Torque Factor

This episode’s featured guest is Ben Cruz who is the Director of the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) at Macomb Community College (MCC) in Warren Michigan. Ben discusses with Scott his lengthy career as an engineer with GM which started out through an internship at the Mesa Proving grounds in Arizona. The discussion is primarily focused on the new Vehicle Engineering Technician Degree program ...

This episode’s featured guest is Mr. Steve Ford, A.K.A. “The Car Guy”, who joins us to provide some perspective on the state of the service industry and to take us through some of the historic changes that took place in the '80s regarding the U.S. educational system. Scott found his observations very interesting and suspects that you will as well.

Recalls: GM is recalling approximately 3.4M truck chassis vehicles for pass air bag i...

Mr. David Aylor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) joins Scott Brown to discuss vehicle active safety systems and how they are assessed at IIHS. The two discuss current safety systems, their effectiveness, and expand on future technologies coming to the market. The two also discuss how these systems are affecting service, and when we will likely see Level 5 autonomous vehicles on the road.

Recalls: ...

Mr. Donny Seyfer joins Scott Brown to provide an update on the National Automotive Service Task Force's (NASTF) new website, the new Service Information Request (SIR) system, vehicle security professional resources, and upcoming features for NASTF members.

Recalls: 20V-746 & 20V-759 - Hyundai is recalling approximately 130,000 vehicles due to a potential failure of a connecting rod bearing that could result in a ca...

This episode’s featured guest is Bob Pattengale, the technical systems manager at OPUS IVS. Bob has been involved with training for most of his professional career and has purposely charged himself with staying on top of the latest technology. He recently joined the OPUS IVS team after a lengthy run with Bosch serving in their technical training department. In his current role, he’s tasked with managing ADAS support fo...

This episode’s featured guest is Joe Register who is the Vice President of Emerging Technologies at the Auto Care Association. Joe is here to shed some light on the recent ballot initiative in Massachusetts which passed with extreme margins in the November 3rd, general elections extending the Right to Repair framework to address new technologies around wireless communications and more.

Recalls: 20V-701 - 2...

This episode’s featured guest is Dr. Mark Quarto with Quarto Technical Services. Mark is a subject matter expert on advanced vehicle propulsion systems and technologies. Scott Brown and Mark Quarto discuss Tesla and review the recent Battery Day event, Tesla’s electric machines, and how they differ from the rest of the market, and also discuss Tesla as a vehicle manufacturer and some of the advantages they have over le...

This episode’s featured guest is a great friend and long-time colleague: Mark Warren. Mark is a training manager at the Worldpac Technical Institute. Scott Brown takes part in a wide-ranging discussion of topics with Mark spanning technology, education, training during COVID-19, and the power of networking. The pair also travel through the past and pay tribute to an incredible inventor, instructor, and an awesome human being: Mr. M...

This episode’s featured guest is Professor Ken Mays from Central Oregon Community College. He is one of the principals behind a nearly $900k grant that was awarded by the National Science Foundation in 2017. This grant is tasked with studying the needs for service standards around vehicle electrification and other advanced propulsion systems. Scott Brown engages in a conversation around what the future holds for vehicle technology ...

In this episode of Torque Factor, Michael Ingvardsen from Nissens Automotive joins Scott Brown for a conversation about modern A/C systems and the different service challenges newer vehicles present over their predecessors. Scott also catches up with Donny Seyfer, manager of NASTF, for an update on service issues NASTF is involved with and what new features the group has in their pipeline for security related vehicle issues.

The proliferation of electronics on automobiles over the past 30+ years will continue to present challenges for technicians well into the future. When these parts fail, and replacement parts become more difficult to obtain, what can be done? In this episode of Torque Factor, host Scott Brown talks with Jorge Menchu from AESwave and Matt Fanslow with Riverside Automotive who share how the modern technician can gain the skills needed...

In this episode of Torque Factor, Bob Gruszczynski, retired OBD communications expert from the VW Group of America, joins the show to discuss all-things OBD. Topics discussed include: Monitors, in-use performance testing (IUPT), positive kinetic energy reporting (PKE), electric vehicles and energy sources, P, B, and C codes, the future of DTCs, unified diagnostic services (UDS), 3-byte DTCs, regulations, and more.

• Recall: 20V-1...

In this episode of Torque Factor, Dirk Fuchs, technical training manager with ZF Aftermarket, joins Scott Brown to discuss vehicle electrification and how training and certification can benefit the industry. Fuchs discusses the current European Electric Vehicle Expert certification, titled ECE-100, and introduces the training program that ZF has developed for BMW and the aftermarket.

Jeff Del Rossa, founder and CEO of ProMAXX Tool,...

This episode of Torque Factor featured guest Gangolf Feiter discusses the secure vehicle interface, telematics, and the extended vehicle, as well as what this entails for service professionals in the future.

• Recall: 19V-060 – Various Honda/Acura vehicles with fuel pump failures from 2015-2019 model year vehicles.
• Case study: Diagnostic Network presents a case study and service caution on FCA vehicles and magnetoresistive camsha...

This episode of Torque Factor, featured guest Paul Baltusis discusses OBD-II and Mode $06.

• Recalls: 19V-654 – Nissan 2018-2019 model year vehicles. Back up camera disablement; NTB20V-012 – Toyota Lexus vehicles. Premature fuel pump failure, fuel pump impeller properties issue.
• Case study: Diagnostic Network demonstrates how voltage drop testing was used to identify and solve multiple symptoms on a 2003 C...

In the inaugural episode of Torque Factor, featured guest Peter Coll, vice president of Neutronics, discusses all things R-1234yf refrigerant.

• Recalls: NTB19-064B – Nissan Rogue. ADAS false activation forward automated emergency braking; 19V-645 – General Motors. Enhanced EBCM software for vacuum deficiencies due to failing mechanical vacuum pumps.