Wrench Nation

I know that some of you may be skeptical about the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. You may be thinking, “Why should we care about diversity? Doesn’t hiring the best person for the job matter more?” Well, let me tell you, diversity and inclusion aren’t just feel-good buzzwords. They’re critical components of a successful business strategy. Having a d...

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Refrigerant? That sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry!” But trust me, folks, this stuff is anything but boring. In fact, the R 1234YF refrigerant has become a hot topic in the automotive industry, with experts and enthusiasts alike debating the best ways to handle it. R-1234yf is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant used in vehicle...

If you’re anything like me, you dread getting into a hot car on a scorching summer day. The thought of having to endure the sweltering heat as you drive to your destination is enough to make you want to stay inside all day. But fear not -we have a great show regarding ac tips that will help keep you cool while cruising down the road.      

The Latest in EV News  Greetings, fellow earthlings! We are bringing you the latest EV news for the year 2023! First up, we have the big players in the automotive industry going head to head in the EV race. Tesla, Ford, and GM are all vying for the top spot, each trying to outdo the other with their electric offerings. It’s like a high-speed game of musical chairs, and the winner takes home...

  From Inmate to Innovator: A Story of Prison Reform, Redemption & Advocacy Chris Martin, a former semi-pro baseball player from Virginia who was raised in Kansas, not only infuses for a living but also to keep on living, due to his struggle with Chron’s disease. As the founder of Hempful Farms , Martin is a dedicated family man with five children, including three grown kids, who is deter...

  With so much in the news regarding TESLA Full Self Driving MODE -we are honored to have computer scientist Chris Piche of Smarter AI on today’s WrenchNation Show to explore the technology & investigate the current state of the technology. The development of fully self-driving vehicles is still ongoing, and while there has been significant progress, there are still many challenges...

Richard stops by the show to discuss the history of Gas Monkey, what the team is up to today in the garage,  Youtube 1 million subscriber achievement, and that awesome JailBreak giveaway! We also discuss the ridiculous bill being introduced in Florida , which seeks to ban dogs from hanging their heads out of moving vehicle windows and …yet another catalytic converter stolen, however, this ti...

You’re frustrated as recent marketing & brand reach efforts for your auto ops are similar to your go-round at casino penny slots. I have been there, and can totally relate.. after all the costs of bad marketing efforts start to add up and it can truly roll downhill knocking out every single positive detail you have built for your business. What can you trust that will actually perform we...

We are breaking down the key areas of maintenance, specifically the fluid flushes,  while helping you prioritize a plan so you are not stressed out. What services can wait..and what truly needs to be done sooner than later to avoid more expensive repairs in the future.  

You have a pretty well-operating automotive service operation, with the latest in technology, and a fantastic team of service advisors and well-trained technicians. Add the glowing reviews that you have worked hard for and VOILA -you have the recipe for success …UNTIL… ..”I don’t like going to the mechanic because it always feels like I’m getting taken for a ride! Eve...

Peter Volny is the Founder of the  Concours in the Hills  which will celebrate its 9th year on Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Peter’s career included growing one of Canada’s most successful advertising agencies, Griffin Bacal Volny, whose clients include many major players in the automotive field. He’s been an editorial advisor and regular columnist for several magazines....

We are honored to have  ZF VP North America Aftermarket Ben Smart  pitstop on the WrenchNation show! We are diving deep into all things connected & autonomous vehicles, shared mobility, electrification & sustainability. A fascinating discussion on vehicle technology & more importantly the incredible workshops & training available at ZF to assist your service operations. For more de...

  ChatGPT is huge at the moment. How will it enhance your automotive service operations & what will it absolutely not do?    The  buzz  around  Artificial  Intelligence  ( AI )  is  that  it  can  revolution ize  the  automotive  service  industry ,  by  allowing  for  more  personalized  and  efficient  services  for  customers .  AI  can  empower  service  teams  to  quickly  diagn...

Happy New Year !!   2022 in general was an incredible year for the automotive aftermarket & all things service and repair….not so much for new and used vehicle sales as the later part of the year started to unfold. With the rise in interest rates and the FED tone of taming inflation, consumer sentiment is starting to warn of caution ahead, as they refine what they will be spending their...

Artificial Intelligence is now being embraced as a key part of the technology services offered across all sorts of industries and the automotive sector is definitely a key player. In fact, AI in the auto world is influencing the future of self-driving cars and robots helping on the manufacturing floor, and also Voice AI in the Service Bays with software products like Hey Ortho !  How does artifici...

As technology is moving at breakneck speed & the digital realm of communication dictates most of our daily lives -are we losing the very basic timeless traits of character, courage & class? With Over 35 years of experience in human resources, sales & marketing, and organizational development in the automotive industry,  as well as being the Author of The Human Side: High-Touch Leadersh...

A legend within the automotive community, with years of hot rodding running through his veins – Von Hot Rod Valdez can be found at car shows across the country with his distinctive style of pinstriping & lettering details applying that steady hand of gorgeous spectacular art lines on everything from classic cars to bowling pins!  With a wide variety of television appearances & travel...

The Excitement of EV Tech -But Will it Be Profitable Service Bay Work for The Aftermarket? T he technology of electrification has taken a foothold as many of us are gearing up with the latest training as “E Techs ” (  See ZF North America as an example  ). We understand the challenges ahead and are willing to invest both time and money toward the vital skill set that will be required&#...

T he future of transportation is evolving faster than we know it. In fact, a few renowned innovation and design experts say that some of the most advanced futuristic concepts in mobility will be here in as little as five years because of the lightning-speed technologies currently taking place behind the scenes. Danish design talent, entrepreneur, and author Jens Martin Skibsted has been at the for...

After successfully growing from scratch & selling 5 automotive service businesses over the past 25 years ..I can tell you there is an abundance of planning & strategy that not only goes into the numbers ..but into you. Or …let’s switch gears ..are you ready to expand and looking to purchase a business and make it mo’ better with your brand label? Are you truly prepared across the board?...

  Responsible for over 400 of Hollywood’s most famous movie cars Fireball   Tim  has the deep spirit of automotive art and design excitement running through his veins. His latest series of automotive-inspiring coloring books with cover guests like Jay Leno, Rob Paulsen, Magnus Walker, Syd Mead, Gene Winefield & many more can be found on Amazon at  Fireball   Tim  Lawrence or on Etsy...

Are 20 Groups & a Shop Coach a Complete Waste of Time? With the majority of independent shop owners across the country totally removed from any level of coaching or interest in seeking out growth from a 20 Group, we had to ask the logical question….why is this the case? This topic is close to the heart for me personally since many years ago, with my very first operation, ( before I teame...

  This year has been ablaze with EV news and advancements in both legal and consumer adaption. In this edition of the show, we will cover the latest news that looks to be fortifying the future of EV’s and also discuss what the modern-day automotive technician will require for a skill set to survive in the future. Additionally,  Jeff Buckley  of the  Automotive Service Association  makes...

With the overwhelming amount of technology across the board in the automotive & trucking industry…how are diesel technicians really doing? Do we risk burning out a whole generation of commercial & fleet diesel techs from the advancements of technology underhood & difficulties with modern-day testing pathways to diagnose symptoms properly? CEO talent  Tyler Roberston  of  Diesel L...

SEMA HS Build Program  As technology underhood is evolving to what is a serious amount of data to interpret and diagnose, how will the future technician be able to comprehend & successfully repair vehicle platforms of the future? With so many educators and instructors throughout the country teaching both the basics and the very technology of communicating with modules on a BUS system, for exam...