{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Shop Owners and Techs MUST Communicate Better | Lucas Underwood","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/shop-owners-and-techs-must-communicate-better-lucas-underwood","audioUrl":"https://media.transistor.fm/24868a1f/7d02483a.mp3","description":"\n        Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors.Promotive can help you find your dream job. Touch HERE to see open jobs.Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HEREWanna go to Tekmetric's first ever industry training event Tektonic? Register HEREIn this episode, Jeff talks with... Mr. Walkie Talkie... the shop owner with that southern draw...the man who's hair is ALWAYS perfect...Mr. Lucas Underwood. Lucas talks about why communication MUST improve between owners and techs, and how more empathy and understanding can completely shift the culture inside a shop. They talk about the risks of leaning too heavily on service information without double checking procedures, especially when safety and liability are at stake. Lucas also gives money advice for technicians, including why thinking long-term and investing in retirement accounts can make a huge difference down the road.Timestamps:00:00 Future of ADAS and Calibration05:54 \"Vehicle Diagnostics and Calibration\"13:31 Grace, Mistakes, and Quick Decisions17:03 \"Frustrations and Fixes with Tech\"26:12 \"Removing Emotion from Business\"30:47 Purpose Found in Helping Others37:27 \"Happiness Comes From Within\"41:59 \"Finding Happiness Amid Toxicity\"48:05 \"Miscommunication Resolved Through Dialogue\"51:11 Communication Growth and Therapy Reflections54:33 \"Social Media's Impact on Behavior\"01:02:32 \"Compound Growth: $695k to Millions\"01:11:01 \"Planning Future Security and Freedom\"01:14:30 \"Growth, Respect, and Reflection\"01:17:28 \"Reflections on Unfiltered Insights\"\nFollow/Subscribe to the show on social media! TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanicFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232\n      "},"annotations":[{"startTime":54.0,"endTime":250.0,"type":"term","title":"service information","url":"/glossary/service-information","quote":"Yeah, I'm like, motherfer, this friggin' one service information system, dude. ... And he said that according to the service information that we have, it doesn't have to be calibrated. ... Guess what? In the procedure it says remove bumper and reinstall bumper. Doesn't say anything about calibrating anything.","canonicalId":"term:service-information","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Service information refers to the official repair procedures, technical data, and guidelines provided by vehicle manufacturers to assist technicians in properly servicing and repairing vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Service information is the official instructions from car makers that tell mechanics how to fix and take care of cars the right way."}},{"startTime":61.0,"endTime":107.0,"type":"concept","title":"shop coaching","url":"/glossary/shop-coaching","quote":"Bob Cooper started— I, I don't know that he started, but Bob Cooper ran Elite. Okay. And Elite was kind of like one of the original coaching companies with ATI and the others. And they— the Elite was, buddy, back in the heyday— and they— Darren Barney runs it now, it's a really good operation— but back in the heyday, it was like the crème de la crème.","canonicalId":"concept:shop-coaching","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Shop coaching involves experienced professionals providing guidance and training to automotive repair shop owners and technicians to improve business operations, technical skills, and customer service.","simplifiedExplanation":"Shop coaching is when experts help car repair shop owners and workers learn how to run their business better and fix cars well."}},{"startTime":107.0,"endTime":171.0,"type":"concept","title":"static vs dynamic calibration","quote":"And so they're big into like, hey, are we going to have static? Are we going to have dynamic? What is this going to look like? We know it's going to get more advanced, there's no way it's getting less advanced.","canonicalId":"concept:static-vs-dynamic-calibration","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Static and dynamic calibrations are two methods of calibrating ADAS systems. Static calibration is done with the vehicle stationary using special targets, while dynamic calibration involves driving the vehicle to calibrate sensors in real-world conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Static calibration means fixing the car's safety systems while it's parked, using special tools. Dynamic calibration means fixing them while driving the car to make sure they work right on the road."}},{"startTime":107.0,"endTime":171.0,"type":"concept","title":"ADAS calibrations","url":"/glossary/adas-calibrations","quote":"And when we did the— like, we did a pre-panel meeting on the things that we're going to talk about on the shop owner panel, and we start talking about ADAS calibrations because that's a big thing for them, right? Like, where's the future of this going?","canonicalId":"concept:adas-calibrations","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"ADAS calibrations refer to the process of adjusting and verifying Advanced Driver Assistance Systems after repairs or replacements to ensure they function correctly. These systems include features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.","simplifiedExplanation":"ADAS calibrations mean fixing and checking the car's safety helpers after fixing the car so they work right. These helpers include things like keeping the car in its lane or helping with braking."