The resources mentioned in the show are:

• Bent Creek Lodge
• PicoScope
• AutoNerdz (Tom Roberts)
• AES Wave
• AutoBlog – BMW Post
• AutoBlog – Mercedes Post
• Headlight

Please leave comments and suggestions below.

Show Notes:

This show was introductory in nature and the following links were discussed.

• Digital Literacy Project
• National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF)
• Google Reader

Please leave comments and suggestions below.

Image Courtesy of Audi

To offer “transparency” Audi is rolling out a 2-way audio/video system to be used to support direct communication between customers and technicians. This will be used in England first and is marketed as “Direct Reception”. For the details, read the official Audi press release below.

Audi’s official press release follows:

NEW ‘DIRECT RECEPTION’ SYSTEM GIVES INSIGHT INTO THE MECHANICS OF AUDI

Pioneering new interactive audio visual system enables Audi customers to watch and communicate with Audi technicians as they work

• AudiDirect Reception system allowing customers to be more closely involved in work undertaken on their cars is currently being rolled out across Audi Centre network

• Technician wears ‘Audi Cam’ which links to monitor in service reception, and communicates via two-way audio link

• Aim is to maximise ‘transparency’ and instil even greater confidence by providing conclusive proof of problems in ‘real time’

• Fixed price servicing option now in place for A1 models

• Fixed price for five key maintenance jobs for A3, A4, A6 and TT models in excess of 36 months old and up to 2.0-litres in capacity

Candid cameras will soon be focused on all Audi Centre service areas as part of a new Direct Reception initiative being rolled out across the network that will enable Audi customers to view in ‘real time’, and communicate with, technicians as they carry out diagnosis and repair work.

From the comfort of the Audi Centre reception area customers will have direct audio visual access to their cars as they are worked on by technicians equipped with ‘Audi Cams’ and two-way audio links. They will be free to talk to the technicians directly, and service advisors will be on hand to answer any questions that arise. The aim is to provide full exposure to the investigative and corrective work undertaken, maximising ‘transparency’ and instilling even greater confidence not only in the legitimacy of each diagnosis but also the quality of workmanship demonstrated by Audi trained technicians.

Customer feedback from Direct Reception pilot schemes has been overwhelmingly positive, with all participants polled so far confirming that they would recommend the service to others.

Commenting on the new initiative, Director of Audi UK Jeremy Hicks said: “Service departments throughout the industry are often accused of baffling customers with science – by offering ours full exposure to the work undertaken on their cars, and the ability to talk through that work with the technician involved, our aim is to demystify the process as fully as possible. We want to ensure that everyone who entrusts their Audi to us for servicing and repairs knows exactly where they stand and exactly what to expect.”

As well as offering a straightforward, substantiated prognosis on the condition of every car, Audi Centres can also provide the added reassurance of fixed price maintenance to owners of A3, A4, A6 and TT models that are over 36 months old and powered by engines of up to (and including) 2.0-litres in capacity. Seven of the tasks carried out most frequently to these cars are covered by a fixed, all-inclusive and highly competitive price that applies nationally.

The tasks include major and minor services (£249 and £99 respectively), clutch replacement (front-wheel-drive £599, quattro £799), front and rear brake pad replacement (£99 front, £99 rear), front and rear pad and disc replacement (£229), front wiper blade replacement (£39), brake fluid change (£49) and cambelt replacement (£349).

Fixed price service plan for A1 customers

Buyers of the new Audi A1 premium compact hatchback can also specify an optional fixed price service plan which, for a one-off payment of just £250 (when the car is programmed to adhere to the long life service regime), will leave them safe in the knowledge that their servicing needs are covered financially for the first five years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first).

All scheduled servicing, including brake fluid changes, is taken care of over this period, and any labour and parts (excluding items subject to wear and tear) involved are covered by a two-year Audi warranty.

