Webinars
The best way to get more customers (based off of closing rate) is when someone first comes through your website. Yet, many businesses are still having trouble converting website visitors into actual paying customers. Join us for a free webinar where we will discuss how correctly messaging customers on the right channels can bridge the information gap and help your shop convert website visitors into paying customers.
Speakers
- Matt Boyce, Marketing Director, Podium
- Tyler Brunatti, Heaad of Automotive Services, Podium
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, ImportCar
Power steering technology is continually evolving. While hydraulic systems continue to have a large presence in today’s repair market, electronic steering is quickly catching up and will tip the scales in the not-so-distant future. In this webinar, our goal is to help technicians prepare for the future by explaining the best practices for servicing EPS systems.
Speakers
- Hector Orlandi, Product Technical Trainer, CARDONE
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, Underhood Service
Wheel bearings are an essential component of the chassis system. As a technician, you need to know about how a wheel bearing works and the different designs of wheel bearings. You should also know about seals -- including how to choose the right seal, and understanding why seals fail. In this free 30-minute training webinar, ASE-certified technician Roger Gillette will educate you and your team on bearing clearance and bearing play is, the benefits of an orbitally formed shoulder, choosing the right seal for an application, and much more.
Speakers
- Roger Gillette, Technical Services Group Leader USA/CAN, Schaeffler Group, LLC
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, Underhood Service
This free 30-minute training webinar will focus on the core causes of false ABS activation complaints -- and how to diagnose these problems. ASE-certified technician Andrew Markel will cover two false activation complaint case studies, and he will give you best practices on the diagnostic process, from the test drive to confirmation of the repair.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, Underhood Service
As hybrid vehicles have grown in popularity, and vehicles from the early 2000s are now of an age where repairs are necessary, there is a profitable opportunity for independent repair shops to service these vehicles – in particular, the battery. This 30-minute training will demonstrate how easy it is to service hybrid batteries, as long as the right procedures and tools are used.
Speakers
- Hector Orlandi, Product Technical Trainer, CARDONE
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, Underhood Service
Online shopping has changed the way that consumers behave. Convenience now tops the list of consumer expectations and businesses that aren’t catering to these expectations will be passed over for those that do. In this webinar, we will discuss how your business can compete in today’s convenience economy and meet the expectations that consumers now have.
Speakers
- Jon Eyre, Product Marketing Manager, Podium
- Tyler Brunatti, Head of Automotive Services, Podium
- Andrew Market, Director of Content, Brake & Front End
Replacing TPMS service kits every time a tire is removed from the rim is a recommended best practice. During this 30-minute educational webinar, we will explain how valve stems have evolved over the years with the addition of TPMS. In the second half of this webinar, we will explain how to significantly increase sales with consistent service kit replacement.
Speakers
- Rob Tinson, Sr. National Sales Manager, NA, Schrader Performance Sensors
- W Rippetoe, Senior Technical Team Lead, NA, Schrader Performance Sensors
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
This 30-minute webinar will be led by ASE-certified technician Roger Gillette. He will be explaining how Overrunning Alternator Pulley (OAP) and Thermal Management Module (TMM) operate and how to diagnose them when they fail. You’ll learn about the dramatic growth in vehicles using these components, and why it’s so important to become familiar with these systems.
Speakers
- Roger Gillette, Technical Services Group Leader USA/CAN, Schaeffler Group, LLC
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
Shops that are winning are providing consumers with a number of different options to connect and drive them to the physical location, including text, web chat, email, phone, and others. Over the course of this webinar, we will discuss the typical customer journey and show you how an omni-channel strategy can improve the experience and drive more business.
Speakers
- Brooke Grant, Product Marketing Manager, Podium
- Tyler Brunatti, Head of Automotive Services, Podium
- Mary DellaValle, Editor, ImportCar
The thermostat on an engine controls more than just the temperature of the coolant. A thermostat can control emissions, cool the air intake temperatures and even reduce engine bearing wear. In this webinar, we will cover how a thermostat operates, symptoms of a malfunctioning thermostat, why thermostats fail, and more.
