Summer 1999

Build the Website and They Will Come!

That’s what the CAAT Board members and the CAAT Trainers who were polled said. “Build a website that lists the CAAT Trainers classes and let technicians, shop owners, and other trainers aware of when, where, and how to register for these classes.”

So that’s exactly what CAAT did. Now CAAT presents to you, your website…

caat.org

Here you’ll find the

National Technician Training Directory

A listing of CAAT members classes by state, city, course name, training agency and phone number.

The directory is updated daily from the information sent to CAAT from its members.

The Training Directory has been advertised in many trade journals and will become the “yellow pages” for shops and technicians to find training in or near their town.

The largest problem facing the automotive industry is having qualified technicians to repair vehicles, install parts and use high tech equipment.

Sometimes shop owners or technicians just don’t know what classes are available in their area. With the Training Directory they can stay informed and plan their training calendar. For the CAAT trainers it’s a very inexpensive way of advertising to shops and technicians the courses they’re planning to offer. n

Attention all CAAT Trainers!!!

Let’s every one of us see how many newsletters and/or magazines we can get a press release about the National Training Directory on CAAT’s website.

So far I have gotten it published in two newsletters and a magazine in the state of Washington. It will soon be distributed in two newsletters in Oregon. There are 200 CAAT members, so if we each got the press release published in four publications we would have an almost instant exposure. SO, let’s do it! I We need to get the CAAT name in front of as many employers and technicians as possible.

Call Tom Mettner at 1-80O~922-2894 to get a copy of the press release to give to these publications; they publish the press release free of charge.

Milt Stoddard

Cartech Industries, Inc.
Executive Director’s Corner

By Nick Positano

Hello? It has been awhile since I have had the time or opportunity to communicate to our members via the newsletter. I hope to be able to do this on a more regular bases during the remainder of this year and beyond.

I have recently made some career changes, which I wanted to share with you. As many of you are already aware I spent 18 years working for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and then five (5) years as a private consultant.

On February 1, 1999 I returned to those earlier roots when I became the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Region I Director. My region includes eighteen (18) jurisdictions from Maine to DC and six eastern Canadian provinces. AAMVA divides the country into four (4) regions each administered by a Director. The association deals with all aspects of the motor vehicle regulatory business.

My new position has been both rewarding

and challenging. I have had the opportunity to again work with DMV administrators that I had known in my previous career. I still have the opportunity, responsibility and interest in continuing my work in I\M, especially on the “M” side of the equation. Most recently I completed an earlier obligation to coordinate I\M Solutions “99,” which is a forum held for I\M administrators to discuss issues of concern to them and network with fellow administrators in seeking solutions to their problems.

It was no surprise to me or many of those in attendance that the conversation eventually turned to technician training. We were fortunate to have Gerry Truglia, CAAT\NYATTP trainer participate on an OBD II panel discussion. An EPA representative, in reaction to the panel presentation, stated to the full assembly that with the advent of OBO II I\M testing in 2001 would make it necessary for the states to allocate more resources and effort to properly prepare technicians to diagnose and repair failed I\M vehicles. We seem always to return to the root of our solution to keeping our vehicles running clean, namely trained technlclans

CAAT was born from the efforts of the National Education Resource Centers (NERC) National Train-the-Trainer-Program to create a motivated and

trained group of trainers who could provide quality training to prepare technicians to properly diagnose and repair emissions related failures. Over the last five (5) years we have taken on a holistic approach to educating technicians involving all aspects of vehicle diagnosis and repair. It is our continued goal to provide effective technician training through the use of quality training materials and trainers

I have experienced a great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment in working for over twenty (20) years with automotive training providers, trainers and technicians Hopefully I will effectively use my experiences in working with administrators in my new position.

I look forward to working, on a voluntary bases as I have for the last two (2), as your executive director. Each day l truly do get excited and motivated by this business and the critical role it plays in the mobility of our citizens.

