Seattle Auto Repair

  VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS MAKING THE MOVE TO NEW R1234yf REFRIGERANT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             &nb ... read more

The automotive repair and service industry has been facing a crisis in the shortage of skilled technicians. A return to apprenticeships started about a year ago, with a program called the Independent Technicians Automotive Committee (ITAC) Washington State Registered Automotive Apprenticeship. It gives automotive-repair students the opportunity to work with master technicians at independent automotive-repair shops and earn a fair wage while learning. The ITAC program is registered with Washington State and offers General Services Technician and Master Services Technician certifications. The students graduate from these programs with no college debt, as the independent auto-repair shops support the students’ program. We are extremely lucky and proud at West Seattle Autoworks to have Michael Crawford, a 2018 Seattle Lutheran High School graduate, to be the first-ever graduate of the General Services Technician program! This is es ... read more

  Car sales have had an unexpected surge in sales during the pandemic. People are leery of public transportation methods such as ferries, water taxis, buses, trains as they are used to move a large amount of people quickly and efficiently, sometimes in closed quarters. Social distancing guidelines have caused some hesitation in using public transportation methods and as a result have allowed used cars to have a moment.  Despite the pandemic and its effects on the economy, it's a great time to buy a used car if you are in the market for one.  New and used car interest rates are low so there are a lot of quality used cars to choose from.  You can even shop for a used car online from the safety of your home!  Carvana is a company that sells cars this way. You get the car delivered to your home, have time to get it inspected and there is usually a warranty.  Dealerships have also had to make the ... read more

Vehicle Emissions Testing Building in Seattle The Washington State Department of Ecology reports that the vehicle emissions testing program which started in 1982 will cease. Effective January 1, 2020 you will no longer have to pass an emissions test to get your tabs. We know, bummer! In 2005 our state's legislature predicted that Washington state's air quality would be improved enough to stop vehicle testing in 2020 as per RCW 70.120.170. Based on the Department of Ecology, our state's air quality meets federal air quality standards. Air quality should continue to improve as older cars are replaced with new, more efficient vehicles and the number of cars needing testing is declining. Vehicles that never need testing per ... read more

Hand held diagnostic tool education Automotive repair is a field that has changed rapidly over the years and is a profession that now requires highly skilled individuals. For young people interested in cars, it is important to expose them to all aspects of automotive repair. With very few schools offering auto shop as a program at the high school level, students may not get the opportunity to explore auto repair as a possible career path. For the second year in a row we have been fortunate to host a month long auto shop class with students from Seattle Lutheran High school. In this month long program students learn about vehicle basics, how engines work (old and new), various equipment used to diagnose different vehicle issues, the importance of vehicle maintenance and performing simple repairs. Students are learning about the many differences between new and older cars. New cars are ... read more