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Welcome to the OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com newsletter.
This newsletter is provided to share information about our users, their shops, automotive industry news, things going on at Mitchell 1 as well as tips for using the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, or ideas for what you'd like to see in it, please .
In this issue:
Missed a previous edition or want to read an article again? Just go to the Newsletter Archive page for a list of links to past headlines.
ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro Now Available
FASTER, EASIER, SMARTER
ProDemand and ShopKey Pro are now available to all OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com subscribers at no additional charge. For more information and to request ProDemand™ or ShopKey®Pro to be added to your account, click the link below:
Click here to request your free upgrade to ProDemand or ShopKey Pro.
- FASTER - eliminating the need for multiple information look-ups. By returning relevant content in one look-up, ProDemand and ShopKey Pro quickly give the technicians everything they need to complete the job.
- EASIER - allowing the technician to effortlessly navigate from procedures to TSBs to specifications to wiring diagrams and more. ProDemand and ShopKey Pro bring the information to the technicians so they can focus on the vehicle.
- SMARTER - intelligently cross referencing components, phrases, and codes in the database. Technicians don't have to know the OEM specific term because ProDemand and ShopKey Pro will find the information regardless of term entered.
Want to know more before you sign up?
Join us at one of our training workshops where we show you how the new product works. Workshops are held each week at varying times. You only need to attend one 45 minute session to learn the basics of using the program. There is also a question and answer session at the end to help you with anything else you need to know. Click the appropriate link below to visit our training site and to sign up for a workshop.
Now Includes Improved Estimator/Quotes module, VIN Decoder and SureTrack Preview
Click here to request access to ProDemand or ShopKey Pro.
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New Mitchell 1 Shop Connection Blog
Mitchell 1 has a new blog site dedicated to providing the latest updates on our products as well as interesting and informative industry news and stories. Much the same content as you're used to getting here in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 newsletter but expanded to cover more products.
Contents include:
- Product Highlights
- SureTrack Real Fixes
- Product Update Information
- Product Tips & Tricks
- Quick Product How-To Videos
- Industry News and Insights
- Automotive Repair Articles from Motor Age and Other Sources
- And Much More
Click here to visit the Mitchell 1 Shop Connection blog now.
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Internet Explorer 9 or Newer Compatibility
Before installing or upgrading to Internet Explorer 9 or newer, please read our page of information detailing what to do and issues that may occur with this update. Some users will get Internet Explorer updates automatically from Microsoft.
Click here for more information.
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Preparing for Old Man WinterNo matter where you live, there are steps you can take to help your customers prepare for the change of seasons. Motor Age -- Barrow, Alaska, generally is recognized as the coldest spot in the United States. Its average temperature is a balmy 11.7 degrees Fahrenheit and has a recorded best low temperature of -56 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other side of the coin, the world record for high temperature is 134 degrees Fahrenheit, and a few cities in California were close to breaking that mark during the heat waves experienced this past summer. And while this article is going to talk about preparing for the low side of the scale, many of the tips shared apply equally to hot or cold climates. Let's Start With The Battery
A battery provides electromotive potential via a chemical reaction, and that reaction slows as temperature drops and increases as temperatures rise. Compared to a standard temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, a battery that hits freezing will typically produce 20 percent less energy, and at -22 degrees, the capacity can be cut in half. But it's not just the cold. According to a 2010 Battery Council International (BCI) failure mode study, even though batteries have become more heat tolerant over the last decade or so, heat can still have a drastic impact on the life of the battery. Back in 2000, a change of just 12 degrees Fahrenheit took roughly one year off of the battery's estimated lifespan. In 2010, it takes a 22-degree change to have the same impact. Overall, improvements in battery design have resulted in an average lifespan of roughly 55 months (compared with an average of 41 months during in the 2000 study). And you might be surprised to learn that batteries in the South are used up (with an average of 47 months) long before their northern cousins (averaging 59 months). To help make sure your customer's battery will deliver as promised, perform a complete battery/charging system test. All you'll need to do a complete set of tests is a digital multimeter (DMM) and an amp clamp. Source: Motor Age
An Overlooked Opportunity - The Trainer Video Series
Headlight reconditioning is a great way to offer a needed service to your customers and it is easy to perform. Motor Age -- The latest numbers show that the average age of the nation's "fleet" is 11.4 years. In bay speak, that means that people are keeping their cars a lot longer than ever before and that should be opening the door to increased maintenance and repair sales in your shop. One often overlooked area of automotive maintenance is headlight reconditioning. The polycarbonate lenses used on modern headlight assemblies take a pounding from the sun's UV rays, acid rain, and other factors and that leads to the loss of the protective sealant and the oxidation of the plastic. This yellowish discoloration reduces the light reaching the highway by as much as 80% according to some sources, decreasing your customers' ability to see. No, headlight reconditioning is not a "wallet flushing" service but can be one that actually enhances your customers' safety. There are a number of kits on the market aimed primarily at the do-it-yourselfer, but the process is simple enough. Mask off the surfaces surrounding the headlight to be reconditioned to protect the car's paint first. Then, wet sand the lens to remove the oxidized, discolored material. Start with #500 grit and finish with #1000 to keep the surface smooth and free of scratches. Hand sanding is time-consuming but minimizes the risk of paint damage and is an easier way to deal with curved surfaces. Once the majority of the surface is clean, switch to a fine liquid polishing compound to remove any remaining traces. Microfiber clothes can be used to clean the lenses of all traces of the process. You'll have totally removed any remaining traces of the original sealant, so it's a good idea too choose a product that includes a protective sealant for final application. Want to see the process from start to finish? Watch this month's edition of "The Trainer"! Source: Motor Age
Did you know...
 When you post a tip or question in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 Live Tips system, there is a spell checker available. It is the right-most button on the tool bar above the text box. Just click the button before you click the post button.
Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.
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SureTrack Real Fixes
Mitchell 1's long running a tip contest ended on July 31, 2013. We will be focusing on the new SureTrack system available in the new ProDemand and ShopKey Pro programs and will probably have a contest there in the future. We would like to express our gratitude to all have participated in the tip contest in the past. If you have not tried the new products and SureTrack, click here request your upgrade.
- Click here for the archive of OnDemand5/ShopKey5 tip contest winners.
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