EPA-Hosted Diagnostic Tool Forum Well Received
EPA-Hosted Diagnostic Tool Forum Well Received
Las Vegas - In an industry first event, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Automotive Service Association (ASA) hosted the OEM Tool Forum at the Congress of Automobile Repair and Service. BMW North America, Subaru and Toyota Motor Sales showed their vision and cooperation with the independent aftermarket.
"When I started working on cars 17 years ago, they were just beginning to be equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection," said panel chairman Howard Pitkow, the assistant director for ASA's Mechanical Division Operations Committee. "There wasn't such a thing as a scan tool; rather, we used test lights. Back then, it was very much the case that you just didn't know what you didn't know."
The three automakers welcomed the opportunity to share, how their scan tool functionality and service information available is identical, whether one works in a dealership or an independent aftermarket shop. In addition, each outlined their support for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2534 protocols, reviewed access to their information Web sites and described innovations just being introduced. These improvements will ratchet up technicians' effectiveness and productivity, provided they learn the new functionalities.
Even the one remaining gap between dealers and independents - access to vehicle security/immobilzer reprogramming information - is on the cusp of being closed. Each of the OEM credited the progress made to the voluntary efforts at the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), and demonstrated their readiness for making vehicle immobilizer and key reprogramming data available to the aftermarket.
"Diagnostics is easier to design and implement than reprogramming."- Jason Kozak, BMW-NA Tech to the trenches BMW North America (BMW-NA) was represented by Jason Kozak, aftermarket sales compliance engineer for BMW-NA, and Doug McGregor, the automaker's senior emissions compliance engineer. Both focused on the current tools and service support in use today and the new improvements t that will be onstream in the next 12 to 15 months.
"Diagnostics is easier to design and implement than reprogramming, noted Kozak. "In addition, our service information server is based here in the U.S., but our diagnostics server is based in Germany." For both dealership and independent techs, the difference in geography and the time zones between the two server location, the BMW representatives acknowledged. The long processing delays inherent with distant servers, particularly with J2534 reprogramming - which is based on the German server - can lead to vehicles being in a shop for a day, and even longer should any burp in communications occurs. "BMW-NA dealers are in the same situation," he added.
Adding more complexity to the problem is the advanced technology and new vehicle platforms that will emerge in the next few years. "Current programming diagnostics won't be able to handle this new technology," McGregor shared. "BMW-NA is now developing a new 3G system and online support solution, which will provide us all with improved reliability and time efficiency."
The new 3G system will be forwards and backwards compatible, capable of handling pending new vehicles as well as legacy vehicles. Complete with all the options possible, the new 3G system will be priced somewhere between $35,000 and $40,000, and will be implemented first at dealerships, to work out any apparent bugs at the end-user point.
Cognizant that only dedicated BMW or MINI outlets will be able afford this, BMW-NA is simultaneously developing an online, subscription-based solution for the aftermarket. "We will also be testing various J2534 devices in our own shops with the hopes of being able to make recommendations as to which aftermarket tools work better with our vehicles," stated McGregor.
"This will help the aftermarket in a number of ways," noted McGregor. "Creating the online version, which will be based in the U.S., will improve access and remove time delays. The efficiencies gained will help shops get service and repair done sooner, but shops need to understand that because this advanced 3G system is a premium product and requires substantial investment, the service will have a higher subscription cost structure."
"We will also be testing various J2534 devices in our own shops with the hopes of being able to make recommendations as to which aftermarket tools work better with our vehicles," added Kozak. "Also with 3G, our service information will look different online because we will be using Microsoft Vista. While looking different, there will be improved functionality in areas such as quicker access and improved search capability.
