out to 522 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 2: the in my case, I guess the New Jersey Motor 523 00:26:56,480 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 2: Vehicle database, and you know it's it's bringing up and 524 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 2: to me now when I order parts, because it's it's 525 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:05,879 Speaker 2: not just impressing the new customer, but now when I 526 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 2: have to order parts for that new customer, everything is 527 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 2: VIN based. I don't have to enter the VIN I 528 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 2: don't have to enter in the seventeen digits and that 529 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 2: saves time, and saving time makes money and. 530 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:23,159 Speaker 4: Exactly, and then no return parts because that when you 531 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 4: push the catalog button that vin is visible in that 532 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 4: title bar, you know that you're going to see the 533 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:29,600 Speaker 4: right categories and choices. 534 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 2: Right, And I just found that button, by the way, 535 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 2: I think it was the button that's lets you put 536 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:35,359 Speaker 2: the license plate at the top of the vehicle screen. 537 00:27:36,320 --> 00:27:38,640 Speaker 4: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, and lead off with that because that's 538 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 4: the first thing you'll put in. 539 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:41,159 Speaker 2: That's the first thing you put in it. And it 540 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 2: just it's just so many improvements. It's just it's just 541 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 2: efficient use. And I think that's what strikes me is 542 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,000 Speaker 2: the most important benefit. I always tell everybody, I'm not 543 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 2: really fixing cars. I'm managing time and expectations and you know, 544 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 2: and that's right true, and that's what manager helps you 545 00:27:57,359 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: to do. And and that's that's really the takeaway. Let's 546 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:02,360 Speaker 2: pull up and take a pause, Tim. When we come back, 547 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:06,240 Speaker 2: can I pry out the future like I always try 548 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,119 Speaker 2: to wheedle that out of here? What's coming next? We 549 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:10,399 Speaker 2: can share some things, okay, tee, I'm unning Enny and 550 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 2: the card Doctor here with Tim McDonald and Mitchell, Managerie, 551 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,120 Speaker 2: and we'll both return right after this. Don't go away. 552 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 2: Well we've reached that part in the program, and thanks 553 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 2: for returning. Where I usually say to Tim, Okay, Tim, 554 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 2: I've got four four and a half minutes. What do 555 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:35,000 Speaker 2: you want to talk about now? And Tim will go well, 556 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:38,600 Speaker 2: and I really kind of write, Tim, but you know 557 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 2: what's what's new and exciting coming up? A manager? I see? 558 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:43,239 Speaker 2: What can you share it with us? 559 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 4: All right? Well, then let's look in the crystal ball 560 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 4: for manager. I see nine point three, which is probably 561 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:52,240 Speaker 4: going to be about April when that comes out. First 562 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:55,920 Speaker 4: feature already finished is file attachment. What the heck? What's 563 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 4: the value? All right? So when you're on the order 564 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 4: screen and you will hug your mouse over the lines, 565 00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 4: there'll be a new column in there, I'll say, do 566 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:05,320 Speaker 4: you want to add a document? And so this gives 567 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:08,120 Speaker 4: the user the opportunity to store photos, a video, or 568 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:11,800 Speaker 4: maybe even a diagnostic result. It's stored an Altist drive. 569 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 4: What we're doing is we're associating it to that repair 570 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:17,160 Speaker 4: order item, so that once we've even put it in 571 00:29:17,320 --> 00:29:19,520 Speaker 4: history two years later, it's still there. We owe that's 572 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 4: what we saw at that time, So that's the value 573 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:24,120 Speaker 4: of it. And there's going to be a gallery, so 574 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 4: they'll have some existing images that could be reused. So 575 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:29,480 Speaker 4: we're excited about that. That's in the can already done. 576 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 4: And then we also have an upgraded inspections program, the 577 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:36,840 Speaker 4: Multipoint Inspection Manager ass The inspections will come out and 578 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 4: that will be performed on a mobile device and then 579 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 4: that will be fed back to the service advisor to 580 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 4: price the faulty items identified, and then they're going to 581 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:47,600 Speaker 4: push that out to the customer as a text message 582 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 4: and that customer will review the items, including any video, 583 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:55,400 Speaker 4: phone or photos that we want to include, and arrive 584 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 4: at which things too they want to have done and 585 00:29:57,960 --> 00:30:01,080 Speaker 4: those that they'll decline for now, push the approved button 586 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 4: goes back to the shop. They can dispatch to the 587 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 4: to perform the work that was approved and push the 588 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:09,720 Speaker 4: other work into revisions and then manageress. He can do 589 00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:12,680 Speaker 4: its job and remind you of that future business the 590 00:30:12,720 --> 00:30:13,840 Speaker 4: next time they come back in. 591 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 2: It sounds like it sounds like we're it sounds like 592 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:19,120 Speaker 2: we're shopping on Amazon. I want this, I want this. 593 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 4: It is that user experience. Yeah, that's that's the desired goals, 594 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:24,320 Speaker 4: that's hit it with it. 595 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:26,760 Speaker 2: That's kind of cool. And what else? What else was there? 596 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:27,640 Speaker 2: I don't mean to cut you off. 597 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 4: Go ahead, Yeah, no worries. 