ALLDATA ARTICLES
AutoZone® and TechForce™ Team Up to Celebrate the Rising Stars in our Industry
In a world where technical know-how is essential, but compassion can be sometimes hard to find, a new wave of automotive technicians is proving that success isn’t just about horsepower and torque specs—it’s about heart.
Working on modern vehicles can often feel like a love-hate relationship. While testing procedures and diagnostic tools have improved over the years, pinpointing the root cause of a problem has become more challenging, especially after certain shops have had their hands in the engine bay. That was exactly the case for one frustrated technician, who found himself trying to pinpoint a failure under the hood of a 2021 Toyota Tundra—ultimately leading to a quick call to ALLDATA’s Tech Assist team.
Key Insights from FenderBender’s Annual Industry Survey
The collision repair industry continues to evolve rapidly, shaped by shifting market dynamics, technological advancements, and changing consumer expectations. FenderBender’s 2025 Industry Survey Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of this transformation, drawing on responses from hundreds of shop owners and operators across the country. This year’s findings reveal a notable shift in priorities, a renewed focus on insurer relationships, and a growing commitment to technology and training.
TRENDING TSB
2020-2024 Sentra and 2021-2024 Rogue customers have reported a frustrating and often intermittent issue where the vehicle won’t start and displays messages like “No I-Key Detected” or “Incorrect Key ID.” According to updated bulletin NTB13-107G, the root cause is usually RF interference from nearby electronic devices.
Ron Ananian Reveals a Practical Approach to Auto Repair Shop Management
Running an auto repair shop is about more than just fixing cars. While providing top-notch service is essential, a truly successful business also depends on understanding the financial aspects of the operation. One of the most important concepts to grasp is the cost of doing business (CODB). CODB represents the cost of keeping your doors open and your shop running—whether you’re working on vehicles or not. Understanding this number is essential for ensuring your shop’s financial health and long-term success.
One of the biggest fears in most technicians’ minds is a job that comes back. Comebacks don’t just cost the shop valuable hours; they can also damage a technician’s reputation and potentially impact their career. Still, they’re sometimes unavoidable. After all, modern vehicles are packed with advanced technology, complex wiring, and the occasional gremlin that comes with it.
With school starting back soon, many first-time car buyers, often students and their financially providing parents, are in the market for an affordable ride. I mean, what parents haven’t wished for their kids to start driving themselves everywhere? However, these buyers aren’t necessarily looking for flash or speed for their dependents (despite the pleas from their child of owning the fastest car in town). Rather, they need something safe, reliable, and ultimately low-cost to maintain.
Who Pays for What? survey by
Collision Advice | CRASH Network
For years, ALLDATA has delivered OEM-accurate mechanical and collision repair information to professionals. According to the latest findings from the annual “Who Pays for What? Frame & Mechanical Operations” survey, ALLDATA remains the most trusted source for shops nationwide.
TRENDING TSB
2013-2018 Escape customers have reported suspicious water stains surfacing on their headliner, despite never submerging their vehicles. These water marks show staining on the headliner caused by a leak from areas like the roof opening panel, fixed glass, roof rails, or roof ditch moldings. Since nothing says “customer concern” than a ceiling that sweats more than the tech on flat rate, Ford issued technical service bulletin 17-2218.
Ever wish you knew then what you know now about using ALLDATA Repair or Collision? Or maybe you’re new to the platform. Here, we’ve collected 5 top tips and tricks from our ASE-Certified Master Techs at ALLDATA Tech-Assist to make your OEM auto labor and repair research fast, productive, and more efficient.
Unlike some industries where performance metrics are vague or long-term, repair shops live and die by the numbers. How many vehicles come through the bay doors each day? How complex are the repairs? How many skilled hands are available to do the work? Layer in the local economy, seasonal demands, parts availability, and you quickly find yourself juggling dozens of interdependent variables.
When people think about what Americans love, two things often come to mind: patriotism and automobiles. Since the first Fourth of July celebration took place in 1777 in Philadelphia and Boston, Americans have turned Independence Day into a full-blown celebration – complete with fireworks, flags, and a symbolic rejection of taxed tea.