Online service booking

Servicing for all Audi models can now be booked online by visiting www.audi.co.uk and clicking on ‘owners area’.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Toyota provides some of the industry’s strongest aftermarket support through the Techstream Lite program covered in this post. In this presentation Tom explains how Toyota uses aggregated repair information, pulled from the “back end” of the Techstream tool to generate new diagnostic information.

The ability of Toyota to view the data pulled from the vehicle enhances and assists a technician’s diagnostic capability, Trisdale said. Personnel at Toyota can see what a vehicle’s DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) are when a vehicle is connected, he said.  “I can see what the tech saw,” he said, adding that it’s a real-time data view that’s integrated into Toyota’s back-end system.

Take to time to look at this presentation and you will see the big picture and it looks pretty good to me!

Toyota recommends using the Drew Technology’s Mongoose cable as the J2534 device. This cable is about 1/3 the cost of a full J2534 box, but is dedicated for Toyota use. While the Toyota site recommends the Mongoose cable only, on the Drew Technology’s site they state that their full J2534 box (CarDAQ Plus) is compatible.

Toyota offers the diagnostic software at $995/year or as a short term subscription of $55/48 hours. This subscription includes PCM reprogramming capabilities.

To read more about Toyota’s diagnostic program visit techinfo.toyota.com.

smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), is showcasing the smart drive app for the iPhone through an interactive exhibit at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Working with engineers at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. in Silicon Valley, smart is the first car brand to develop its own drive app. Together with an iPhone cradle that is specifically designed for smart, the smart drive app will turn the iPhone into a connected media and navigation hub for smart fortwo owners and enthusiasts.

Introduced at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the smart drive app makes urban mobility even easier and more fun – the objective of smart’s philosophy. Two new elements developed by smart make the two-seater car and the iPhone an ideal combination:

• The smart cradle for the iPhone with an integrated microphone and control unit serves as a stylish and functional holder, converting the lifestyle device into a multi-functional smart fortwo companion. It charges the iPhone and functions as a hands-free system using the smart’s built-in audio system for sound output and automatically muting it when phone calls are made. At the New York Auto Show, the cradle is shown in the smart fortwo BRABUS tailor made, a special concept car designed to resemble the iPhone’s color theme of black and chrome.
• The smart drive app for the iPhone combines all the features needed on the road in a single app with extra-large buttons and letters – hands-free phone calls, management of the phone’s music collection, internet radio and a clever navigation system with a special smart touch. It also features smart extras such as the Car Finder that will guide users back to wherever they parked their car.

Really smart – the clever app from smart

Listen to music, make phone calls and find destinations easily – the smart drive app for the iPhone makes city driving even easier and more pleasurable.

Media
Not only can users enjoy their entire personal music collection with the app, they can listen to thousands of radio stations and podcasts from around the world, thanks to an integrated web radio function. The ID Song function of the app enables users to obtain the title, artist, album and cover art of songs heard on the AM/FM or internet radio.

Phone
The hands-free system and all important functions needed to make phone calls are automatically available as soon as the device is put in the smart cradle. Keypad, contacts, favorites, call lists and other phone functions are clearly arranged for simple in-car use.

Map
The basic version of the app shows the vehicle’s position on a map of the area (“Follow-me maps”) and supports search for points of interest by using the on-board database or via Microsoft Bing. A navigation upgrade turns the device into a full navigation system without being online. In addition, the navigation service comes with real-time information on traffic conditions as well as fuel prices for nearby gas stations.

Assist
With the Car Finder, the phone automatically remembers where users parked their car when it is removed from the cradle, and features Google 411, a free call to find and connect to a business. The app also uses the GPS function of the device for roadside assistance – the driver can give his or her precise position directly to the smart hotline.

Cost and Availability

The smart drive kit for the iPhone will be available in the second quarter of 2010. The smart cradle will be available from smart dealers (pricing TBD), and the smart drive app can be downloaded from the iTunes app store for a one-time cost of $9.99. Consumers can purchase the navigation upgrade for a fee of $49.99 per year.