On August 20 and 21, 70 industry professionals and executives from leading companies in the automotive aftermarket industry met in Chicago for the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) Fall Technical Conference sponsored by the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA). This day-and-a-half meeting comprised of relevant and informative presentations covering topics which affect how service providers repair and maintain vehicles today, as well as their ability to improve trust with the motorist.
The topics highlighted in the meeting were:
- “Vehicle Filtration,” by Jay Anderson, Mann Hummel
- “Engine Lubrication,” by Gene Jensen, Chevron
- “Top Tier Fuels,” by Rebecca Monroe, General Motors
- “VIO with ADAS and how it affects common Services,” by Kaleb Silver, Hunter Engineering
- “The OEM-Aftermarket Partnership in the Automotive Service Ecosystem,” by Greg Potter, Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI)
- “Wheel Failure,” by Todd Deranek and George Popovich, Blackburn Wheels
- “Servicing Tire and Wheel Assemblies,” by Pete Liebetreu, Hunter Engineering
The event began with an informative presentation around vehicle filtration. Jay Anderson from Mann Hummel covered the various types of oil filters and the importance of matching the type of filter to the type of oil required by the manufacture to meet today’s extended drain intervals. He also updated the audience on any changes to the air and cabin filters. Gene Jensen followed up the presentation with an update on today’s engine lubrication and where oils are headed in the future to meet café standards without compromising the ability to protect the important engine components. AMRA was very pleased to have General Motors on the agenda and Rebecca Monroe didn’t disappoint with her presentation on Top Tier Fuel and the importance of it especially in direct injected vehicles.
Many of us have been following ADAS and have concerns on how it will affect the way we service motorists’ vehicles and Kaleb Silver from Hunter Engineering shared how many “Vehicles in Operation” (VIO) have ADAS and what types of resets are required on these systems. Hunter Engineering also did a presentation on servicing wheel and tire assemblies with proven methods to ensure no damage is done to expensive wheel and tire assemblies. In alignment with the Hunter presentation, Todd Deranek and George Popovich informed the audience about the trends in today’s wheels, the various constructions and finishes we see today.
To better support and align with associations that support the automotive industry, Greg Potter from the Equipment and Tool Institute presented on what they are doing to support the industry and how it effects the members of AMRA.
AMRA hosts three MAP Technical Conferences each year that are open to all members. Each meeting includes presentations to provide relevant knowledge on servicing the latest vehicle systems to service providers as well as ensuring that the Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards are updated. The next MAP Technical Conference will be January 14-15 in Orlando, Florida.