"Both tools are manufactured by Hitachi, use the same software and have the identical functionality, with the one current exception of immobilzer reprogramming."- John Rugge, Fuji Heavy Industries Dispelling myths Subaru was represented by John H. Rugge, emissions activities manager for the Government Relations Department, Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., the manufacturer of Subaru vehicles. In his presentation he focused on erasing the myth that the aftermarket tool (Hitachi Diagnostic System -HDS) is a watered-down version of the Subaru dealership tool (Subaru Select Monitor SSMIII). Rugge said, "Both tools are manufactured by Hitachi, used the same software and had the identical functionality, with the one current exception of immobilzer reprogramming. In addition, the aftermarket HDS tool is easier to use and wrapped in more "ruggedized" packaging. Those interested in sourcing the HDS tool can do so by contacting Blue Streak Electronics at and if interested, can read more about the tool here.
(Photo - Blue Streak Electronics)
Rugge emphasized that at the EPA's request, Subaru had voluntarily provided both tools for side-by-side validation testing by the EPA in Ann Arbor MI. He reported on the validation process in detail and displayed detailed screenshots of the validation testing during his presentation. Bottom line: the EPA ruled that the two tools were essentially identical, with only minor differences that were not, in its opinion, detrimental to vehicle repair in the aftermarket. Rugge added that beginning in January 2008, a new Subaru Technical Information System will debut, which will include SAE J2534 reprogramming functionality and immobilizer reprogramming information.
EPA representative Holly Pugliese confirmed the tool validation had been done and explained that Subaru had cooperated fully and voluntarily to its request. Fielding a question after the presentation, she also made it known that any organization that was not compliant with its rules and associated laws or whom knowingly tried to deceive was subject to heavy fines and other sanctions, let alone any civil penalties that could occur afterwards if litigation ensued.
These punitive measures are similar to those at other federal agencies, such as the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), which oversees automotive products, whether manufactured domestically or imported by a U.S.-based firm from an offshore producer. NHTSA fines can range into millions of dollars per incident.
"Today, the vehicle technology curve is on a vertical climb."- Mark Saxonberg, Toyota The full Monty The bulk of Toyota's presentation, given by Mark Saxonberg, service technology department manager, Vehicle Diagnostics and Service Support for Toyota Motor Sales, focused on the new TIS Techstream just introduced into the marketplace six weeks ago. The Techstream combines a diagnostic tool with service information available to techs right in their service bays to enable vehicles can be fixed right the first time. "No matter how well you design and engineer an innovation, something might still not work right. If you see something that isn't working right, tell us," Saxonberg requested. "If you have a suggestion to improve, tell us. We'll listen." He noted that independent aftermarket shops and technicians have the most influence on ownership experience in the later years of a vehicle's life. "That positive experiences sell cars."
"Today, the vehicle technology curve is on a vertical climb," asserted Saxonberg. If automakers expect independents to provide a positive ownership experiences, they must provide the tools and information to both dealers and shops. The paradox is that OEMs are challenged to design for dealers and independents whose data infrastructures not only vary, but are beyond the OEMs' control. For example, an automaker doesn't control whether a shop has a broadband connection or what type of computer and operating system a shop uses.
"The TIS Techstream enables the aftermarket technician to do everything the dealership technician in the dealership does, including readiness for resolving vehicle security issues. He invited interested parties to visit Toyota for TIS information, a demonstration of the tool, a listing of TSBs and more.
Saxonberg acknowledged that the new Web site may seem less user-friendly right now, but its much more powerful enabling technology for technicians will win them over. "We think you will grow to love the new Web site," he said when wrapping up his presentation.
Bill Haas, ASA vice president for Education and Training, shared that he was encouraged by the willingness and leadership shown by BMW, Subaru and Toyota in attending this innaugural event. He's hopeful, that as diagnostics and reprogramming gain increasing traction in the market, other OEMs particpate in similar events, wherever they occur.
He noted that the automakers recognize that technicians are more skilled today and hungry for the tools necessary to service ever increasing vehicle complexity. Test lights are long passé. Diagnostic and reprogramming tools are today's leading edge for those seeking improved productivity and sustained profitability. "Technicians are ready for the future, and OEMs are responding," Haas said. "And when technicians and OEMs talk together, good things happen."
