How to Become a Thermostat Instead of a Thermometer- Dave Hobbs [RR 601]

Dave Hobbs automotive service experience spans 40 plus years in the industry, starting out as a technician and then as a service manager working in his family’s repair shop (Hobbs Auto Electric) in Kokomo, Indiana. After leaving Hobbs Auto Electric, Dave began working as a hotline advisor and field engineer at GM’s Delco Electronics. Those roles eventually led to becoming an electronics systems instructor for thousands of Delco Electronics / Delphi engineers throughout North American and Asia.

Dave is currently the lead technical trainer and course developer for Delphi Product and Service Solutions. In addition, he serves part-time as a contributor to Motor Age Magazine and as a field correspondent for MACS Worldwide (Mobile AC Society). Dave’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• Become a thermostat instead of a thermometer When things heat up with frustration thermometers react, thermostats do something (cool down or heat up)
• Pertains to shop owners, managers, and lead technicians- it’s in our control
• Virtual classesDifficult to connect with distant learning- no interaction and often time camera for zoom calls are off
• Missing the important feedback from in person classes
• ADAS trainingMany cars don’t require targets for radar or cameras that you can do yourself
• Fuzzbuster, thermal imager etc are tools you can use (“MacGyver” tips)   
• Love of cars and the car industry- then vs nowDave’s first car- ‘61 Chevy Station Wagon
• Cars have more technology on them- can appeal to tech savvy students, but still needs to have aptitude of taking apart and putting back together, coding and computers
• Encourage women to join industry as well
• Selling it as “computer on wheels”    

Resources:

• Thanks to Dave Hobbs for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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