An Auto Service Advisor’s Guide to Multi-Point Vehicle Inspections
Whether they work in dealerships, repair facilities or custom shops, the main role of an auto service advisor is to ensure that customers are driving safe, reliable vehicles. To ensure that happens, service advisors are taught to train customers to maintain and service their vehicles regularly, and a key part of that is ensuring every car goes through a standard 27-point safety inspection.
While multi-point inspections are carried out by technicians, it is the job of auto service advisors to explain the results to the customer and make repair recommendations based on the mechanic’s findings. While it is not necessary to know every part of this complicated process in detail, a working knowledge of what technicians inspect, and the sort of problems they look for, is essential to providing good service.
If you’re considering becoming an auto service advisor, or have already enrolled in a course, read on to find out more about multi-point vehicle inspections.
Auto Service Writers Should Pay Attention to Interior Inspection to Ensure Customer Safety
The order in which 27-point inspections are carried out varies, but many technicians will start their inspection inside the car, checking the interior lights (cabin and dashboard) and exterior (turn signals, brake lights, etc.) are working properly. They will also inspect the battery at this point, and features like windshield wipers, parking brakes and horns.
Ensuring all of these features are fully operational is crucial to vehicle safety, as well being required by law in most provinces for a vehicle to be considered roadworthy. Any auto service writer needs to be mindful of potential issues and notify their customer of any problems found during the interior inspection.
A Good Auto Service Writer Uses Engine Area Inspections to Identify Reliability Issues
The next thing a technician will usually do is take a look under the hood. Six steps of the multi-point inspection are devoted to checking fluid levels for oil, power steering, brakes, transmission, coolant, and windshield washers. These fluids need to be refilled regularly to ensure a reliable, safe drive and guard against engine damage.
A good auto service advisor will also pay particular attention to the mechanic’s assessment of the drive belt, as any splitting or cracking can lead to belt failure and seriously damage the engine. While inspecting the engine area, the technician will also look for leaks and corrosion in the horse and clamp connections, and check the air filters.
Undercarriage Inspections Can Give an Auto Service Writer Valuable Insights
In the final stage of an inspection, technicians will raise the vehicle and take a look at the undercarriage. This gives them an opportunity to remove and inspect the tires for wear and inflation, and also to ensure brake components, such as pads and rotors, are in good condition. The exhaust system, as well as the struts and shocks of the suspension system, are also checked for tightness and signs of wear.
Once the process has been completed, the mechanic will give a checklist to the automotive service writer, together with any repair recommendations. Once the service advisor is familiar with the process, they will be able to advise the customer about any repairs needed and explain why they are important to ensuring the safety and reliability of the car.
Considering an auto service career? Visit ATC for more information or to speak to an advisor.