Speakers
- Bill McKnight, Team Leader/Training, MAHLE Aftermarket
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, ImportCar
Online reviews are the new word of mouth. They play a significant role in how consumers ultimately find and choose your shop. In this webinar, we will cover how online reviews improve discovery by boosting your local SEO ranking, driving traffic to your storefront, and influencing purchase decisions.
Speakers
- Jon Eyre, Director of Content, Podium
- Tyler Brunatti, Podium, Automotive Services Sales Director
- Mary DellaValle, Editor, ImportCar
During this 30-minute educational webinar, Schrader’s Senior Technical Trainer and Certified TIA Advanced Instructor, W Rippetoe, will help you tackle difficult TPMS relearns for specific vehicles. W will briefly cover the basics of a TPMS relearn, then dive into five specific vehicle relearns that have unique processes. During registration, you will have the opportunity to provide any specific vehicle relearn procedures that you would like to learn about during this webinar.
Speakers
- W Rippetoe, North American Technical Team Lead, Schrader Performance Sensors
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
Finding good, qualified employees is not as simple as it sounds. A technician with an impressive resume doesn’t always have an impressive attitude. For today’s repair shop, it’s more important than ever to build a team with the skills and service-oriented character that your customers expect and deserve. In this recruitment strategy power session, you will learn the secrets used by today’s most successful shops to build a winning team.
Speakers
- Bob Spitz, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Management Success
- Mary DellaValle, Editor, Import Car
The way that consumers communicate is different in today's world. Phone and email are no longer a sufficient way to maintain contact and interact with your customers. Many of your customers are much more comfortable communicating via text or other messaging apps. In this free webinar, learn how using messaging to augment your communications will significantly boost your customer service while increasing revenue.
Speakers
- Tyler Brunatti, Director of Automotive Service Sales, Podium
- Matt Boyce, Director of Marketing, Podium
Wheel bearings carry the weight of a vehicle on a surface no larger than a credit card. That's why proper inspection and installation methods are critical for servicing modern wheel bearings. In this free 30-minute training webinar, ASE-certified technician Mike Geul will discuss the basics and advanced techniques for diagnostics and service.
Speakers
- Mike Geul, Technical Service Manager, Schaeffler Group USA, Inc.
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
TPMS has already proven to be a huge profit builder for many shops in North America and now around the world. However, TPMS can also be confusing if proper training and standard operating procedures are not in place. During this 30-minute educational webinar, you'll receive recommendations for TPMS shop management.
Speakers
- Robert Tinson, National Sales Manager, U.S., Schrader Performance Sensors
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
The leading cause of wheel bearing hub unit replacement is wheel speed sensor codes and malfunction indicator lights that cripple ABS operation. In some cases, it is difficult to diagnose without performing a complete diagnostic procedure. In this 30-minute training webinar, we'll cover how to track faults at the air gap all the way to the wiring connector at the ABS control module.
Speakers
- Scott Weaver, Brake & Front End and ImportCar columnist, ASE Certified Technician
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
Finding a failed shock or strut is easy, but inspecting a shock or strut for wear is difficult. Communicating the condition of them to the customer can be impossible, unless you have the right tools and knowledge. This training webinar will also discuss how to diagnose active, hydraulic, and air ride systems.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
- Jim Merle, Publisher, Babcox Media TechGroup
The Overrunning Alternator Decoupler (OAD) pulley has added a new wrinkle to accessory drive belt and alternator service. An OAD can be a potential comeback for your shop, or a new service opportunity. Attend this 30-minute training webinar to learn about OAD diagnostics, inspection, and replacement.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
- Rob Laing, Engineering Director, Litens Automotive Group
- Jim Merle, Publisher, Babcox Media TechGroup
Technicians and parts professionals should attend this free 30-minute training webinar to hear Mike Geul, an ASE-certified technician, share how to diagnose and service dual mass flywheels. Learn where and why DMFs are used, how a DMF works, why you shouldn't replace a DMF with a solid flywheel, and how to diagnose DMF failure.
