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Author: Professional Technician Staff

  • Snap-on announces schedule for Tuesday Topic Trainings

    Snap-on announces schedule for Tuesday Topic Trainings

    Snap-on has updated its Tuesday Topic Training webinar schedule for the fourth quarter with a variety of new subjects Diagnostics National Trainer Jason Gabrenas will present on a weekly basis.

    The companmy said auto repair technicians are encouraged to attend the informational sessions to learn the latest tips and techniques to get the most out of their diagnostic tools.

    The schedule of fourth quarter training sessions includes:

    • Oct. 14 Misfire Diagnosis
    • Oct. 21 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Tesla®
    • Oct. 28 EVAP
    • Nov. 04 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Mercedes-Benz®
    • Nov. 11 Automatic Transmission Operation and Testing
    • Nov. 18 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Hyundai / Kia
    • Nov. 25 Misfire Diagnosis
    • Dec. 02 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Tesla
    • Dec. 09 EVAP
    • Dec. 16 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Volvo®
    • Dec. 23 Get the Most Out of Your Snap-on Scan Tool – Tips and Tricks
    • Dec. 30 OEM-Specific ADAS Training – Subaru®

    Tuesday Topic Training sessions are offered free of charge and provide approximately 30 minutes of material and 15 minutes for questions and answers.

    Two time slots are available for each day of training. The first session takes place at 6 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. CT/ 3 p.m. PT. The second session runs at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT/ 6 p.m. PT.

    Click here to register to attend via Zoom or watch live on the Snap-on Diagnostics Training Solutions YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/snapondiagnostics.

  • 5 new Grease Monkey locations in Texas

    5 new Grease Monkey locations in Texas

    DFW Oil Change recently announced the addition of five Grease Monkey locations across North Texas.

    The newly added locations include:

    These stores previously operated as WshGuys Car Wash & Automotive.

    With this transition, the car wash operations will remain under the WashGuys brand, while the automotive and lube service centers will now operate as Grease Monkey under the ownership of DFW Oil Change.

  • Diesel aftertreatment webinar planned

    Diesel aftertreatment webinar planned

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will hold free webinar titled Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Diesel Aftertreatment Systems.

    The webinar will be delivered by Automotive Video Innovations Tuesday Oct 7, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. Sign up here.

    The free session will, as ASE says, “take the mystery out of exhaust aftertreatment systems.”

    The session covers: NOx, EGR valves and coolers, temperature and pressure sensors, hydrocarbon doser, DEF fluid doser, NOx sensor, DOC, DPF, SCR, CAC, VGT, DEF quality, tank manifold, heater lines, and more.

    The seminar is meant to tie all of the components together with hands-on, real-world tests and diagnosis.

    Topics include:

    • Turbo Overview and Diagnostics
    • DPF System
    • NOx Sensors
    • DEF Storage and Pump »Fuel Condition

    Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance about a week afterthis live session.

    Not sure you can attend? Register anyway to receive a follow-up email with details on how to attend a recorded session.

  • Florida college adds diesel technician program

    Florida college adds diesel technician program

    Pensacola State College is adding a diesel and marine mechanics program to the curriculum of this 8,000-student, multi-campus college in the Florida Panhandle.

    The college has hired faculty to develop the curriculum, and recently submitted development plans to the county for a 12,900-square-foot building adjacent to the college’s existing CDL program.

    According to a report in the Pensacola News Journal, the building will be located in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park East in East Milton, and house two truck bays, two classrooms, faculty offices and a locker room.

    It’s estimated building the new facility will take about 18 months after groundbreaking later this year.

    No date has been set for classes to begin.

  • New Alabama Fausak location has 8 service bays

    New Alabama Fausak location has 8 service bays

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the opening of a new Fausak Tires & Service location in Mobile, Alabama. This new development follows just a few months after the acquisition of the long-time Mobile staple.  The strategic greenfield serves to further grow the company in the Gulf Coast region, joining existing Fausak locations in Mobile as well as Delta World Tire locations in Mississippi and Louisiana.

    This new Fausak Tires & Service facility features over 10,500 square feet of space with 8 service bays. The facility is equipped with the equipment to handle tire installations and repairs, wheel balancing, alignments, brakes, shock and strut replacements, oil changes, battery replacements, and more.

