Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/723417
48 | Overdrive | September 2016 • Go online to www.iowa80.com and request your FREE CATALOG of the finest selection in Chrome and Professional Trucking Accessories! • Or Call Toll Free – 866-4-IOWA80 (866-446-9280) • Shop online today! www.iowa80.com Truck Accessories For The Professional Driver GET YOUR FREE CATALOG! OD 2016 IA80com OD 080716.qxp_Layout 1 8/14/16 9:38 PM Page 1 accustomed to relying on such sophisti- cated proprietary technology. "A lot of times, you have to go beyond what the scan tool tells you," Karon says. "Not every dealership has the techni- cians, just like not every service shop has all the technicians, to solve all those problems. That really gives the truck owner an option of going where he feels he gets the best quality service. He isn't locked into having to go to one guy. He can go to three or four of them, shop around and find one that he can stay with until the problem is solved." The MOU also cements the current practice of providing diagnostic tool information to third-party aftermarket tool manufacturers, in turn provid- ing owners with service options when maintaining or repairing vehicles. Apart from towing fees, Karon says the MOU isn't likely to make labor rates for repairs any cheaper since those generally are priced competitively by market. However, he says rates for diagnostic or computer reset services may come down since they now can be done anywhere, likely at locations the customer prefers. "I don't think the majority of the customer base cares as much about the labor rate as much as we in the service business think they do," Karon says. "They are about the quality of the repair and the speed of the repair. If they find a guy that they can drop off a truck at 9 o'clock in the morning and pick it up at 3 o'clock in the afternoon – and they don't have to bring it back – that's the guy they're going to support. If they have to pay an extra $100 for the repair, I don't think they care that much." The MOU also states that by 2018, each vehicle manufacturer will be required to provide access to their onboard diagnostic and repair system information using a nonproprietary vehicle interface and software that can run via the Internet on a commonly available personal computer. That means that aftermarket service provid- ers will be able to purchase any OEM- proprietary diagnostic software to use in their existing computers. "A lot of people don't really ap- preciate just how hard it is for a truck owner with all the computers that are now on trucks," Karon says. "With today's complex computer-controlled heavy-duty vehicles, having access to the correction information and latest diagnostic tools is essential to being able to complete repairs for our cus- tomers. The MOU addresses our need for reasonable access to OEM service information and diagnostic tools." EASIER REPAIRS