Tom-D
Taxi to Parking
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- Feb 23, 2005
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Tom-D
Will they swear in German for you?
Don't get me started. They can't fix it even when they have the code. They don't even try to diagnose anything. The computer gives a vague possible solution and the technician pulls out the parts cannon and starts firing randomly.Now if you can't get an error code from a fricking computer the mechanics can't fix a car.
More dumbing down of mechanics. What ever happened to thinking? Now if you can't get an error code from a fricking computer the mechanics can't fix a car. Now, with this system it shows the mechanic how to do the work.
Sheesh.
More dumbing down of mechanics. What ever happened to thinking? Now if you can't get an error code from a fricking computer the mechanics can't fix a car. Now, with this system it shows the mechanic how to do the work.
Sheesh.
Road engines are much more complex than they used to be (a Continental in-line 6 is very easy to fix) but also more reliable on average. The Jetta is a fun little car, but a b*tch to fix.
I think maint has less to do with the dumbing down of mechanics than the complexity increasing.
So, what is the actual real world day to day advantage of this contraption at a shop or dealer?
The first time someone comes in off the street who has zero mechanical knowledge uses it, they can change the oil, radiator or even swap out engines. The second time the same person changes the oil, they can do it without the sunglasses HUD. By the end of the month, they can do it in their sleep. If they fix something else they haven't done before, it's another relatively short learning curve. If it's just to keep the technician from chasing tools and parts, a computer could easily printout a checklist with the proper tool and parts list to be collected and put next to the vehicle before starting the work.
Training tool, yes. Compete with mcdonalds for low wage unskilled workers or a turnover rate that is between extreme and silly, yes. A day to day tool for someone with decent wrenching skills, no.
The advantage I see is this being the first step in designing a robot that can do all the maintenance. Roll the vehicle into the shop and the robot switches out parts in a few minutes and it's done. Other than that, it appears to be one of those many things that are designed and done by R&D operations just because it can be done.
I'm just not seeing this being overly useful beyond the initial learning curve.
How am I the only one that's really excited about this? Imagine this, for home use....no need to go get reamed everytime something small breaks on your car.
Should also point out that this doesn't appear to diagnose, but merely give step by step in how to fix what has already been diagnosed. I see it as nothing more than a more graphical Haynes manual.