Honda dealers utilize state of the art facilities with the latest high tech equipment. This, combined with factory trained Honda technicians who know what’s best for your vehicle, help to ensure your vehicle is fixed right the first time, for peace of mind motoring. Read on to find out how and why.
(A) Electronic: What makes Honda technical training unique? Honda technicians are kept abreast of the latest evolving technology through distance training programs available through e-Learning. E-Learning allows for timely and on-going training as soon as new models are introduced, and is customized for each associate, with interactive functionality.
(B) Classroom: Honda technicians also participate in special technical training courses where they are challenged to demonstrate both their knowledge and their tactile skills. “Hands on” training insures that Honda technicians are able to keep abreast of technological changes and service procedures.
At Honda “good-enough” is not good enough! Students cannot pass a technical training course by simply listening to a lecture and writing a paper test. A special form of training is used. It is referred to as IST (Individualized Skills Training). What makes IST training so special? Class size is restricted to no more than 8 students and students work at their own pace. Every student must actually demonstrate the skills required before they receive credit for the course. Lectures & tests (passive learning) have been replaced by skill acquisition and skills demonstration (active learning). In this manner we are able to guarantee that the students acquire the knowledge and demonstrate the skills to fix the vehicle right the first time.
At Honda we have entered into partnerships with several community colleges across Canada to sponsor Honda specific apprentice training programs. We donate vehicles, training components, tools, equipment, and expertise. Honda also works closely with the colleges to enrich and continually update our apprentice curriculum so that the students receive the best possible education. In this manner we are able to ensure that our dealers have the “pick of the crop” when it comes to hiring new professional service technicians.
ETecH was designed by Honda Canada’s Technical Tools department to help improve service capability for the Canadian Honda and Acura dealer network. ETecH is a server-based system, accessed by technicians through a rugged, fully mobile tablet PC. Each server runs virtualization software, capable of hosting multiple sessions of Windows and Linux operating systems: a session for each technician using ETecH. With this arrangement, the system is able to provide fully mobile access to all critical tools and information required by a technician in a modern repair environment. This includes access to service publications and bulletins, diagnostic and control module update software, and access to the dealer’s own management system. This ground-up rethinking of how a technician can work without any barriers is reflected in the system’s architecture. ETecH offers several enhancements designed to take your service experience to an entirely new level. Here are just a few of the features that make ETecH technology every bit as advanced as that found in our vehicles:
Technology found in today’s vehicles is constantly evolving, creating the need for frequently updated service publications, diagnostic software, and vehicle software. With ETecH, service publications are available the minute new information is published, providing Honda technicians with the confidence of knowing they have the very latest service tools and information on hand at all times. To ensure fast and unimpeded access, every technician is equipped with a wireless tablet device.
All systems (publications, diagnostics, reprogramming, etc.) are consolidated on ETecH, even including communication with a vehicle through a wireless gateway device. The diagnostic system communicates to a vehicle through this gateway, and can automatically search for any service publications that are relevant to an issue identified with that vehicle. This means that the correct service procedures are available to the technician at their fingertips, and vehicle issues can then be resolved quickly and accurately.
Limited diagnostic tools and out-of-date software can hamper a technician’s ability to fix a problem right the first time. ETecH features automatic software deployments that ensure all critical diagnostic functions and vehicle applications are up to date and ready to use. With ETecH, you are assured that your dealership’s service capabilities will always keep pace with the deployment of new vehicle technology.
Today’s advanced vehicles have systems that facilitate software updating in the field. When needed, CM Update (Control Module Update) software provides a means of servicing these systems at the dealership. Certain owner concerns and vehicle issues can be effectively resolved by updates in the form of software revisions. With ETecH, your vehicle’s software can be updated over a wireless connection while other service work is being performed.
Wireless mobility ensures that Honda technicians can thoroughly inspect complex vehicle systems quickly and easily. ETecH tablet PCs can operate outside of the dealership’s infrastructure network by switching over to a direct wireless connection with the gateway device, providing technicians with diagnostic capability during road tests.
ETecH facilitates technical support from Honda Canada with specialists available to assist troubleshooting difficult problems in real-time. ETecH provides the means to remotely control sessions and diagnostic functions, while working directly with technicians to complete the repair. Diagnostic data is also transmitted for immediate analysis to help work through a problem while the vehicle is at the dealership.
ETecH – The ultimate in automotive service technology and a Canadian innovation.