TRENDING TSB
2006-2007 Dodge Ram Customers have reported a musty odor in their vehicles, especially in hot and humid conditions. This smell appears when leaves or other foreign material blocks the drain for the cooling coil housing. Dodge has issued tech bulletin 24-006-06 with a solution of cleaning the evaporator coil, applying a specialized cleaner and protective coating, and ensuring proper drainage.
Toyota is known for building robust vehicles, especially those based on the Land Cruiser chassis. This reputation extends to its luxury counterpart, the LX570. Aside from the pesky height-adjustable air suspension, the chassis is both rugged and capable. So when a 2008 LX570 rolled into the shop with a dead battery caused by several controls staying on, even with the key in the off position, it was a bit out of the ordinary.
When a 2008 Ford Taurus arrived at the transmission shop on a flatbed from the local Ford dealership, it was clear that the 263-horsepower 3.5-liter Duratec had done some damage down the driveline, specifically by the unplanned disassembly of the gearbox’s internals.
In households across the country, being an automotive technician is more than just a job — it’s a way of life, handed down from one generation to the next. The legacy often begins in the family garage, not a classroom, where the passion for turning wrenches, diagnosing problems by sound, and rebuilding engines is born. This tradition is built on pride, passion, and a deep respect for the craft.
TRENDING TSB
2011-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia customers have reported Willie's Roadhouse being displayed under the genre section on all SXM channels. The cause of the condition may be due to an internal radio concern.
They say children are a true blessing, and if you’ve been a parental figure long enough, you know those blessings can come with their fair share of stress. Ever tried arguing with a 15-year-old? Maybe had a 3-year-old try to “help” at the worst possible time? These little “retirement resets” can really spike your stress levels. But we love them, and we want them to get some hands-on experience in life, so what better place to learn how to work on cars than in the shop with you?
TRENDING TSB
2023–2025 Silverado and Sierra customers have reported their sunroofs tilting open unexpectedly, often during startup, when turning on the lights, or returning to the vehicle. The issue stems from the overhead console’s microprocessor and affects all trims equipped with a factory sunroof.
5 Shop Saving Tips from Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor™
Someone once told me that successful auto repair is a game of inches. But in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, inches may not be precise enough — we need to hit the target every time. The reality is that precision and efficiency define success now more than ever.
Repairer Driven News Lurah Lowery reports on the latest efforts to lessen the impact from the tariffs
Six trade groups representing automakers and the aftermarket have written to the Departments of the Treasury and Commerce asking that regulations to implement President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on imported automotive parts allow them more time to reroute supply chains.
A 25% tariff on assembled vehicles imported into the U.S. went into effect on April 3, and a 25% tariff on some parts is set to begin May 3.
Repairer Driven News’ Lurah Lowery reviews the SambaSafety Study
According to SambaSafety, a cloud-based driver risk management solutions company, the average number of replacement parts involved in a repair job has grown 15% over the past five years, adding up to half of the total repair cost.
The life of a small shop owner is anything but calm, and for Jason Posey of CJ’s Auto Repair in Wynne, Ark., that couldn’t be truer. After spending nearly 25 years in a dealership, working his way from technician to parts and service manager, Jason decided it was time to open his own shop. Today, he handles everything from parts ordering to wrenching. The shop co-owner is none other than his wife Carla. She manages the paperwork, keeps things organized, and keeps customers informed, so Jason can stay focused on the repairs.
TRENDING TSB
2005 Audi A4 Quattro owners report their vehicles bucking from start when their accelerator was depressed 10-50%. Quattro drivers, shocked by the need to brace while their vehicle jolts up and down, understandably brought their vehicles in for taming.
In the spirit of April Fools’ Day, three of our Tech Tips are true … and two are pranks. But which two? Find out by clicking each one to unlock the true Tech Tips, or the pranks. Ultimately, we know there’s no foolin’ around when it comes to OEM-accurate, tech-verified automotive mechanical repairs.
2007 Audi A3 Runs Poorly - How To Check ECM Drivers
Mario Rojas (aka Super Mario Diagnostics) has been repairing cars since 2013 and sharing his repairs on YouTube for the last five years. Fitting to his username, he primarily focuses on diagnostics and troubleshooting – and he’s garnered quite a following doing so. He currently has over 57,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 5 million total video views.
