Toyota’s TIS Techstream Scantool
March 25, 2008
At the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS) convention held during Automotive Industry Week at Las Vegas this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Automotive Service Association (ASA) hosted an OEM Tool Forum. The purpose of the forum was to give OEMs an opportunity to present information about their aftermarket programs for diagnostic tools and service information systems. While BMW, Subaru and Toyota made presentations, it was Toyota’s program that “knocked it out of the ball park” for the independents.
This event was covered in a good article written by Bob Chabot and posted on the ASA Website. Toyota was also gracious enough to make available a handout of the presentation which included the speaker’s notes. Mark Saxonberg, the Service Technology Department Manager for Toyota Motor Sales made the presentation. All the block quotes in this post came straight from the presentation notes which are available here.
The TIS Techstream
Toyota’s original scan tool was based on Vetronix’s Mastertech platform and was put in service in 1993. In the spring of 2007, Toyota shipped their new PC-based scan tool, called TIS Techstream, to its 1750 North American Toyota/Scion dealers.
This new OEM scan tool is a great example of how to leverage a tool’s capabilities by using existing industry standard hardware and technology. As shown in the image to the left, the TIS Techstream is made up of three main parts.
The PC
At the core of this tool is a Panasonic ToughBook 19 computer. This computer has become an industry standard among ruggedized computers. Some of the more noted ruggedized features are: full magnesium alloy case, moisture and dust resistant keyboard and touchpad, sealed port and connector covers and a shock-mounted removable hard drive.
The Backpack
The ruggedized ToughBook is further toughened up by placing it into another frame (backpack) that adds big corner bumpers and additional padding. The backpack also holds the Vehicle Interface Module (VIM) and a charging module to provide power to the computer from the 12v source that is available from the OBD-II data link connector.
The Docking Station
When not in use, the computer/backpack unit is placed in the docking station for charging. The backpack can also be locked to the docking station for security.
Service information from Toyota’s Technical Information System (TIS) is delivered to the scantool using industry standard wireless network technology. Techstream will automatically notify you if a PCM update is available for a car being scanned. You are given the option of reading the TSB that addresses the details of the PCM software update and updating the software if you choose. The TIS Techstream integrates a robust OEM level scantool, a service information system, and PCM reprogramming into one bayside tool!
Currently this system is sold as a complete package for $7,995 and includes a 2-year subscription to TIS (includes Techstream software updates and ECU Reprogramming Calibrations). Based on the following excerpt from the presentation, it looks like in the future you will likely be able to purchase the software and use your own hardware.
I see more PC-based vehicle diagnostic software from automakers – so we can get out of the hardware business and focus on building robust diagnostic software tools for the “even-more-complex” systems that are coming in the future…
The Toyota Aftermarket Philosophy
Part of the presentation focused on Toyota’s philosophy towards the independent service industry. The title of the presentation, “Building Brand Loyalty Through Outstanding Service Support - in the Aftermarket” set the stage! Here are some amazing excerpts from the presentation material.
Why do consumers make the automotive purchase decisions they do? While factors like styling and performance are important to many, if you ask them what keeps them coming back for more, consumers almost universally rate Quality, Dependability and Reliability – QDR – as a primary motivator. And…, while product quality and dependability are, to a large degree a function of engineering, as the vehicle ages, they inevitably require maintenance and repair. Automotive engineers have a great deal of influence over QDR in the early stages of the ownership experience, but you have the most influence over the quality of that ownership experience in the later years of the ownership cycle. Your role in automaker success becomes even more important as the quality gap continues to narrow between automakers. As the competitive playing field becomes more level, automakers have to find new ways to distinguish their products from their competitors.
A reputation for a positive lifetime ownership experience is one of the more important distinguishing attributes that can set an automaker apart from its competitors. Positive ownership experiences sell cars!
If automakers expect independent shops to deliver positive ownership experiences, we have to create effective and affordable service support systems for you.
Toyota is showing a lot of wisdom by adopting this position. Actually Toyota has been “aftermarket friendly” for many years with programs such as, Support to Automotive Repair (STAR), and other aftermarket support programs. It is good, however, to hear this from a Toyota presentation. Toyota has proven that you can be supportive of the aftermarket and still grow your market share. No doubt, other OEMs have opened up their programs more because of the example set by Toyota.
Toyota’s Challenge to the Aftermarket
Toyota also recognizes that the aftermarket needs to be prepared for the changes in the industry. For an independent shop to be in a position to deliver quality service it must be financially sound and invested in technology and training. Here are some excerpts from the presentations:
The industry is changing at an astonishingly fast pace – and if you haven’t already, it’s time to get on-board and start changing with it. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:
First, get yourself a broadband connection to the Internet in your shop and connect it by a secure wireless network to your service area so you can begin taking advantage of the wealth of service support resources available there
Use your third party and OEM website service information resources regularly – the days of fixing cars without service information are gone.
Come to grips with the fact that the increasing incremental costs of service information and diagnostic tools are eroding your bottom line – it is time to understand just how much and begin building these costs into your fee structures
And finally, become accustomed to using PCs in your service environment – a great deal of your service support will be delivered by them in the future
The Future
Assuming Toyota and the aftermarket maintain a cooperative working relationship, here are some of the things you will likely see going into the future:
I see growing use of OEM websites as complete service support portals, providing access not only to service information, but also to subscription based diagnostic software, just in time training resources, and manufacturer specific technical assistance.