}},{"startTime":390.0,"endTime":410.0,"type":"term","title":"seat weight sensors","url":"/glossary/seat-weight-sensors","quote":"How many times we take a seat out of a car and now with active seat and who, who bothers to calibrate the seat weight sensors again? No one.","canonicalId":"term:seat-weight-sensors","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Seat weight sensors detect the presence and weight of a passenger in a vehicle seat, often used to control airbag deployment and safety systems. Calibration is necessary after seat removal or repair.","simplifiedExplanation":"Seat weight sensors tell the car if someone is sitting in the seat and how heavy they are. This helps the car decide if airbags should be turned on or off."}},{"startTime":420.0,"endTime":460.0,"type":"term","title":"power seat circuit","url":"/glossary/power-seat-circuit","quote":"We're talking about a power seat circuit that doesn't exist in Proton. It would exist in the OE. And I, I said, we hope it would.","canonicalId":"term:power-seat-circuit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A power seat circuit is the electrical system that controls the motorized adjustments of a vehicle's seat. It includes wiring, fuses, and switches necessary for seat movement.","simplifiedExplanation":"The power seat circuit is the electrical system that moves the car seat around when you press buttons. It needs wires and fuses to work properly."}},{"startTime":426.0,"endTime":462.0,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Silverado","url":"/cars/chevrolet/silverado","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/2022_Chevrolet_Silverado_1500_Z71.png","quote":"Brian Pollock talked to me about a GM versus a Silverado thing, like a Chevrolet versus a GMC truck and headlight circuits and stuff.","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:silverado","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility. It shares many components with its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Chevrolet Silverado is a big truck that people use for work and hauling. It's similar to the GMC Sierra truck.","imageAttribution":"LukaCali (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":426.0,"endTime":462.0,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Bus","url":"/cars/volkswagen/bus","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/1964_Volkswagen_T1_Transporter_Kombi_bus_%286105785703%29.jpg","quote":"... pro demand not to throw one particular under the bus, but we'll just use the example talking about yes...","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:bus","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the Type 2 or Microbus, is an iconic multi-purpose van introduced in the 1950s. It became a cultural symbol of freedom and counterculture, known for its boxy shape and versatile interior. It's often discussed for its historical significance and unique mechanical layout.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Bus is a big, box-shaped van that was popular a long time ago. People liked it because it could carry lots of stuff or people and had a fun, easy-to-recognize look. It's famous because many people used it for trips and adventures.","imageAttribution":"sv1ambo (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"startTime":430.0,"endTime":460.0,"type":"car","title":"GMC Sierra","url":"/cars/gmc/sierra","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/2019_GMC_Sierra_AT4_5.3L_V8%2C_front_12.31.19.jpg","quote":"Brian Pollock talked to me about a GM versus a Silverado thing, like a Chevrolet versus a GMC truck and headlight circuits and stuff.","canonicalId":"car:gmc:sierra","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The GMC Sierra is a full-size pickup truck similar to the Chevrolet Silverado, often sharing platforms and parts but with different styling and features.","simplifiedExplanation":"The GMC Sierra is a large truck like the Chevrolet Silverado. They are made by the same company but look a bit different.","imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":462.0,"endTime":500.0,"type":"term","title":"VIN","url":"/glossary/vin","quote":"I learned a long time ago, you put the VIN in. You don't just go 2022 whatever and trim line and guess and all that kind of stuff. I put the VIN in, that should then break it down to me at all the levels that I need.","canonicalId":"term:vin","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code assigned to each vehicle that provides detailed information about its make, model, year, and features. It is used to access precise service and repair data.","simplifiedExplanation":"A VIN is like a car's fingerprint. It helps mechanics know exactly what kind of car they are working on so they can fix it the right way."}},{"startTime":462.0,"endTime":502.0,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Rabbit","url":"/cars/volkswagen/rabbit","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Volkswagen_Golf_VIII_Rabbit_45_1X7A6982.jpg","quote":"...ower seats instead of one. I went down a complete rabbit hole because I'm trusting the service information...","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:rabbit","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Rabbit is the North American name for the first-generation Golf, a compact hatchback introduced in the 1970s. It was notable for its European design, fuel efficiency, and solid build quality. It is often referenced in discussions about service information and repair complexity.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that was sold in the U.S. a long time ago. It was known for being easy to drive and saving gas. People talk about it when they need help fixing or understanding how its parts work.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":502.0,"endTime":510.0,"type":"part","title":"ECM connector","url":"/glossary/ecm-connector","quote":"I'm telling you, and I got, I got burned on the Cummins a while back. It was an ECM connector.","canonicalId":"part:ecm-connector","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The ECM connector is the electrical interface connecting the Engine Control Module to the vehicle's wiring harness, crucial for engine management and diagnostics.","simplifiedExplanation":"The ECM connector is like a plug that connects the engine's computer to the rest of the truck, helping it control how the engine runs."