CRACKING THE EUROPEAN DATA SAFE

Motor, Dec 2003 by Seyfert, Karl

Independent Online Info Sources

A very positive benefit of the Internet is its ability to link people with similar interests, regardless of geographic location. There's no reason for one person to attempt to solve a difficult diagnostic problem all by himself, especially when someone else may have already wrestled with (and solved) the exact same problem. The International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) started out just a few years ago with a few hundred members. Today there are almost 48,000, and the average member has 21 years of experience. If you do the math, the collective years of experience of the iATN membership has exceeded the one million mark.

In addition to the ongoing exchange of information and opinions, sponsoring iATN members can search over 500,000 items (TechMails, web forum posts, moderated live discussions, waveforms and other technical images), all within the iATN Knowledge Base. And this isn't even counting the 320,000-plus replies to TechMail help requests that are also available to sponsoring members. Information of interest to European repair techs represents a healthy percentage of these resources.

The Bimmer Tech Group is an international, e-mail-based discussion/resource group made up of professional BMW technicians from around the world. As a technical resource group, it's dedicated to pooling its expertise and seeking to enhance technical knowledge, skills, professionalism and competence as regards to the repair, maintenance and diagnosis of BMW automobiles. Discussions related to BMW technical problcms, repair trends, diagnostic techniques, and other BMW-related topics are welcome.

To join the Bimmer Tech Group, you must be a professional BMW service specialist with at least four years of BMW experience and/or BMW factory training. You must also be willing to make a commitment to participate and contribute to group discussions.

The Luxury Motor Vehicle Information System odd's independent Mercedes-Benz service information. It was developed for professional automotive technicians networking through multiple Internet mailing lists. This group of technicians specializes in repairing vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 1992 through current models. Membership includes access to extensive technical information on these vehicles worldwide. In addition, U.S. and Canadian members have access to a toll-free technical call-back hotline. On-site training on vehicle systems, diagnostic information access and other subjects is also offered.

OEM Websites

In 2001, the EPA proposed changes to the 1995 Service Information Rule to ensure the aftermarket had all the necessary service information and diagnostic equipment needed to perform emissions-related repairs on vehicles with On-Board Diagnostics (OBD). Earlier this year, the EPA Administrator signed the Service Information Final Rule, which amends and finalizes the 1995 regulations requiring the availability of emissions-related service information for the automotive aftermarket industry. The amendments will provide access to this information by making it publicly available via the Internet.