Have a great summer! If you get a chance give me a call (518) 782-0862 or e-mail me njpositano@compuserve.com I would love to hear from you.n

Special Thanks

To Don Knowles, Knowles Automotive Training Moose Jaw, SK Canada for his articles submitted to CAAT for the AERN Newsletter. Our readers of the AERN have called to say thanks for the great information and keep up the good work.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 17-23
NACAT Conference
Trident College
Charleston, SC

July 28,29
AMRA/MAP
Holiday Inn Independence
Cleveland, OH

Sept. 12-15
ATMC Fall Meeting
Radison
Akron OH

October 29-31
Automotive Service Assn.
(CARS)
Alexis Park Resort
Las Vegas, NV

November 2-5
Big Industry Week
Automotive Aftermarket

Important “Wanted”

E-Mail Address from all CAAT Trainers. If you haven’t been receiving a by weekly “UPDATE” from CAAT Headquarters than we probably don’t have your correct E-Mail address. CAAT is acting as the post office for trainers to send information to all other trainers in an email. To post information of interest to other trainers send an email to caat@compuserve.com or send it through the email on the website caat.org

 Announcing the 1999 ATMC National Training Excellence Awards Program

Applications and entry instructions available on the ATMC Web Site at http://www.atmc.org

All providers of Automotive /Truck training are eligible including original equipment manufacturers, replacement parts, equipment and tool manufacturers and suppliers, warehouse distributors, wholesalers and retail distributors, and service outlets, etc.

Entry deadline is July 30, 1999 For further information contact Bonnie Karim at (405) 366-4331 or email bkarim@email.usps.gov

PS. CAAT Trainers who have previously won an ATMC award are David Cole, David Scaler and Tom Mettner.

NACAT & CAAT Agree to Memorandum of Understanding

NACAT’s goals are somewhat parallel to that of CAAT’s, which is providing a support system, designed around the special needs of automotive trainers.

NACAT offers its members a well organized conference which is held this year on July 19 -23 at Trident Technical College Charleston, SC. Registration is open up to the day of the conference but is recommended to get the registration form sent in as early as possible. The registration form can be downloaded on the web site www.trident.tecsc/nacat or call CAAT headquarters to receive one by mail or fax. The cost of the conference is $130.00.The conference includes a full list of presenters, a trade show, and two planned social activities.

CAAT offers part-time continuing education training opportunities with CAAT industry partners as well as article publishing in CAAT’s national publication “Automotive Emissions Repair Network” (AERN).

Note: Over 2000 CAAT Seals have been placed on technician’s certificates for courses.

CAAT Adds Brake Courses

Two new brake courses make total 47 different courses that are available to CAAT Trainers!

Order by calling TMP at (216)-591-9403

Course UC-6

Hydraulic Brake Systems

Approximate length: 8 hours

57 minutes video 58 slides

This course informs the technician of the workings of the complete hydraulic braking system. It enables them to diagnose problems from the master cylinder to the braking surfaces and perform essential service procedures.

  • Recognize the difference between duo-servo and leading/trailing drum brake systems.
  • Identify the various hydraulic controls and perform appropriate bleeding techniques.
  • Understand the operation of both the dual and quick take-up, master cylinder designs.
  • Learn to diagnose and repair different power brake systems.
  • Properly inspect and service brake fluid, lines and hoses, and friction material.
  • Use the MAP Uniform Inspection and Communication Guidelines for making brake system service and repair determinations.

Course UC-7

ABS Brake Systems

Approximate length: 8 hours

This course starts out with an overview on common problems found in hydraulic brake systems. Then goes in to the principles of ABS and the different designs and channel variations.

  • Explains the function of the various ABS components
  • Demonstrates the various modes of ABS operation
  • Demonstrate the traction assist modes of operationLearn how to avoid false diagnosis by using proper pre-checks
  • Learn basic ABS trouble code retrieval
  • Learn how to use a scan tool for component diagnosis
  • Learn how to identify system components using a wiring schematic
  • Be able to test systems using computer pin values

Olson Total Car Care Committed to Tech Training

Olson Total Car Care located in Florida and Georgia, is part of a large group of 318 auto service centers located throughout the country. They have developed a uniform training program utilizing CAAT Trainers and CAAT courses. “The training evaluations have been excellent,” said Vince Daviero, Corporate Director of Training & Education. “We’re very pleased with the professionalism of the CAAT Trainers. We were even able to train our Spanish speaking employees with a CAAT bi-lingual trainer.”

Starting in 99 Olson Total Care Car has held classes with a focus on a different system each month. In June the course selection was the new Hydraulic Brake course. “It seem to flow real well,” said Richard White, one of Olson’s in house trainers. “The animation in the video was of great use to show my students on the inner workings of the master cylinder. I was able to slow the film down and really get them to understand how it works.”

