The only constant is…

I’m sure the majority of us have all heard the saying, “The only constant in life is change,” and for those working in the automotive industry, you especially know this to be true. The technology in modern vehicles has rapidly advanced in the past few decades, and with it, so have the tools and equipment necessary for repairing those vehicles.

In this month’s Diagnostic Tech article, Scott Brown talks about one of the advancing technologies technicians are seeing in modern vehicles — ADAS. ADAS or advanced driver assistance systems help keep drivers safe. The technology encompasses systems like lane departure warnings, back-up cameras, and blind-spot detection. You can see why, if this technology isn’t repaired correctly, things could end up poorly for the driver. Having the right tools and equipment to complete those jobs is crucial for you to feel confident in sending your customers back out on the road.

“Workshops should be equipped with the proper tooling to get the job done within the manufacturer's allowed tolerances,” says Brown.

Finding the right tools to fill your toolbox and staying up to date with the latest technology isn’t always easy, but we can help with that. This month’s issue features the 2025 PTEN Innovation Award winners. So, if you’re in need of upgrading your tools to work on the latest in vehicle technology, look no further. The products we’re showcasing were handpicked by a panel of judges out of over 135 submissions as 28 of the best new products to enter the industry in the past year.

Each product was judged on the following criteria:

• Time savings
• Simplifying a task
• Unique/new approach
• Improving a current tool
• Ease of use

Hopefully, looking over this year’s Innovation Award winners as well as our New Products section will help give you an idea of some of the latest and most innovative products that are available to you. However, be sure to do the proper research before making any tool and equipment purchases. Talk with your tool distributor, connect with the tool manufacturers, and ask your fellow technicians for their thoughts on a tool before you buy it. The only thing worse than not having the right tool to perform a job is buying a tool you think will work, only to find out that it won’t do what you need it to. And remember, even if things are always changing, PTEN will be here with you through it all.