}},{"startTime":533.0,"endTime":540.0,"type":"concept","title":"split year","url":"/glossary/split-year","quote":"And it was a split year. Now I've worked on those trucks for years. Yup. Right. And it just so happened that I'd never been across this one that was like right here at this bastard year.","canonicalId":"concept:split-year","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A split year refers to a vehicle model year where significant changes or updates occur partway through production, resulting in different specifications or wiring diagrams within the same model year.","simplifiedExplanation":"Sometimes a car or truck changes a little bit during the year it’s made, so the early ones and later ones can be different even though they have the same year."}},{"startTime":560.0,"endTime":570.0,"type":"term","title":"shop gross profit","url":"/glossary/shop-gross-profit","quote":"And so the standard number is the shop has to make 60% gross profit.","canonicalId":"term:shop-gross-profit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Shop gross profit is the amount of money a repair shop keeps after paying for parts and labor but before deducting overhead expenses.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s the money a repair shop makes after paying for the parts and paying the workers but before paying for things like rent or bills."}},{"startTime":570.0,"endTime":580.0,"type":"term","title":"shop net profit","url":"/glossary/shop-net-profit","quote":"And if the shop makes 60% gross profit, then, you know, ideally you got 20% net profit.","canonicalId":"term:shop-net-profit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Shop net profit is the final amount of money a repair shop earns after all expenses, including overhead and taxes, have been deducted.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s the money a repair shop actually keeps after paying all bills, rent, and other costs."}},{"startTime":615.0,"endTime":635.0,"type":"concept","title":"P&L (Profit and Loss statement)","url":"/glossary/p-l-profit-and-loss-statement","quote":"And those are on my P&L, and they go down to the bottom. The last number at the bottom is net profit.","canonicalId":"concept:p-l-profit-and-loss-statement","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A Profit and Loss (P&L) statement summarizes a business's revenues, costs, and expenses during a specific period to show net profit or loss.","simplifiedExplanation":"A P&L is a report that shows how much money a business made and spent over time to see if it earned or lost money."}},{"startTime":630.0,"endTime":645.0,"type":"concept","title":"loan servicing","url":"/glossary/loan-servicing","quote":"Now, everything isn't on that P&L, right? Like, I have loan servicing. Now, interest expense is in there, but on that P&L, it's not saying, hey, you repaid the loan.","canonicalId":"concept:loan-servicing","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Loan servicing refers to managing loan payments including interest and principal, which affects a business's financial health but may not appear fully on the P&L statement.","simplifiedExplanation":"Loan servicing means paying back money borrowed, like a loan, which can affect how much money a business really has."}},{"startTime":738.0,"endTime":741.0,"type":"term","title":"Xentry","url":"/glossary/xentry","quote":"...the OE level script for Mercedes is higher than the one for— yeah, buy that Xentry, baby. No.","canonicalId":"term:xentry","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Xentry is the official diagnostic software used by Mercedes-Benz dealerships and repair shops to access vehicle systems, read fault codes, and perform programming and repairs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Xentry is a special computer program that helps mechanics check and fix Mercedes-Benz cars by talking to the car's computer."}},{"startTime":3599.0,"endTime":3628.0,"type":"term","title":"IRA","url":"/glossary/ira","quote":"You start when you're 17, 18, 19 years old. You open a 401(k) and IRA, or, you know, if you work for a business, a 401(k). If you're on your own, you start a simple IRA and you start putting money back.","canonicalId":"term:ira","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a personal retirement savings account in the United States that offers tax advantages to encourage saving for retirement.","simplifiedExplanation":"An IRA is a special savings account you open yourself to save money for when you stop working. It helps you pay less tax on the money you save."}},{"startTime":3599.0,"endTime":3628.0,"type":"term","title":"401(k)","url":"/glossary/401-k","quote":"If you're in the States or Canada, the system is rigged. You're going to have to work really hard to get enough money to retire. And you want to know how you get enough money to retire? You start when you're 17, 18, 19 years old. You open a 401(k) and IRA, or, you know, if you work for a business, a 401(k).","canonicalId":"term:401-k","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan offered by many employers in the United States, allowing employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.","simplifiedExplanation":"A 401(k) is a special savings account for retirement that helps you save money without paying taxes on it right away. Many people use it to save money from their jobs."}},{"startTime":3628.0,"endTime":3635.0,"type":"term","title":"HSA accounts","url":"/glossary/hsa-accounts","quote":"They get smart about tax-advantaged accounts, things like HSA accounts, things like brokerage accounts.","canonicalId":"term:hsa-accounts","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"HSA (Health Savings Account) is a tax-advantaged account in the U.S. used to save money for medical expenses, which can also be invested and used as a long-term savings tool.","simplifiedExplanation":"An HSA is a special bank account where you can save money to pay for doctor visits and medicine. It also helps you save money on taxes."