Tag: DVD

Every new model year brings new bells and whistles from the auto industry. Here are the biggest changesand the unofficial rating for how it will affect you personally, either lame, game, or undecided.

Lame. Okay, so air bags were a good idea when they came out. They added safety with virtually no effort on the part of the driver. Even passenger side air bagsstill a good idea. But knee air bags? Seriously? Carmakers are even talking about making air bags to prevent back seat passengers from hitting the front seats. What will they think of next, giant padded walls inside the car to keep you from hurting yourself?

Game. Greater smartphone integration into all aspects of the car, from streaming your mp3s stored inside the phone straight into the car stereo, to projecting the navigation system in your phone onto the car’s DVD player. Now that’s smart: taking an already existing technology and adapting the car to use it without any additional effort on the part of the owner.

Lame. Apparently, the executive boardroom tables at Ford suck all the common-sense right out of the room. That’s because in spite of well-earned criticism for the MyFordTouch touch screen layout, they’ve decided to add it to more models for 2012. Touch screens work great for some things: smart phones, iPadsbut for turning up the heat in your car, it’s easiest just to have a knob. Or a switch.

Undecided. The auto-stop feature, which turns off your engine automatically at things like stop lights, is being added to more models than ever. In theory, it is designed to be imperceptibleto turn back on as soon as you go again. In practice, if it means having to wait for your car to turn on again, it could turn lame real fastor it could mean saving a few bucks on fuel with no perceived difference if it works as advertised.

Game. Secretariat would be proud. The fastest horse ever was always underestimated because of his smaller sizeand today’s engines are smaller and more powerful than ever. GM’s Buick Regal has a 4 banger that puts out 270 horsesjust about the same horsepower as a new 289 V8 produced in a 1965 Ford Mustang when they came out.

Automotive wiring continues to be an important element of modern car design. With so many manufacturers adding in the latest technological advances to their cars the need for quality components and electronic systems makes it possible for drivers to connect their mp3 player, navigation and cell phone through a consol on their dash board.

For many drivers the options of entertainment are making it possible for them to enjoy virtually every modern convenience as they are seated behind the wheel. While the newer vehicles that are on the road are being equipped with satellite and digital entertainment components at the factory a number of people are upgrading their cars to include a DVD entertainment system or an in-dash navigation that can operate their cell phone through Bluetooth technology.

Requiring the right T-taps and butt connectors to link their new toys to the battery and fuse panel electrical installers are able to rewire a car and add the devices that drivers are buying aftermarket.
Knowing how to wire the fuses and relay the connections from the battery to the individual electronic components requires the right training and knowledge of how to follow a schematic.

Ensuring that the devices have the proper amperage and voltage running to them the installers can upgrade any vehicle that is making use of the new technologies available today. Even going as far as to change out the motors and T-taps that control the automatic locks and windows it is possible to wire the electronics of a car so that it will look and sound its very best. As many people purchase upgraded stereo equipment the wiring and connections that lead from the factory installed system make it possible for someone to use the existing speaker wire and add their components by using the appropriate fuses and connectors.

With all of the items that add security and convenience to a car there is as much if not more to the electrical system as there is running the engine. Powering everything in the vehicle from the headlights to the windshield wipers and the stereo to the rear defroster, the use of electronics rely on the battery and alternator to keep up with the demands of today’s technology focused driver.

Using a series of butt connectors and relays to bring each new device online people that are updating their older vehicles with modern devices are able to find all of the automotive electrical components that they need to deliver the entertainment, navigation and security that they are looking for as they bring their car in line with the newer models that have all the bells and whistles already included in them.

Today’s auto technician shortage is caused by several factors, including rigorous qualifications necessary to work on increasingly complex systems and fuel diversity knowledge requirements. Not to mention the past negative stigma associated with this career choice (“Grease Monkey” anyone?). The situation will only be intensified in the next decade when Baby-Boomer generation technicians begin to retire.

“Consider these facts: 16 percent of the U.S. workforce will be 55 and older in two years and 10,000 Americans will turn 65 every day by 2012. By 2030, one out of every four Americans will be 65 or older. Over the next 10 years one half of the top technicians will retire,” said Richard White, senior vice president, marketing and member relations for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

There is currently – and will continue to be into the foreseeable future – major demand for qualified automotive mechanics and technicians. Quite frankly, the auto repair industry has enough tire rotators and oil changers. What are needed are top quality, highly trained, ASE certified master mechanics. The kind of top-notch mechanic talent that comes from top-notch automotive training schools like Universal Technical Institute (UTI), WyoTech, YTI Career Institute, Baran Institute of Technology, and many more.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a mechanic or more about the training programs available, we recommend you research as many sources as you can find.

One great source of mechanic school information is the Loud Market Mechanic Colleges Directory. Our directory has information on all of the top automotive schools. Plus, if you find a program you are interested in, you can request a free informational DVD directly from the schools.

In today’s shaky economy, peace-of-mind that your job security is good to go is invaluable. Securing a job as a qualified auto technician is a great way to make sure you remain employed and make a competitive salary while doing something that takes true talent.