I don’t agree the car wizard and Scotty Kilmer are the same thing
The car wizard is clearly WAY smarter and more credible than Scotty Kilmer, imo
Around 4:40 the wizard explained that he looked into getting access to programming for the various makes and models in the shop annually and total was about $200,000 for everything, keeping in mind the variety of what his shop sees in the average year.
He will need to start charging more.
Actually, he told the viewers $2000 to $3000 for an annual subscription for Toyota. Dishonest but that is what they want to hear.
He also mentioned Ferreri for $25,000. Does he really repair exotic cars?
Annual subscription to Toyota Information System is $580 for the technical library. This includes the service information and service bulletins to perform that repair, provided he has a professional level scan tool. Also includes wiring diagrams, campaign information, technical training modules and more.
Professional diagnostic subscription is $80 for 2 days, $1500 for one year. This is for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles, I expect the shop sees these vehicles each week. This subscription includes Techstream scan tool software and ECU calibration updates, unlikely he will need those. There aren’t many ABS software updates that are not included in a recall repair.
If he is turning away ABS repairs, unlikely he wants to perform infotainment system updates.
I’ll agree the Wizard is less annoying, but it seems lately he’s been doing a lot of OEM bashing and complaining about routine repairs, like a water pump on an Ecotec. Just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s bad.
So once again that proves that no one is locked out of anything. It’s simply a business decision, and many shops keep making the wrong decision by not charging appropriately. Wizard could have gotten a complete kit with everything he needed to bleed and calibrate that Lexus–and fix any other Toyota/Lexus product that comes in the door–for $3000/year, and that number will actually be far less since the hardware has a lifespan of many years:
There are also a great many aftermarket services available to do programming, etc.
If the number of Toyota products don’t justify that expense, then don’t take in those cars. If I walk in to Guadalamamas Fajita Cantina and ask for Kung Pao Chicken, should they try to make it or say “I’m sorry, we don’t offer that. You can get that at PF Chang’s.”
The business model of being a one-stop shop that does everything to every car is outdated.
The warranty labor time to replace the hydraulic actuator is 3.2 hours (service bulletin). For a retail repair a tech can get 4.5 hours.
4.5 hours @ $150/hr. is $675. A two-day subscription for TIS is $30.
The repair information should be on the repair information service he is already using (Mitchell, Alldata). He needs a scan tool with full ABS capabilities.
I have seen young techs spend all day on that repair, might be best to stick with what you are good at.
He’s worked on several ferrari’s and still says exotics newer than 2000, starting over in a new location in New Mexico as a step to retirement with new techs but bringing the diagnostic tools from Kansas. Hooves garage will rent the olld shop in Newton KS operating a used car dealership with one of the wizards employees as the mechanic.
Does the Car Wizard have enough Lexus business in rural Kansas (or now New Mexico) to justify the Lexus subscription?
That ad, “Omega specializes in…” brings new meaning to “specializes”…
+1
I recall seeing a sign at a gas station stating… We specialize in fixing foreign and domestic cars.
It appears that some people don’t know the meaning of “specialize”.
We’ll have do respectably disagree, regarding Kilmer, but not to impugne the Wizard in any way. I find Kilmer straightforward and cuts through all the bovine putty.
The column on the right (Professional) is why, ten years ago, a Hyundai dealership tech was able to OBD into my 2013 Sonata and recode the electric power steering to Sport mode(less assist, more driver input), so that Sonata felt more like a car and less like a video game on wheels. $65.
Yes he does. Anyone does.
The page I pasted above shows everything you would need to start from scratch–all the hardware including laptop, cables, vehicle interface, and includes a 2-year subscription good for ALL Toyota Lexus Scion cars, light trucks, SUV’s. Since any repair shop will already have several laptops and other hardware items in use, all he really needs is the subscription–professional level is $1500/year. If a shop that size can’t justify $125/month in tooling to service the #2 selling brand in America they need to abandon technical training and look at the business side of things.
Or, as Nevada posted above, he could have spent $30 for a 2-day subscription and repaired the car for the cost of a lunch. Instead, he turns the job away and posts on YouTube about it. Third, he could have sublet the programming part of the job to a mobile programmer or another shop, or even the local dealer. So many options…
Yep, been known to do that myself, even with FS, I’d do the dirty work and drive or tow the vehicle to have it programmed and or finished up…
Most shops have agreements with at least one tow company and can get vehicles tow cheap or even free for jobs like that…
I also know plenty of guys that go to electronic stores and buy returned or scratch n dent or just really good deals just to run Techstream or whatever…
Never heard of a Mobile programmer. Don’t think we have one here. I bought a couple new key gibs for the Pontiac some years ago. Direction said they needed to be dealer programmed. I think it cost about $120 for both of them which I thought was reasonable. A couple weeks ago I re-soldered the battery connection in one and that fixed it.
I needed to replace a fob on the Acura a while back. I included it in a service visit. New fob and whatever programming they had to do was around $200. I thought that was reasonable.
I’m just to the point that hiring makes more sense now. Sometimes I try myself, sometimes not. In th3 last month it’s been roofer, gutter guy, plumber, carpet cleaner, mud jacker for the driveway, and think I missed a couple. All have been reasonable..
The Flasher has been around here for years.
Tester
Interesting but only in the metro area and to shops only. That leaves me out on both counts.
You probably wouldn’t, their market is sublet repairs from other shops. Like I talked about above, often the wise business decision is to not tool up for OEM level equipment but sublet that portion of it. Perhaps the local body shop doesn’t have the equipment to calibrate radar units on every car, or the chain store replaced an ABS module and needs it programmed, or the indy shop replaced an Airbag Occupant Sensor and doesn’t have the weights or OEM scan tool to calibrate it. It’s actually a growing business.
Think about it, if I buy FDRS software to work on Fords it’s a monthly expense that I’m always trying to justify. If I sublet programming and just mark up the service 15%, it’s an on-demand profit center. That’s why I just don’t understand shops that turn away work under the guise of “we’re locked out”.