What if Service Manuals and Information WEREN'T Available?

There exists a lot of correlation when it comes to automotive mechanics and HVACR service professionals. Both troubleshoot and determine the root cause of a wide range of different problems; both must be able to understand everything from basic mechanics and chemistry to advanced techniques that require unique mechanical and intellectual aptitudes; and both groups must have the talent and knack for repairing everything from individual minor components to complete system replacements. But in addition to these similarities, another commonality exists. It's the kinship of service/repair/customer satisfaction. In other words, both of these hardworking livelihoods must not only make sure that the job is properly done, but that it is done professionally and to the end user's liking. Not always an easy task, but a key component of the equation nonetheless.



So why talk about this here and now? Presently, a bill sitting before Congress - the Right to Repair Act - is being debated about just how much information automakers must give out to private auto shop owners about how to repair today's increasingly complex vehicles. RSES Past International President Al Smith, CMS, forwarded on to me an interesting article talking about how some shops are beginning to turn away work because they simply don't have the equipment or the information available about today's increasingly complex vehicles out on the road to properly service them. You can read about just how this is impacting some shops by reading the article here.



How does this relate to the world of HVACR? Well, at the present time, it doesn't. But that doesn't mean that it CAN'T...imagine what would happen if precedents are set and equipment manufacturers elected to start sharing only certain information with their dealer network. Or with distributors/wholesalers who met specific criteria or, gulp, sales quotas. Now I am NOT saying this will ever happen. There are NO indicators that it ever would. But in the words of one automaker's representative in the aforementioned article, "they want the recipe for Coke." If the automakers get their way and this information is prevented from getting to the everyday repair man who owns a shop or works for one, what will keep this from spilling over to other industries. Interesting food for thought during this holiday week.