Historically, automakers have relied on aftermarket tool and equipment suppliers to create service support systems for the aftermarket. With the complexity of today’s vehicles and service support systems, this model is becoming more of a challenge.
More collaboration on standardization in vehicle diagnostic interfaces, movement toward Windows based diagnostic applications and development of diagnostic appliances - capable of supporting all automaker diagnostic systems - offer the best hope in realizing this vision for the future.
PC Based Equipment in Mobile Diagnostics
March 25, 2008
One place where PC based equipment is heavily used is in the mobile diagnostic business. In this business you must take all your equipment and information systems with you and using a computer for as much of this as possible, just makes sense.
One of the country’s prominent mobile diagnostic techs, Jim Garrido, lives locally. I have known Jim for many years going back to his Saturn tech days. In addition to operating a mobile diagnostic service in the central North Carolina area, Jim also conducts training for CarQuest Technical Institute (CTI) in the evenings.
Jim teaches the CTI classes in Greensboro, NC at Guilford Tech Community College where I teach. The last class he taught was on reprogramming ECMs/PCMs using both OEM scan tools and the J-2534 approach. At least 4-5 times during the presentation he stressed the importance of strong PC skills, which gave me even more reason to finish my book!
One of the best examples of a mobile diagnostic rig is shown to the left. While that is Jim Garrido in the picture, the truck belongs to John Anello. This picture was taken while Jim was attending one of John’s “Boot Camps”. John’s Boot Camp is a ride along type program that will expose you to some of the most advanced diagnostic tools and procedures in use today. To learn more about John Anello’s Boot Camp, click here.
John is one of the premier mobile diagnostic techs in the country. His mobile rig is based on a H2 Hummer and is equipped with all the latest and greatest diagnostic equipment. He is also actively involved in training through the author, and a speaker at automotive conferences.
Have Scanner Will Travel
Jim Garrido
Serving: Central NC
jgarrido@triad.rr.com
Auto Tech on Wheels
John Anello
Serving: Trenton, NJ area
http://www.autotechonwheels.com
ATOWscopeit@aol.com
NASTF’s OEM Service Information Matrix
March 25, 2008
The same legislation that mandated that OBD-II systems be installed on all cars sold from 1996 and later had another component that dealt with access to service information. The legislation was rather complicated; however, in summary automobile manufacturers were required to make available, at a fair market price, service information on any system that would effect emissions.
In the beginning of this period some manufactures only made emissions information available and the access charges to the information was relatively expensive. Over time most manufacturers have opened up information access to most other areas of the car and the access charges have stabilized across most manufacturers and are more affordable. Also the way service information is accessed has standardized in that all manufacturers must provide the service information via a website.
So where do we find out about the OEM service websites, training, special tools, and reprogramming equipment? From the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) website:
This site is a valuable resource, especially for independent garages that may work on several car lines. It is a single source for virtually all the information you need to know about accessing OEM level service information.
The following information was pulled directly from the NASTF website:
NASTF Mission Statement
The National Automotive Service Task Force will facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications to automotive service professionals.
About NASTF
The National Automotive Service Task Force is a cooperative effort among the automotive service industry, the equipment and tool industry, and automotive manufacturers to ensure that automotive service professionals have the information, training, and tools needed to properly diagnose and repair today’s high tech vehicles.
NASTF was established in the fall of 2000 as a national successor to a pilot program in Arizona during 1999 and 2000. In the Arizona pilot program, these groups learned that they shared the common objective of ensuring swift and proper repair of customer vehicles, and that the best way to improve current information gaps was to work constructively to improve delivery systems. Today’s rapidly advancing and changing technologies compound the information problems that automotive service professionals face; however, the Internet and other technology advancements offer opportunities today to address these problems.
One of the first projects taken on by this group of volunteers is the OE Service Information Matrix. This is a detailed document showing what information is available directly from each car manufacturer including contact phone numbers and web sites where available. This document will be continuously updated as new information and resources become available.
In order to help identify gaps in the availability of service information, NASTF will accept feedback from service technicians. Any problems locating or obtaining service information through the sources listed in this matrix may be reported directly to NASTF by submitting a NASTF Service Information Request Form.
Managing Online Information Via Subscription
March 24, 2008
In the last couple of years I have had the opportunity to do technology presentations at various automotive/educational conferences. I often do a presentation titled “Mastering Online Information”. The Internet has grown to the point that we can’t effectively find and manage information just using the Google search feature we have to work smarter!
While there are many options (remember, I can easily turn this into a three hour presentation), in this post I want to cover managing information via a subscription. Often you will have certain web sites, blogs, or news searches that you want to closely monitor. This is when you need to utilize an RSS feed to push information to you automatically. As long as the site you want to monitor publishes an RSS feed all you need is a feed reader (officially called a news feed aggregater). I found a neat video that does a good job of explaining how RSS works, yet uses a simple explanation.
Take a look at the video below titled “RSS in Simple Language”.
The simplest way to subscribe to this blog is to right click on the “RSS” icon (a large icon is shown to the left) at the top right corner of the menu bar and “Copy Link Location”. That will put this URL on the clipboard: http://digitalliteracyproject.com/feed/rss/. Go to your RSS feed reader and use this link to manually subscribe to this blog.In my upcoming book, I have dedicated an entire chapter on managing online content.