}},{"startTime":3628.0,"endTime":3635.0,"type":"term","title":"brokerage accounts","url":"/glossary/brokerage-accounts","quote":"They get smart about tax-advantaged accounts, things like HSA accounts, things like brokerage accounts. They invest, they don't spend money they don't have...","canonicalId":"term:brokerage-accounts","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A brokerage account is an investment account that allows individuals to buy and sell stocks, bonds, and other securities through a brokerage firm.","simplifiedExplanation":"A brokerage account is a special account where you can buy and sell pieces of companies or other investments to try to make money."}},{"startTime":4199.0,"endTime":4231.0,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Volt","url":"/cars/chevrolet/volt","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/2011_Chevrolet_Volt_--_05-03-2011.jpg","quote":"...at all I had to take for this say okay, so here's volt drop and here's you know, fuel trims and all this...","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:volt","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to extend driving range. It was significant as one of the early mass-produced plug-in hybrids, offering an electric-first driving experience with backup fuel support. Discussions often focus on its fuel efficiency, battery management, and diagnostic data like fuel trims.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Chevrolet Volt is a car that uses both electricity and gas to help you drive farther without stopping to refuel often. It starts by running on electricity and switches to gas when the battery runs low. People talk about it because it saves fuel and has special parts that need checking sometimes.","imageAttribution":"IFCAR (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":4689.0,"endTime":4700.0,"type":"term","title":"flat rate","url":"/glossary/flat-rate","quote":"\"Like, you don't talk about flat rate, you need to talk about this more. And I'm like, I don't talk about flat rate. We're at 200 episodes almost, and it's 195 of them are bitching about flat rate.\"","canonicalId":"term:flat-rate","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Flat rate is a system used in automotive repair shops where technicians are paid based on a predetermined time to complete a job, rather than actual hours worked. It helps standardize labor costs and incentivizes efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"Flat rate means mechanics get paid a set amount for fixing something, no matter how long it actually takes. This way, the price is clear and mechanics can work faster if they want."}},{"startTime":4813.0,"endTime":4817.0,"type":"brand","title":"Subaru","url":"/glossary/subaru","quote":"\"Mr. Subaru for everybody. That's it. Mr. Speeding Ticket now, you know...\"","canonicalId":"brand:subaru","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its use of all-wheel drive and boxer engines, popular among enthusiasts for their performance and reliability.","simplifiedExplanation":"Subaru is a car company from Japan that makes cars with special features to help them drive well in all kinds of weather."}},{"startTime":4858.0,"endTime":4868.0,"type":"term","title":"oil leak evaluation service","url":"/glossary/oil-leak-evaluation-service","quote":"So we recommended a $300 oil leak evaluation service to wash the entire engine, and then we recommended a valve cover.","canonicalId":"term:oil-leak-evaluation-service","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An oil leak evaluation service involves inspecting and cleaning the engine to locate and assess the source of oil leaks, often including washing the engine to better identify leaks.","simplifiedExplanation":"This service checks the engine to find where oil might be leaking and cleans it to see the problem better."}},{"startTime":4858.0,"endTime":4865.0,"type":"part","title":"valve cover","url":"/glossary/valve-cover","quote":"We, um, we had a valve cover on a Toyota that was spraying oil out of it. So we recommended a $300 oil leak evaluation service to wash the entire engine, and then we recommended a valve cover.","canonicalId":"part:valve-cover","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A valve cover is a component that covers the valve train on an engine to prevent oil leaks and contamination. A damaged valve cover or gasket can cause oil to spray or leak.","simplifiedExplanation":"The valve cover is a part on top of the engine that keeps oil inside and stops it from leaking out."}},{"startTime":4878.0,"endTime":4885.0,"type":"term","title":"crankcase pressure","url":"/glossary/crankcase-pressure","quote":"Maybe we should take the oil cap out and see if we have excessive crankcase pressure.","canonicalId":"term:crankcase-pressure","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Crankcase pressure refers to the pressure inside the engine's crankcase caused by combustion gases leaking past piston rings. Excessive pressure can lead to oil leaks and other engine issues.","simplifiedExplanation":"Crankcase pressure is the pressure inside the engine where the oil is. If it gets too high, it can cause oil to leak out."}},{"startTime":4905.0,"endTime":4910.0,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Cruze","url":"/cars/chevrolet/cruze","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/CHEVROLET_CRUZE_%28D2SC%29_China.jpg","quote":"I hope you have a wonderful evening. I love you too. Yeah, it's, it's just doing Chevy Cruze stuff is all it's really— that's it, that's it.","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:cruze","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car produced by Chevrolet, known for its fuel efficiency and practicality.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Chevrolet Cruze is a small car that many people drive because it uses gas well and is easy to drive.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Jeff Compton","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/shop-owners-and-techs-must-communicate-better-lucas-underwood/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}