Motorist Assurance Program Advises Consumers, Shops On Maintaining Older Vehicles -

Motorist Assurance Program Advises Consumers, Shops On Maintaining Older Vehicles

Consumers are keeping vehicles longer and longer and the average age of a vehicle on the road is more than 10 years old. In many of these older vehicles, the odometer reading already exceeds the mileage intervals listed in the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

The Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) helps consumers and shops maintain cars beyond their expected lifespan.

“Both shops and consumers have been asking for guidance on how best to maintain older vehicles,” says AMRA/MAP President Barry Soltz.

Consumers are keeping vehicles longer and longer and the average age of a vehicle on the road is more than 10 years old. In many of these older vehicles, the odometer reading already exceeds the mileage intervals listed in the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. The consumer desires to keep their car in service and well-maintained even longer; however, motorists and shops both question whether these vehicles require more or less maintenance at such an advanced age and mileage, according to MAP.

AMRA/MAP contacted several vehicle manufacturers and asked which maintenance services they recommend for vehicles on the road and well beyond the intervals listed in the service schedule. Although none of the OEMs offered a documented policy, virtually all stated that those vehicles should be maintained according to the original schedule and that neither more or less maintenance was beneficial.

To help educate consumers and shops, the Motorist Assurance Program has issued the following statement:

MAP Service Intervals Position (beyond the vehicle’s original schedule)

Many consumers are holding onto their vehicles longer; sometimes well into the second hundred-thousand miles and beyond. As a general rule, higher-mileage vehicles should follow the same routine or periodic service intervals as lower-mileage vehicles, based on conditions in which the vehicle is operated, to help maintain performance and reliability.

In some cases, the original vehicle manufacturer addresses these continuing service intervals in the owner’s or maintenance manual(s), or through instrument panel service indicators. However, some vehicle manufacturers’ recommendations are no longer listed after a specific time or mileage interval.

It is the position of the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), that in the absence of original vehicle manufacturers’ recommended service intervals (beyond the original schedule), vehicle owners should revert to and repeat the original time or mileage service interval schedule, or as advised by the instrument panel service indicator.

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By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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