The Systech Newsletter: July 2011
Your “Check Engine” light just went on. What does it mean and how much will it cost to turn it off? It’s a cryptic message that suddenly lights up on your instrument panel. You pop the hood, and guess what? The engine is still there and the car seems to be running fine. So what gives? Turns out your car is telling you something important. Fixing the problem may cost as little as three bucks and a few minutes of your time. Or, worst case, your mechanic may need to replace the catalytic converter to the tune of about two grand. This article reveals the five most likely reasons why that pesky light might suddenly appear on your dashboard, and what you can do about it. Autos on MSNBC.com.
Testing and Regulations
DOT and EPA debut new fuel economy labels. The United States Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency have teamed up on a new design for the fuel economy label, the first change since the program was implemented 30 years ago. Some of the key data points displayed on the label include annual fuel cost, MPG equivalents for non-gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, tailpipe fuel economy/green house gas emission and smog ratings, fuel savings over a five-year period, and even a QR code that can be read by a Web-enabled smartphone for accessing more information about the vehicle. The new label was developed in coordination with auto makers, environmentalists, and consumer groups, and will begin appearing on dealer lots in 2013. automotive-fleet.com.
Equipment, Tools, and Gear
Reputation Management made easy. Today, most consumers in need of automotive services now consult their laptop or smartphone for a list of dealers in their area. Not only are consumers more likely to consult the Web over traditional print media, studies demonstrate that they really do pay attention to—and trust—those online user ratings and comments. These days, as yellow pages are increasingly going directly from the front porch to the recycle bin, and with as many as 50 search engines capable of returning results at the click of a mouse, monitoring how your business is represented on the Internet is not only a necessity, it’s an opportunity. Motorcycle Product News via autocarepro:news.
Waiting Rooms Are For Kids Too. How many auto services customers arrive with children in tow? Probably quite a few, especially when Mom is the one bringing the car into the shop. Managers who make the effort to set aside child-friendly areas in their waiting rooms may find an outstanding return on their modest investment. With kids happily playing in their own area, frazzled parents are happier with their auto service experience, reinforcing customer loyalty and satisfaction. AskPatty.com, a company that certifies automotive retailers that are female consumer-friendly, offers a few easy tips that can really pay dividends. CB Auto Collision Repair Training/News.
New device offers more freedom for people with disabilities. A device developed in Spain and unveiled at the 13th EAEC European Automotive Congress offers those with upper torso weakness or mobility impairment the opportunity to drive a car with only one hand. The prototype, presented by the Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia (IBV), eliminates the need for a steering wheel: all control functions are located in a single hand operated device. The ergonomic IBV design is all electronic, but does feature a mechanical “feel” that helps to mimic and transmit traditional driving perceptions. Science Daily.
Enforcement
Atlanta, Georgia. James Hinton, Michael Kelly, and Jackie Baker have pleaded guilty to violations of the US Clean Air Act. According to the US Attorney, the trio fraudulently certified 1,400 vehicles that would have otherwise failed emissions testing. Instead of connecting the owners’ real cars to the emissions equipment, the defendants connected different cars that they knew would pass the test (Kelly was caught in the act of using his personal vehicle to provide false results). During the tests, the computer system automatically transmitted emissions testing data to a statewide database accessible by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The defendants manually entered other information into the system, such as the make, model, and VIN, to make it appear that they were testing the customers’ cars, many of which had already failed an emissions test or showed equipment malfunctions. The defendants charged $100 to $125 for a fraudulent emissions test, far more than the usual $20 they charged for a legitimate inspection. Georgia law prohibits inspection stations from charging more than $25 for an emissions test. The maximum sentence the court could impose is two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia.
Los Angeles, California. Former smog check technician Jermaine E. Williams was sentenced to one year in L.A. County jail and five years of probation for illegally certifying cars at two locations and submitting false vehicle information to the state. Co-defendant Rodney Johnson, whose smog inspection license had been previously revoked, pleaded no contest in March and was sentenced to 15 months in state prison. Los Angeles Times.
State News
California DMV stops collecting vehicle license fees. Like many states, California is in the midst of a whopping budget crisis. So why would the state forego $80 million per month in vehicle license fee revenue? Believe it or not, with state budget figures still up in the air, the DMV doesn’t know how much to charge, so vehicle renewal notices dated July 1, 2011 and later are not being sent out. The DMV is assuring motorists that when notices do finally go out, there will be a 30 day grace period for compliance, and state and local law enforcement agencies have been asked not to cite drivers affected by the delay in their registration renewals. But California motorists are understandably nervous about going through with summer travel plans to other states or Mexico for fear of being pulled over for expired tags. The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Link to CA DMV Notice
Driverless Cars Now OK in Nevada? Not quite: but new legislation recently passed in the state establishes a framework for how regulations, performance standards, and licensing requirements for autonomous automobiles may go forward in the state. It’s the first step in what is likely to be a long process, but thanks to a push by technology giant Google, odds are driverless cars may eventually be a reality in Nevada. Forbes via popsci.com (Popular Science)
Systech News
Systech InternationalAchieves ISO 14001 Certification. The 1SO 14001 Environmental Management System standard represents the core elements needed for identifying, implementing, and maintaining company practices that minimize adverse environmental impact. Specifically, for Systech to attain certification, the company needed to ensure all practices were in complete compliance with local environmental laws and regulations. In addition, Systech had to determine how much impact each of the company’s operations had on the environment and develop procedures to minimize those impacts. Measurable objectives, such as reducing energy usage by 5% and using recycling to keep 50% of all solid waste materials out of the landfill, were identified and performance tracking processes implemented. Systech employees were not only trained on the EMS, they created and implemented the internal audit. Certification was through recommendation by a third-party auditor, and an ISO 14001 review committee reviewed the external audit and certified and registered Systech as being in compliance with the standard.
For Systech, this is a natural extension of the company’s overall environmental policy. In fact, Systech considers the 1SO 14001 as a minimum requirement, and notes that certification employs “best practice” management systems that improve process effectiveness and quality in all processes, not just those related to environmental aspects and targets. In other words, compliance with the ISO 14001 standard is good business practice, especially for an industry leader in vehicle emission program management, database, and inspection equipment solutions. Certification was awarded June 7, 2011.
Off The Beaten Track
Mushrooms: Much Better Than Cooked Chicken Feathers? Ecovative Design, the brainchild of two former roommates at Renssellaer Polytechnic University in New York, wants to challenge the $20 billion Styrofoam and polystyrene industry with innovative Earth-friendly materials. One innovation in particular has drawn a lot of attention and accolades for the young start-up company, including being named a Technology Pioneer of 2011 by the World Economic Forum. The material is mycelium, a natural binding agent found in the roots of mushrooms. Does this mean your next car’s bumpers will be grown in the dark? Not quite, but the solution has grabbed the attention of Ford Motor Company which is already using soy-based foam in seat cushions and has been experimenting with a variety of non-petroleum-based materials like algae and cooked chicken feathers. Though some production aspects remain to be ironed out, mycelium is not only Earth-friendly, it can be grown in any size and shape, and it’s fireproof. CNN Money via Yahoo! Autos.
