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ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With nearly 400,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified professionals can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets. Certification Benefits Motorists ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Prior to taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to...

Stopping and Steering are Keys to Driving Safely There are more vehicles on U.S. roads than ever before. With an estimated 240.5 million cars and light trucks crowding our roads as of 2011, your safety and that of others is at risk when your vehicle isn't stopping and steering at its best. Reducing your vehicle's stopping distance by just an inch or so could make the difference between a minor scare and a major fender bender. Crowded roads aren't the only concern. The roads themselves are often in a sorry state of repair. Portions of our highway system (including many bridges) haven't seen much in the way of maintenance or repair since they were built. In cold climates, the freeze/thaw cycle enlarges cracks and holes in the pavement. In sunnier spots, the heat, heavy cargo hauling and years of neglect take their own toll on roads. The result can be a moonscape of potholes that can affect the handling of your vehicle. Bad roads can cause suspension components,...

ASE: What's in It for Car Owners ASE Certification Program Helps Take the Guesswork Out of Finding a Good Technician Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to the national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With more than 300,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified technicians and parts specialists can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets. Certification Benefits Motorists ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Before taking ASE certification tests, many technicians att...

Tomorrow's Environmentally "Clean/Green" Vehicles Are Here Today Tomorrow's Environmentally "Clean/Green" Vehicles Are Here Today The future is closer than you think. Manufacturers are offering "clean and green" vehicles today. Motorists can now purchase a variety of "super low-emission vehicles," known as SULEVs - from dealers around the country. SULEV gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles from Toyota and Honda are selling briskly, and many more offerings are coming. Alternate-fueled vehicles - those that run on natural gas, propane, ethanol or methanol - are also considered clean vehicles and are commercially viable. These alternate fuel vehicles, or AFVs, may be more suitable for car, truck and bus fleets where centralized refueling is available, but they're definitely low on emissions and offer real maintenance and fuel savings. Zero-Emission Vehicles For purists, ZEVs, or zero-emission vehicles, are available on a li...

Springtime Auto Tips Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash-n-wax on a warm Saturday afternoon is liberating. Winter's gloom (to say nothing of grit and road salt) is literally washed away. Take out the snow shovel, the gloves, and heavy boots and store them 'til next season. Surely summer can't be far away. Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision then now. ASE offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer. Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules. Have hard starts, rough idling, stalling, etc. corrected before hot weather sets in. Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ ASE-certified automotive tech...

End of Summer Marks Perfect Time for Car Care Preventative maintenance now can help ensure worry-free driving this winter The vacations are over, the kids are back in school and cooler evenings have begun. Take advantage of the lull to prepare your vehicle for the winter ahead, advise the pros and the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Breakdowns, never convenient, can be dangerous in cold weather period. The following tips from ASE should give parent and student alike a road map to fall car care. First things first Read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. There are usually two schedules listed: normal and severe. Engine Performance Have engine driveability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good repair shop. Cold weather will make existing problems worse. Replace dirty filtersair, fuel, PCV, etc. Fuel Put a bottle of fuel de-icer in...

Ten Tips for SUV Owners It's a rare motorist who doesn't have strong feelings about today's sport utility vehicles. Love 'em or hate 'em, one thing is certain-just like their automobile cousins, SUVs last longer, operate more efficiently, and command a higher resale value when they are properly maintained and serviced. For those too busy or too overwhelmed by modern vehicles to perform their own maintenance, the pros at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offer some advice on choosing a repair establishment: Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. Ask friends and associates for recommendations; consult local consumer organizations. Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location. Look for a neat, well organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. Look for...