    Founded in 1962, Fausak Tires has been a trusted name in the Mobile community for more than 60 years. Built on a foundation of community-minded service and a commitment to doing quality work, the business has earned a loyal customer base across the Gulf Coast. Now part of the Sun Auto Tire & Service family, Fausak Tires continues to serve guests with the same familiar team – now backed by expanded resources and operational support to enhance the customer experience and carry the legacy forward.

    Sun acquires Martin’s Automotive; has 22 bays

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the acquisition of Martin’s Automotive, a large 22-bay facility in Terrell, a growing community in the eastern portion of the Dallas-Fort Wprth Metroplex.

    Martin’s Automotive has been serving Kaufman County since 2001 and is top-rated in the community for quality automotive repair.

    “Martin’s Automotive is a great new addition to our team”, said Regional Vice President Steve Powell. “Growing our footprint to serve the Metroplex will allow us to continue serving an ever-growing market and keep delivering quality service to our neighbors.  It’s even better for our guests, as this local facility is now backed by the national resources and commitment of the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network.”

  • Automann opens new DC in Georgia

    Automann opens new DC in Georgia

    Truck and trailer parts supplier Automann recently opened a new, 367,000-square-foot distribution center in Hiram, Georgia.

    This is Automann’s eighth distribution center in North America, and its fifth in the United States.

    Strategically located west of Marietta between Interstates 75 and 20, thie new facility strengthens Automann’s ability to serve heavy-duty truck parts distributors throughout the Southeast with 1-2 day service, according to the company.

    The new distribution center includes::

    • Local customer service and sales support
    • Dedicated will call area
    • 31 dock doors plus two extra-wide ramps for optimized logistics
    • 35,000 warehouse storage positions with a small parts picking module
    • Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout
    • 8” thick floor slab to support heavy-duty operations

    “This facility represents our commitment to investing in infrastructure that ensures our distributors get the right parts, faster.” Said Dennis Singh Khanduja, president of Automann. “By strengthening our distribution footprint, particularly in the Southeast, we are enhancing our promise of reliable, next-day service.”

  • John Deere approves B30 Biodiesel for all Tier 4 engines

    John Deere approves B30 Biodiesel for all Tier 4 engines

    John Deere recently announced the approval of B30 biodiesel use across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines. This increases the previous approval of blends up to B20, according to a statement from the company.

    “At John Deere, we’re committed to supporting and growing the use of renewable fuels in our equipment,” said Pierre Guyot, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems. “We believe strongly in the role that renewable fuels play in supporting the agriculture economy and are excited to offer our customers – including those who grow the very crops used to make renewable fuels – the opportunity to leverage higher blends of fuels like biodiesel in their own equipment.”

    John Deere has a long history of supporting renewable fuel use in its equipment. Prior to today’s announcement, all Tier 4 John Deere engines were approved for B20 biodiesel and RD100 renewable diesel, with all Tier 3/Stage III A and lower tier engines approved for biodiesel blends up to B100.

    In addition, all John Deere spark ignition turf and utility equipment is approved for E10 ethanol blend. John Deere is also exploring the use of higher ethanol blends in future engine solutions, including the development of a concept 9.0L ethanol engine that runs on E98. Customers interested in incorporating higher renewable fuel blends including B30 into their operations are encouraged to consult their fuel supplier.

    “This is a win-win situation for U.S. soybean farmers and rural communities,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and Kentucky soybean farmer. “Higher blends of biodiesel mean greater demand for the soybeans we grow and cleaner-burning fuel for equipment in the field. John Deere’s leadership in approving the utilization of B30 in their machinery helps move renewable fuels forward while directly supporting the farmers who help produce them.”

  • Online air brake training available

    Online air brake training available

     CarriersEdge, a provider of online training for the trucking industry, has released a new series of courses on air brakes. The program is based on Techni-Com’s Practical Air Brakes, with content provided by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

    The course provides a clear overview of how air brake systems work, from producing braking force at the wheel to performing safe and effective inspections.

    “Techni-Com’s content is second-to-none, and well established as the industry standard,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “With the addition of the material from CVSA, there’s no other online course on the market with this depth of content. We’ve even created an interactive, virtual brake board that allows participants to see all the working parts of an air brake system and how they interact.”

    Participants will learn the function of each subsystem and its components, and what to watch for during a visual inspection. The training also covers operational tests and brake adjustment best practices so participants can determine if their air brake system is safe to operate.