Since 1977, Dabler Auto Body has handled the collision repair needs of Salem, Oregon. In their 16,000 square foot shop, they work on just about every make and model but have earned BASF paint certifications for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and VW. Owner Michael Brockway endeavors to stay ahead of industry trends by investing in the best equipment and technicians. He also understands the value of OE information and the need to bring the vehicle back to factory specific condition.
Autobody News' John Yoswick reports SEMA is conducting research on modified vehicles to gauge the impact of such modifications on ADAS calibrations.
While collision repair shops already face liability if they fail to restore functionality to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on the vehicles they repair, the obligation to do so is likely to become even more concrete within a few years. Part of a temporarily-delayed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that would require an even higher-than-current level of automatic emergency braking (AEB) as standard on all new vehicles by 2029 -- and would prohibit deactivation of such ...
2015 Mercedes C300 rollercoaster diagnostic, timing or camshaft?
Mario Rojas (aka Super Mario Diagnostics) has been repairing cars since 2013 and sharing his repairs on YouTube for the last five years. Fitting to his username, he primarily focuses on diagnostics and troubleshooting – and he’s garnered quite a following doing so. He currently has over 56,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 5 million total video views.
Automotive repair facilities have been maintaining hybrid vehicles for over two decades and maintaining EVs for almost as long. These alternatives to pure Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles have slowly gained in popularity over the last 2½ decades.
TRENDING TSB
Jeep owners have complained that their Wranglers (built October 2018-January 2019) wander and need constant small steering adjustments.
Focusing on grounding paths pays dividends
Whether you follow conventional or electron current theory, it boils down to one simple rule: Electricity will find a way to reach the battery. If the electrons can’t make it to their destination through the proper channels, they will try alternate pathways. This is when things stop working, don’t work as designed, or suffer major damage.
TRENDING TSB
Ram drivers may have been surprised by a vibration coming from the rear of their truck at highway speeds. Specifically, regular cab Ram 1500 trucks with a 6½ foot bed, built between October-December 2013 have been identified as generating a noticeable vibration at speeds of 50-75 mph.
Always consult OEM procedures before installing self-piercing rivets (SPRs). Use appropriate PPE: safety glasses, mechanic gloves, respirator, nitrile gloves and goggles. Get necessary tools ready: rivets, adhesives, rivet gun, locking pliers, stainless steel brush, caliper or micrometer, IPA or acetone, clean up rags and marking pen.
AutobodyNews' Toby Chess views heat welding as a viable alternative for faster turnarounds and less time and materials.
A bumper end on a 4-year-old vehicle has a small amount of damage to the lower side of the facia and a missing tab.
Your options:
- Buy a new OEM bumper
- Buy a certified aftermarket bumper
- Buy the cheapest aftermarket bumper
- Send the bumper to a sublet bumper repair facility
- Purchase a used bumper cover
- Repair in-house using heat welding and/or adhesives
A common customer complaint is that their vehicle will crank but not start. Luckily, there are a few quick hacks designed to identify what system is affecting the starting cycle. (NOTE: This article will not cover specific test steps, but rather will outline the most efficient order in identifying what is missing in the ignition sequence.)
Catalytic converter and flex-fuel problems can be tricky to diagnose. Inaccurate data from an oxygen sensor or air/fuel sensor can lead a tech down the wrong path and cause needless replacement of good parts. When dealing with catalytic converter fault code(s) and flex-fuel problems, it is necessary to make sure that the air/fuel (A/F) and/or oxygen sensors (O2S) are accurately reporting.
TRENDING TSB
Long hot drives are a little more uncomfortable due to 1-3 second whistle coming from the air conditioning vents. Owners of Toyota Tacomas built between 2016 through 2023 noticed that when the air conditioner compressor cycles the annoying sound is more prevalent with increased RPM.
An Interview with Professor of Automotive Technology, Brian Noel
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 76,000 new automotive, diesel and collision repair technicians will be required each year for the next ten years just to fill the void as the generation of baby boomer technicians leave the industry. Who will take their place? A new breed of technician whose skill set is focused more on computer-based systems and electrical diagnostics and less on mechanical repairs and adjustments.
Repairer Driven News Teresa Moss reports possible OE Safety Requirements
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced legislation Monday that would require all new passenger vehicles to be equipped with cameras, sensors, or other technology to prevent the death of children due to frontover incidents, according to a press release.
