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The amount you know about auto repair is fuel for your accomplishments as a technician. So why not make sure your knowledge is of the high-test variety?
Regularly reading publications devoted to automotive innovations can make your job easier, make you more effective when dealing with customers and boost your earnings. Let our tips guide you in creating your reading list.
Start with the Basics
Asked what technicians should read to keep up with general auto industry trends, Octavio Navarro, product news manager for Ford Motor Co., replies, "Of course, there is Automotive News." Undoubtedly one of the most widely read publications in the industry, Automotive News addresses issues of concern to auto manufacturers and dealers.
Another important source of information is Ward's, suggests Cheryl McCarron, who works in service and parts operations for General Motors. Ward's publishes two primary publications, Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Dealer Business.
Moreover, the business sections of your local newspaper and the Wall Street Journal also have frequent accounts of developments in the auto tech field.
Keep Up with the Manufacturer
Auto manufacturers publish large amounts of information designed specifically for service technicians. "Most of the readings that General Motors recommends to our technicians are internal publications," says McCarron. "For example, GM Tech Link is a monthly internal publication aimed at service techs. We also have brand-specific publications, such as GMC Insider, and a Web site that is internal to GM."
General Motors is not alone in distributing information via the Internet. Other manufacturers offer this service, and many also allow independent service technicians to log on, sometimes for a fee.
Wade Hoyt, a public relations manager for Toyota, notes that his company offers numerous online services, including technical information in the form of service manuals and wiring diagrams for US-spec Toyota, Lexus and Scion models that date back to 1990 and Technical Service Bulletins back to 1987. The cost for accessing this information is $10 for 24 hours, $50 for a month and $350 for a year.
Don't Forget Independent Publications
Hoyt also cites Motor as an ideal publication for service technicians to read, whether they work at dealerships or independent garages. And McCarron recommends Motor Age as a popular independent publication covering the field.
Customer Contact Requires a Different Approach
If you're in regular contact with the public, you should also read publications that are likely to influence customers. These range from consumer articles published in local papers to the so-called buff publications, such as Car and Driver and Motor Trend. You should read these magazines and articles to maintain your credibility with your clientele.
Go Ahead, Play Some Politics
Subscribe to the magazines your boss reads. This can help you stay aligned with his concerns and decisions, which can, in turn, open you up to better opportunities.