    “Air brake defects continue to plague the trucking industry,” said Rolf VanderZwaag, President, Techni-Com Inc. “It is a complicated subject that can challenge even experienced drivers. Driver education is the key to a clean safety record, and an approachable, engaging, learning experience ensures drivers learn effectively. CarriersEdge has created an exceptional series of courses that are detailed, thorough, clear, and easy for drivers to digest.”

    The program includes eight interactive modules that can be taken individually or as a compilation course totaling 156 minutes of training:

    • Practical Air Brakes: Air Brake Fundamentals
    • Practical Air Brakes: The Supply Subsystem
    • Practical Air Brakes: The Service Brake Subsystem
    • Practical Air Brakes: The Spring Brake Subsystem
    • Practical Air Brakes: The Trailer Brake Subsystem
    • Practical Air Brakes: Visual Brake Inspections
    • Practical Air Brakes: Conducting Functional Tests
    • Practical Air Brakes: S-Cam Brake Adjustment

    In addition to the core training, the course also includes a baseline test for each module, so drivers can check their knowledge without reviewing the entire course, which is helpful for assessing a driver’s understanding and need for training. It also includes Put it into Practice (PiiP) exercises to supplement the online training with in-person activities. PiiPs include driver recognition, social media, surveys, and hands-on practice, all designed to reinforce learning, make the jobs of those administering training easier, and deliver better results.

    The new program is available in English to all CarriersEdge subscription customers, with French and Spanish versions coming soon. For a free trial of CarriersEdge, visit https://www.carriersedge.com/

  • Brake & steering issues cause recalls of 700+ Daimler trucks

    Brake & steering issues cause recalls of 700+ Daimler trucks

    Daimler Trucks North America is recalling more than 700 trucks because of brake and steering issues.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, said one recall includes 380 vehicles from Daimler’s subsidiaries because the brake caliper mounting bolts may loosen and detach. Affected makes and models include:

    • 2025-’26 Freightliner Cascadia
    • 2025-’26 Freightliner Business Class M2
    • 2025-’26 Western Star 49X
    • 2025-’26 Western Star 47X
    • 2025 Western Star 57X
    • 2025-’26 Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) MT55, MT45G, XCP and XCM
    • 2025 FCCC XCR, XBS, MT45
    • 2026 FCCC MT50E

    The remedy is currently under development, according to the NHTSA. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 10. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712 with recall number F1023. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-601.

    The other recall affects about 343 Daimler trucks in which the tie rod castle nut and cotter pin may not be installed properly. The NHTSA said this can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

    Vehicles affected by the recall include:

    • 2024-‘26 Western Star 47X,
    • 2024-‘26 Freightliner Business Class M2
    • 2024-‘26 FCCC MT55G
    • 2025-‘26 Western Star 49X,
    • 2025-‘26 Freightliner Cascadia,
    • 2025-‘26 FCCC MT45G,
    • 2025-‘26 FCCC S2RV106,
    • 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2,
    • 2025 Freightliner eCascadia
    • 2026 FCCC S2C106

    The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 10. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712 with recall number D25R2. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-603.

  • Aftermarket Foundation awards 368 scholarships

    Aftermarket Foundation awards 368 scholarships

    The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) has awarded 368 scholarships totaling more than $700,000 for the current 2025-26 school yeari.

    The list of recipients can be found here.

    Those students awarded scholarships are attending a two-year or four-year college or university or
    an accredited automotive vocational program. While the majority of the students are studying to
    become mechanical, collision or heavy-duty repair professionals, others are pursuing degrees in
    such fields as engineering, business, supply chain and IT/cybersecurity that can lead to a career in
    the aftermarket.

    In addition to the 368 scholarships funded by UAF and its donors, UAF helped several industry
    organizations, such as state associations and Women in Auto Care, administer more than 100
    additional scholarships.

    To be considered, scholarship candidates submitted completed applications on the foundation’s
    websites. Teams of volunteerscholarship reviewers evaluated the submissions before scholarship recipients and their corresponding schools were notified of the awards.

    “We would not be able to award so many scholarships without the generosity of those who
    contribute their time and resources to UAF, including Auto Care Association and MEMA
    Aftermarket Suppliers,” said Mike Buzzard, AAP, UAF scholarship committee chairman. “Their
    ongoing support is essential to ensure that students who have demonstrated academic and work
    achievements are able to earn scholarships and begin their journey in the aftermarket through
    education.”

    Applications for scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year are currently being accepted. Interested students are encouraged to submit a completed application well before the March 31, 2026 deadline.