Hopefully more service providers will see the benefit of contacting CAAT Trainers to improve their technician’s skill and increase their customer satisfaction level and bay profits. n

A new sponsor of CAAT. They are the developersof the auto management software
  MotorWare. Its one of the easiest programs to learn and use. It is Y2K and windows based. It has 13 different work orders that can be personally enhanced, and offers a complete menu of reports along with customer mailings. A nice feature of the program is that the shop can keep many work orders open at one time. It’s unique that it is designed for both collision and repair. The tools bar allow the user to go into Alldata, quick books, or comp/est. MultiWare has training opportunities for interested CAAT Trainers
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CAAT’S NEWEST MEMBERS

Tim Andrews, Wheeling Auto Center
Hoffman Estates, IL

Jeff Barrette, City of Madison
Madison WI

Eugene Bodmer, Advanced Training Systems
Mendota, IL

Dan Buckley, Quad Computer Systems
Lodi, NJ

Rodney Dawson, Sherwood Tire
Plymouth, IN

Ross Merrow,
Sharon Ontario Canada

Evan Meyer, Automotive Consultants of Berkley
Berkley, CA

John Meyer, LWIT
Naples, FL

Jim Morton, Automotive Training Center
Huntingdon Valley, PA

Lou Nelson, Advanced Training Systems
Joliet, IL

Tim Nickle, Olson Total Car Care
Clearwater, FL

Armando Pedilla,
Naples, FL

Manual Rodriguez, Advanced Training Systems
East Chicago, IN

Joe Saxton, CATS
Wood River, IL

Stewart Sikora, Triton College
Burbank, IL

Kevin Stephenson, Southeast Automotive Training, Vadalia, GA

John Thornton, Pro-Tech Auto Repair
Naperville , IL

Scott Walsh, Advanced Training Systems
Joliet, IL

Daniel Warning, Advanced Training Systems
Channahon, IL

Ron Wheeler, Four Seasons Climate Control
Spring Texas

Richard White, Olson Total Car Care
Land o Lakes, FL

Lionel Joe Jr., Chattahoochee Technical Institute
Atlanta, GA

CAAT Membership and participation is open to all members of the automotive industry who meet minimum standards and have an interest in providing effective technician training. Those interested in becoming a CAAT member or securing the service of CAAT Trainers are urged to contact CAAT 800-922-2894

E-mail address; caat@compuserve.com

Website caat.org


CAAT needs your support to grow and improve through increased membership. We need your help to attract top trainers who can fill the industry’s need for quality training. CAAT will support those trainers by providing them with quality training materials and encourage them to advertise their classes on the CAAT website.

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The quarterly publication of the
Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers
632 Gamble Dr. Lisle, IL 60532
phone/fax 630-963-4051

Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers
Board of Directors

Chairman
Dave Cole………ASTEC, 20013 Ravenea Dr.Lawrenceburg, IN

Vice Chairman
Jim Moore…….Auto Equipment Sales5070 Quail Ln. N Canton OH
Joe Barton…….aTs P.O. 325 Cottleville, MO
Henry Bennis…Essex Tech College 3 Ed.Dr. Essex Junction, VT
Don McDonald… Snap-on Technical Training Lincolnshire, IL
Joe Torchiana.Torchiana Auto 119W.Chester Pike W. Chester, PA
Mike Trotta…. School of Auto Tech 1521 Pine Acres Blvd. Bayshore, NY
Jerry Truglia…A.T.T.S. Rt. 6 10 Lupi PlazaMahopac NY
Bob Weil…….. Forest Park college St. Louis MO.

President
Tom Mettner….632 Gamble Drive Lisle, IL 60532
Phone/Fax (630) 963-4051 E-mail tmettner@caat.org

Executive Director
Nicholas J. Positano..7 Monroe Ave. Latham, NY 12110
Phone/Fax (518)782-0862 E-mail njpositano@compuserve.com
Visit our Web site at http://www.caat.org

 

AERN subscription
CAAT Trainer membership application
Sponsor member Application
Self Study Courses
Who are the Directors of CAAT?
CAAT Course Descriptions
CAAT Trainers classes listed by State
Links to Trainers
Government
Automotive magazines
Equipment
Repair Information
Organizations


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Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers
632 Gamble Drive                                                                                 Phone/Fax 630-963-4051
Lisle, IL 60532                  E-mail tmettner@caat.org            website www.caat.org