Professional Distributor - 30

DIAGNOSTIC TECH

Find out what
shop owners are
reading about in this
month's pages of

Understanding
modern drivetrains
Hybrid and electric vehicles are the future of all progressive shops.

or those who have been in the service industry since the mid-'90s, most of us have witnessed quite a remarkable evolution of alterBY SCOTT BROWN
Scott Brown is an ASE Master Certi- native propulsion systems. Twenty years ago, the
fied L1 Technician and has over 37
Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid
years of professional service industry experience. He is an independent vehicle to hit the North American market. Sales of
shop owner in Southern California the Prius continue today, and several other hybrid
and is engaged at various levels
and electric models have entered the mix.
within our complex industry. He has
At my shop in Southern California we've been
a deep understanding of the challenges technicians experience at the servicing hybrids for many years. For the most
service level and is continuously
part, many of their service items aren't much difstriving to move the industry forward
through education and networking. ferent than that of internal combustion engine (ICE)
Brown founded Diagnostic Network vehicles. Tires, suspension, and axles all wear the
(diag.net) after 22 years of service
same and require maintenance and repair. Brakes
at iATN, where he retired as
company president in 2018. don't typically wear out as fast due to regenerative
braking. However, these braking systems still require
periodic maintenance, which is often overlooked.
Brake caliper sliders, for instance, can bind or seize
up due to minimal use, especially if the vehicle operates in a harsh environment where there's a lot of
moisture or snow.
Hybrids, extended range, and battery electric
vehicles require a different protocol of service
attention. Many have thermal management systems
tasked with maintaining optimal temperatures for
the batteries and power management systems. This
means that the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems become critical components,
and need to operate properly to enable proper vehicle
operation. All these vehicles will likely continue to
support a low voltage system backed by a sound,
12-volt battery.

SERVICE AND TOOLING BASICS
When it comes to high voltage systems, a working
knowledge of how they operate can keep you safe
and healthy. Not only that, but being able to intelligently communicate with hybrid/EV customers is
key to gaining their trust and subsequent business.
If you're thinking about working with electrified
vehicles, consider getting up to speed first with the
essentials, such as gauging your market and learning
30 Professional Distributor I September 2020 I VehicleServicePros.com

more about what it takes to provide competent services in this market.
It's important to seek out and use the correct
tooling, as well. The proper category rated (CAT)
equipment as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61010 standard should
be top of mind when choosing the proper tooling and
equipment for work on hybrid and electric vehicles.
The CAT ratings are in place to define how much
voltage the tool can tolerate without causing any
damage or harm.
There are many places one can acquire technical knowledge on this topic. One option is to
join a hybrid franchise group or similar organizations focused exclusively on electrified vehicles.

CERTIFICATION AND STANDARDS
In the United States, unfortunately, there are little
to no requirements or standards for those working
on electrified vehicles. In other countries such as
Germany, you're required to become a high voltage expert before you can provide any service on
an electrified vehicle.
I am fortunate to be participating in a project
focusing on a certification standard for those working on high voltage vehicles. This is a four-year project funded through the National Science Foundation
(NSF) and is in its final year. The folks participating
in these efforts are some of the most intelligent individuals with real-world working experience I have
ever met. I am proud to be part of this effort and
love to learn from these great colleagues. If you're
interested in learning more about this grant, you'll
find that information by searching "NSF 1700708".

A LOOK AT TESLA
Tesla is an interesting company and one that many
traditional OEM's are watching closely. Accessing
training and tooling for Tesla vehicles is nearly
impossible, but one can study up on these vehicles
through other means, as more entities are pooling
resources and knowledge to develop service

http://www.diag.net http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

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