Speakers
- Mike Geul, Technical Service Manager, Schaeffler
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content for Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service
During this webinar you'll hear Andrew Markel, Director of Content for Brake & Front End, ImportCar, and Underhood Service, share his unique insights into the latest TSBs and how they will shape your approach to diagnosing and servicing late-model vehicles at your shop -- now and in the future.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Babcox Media TechGroup
Rotors are highly-engineered components on both a mechanical and molecular level. Find out how metallurgy influences the performance of a rotor, how carbon content can improve a rotor’s strength, proper installation methods, and how you can give your customers different rotor options.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Director of Content, Babcox Media TechGroup
- Jim Merle, Publisher, Babcox Media TechGroup
During this 30-minute educational webinar, Schrader's Senior Technical Trainer and TIA-Certified Instructor, W Rippetoe, will discuss the basic concepts around TPMS. He will review the fundamentals of Test Before Touch, service kits, types of sensors and best practices. You will also have the chance to tap into his general TPMS knowledge during the FAQ session
Speakers
- W Rippetoe, North American Technical Team Lead, Schrader Performance Sensors
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
When the ABS or ESC takes over during an emergency, it needs a fully functional brake system to carry out the correction. This 30 minute webinar is designed to help technicians understand the connection between conventional braking systems and the ABS/ESC variety in a way that leads to more sound, safer repairs.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
- Jim Merle, Publisher, Babcox Media TechGroup
The path to a long-lasting air ride suspension repair can be challenging for technicians. Learn about your options when you are repairing or converting an air-ride-equipped vehicle to passive ride control components. This webinar will also help you become more confident and profitable in selling air ride repair solutions.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
- Jim Merle, Publisher, Babcox Media TechGroup
Hear about the most important practices around TPMS relearn procedures. During this free webinar you’ll hear about the difference between programming and relearning, the three types of relearn procedures and when to use each, and several tricks for performing relearns quicker.
Speakers
- W Rippetoe, North American Technical Team Lead, Schrader Performance Sensors
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
Telematics systems are changing your connection with your customer -- impacting where, why, and how their vehicles are serviced. Are you prepared? This free 30-minute webinar will discuss the evolving service/maintenance mix, the diagnostic needs of todayís vehicles, and how you can attract (and retain) customers who drive telematics-equipped vehicles.
Speakers
- Donny Seyfer, Chairman, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
- Bob Gruszczynski, OBD Communication Expert, Volkswagen of America
- Andrew Markel, Editor, Underhood Service
During this 30-minute educational webinar, ASE-certified technician Andrew Markel will discuss the most important engine decarbonization and direct injection problems you might face as a technician. Youíll learn about the different cures for carbon deposits, including in-tank treatments and induction cleaning kits.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel
- Jim Merle
While some recalls and TSBs made the front pages in 2016, other valuable TSBs were added to repair information databases without notice. During this webinar, ASE-certified technician Andrew Markel will explore the TSB issues that can help you spot common pattern failures on vehicles ñ- and help you get into the heads of automakers and engineers who issue TSBs.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel
- Jim Merle
Your shop can service more tire pressure monitoring systems and increase profits simply by talking to the customer and covering several important points. During this free webinar, certified instructor W Rippetoe will discuss how having a Standard Operating Procedure around TPMS can help your shop generate more sales, as well as improve safety and address liability issues.
Speakers
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W Rippetoe, Sr. Technical Service and Training Representative, Schrader International
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Andrew Markel, Editor, Brake & Front End
Just about every Asian and European luxury import nameplate manufacturer has a 7- to 10-year-old vehicle on the road with an air-ride suspension at all four corners. Chances are one of these vehicles will be coming to your shop sooner rather than later. During this free 30-minute webinar, you'll learn how to inspect and diagnose air ride suspensions on Audi, Mercedes Benz, VW and other import nameplate vehicles.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel
- Jim Merle
Identify potential blind spots you should watch for on the ASE A5 brake certification exam. During this free 30-minute webinar, ASE-certified technician Andrew Markel discusses question types and strategies to help you score higher on the A5. You'll also learn about new questions on stability control, electronic brake proportioning, and electronic parking brakes.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel
- Jim Merle
There is a large population of vehicles entering the sweet spot for TPMS sensor replacement. This free 30-minute webinar will look at how to diagnose dying sensors, answer the questions about when to replace sensors, and show you how to package multiple sensors. Brake & Front End editor Andrew Markel, an ASE-certified technician, will show you how to perform advanced TPMS diagnostics.
Speakers
- Andrew Markel
- Jim Merle