598 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 3: Uh. 599 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 4: The big one that we're working on right now, and 600 00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 4: the code name what we're calling it refer right now 601 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:37,200 Speaker 4: is Digital Engine. The name may change by the time 602 00:30:37,240 --> 00:30:40,040 Speaker 4: it comes out, but the premise is very simple but 603 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:44,000 Speaker 4: kind of elegant in a way. Leveraging a little bit 604 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 4: of AI. What we can do is we can put 605 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:48,240 Speaker 4: all of the related parts and labor together on the 606 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 4: same screen and uh, you can use natural language type 607 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 4: in whatever you want, and we're going to push all 608 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 4: those choices to you. It's like, hey, you're not going 609 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 4: to forget the gasket, You're not going to forget these 610 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 4: other related parts. We have also figured out four hundred 611 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 4: and I think so far four hundred and seventy storage 612 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 4: job templates, so it's like you're replacing a water pump, 613 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 4: you're doing breaks, whatever it may be. We're going to 614 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:14,400 Speaker 4: bring up all of the logical labor choices with the 615 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 4: part choices so that it just speeds up the process. 616 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:21,120 Speaker 4: Shops make so many estimates every day and not all 617 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,400 Speaker 4: of those come to fruition. What we want to do 618 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,840 Speaker 4: is reduce the time necessary to get that right into 619 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 4: the shop's hands where they can quickly turn that around 620 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 4: to a customer and get the approvals. 621 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:36,320 Speaker 2: Wow, and it's just again making shops more efficient. 622 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 4: You know. 623 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:39,680 Speaker 2: One of the neat things that all of the Mitchell 624 00:31:39,720 --> 00:31:42,720 Speaker 2: products do, and obviously it's more than just manager, is 625 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 2: type the word alternator in on repair or type it 626 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:48,640 Speaker 2: in on manager. Right, you guys will spell check it. 627 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: You'll help get us to it, and repair side you'll 628 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:53,200 Speaker 2: spell check it. On the manager side, you'll help us 629 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 2: to So if we're not a good speller, and if 630 00:31:57,320 --> 00:31:59,880 Speaker 2: we type with all thumbs, you know, we can still 631 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 2: somehow put together a pretty neat, clean looking repair order. 632 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:07,400 Speaker 4: Correct, we can still save those users. Yes, absolutely, So 633 00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:09,960 Speaker 4: we now have a new attribute when you're in the 634 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:13,280 Speaker 4: repair and estimating that is called did you mean? And 635 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 4: so therefore if you should happen to leave a few 636 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:18,800 Speaker 4: letters out, we can still we can still figure out 637 00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:21,080 Speaker 4: what you're trying to get to and get you there successfully. 638 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:24,640 Speaker 2: I got to tell you, tim it it always amazes 639 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:26,560 Speaker 2: me and I always come back to the same conclusion. 640 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:30,160 Speaker 2: It seems like you guys are looking at the medical industry, 641 00:32:30,480 --> 00:32:33,840 Speaker 2: or maybe they're looking at you and you're creating a 642 00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:37,160 Speaker 2: similar management program that the doctors are using. And it's 643 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:39,760 Speaker 2: how efficient they are, right, is what we want to. 644 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 4: Be in order repair exactly get through that process efficiently. 645 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 2: Yep, Where can the listeners go get more information? My friend? 646 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:49,600 Speaker 4: You can go to mitchell one dot com and you 647 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:53,120 Speaker 4: can look at all sorts of product information and helpful assets. 648 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 2: Cool means we'll be back again, Tim, you'd be well 649 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 2: you too, Thanks. I'm running aiding in the car doctor. 650 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:13,320 Speaker 2: We'll be back right after this. So to close it out, 651 00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:15,480 Speaker 2: I went to a training class this week put on 652 00:33:15,600 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 2: by the folks by Wise Autoparts. You're in New Jersey, 653 00:33:18,280 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 2: Great great autoparts, and they always put on a great seminar. 654 00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:25,719 Speaker 2: They had a gentleman, Chris trainer. Chris came in from 655 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 2: Standard Motor Products and the whole gig was about air conditioning. 656 00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 2: Thermal management was part of the title of the class, 657 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 2: just talking about the different ways that we do. AC 658 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 2: hybrids are interesting start stop technology. It's interesting because when 659 00:33:40,040 --> 00:33:42,680 Speaker 2: the vehicle's off, they've got to keep the car cooler warm, right, 660 00:33:42,760 --> 00:33:45,040 Speaker 2: So they and I got to tell you that the 661 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:49,520 Speaker 2: most fun part, Well, I got identified somebody there, Veto. 662 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:53,360 Speaker 2: It was Veto from the Department of Public Works for 663 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:56,200 Speaker 2: the Town of Chatham, Chatham, New Jersey. Veto works over there. 664 00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:59,720 Speaker 2: Hardworking guy does the plow trucks, keeps us going, keeps 665 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:02,640 Speaker 2: the keeps the town in the roads of Chatham safe 666 00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 2: and free and you know, clear of debris and snow 667 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:07,080 Speaker 2: and all that good stuff during bed weather. But he's 668 00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:09,360 Speaker 2: also a DPW worker. He works on all the trucks, 669 00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:12,839 Speaker 2: the big psalters and stuff. And he kind of found 670 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:14,960 Speaker 2: out who he was sitting next to and it was 671 00:34:15,040 --> 00:34:15,800 Speaker 2: sort of surreal. 672 00:34:16,719 --> 00:34:16,840 Speaker 4: You know. 673 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 2: We took a couple of pictures. He talked about how 674 00:34:19,160 --> 00:34:22,200 Speaker 2: he started listening to me back when with his grandma 675 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:24,960 Speaker 2: and you know, just as he was about to enter 676 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:27,280 Speaker 2: trade school and he couldn't get over it. So Veto, 677 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:30,360 Speaker 2: this one's for you, babe. Yes, that was me pleasure 678 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,200 Speaker 2: to meet you. I'm running Andy and the car Doctor 679 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,719 Speaker 2: till the next time. Good mechanics aren't expensive, they're priceless. 680 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:38,400 Speaker 3: See, hey, he's a car doctor. 681 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:41,120 Speaker 2: Carr advice to ride