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.

Identifix® Releases New Factory Scheduled Maintenance Feature in Direct-Hit™

ST. PAUL, MN, May 26, 2010 – Identifix®, (www.identifix.com) one of the
nation’s premier sources of online and hotline vehicle diagnostic, maintenance and repair
information, announced today the release of its new Factory Scheduled Maintenance™
(FSM) program in Direct-Hit™. The Identifix Direct-Hit FSM feature is designed to
access original equipment manufacturers’ recommended maintenance activities based on
specific year, make, model and mileage situations. With extensive coverage through
2010 model years, this new offering will enable automotive repair shops that perform
vehicle maintenance services to provide factory recommended maintenance schedules to
their customers in under a minute, even for the most complex versions. For more
information or to take a Test Drive of the new feature, visit www.identifix.com and select
the Try Direct-Hit link.

Unlike traditional mileage-based maintenance schedules, which focus on
recommended services based on “normal” or “severe” conditions, Identifix’s new
generation of preventive maintenance plans provide a broader and more robust set of
information for vehicle maintenance. Direct-Hit’s FSM delivers factory information for
Maintenance Minders, time driven schedules and multiple versions of schedules based on
special operating conditions.

For example, the 2007 Buick Lucerne combines dashboard Maintenance Minders
with mileage for preventive maintenance service. When service is required, the
technician must address the illuminated vehicle Maintenance Minder (Maintenance I or
Maintenance II) and consult the factory recommended mileage service information.
Using Identifix’s Factory Scheduled Maintenance feature, technicians no longer have to
look up Maintenance Minders and the factory recommended service tasks in multiple
locations. Direct-Hit maintains this information in one location.

And, since not all manufacturers provide vehicle recommended maintenance the
same way, Identifix has adapted the FSM program to support all systems. For example,
Ford recommends ‘more is better’ for vehicle maintenance. When servicing a 2007 Ford
F-150 the shop must determine what ‘Special Operating Conditions’ apply to the vehicle
and select all that apply. This impacts the maintenance items and recommended time for
next service. Since each ‘Special Operating Condition’ has its own maintenance schedule
and mileage, the shop could be presenting five different maintenance schedules to the car
owner. The new Direct-Hit FSM feature quickly sorts through the various maintenance
schedules, thus eliminating the opportunity to overwhelm the customer with too many
service plans to manage. Direct-Hit provides the customer with one complete
maintenance schedule in language they can understand and follow.

“We know when customers drop off or pick up their vehicles they just want to get in
and out. So unless the shop can record the vehicle mileage, get answers to some questions
and put the correct list of maintenance activities in the customer’s hands fast, they risk
missing an opportunity for additional business,” said Jeff Sweet, Identifix President. “At
Identifix, we build our products to help technicians streamline their daily workflows. The
updated Factory Scheduled Maintenance feature in Direct-Hit will make a huge
difference. We are excited to offer shops the ability to provide customers with timely,
reliable and trustworthy maintenance schedules in seconds,” Sweet added.

Direct-Hit is Identifix’s subscription-based online diagnostic resource offering realworld,
proven diagnostic and fix information. It was developed from over 3.6 million
Identifix Repair Hotline calls to the company’s staff of over 45 ASE Master L1+ Carline
Specialists. Direct-Hit delivers more than 380,000 Hotline Archives that contain
symptoms, associated short-cut tests and confirmed fixes. Direct-Hit is updated with over
6,000 new entries added to the database each month.

Direct-Hit enables technicians to perform repairs profitably and accept repair services
on jobs that otherwise might have been turned away. The company also serves as a
content supplier to Microsoft’s MSN.Auto web site, providing data on used vehicle
reliability and reparability.

About Identifix:
Identifix® is a wholly owned subsidiary of Service Repair Solutions, Inc. (SRS)
www.servicerepairsolutions.com, which Inc. Magazine ranked in 2009 as the 63rd fastest
growing independent software company in the United States. Since 1987, Identifix has
evolved into the nation’s best source for knowledge of what breaks on vehicles, what
vehicles it breaks on, and how to fix those vehicles correctly. The knowledge base is
created from data gathered from the more than 250,000 annual calls it receives from
technicians seeking diagnostic assistance for vehicle repair problems; its staff of 45
master technicians (with over 1,000 years combined years of experience performing
vehicle diagnostics); and the nation’s most comprehensive on-site library of factory
vehicle service information. Identifix products and services include: Repair Hotline™,
Direct-Hit™, Repair Trac™, and consulting services to automotive equipment
manufacturers. For more information visit: www.identifix.com

.

Toyota's TIS techstream

While Dell has jumped into the ruggedized notebook market with the Lattitude XFR D630, I really like the look of Toyota’s TIS techstream, as shown in the image to the left. It is based on the legendary Panasonic ToughBook Model CF-19. This ruggedized computer has a reversible screen that lets you use also use it like a tablet computer. The computer is held in a cradle that encompasses the vehicle communication module (VCM), a charging system, and an OBD-II cabling system.

This is Toyota’s OEM scan tool that is also tied into Totoya’s service information system so you can access service information right from the scan tool. Currently this setup is available from Toyota for $7995 which includes a 2-year subscription to Toyota’s information system. Also note that this OEM scan tool is the same hardware and software that is used by the Toyota dealership technicians.

PC-based solutions are readily available for scan tool operations and scope operations. While there are many products to choose from, the two following solutions seem to be the best of breed.

Scan Tool

AutoEnginuity's Logo

While Ease Diagnostics was one of the first major suppliers of a PC-based scan tool, AutoEnginuity seams to currently be the predominate and most popular PC-based scan tool.

They offer enhanced coverage for Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar and Porche. One of the more attractive features of AutoEnginuity is the low cost for upgrades. Based on the package you buy access to all upgrades  for 1 year are between $50-$150.

PC-Based Digital Storage Oscilliscope

4-Channel Pico Scope

PC-based digital storage oscilloscopes (DSO) really make sense. The larger screen size of a computer is nice when you start graphing several waveforms and need to see the details.

PicoScope is the predominate pc-based DSO. You can get this DSO as a 2-channel unit or a 4-channel unit. This DSO is built in England and is available from several sources in the USA including a trainer who specializes in the PicoScope, Tom Roberts of AutoNerdz.

While there are many sources of automotive test equipment, I have to put in a plug for my friends Jorge and Carlos Menchu of AES Wave. They offer all the latest and greatest in automotive testing equipment and equipment accessories. They also support the industry by attending most major trade shows and delivering quality training.

In Summary

Are You using PC-based diagnostic equipment? If so, what are you using? Do you like it? Should you buy a ruggedized laptop (often at 3 times the price of a standard laptop) or buy a solid standard laptop and replace it if it gets broken?

Join in on the conversation and help make the decision easier for those wanting to make the transition to PC-based diagnostics.

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 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

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 touch pad, 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.

Toyota Techstream Service information from Toyota’s Technical Information System (TIS) is delivered to the scan tool 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 scan tool, a service information system, and PCM reprogramming into one bay side 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.

Jim Garrido and John Anello's Hummer

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
www.autotechonwheels.com
ATOWscopeit@aol.com