BEDFORD, TX — The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) 2007 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will offer 12 technical training courses led by automotive experts and instructors, providing information on everything from diagnostic strategies to new vehicle technologies. CARS will be held at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Nov. 1-3.

“In carrying on the CARS tradition of presenting technical training that is relevant to today’s shop environment, CARS will provide valuable information from the industry’s leading experts in many areas of automotive technology,” said Bill Haas, ASA’s vice president of education and training.

CARS 2007 will offer the following lineup of technical courses:

• Electronic Throttle: presented by Norman “Doc” Nall; sponsored by AutoInc. The electronic throttle systems of multiple brands of vehicles will be covered in this course, starting with component operation, function and diagnostics, and then moving to vehicle-specific information.

• Advanced Oscilloscope Use: presented by Bernie Thompson; sponsored by Automotive Test Solutions. This course will cover the interaction of waveforms, how to determine where the failure is located and include real-world problems explained in detail.

• Enhanced Evaporative Emission Systems: presented by Dan Marinucci; sponsored by KEYS. EVAP failures have become common causes of illuminated MIL lights and nuisance comebacks. Using a live mock-up of an EVAP system, Marinucci will show attendees how to isolate EVAP problems in minutes and minimize the risk of comebacks.

• Combustion Chemistry and Strategies of Flex Fuel Vehicles: presented by Donny Seyfer; sponsored by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). This course uses case studies of hot rods to look at the combustion chemistry of vehicles running E85 and will also discuss the strategies that manufacturers are using to determine fuel control in flex fuel vehicles.

• Amazing Analysis by the “Sleuth:” presented by Michele Winn; sponsored by Linder Technical Services. Using interactive case studies of real-world problems, service information and diagnostic tools will be discussed, as well as Winn’s unique perspective on pre-qualifying customers and their cars, including how to know when to “cut and run.”

• Ford 6.0L Powerstroke Diagnostics: presented by Mike Cleary; sponsored by Automotive Video Inc. In this class, students will learn how to diagnose and repair the various hard start, no start, and performance concerns associated with this engine.

• Alternative Fuels: presented by Jim Linder; sponsored by Linder Technical Services. Linder will present both his experience and insights into each alternative – including the rarely discussed topic of energy balance – what does it really cost and how much energy was consumed for this alternative fuel to move a vehicle down the road?

• Diagnostic Strategies II – Ignition Diagnostics: presented by Jeff Masterman; sponsored by Standard Motor Products. This seminar is designed for the automotive driveability technician who must diagnose a variety of problems on multiple makes of vehicles. It will use case studies to cover ignition and misfire diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and symptoms caused by the ignition system.

• Networking and Multiplexing: presented by Jon Riggle; sponsored by KEYS. Many technicians struggle with accurately diagnosing symptoms related to network communication failures. This class will take a look at how network topography (design and construction) can be used to help isolate network communication issues. The class will also focus on understanding communication DTCs and what they mean.

• Volkswagen, Audi Diagnostics: presented by Jim Newkirk; sponsored by Identifix. This seminar will introduce the technician to terminology commonly used in VW/Audi service literature and explain how to read and interpret track-style wiring diagrams.

• New Vehicle Technologies: presented by Chris Chesney and George Lesniak; sponsored by CARQUEST Technical Institute. This course is designed to create awareness and prepare attendees for the vehicles that will begin showing up in their service bays in the next few years. Technologies included in the session are gas direct injection, new common rail diesel injection and new chassis technologies.

• On Demand Diagnostics: presented by John Forro, sponsored by AST Training. This course covers exactly what a driveability technician needs to diagnose computer-controlled vehicles – including PCM strategies, component testing procedures, ignition system testing, OBD-II monitor strategies and testing, domestic Mode $06 testing with guided diagnostics, a comprehensive waveform library and generic/global OBD-II DTC-guided diagnostics.

In addition to technical training, CARS will offer four management seminars, a legislative update by Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, and a keynote presentation by Jones Loflin. CARS will also feature two receptions during the event. The first – the Service Professionals Industry Reception, sponsored by iATN and ASA – will officially open CARS and includes an exhibitor showcase. A Member Appreciation Reception will close the event.

Along with CARS registration, full details, including course descriptions, instructor bios and the complete CARS schedule, are available on the CARS website at www.CARSonline.org, or call Carol Dennis, CARS housing and registration specialist, at (800) 272-7467, ext. 220.