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Garage Gurus expands training for independent mechanics
What are Danny “The Count" Koker, star of History channel’s “Counting Cars,” and financier supreme Carl Icahn doing in the same room?
They recently headlined the grand opening of the latest Garage Gurus training center—part of the nationwide technical education network established by Federal-Mogul Motorparts to help vehicle repair professionals keep pace with the latest automotive technologies. While these centers, and competing training programs, target career professionals, their online innovations remind of the great resources available to DIY’ers of all skill levels.
“Garage Gurus brings much-needed focus to the talented, hardworking professionals who help keep millions of consumers safe and secure behind the wheel,” said Federal-Mogul Motorparts CEO Dan Ninivaggi at the kick-off event. The training is a combination of 100 onsite, online, and on-demand courses taught by more than 100 ASE-certified “Gurus” in English and Spanish. They even have Web-connected “Gurus-On-The-Go” product technology vans that travel to independent repair shops for onsite training on the latest repair parts and technologies. Garage Gurus plan to have 15 training centers open around the United States to support the 220,000 automotive repair businesses. They currently have them in Chicago, Los Angeles, and now the Bronx.
Back to the original question: Mr. Icahn owns an 82 percent stake in Federal Mogul, which is why he was at the grand opening. The Count was invited to provide some celebrity buzz; he is a self-taught mechanic who has a Las Vegas based restoration and customization business. Koker believes in real jobs for real people, and his own custom shop has 48 people on staff with various automotive skills.
What does this all mean to you the consumer? CR subscribers have consistently found that independent repair shops outscored dealership service for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when promised. With few exceptions, the entire list of independent shops by brand specialty got high marks on those factors. In order to compete with dealerships, independents need to receive ongoing education in the latest procedures and technologies. And this program is one more tool for doing so.
While Garage Gurus advises that some classes are available to non-professionals, the education is targeting experienced wrenches.
But there are also great online resources for the average driver to learn more about maintaining and fixing their car. The car repair encyclopedia and repair estimator at http://ift.tt/1nDiX8p is a free, easy-to-use way to learn more about car systems and even get estimates from local shops on common work.
Another valuable tool is YouTube, where you can find all manner of videos covering common problems and solutions. Watching such videos can make you better equipped to understand issues and communicate with your local shop. In some cases, these videos can even show you how to do some basic work yourself, such as replace filters or headlights.
Car education for consumers and professionals is good thing, especially when it is convenient and affordable.
—Rich Handel
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.
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