Top 5 Diagnostic Tools You Must Have in 2010
As a professional automotive technician, you have invested unheard of amounts of money in tools to be able to perform your job.
The last thing I want to think about is the amount of money I will be spending next year.
I have compiled this list to help you decide which tools are going to provide you with the best return on investment.
1.
Laptop Computer.
The time has come if you do not already have one on top of your box.
I cannot imagine what I would do without mine.
I am always walking over to my laptop to look up torque specs, find a wiring diagram or even just to find out how much oil a car takes.
I remember those days not so long ago where I had to make that long journey all the way to the office and fight the other technicians to use that one PC we had available to us.
With the cost of laptops dropping by the minute, you no longer have an excuse.
I consider them disposable and simply buy the least expensive one I can find.
I figure that I can buy 5 $300 laptops for the price of one low end Toughbook, so if I threw one away every 2 years that Toughbook would have to last 10 years to justify the expense.
2.
J2534 Pass Thru Interface.
The days of repairing a check engine light by replacing a part and clearing the codes is quickly passing.
If you have noticed a steady increase in the number of TSB's for codes that include reprogramming the ECU as part of and sometimes the entire repair, you are not alone.
In times like we are in now, you must be able to keep as much work in house as possible.
If you are not performing ECU reprogramming, you are sending thousands of dollars out the door to the dealer or you competitor who is.
I recommend the iFlash interface since it is the least expensive fully compliant interface currently available.
3.
Smoke Machine.
The prices have come down so low it is time to quit making excuses and buy one.
You cannot properly diagnose an evap leak without one.
You know you need it.
4.
Identifix subscription.
I know this is supposed to be about tools.
I consider my Identifix subscription to be one of the most valuable tools I have.
The amount of time saved diagnosing cars is amazing.
5.
Training.
Yeah I know this is supposed to be about tools.
Do yourself a favor and get out there and learn something new next year.
Whether it is attending a class, reading a book or watching a DVD, do something.
The only way to rise to the top of this profession is to be continually learning.
I would recommend a class on hybrids.
This is a market that is going to be hitting the independent shops in the next few years.
If you have not seen any hybrids, just wait they are coming.
To conclude, Spending your tool money wisely in the next year will certainly pay off in increased sales and ultimately more money in your wallet.
The last thing I want to think about is the amount of money I will be spending next year.
I have compiled this list to help you decide which tools are going to provide you with the best return on investment.
1.
Laptop Computer.
The time has come if you do not already have one on top of your box.
I cannot imagine what I would do without mine.
I am always walking over to my laptop to look up torque specs, find a wiring diagram or even just to find out how much oil a car takes.
I remember those days not so long ago where I had to make that long journey all the way to the office and fight the other technicians to use that one PC we had available to us.
With the cost of laptops dropping by the minute, you no longer have an excuse.
I consider them disposable and simply buy the least expensive one I can find.
I figure that I can buy 5 $300 laptops for the price of one low end Toughbook, so if I threw one away every 2 years that Toughbook would have to last 10 years to justify the expense.
2.
J2534 Pass Thru Interface.
The days of repairing a check engine light by replacing a part and clearing the codes is quickly passing.
If you have noticed a steady increase in the number of TSB's for codes that include reprogramming the ECU as part of and sometimes the entire repair, you are not alone.
In times like we are in now, you must be able to keep as much work in house as possible.
If you are not performing ECU reprogramming, you are sending thousands of dollars out the door to the dealer or you competitor who is.
I recommend the iFlash interface since it is the least expensive fully compliant interface currently available.
3.
Smoke Machine.
The prices have come down so low it is time to quit making excuses and buy one.
You cannot properly diagnose an evap leak without one.
You know you need it.
4.
Identifix subscription.
I know this is supposed to be about tools.
I consider my Identifix subscription to be one of the most valuable tools I have.
The amount of time saved diagnosing cars is amazing.
5.
Training.
Yeah I know this is supposed to be about tools.
Do yourself a favor and get out there and learn something new next year.
Whether it is attending a class, reading a book or watching a DVD, do something.
The only way to rise to the top of this profession is to be continually learning.
I would recommend a class on hybrids.
This is a market that is going to be hitting the independent shops in the next few years.
If you have not seen any hybrids, just wait they are coming.
To conclude, Spending your tool money wisely in the next year will certainly pay off in increased sales and ultimately more money in your wallet.
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