Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care Reveals Crucial Vehicle Upkeep Tips for National Car Care Month National Decrease in Auto Sales Prompts Expert Transmission and Car Care Franchise to Share Maintenance Knowledge with Customers

HORSHAM, Pa. – More and more Americans are choosing to forego buying new cars in favor of maintaining the vehicles they already own, leading to an increased need for both personal car care know-how and the superior services offered by local shops such as Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care.

In honor of National Car Care Month, Cottman today released a list of maintenance tips to help consumers improve both their personal auto upkeep skills and the longevity of their cars in the process:

Inspect Tires

Tires not only impact safety, performance and mileage, but they’re also a key indicator of a car’s overall condition and require regular inspection to ensure they’re performing their best. Worn down tires provide less traction, which can lead to accidents and costly repairs. If you’re at home and want to check if your tires’ tread is safe but don’t have a tread depth gauge, a penny will do. Place the penny in a tire groove with Abe Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires. If you find that your tires’ tread-wear is uneven, this may be indicative of issues with inflation, alignment or suspension. A visit to your local Cottman shop can help determine the cause of the issue.

Check Fluids

Fluids are critical to any vehicle’s function and allow the machinery in your car to run smoothly. Five fluids that should be checked regularly include engine oil, coolant, power steering, brake and windshield washer fluid. If you have an older car, opt for a higher viscosity engine oil, or high mileage oil for better performance. Also, pay close attention to the ground where your car is normally parked, as this is a good way to check for any potential leakage. If you spot a leak, taking your car into the shop for preventative maintenance will help ensure your vehicle lasts for the long haul.

Consult the Manual

The ownership manual tucked away in your glove compartment often contains the keys to your peace of mind as a car owner, including information such as the necessary intervals for monitoring fluids, changing tires or checking brakes. If you have any questions about your owner’s manual or need help interpreting its instructions, your local Cottman Man can help you define meaning within the manual and empower you to keep your current car running like new.

“Now more than ever, we know our customers are looking to keep their cars running smoothly for as long as possible,” said Randy Wright, president of Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care. “National Car Care Month is a great time of year to take the time to learn more about your car and what it needs to stay strong. It’s also a great opportunity to recommit to a regular maintenance schedule. Our locations are valued resources in each community they serve and we look forward to continuing to be the go-to car shop for auto owners.”

For drivers interested in additional car care tips, the brand has produced several series of informational videos starring both the Cottman Man and the Transmission Physician. The educational videos were released as a resource for relevant consumer preventative and proactive car care tips.

To view The Cottman Man Educational Video Series, visit https://www.cottman.com/videos/, while the Transmission Physician Video Series can be found at https://cottman.com/transmission-physician/. And, to learn more about Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, please visit www.cottman.com.

About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.Cottman.com and www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.

Cottman’s Blog Does It Again: Number 14 of the Top 33 Helpful Blogs for Repair and Maintenance

HORSHAM, Pa. – And the hits just keep on coming for the Cottman Man blog! Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care just reached number 14 on the Top 33 Informative and Helpful Blogs for Car Care, Repair, and Maintenance by the itmycar.com website. In it, Cottman shares the spotlight with such luminaries as the Popular Mechanics and Be Car Care Aware sites.

Today’s announcement is the latest in series of awards that the Cottman has received for its blog: It was named one of the Top 50 Automotive and Mechanics Blogs by Direct Capital after being online for just five months. The Automotive Communications award from the Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) and the Automotive Communication Council (ACC) for Best Blog. The International Advertising Competition awarded Cottman for the Best Blog Website for the Cottman Man Blog. Website Magazine recognized the Cottman blog as an example of how businesses can reach out to consumers in their communities. And was Cottman’s efforts were recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Auto Repair and Maintenance Blogs for Mechanics and Car Owners by the Feedspot online blog spot.

“I have reviewed hundreds of blogs on the internet to choose 33 useful blogs. And as an introduction to Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care’s blog in the top 33 blogs, there are many reasons I chose to introduce Cottman’s blog to my readers,” said Tracy Moore Founder and Main Editor of ITmycar.com. “I like how the company has a long history, its wide scale of operations and a blog with practical articles, tips, tricks, and analysis for anyone interested in learning more about their vehicle. If the reader is a car lover, see the vehicle as their friend, then there is no reason not to visit Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care’s blog. It’s really great.”

“We’re extremely proud of the recognition our blog has been receiving,” says Derik Beck, Cottman’s VP of digital marketing. “It shows that we’re reaching consumers who are looking for information to help them make important decisions about their cars. And we’re working hard to keep that information fresh and relevant.”

According to Beck, consumers often feel overwhelmed when faced with a repair decision. “Today’s cars are extremely complicated, and they can often find themselves in the position of having to make difficult repair decisions. The Cottman Man Blog explains these complex issues clearly, so they can understand the problems they’re facing and help make informed decisions. And it reinforces the trust that’s so important when working with a repair center.”

“Our goal has always been to provide consumers with the information they need to have a clear understanding about their cars,” explains Cottman President Randy Wright.

“We believe educated consumers will make smarter decisions when it comes to having their cars repaired. And that benefits all of us: the consumers and the Cottman centers.”

The Cottman Man Blog covers a wide variety of topics and is constantly being updated with new information. The site provides articles covering how to recognize when your car has a problem, how to find a qualified repair shop, and how to explain your problem to the technician to make sure you’re getting the most accurate repair possible. And it covers maintenance services, to let you know which ones are valid, cost-effective choices, and which would be better avoided.

While the Cottman Man Blog is a valuable resource for consumers, it’s just one part of the consumer outreach program that’s become the hallmark of Cottman’s online presence. Last year Cottman launched The Cottman Man Educational Video Series which won multiple awards:

In 2016:

  • The International Advertising Competition – Best Other Online Video for the Cottman Man Educational Video Series
  • Platinum Award in the 2016 Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards (MEA) competition specifically in the Education Marketing Category
  • 2016 W3 Awards:
  • Video Features Web Personality/Host
  • Online Video Web Series

Then Cottman decided to launch the Transmission Physician program — an animated video program featuring the first female transmission specialist which has also been honored by a number of awards in 2017:

  • Two Telly Awards – A Bronze Award for “Craft Use of Animation for Branded Content & Entertainment” and a Bronze Award for “Web Series for Video, Shows or Segments”
  • Earned the Gold Award in the 2017 Hermes Creative Awards competition in the category “Electronic Media – Websites” for the subcategory of “Educational Video Series.”
  • Two Communicator Awards – Earned an “Excellence” designation from the Communicator Awards in the category of an online video in a campaign or web series. The series also earned a “Distinction” designation in the category of an online video in video education.
  • Earned the Silver Award in the 2017 Summit Creative Award competition for its creative work in the educational animated video series

For more information about the Cottman Man blog, stop by TheCottmanManBlog.com. To learn more about Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Car or to watch the Transmission Physician videos, visit www.cottman.com.

Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care offer a rare franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in a proven and reputable brand in the fast-growing automotive aftermarket industry. Interested candidates should have a minimum net worth of $100,000 and liquid assets of at least $65,000 per center. The initial franchise investment for a Cottman center is between $190,000 to $235,000, which includes a $37,500 franchise fee. For honorably discharged veterans, Cottman offers a reduced franchise fee.

To learn more about Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care and its available franchise opportunities please visit https://www.cottman.com/cottman-franchise-opportunities/.

About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care:

With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.Cottman.com and www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.

Three Trends for Auto Service Pros to Watch

The auto industry needs to be ready to react to great leaps in-vehicle technology.
The auto industry is constantly evolving, with astonishing leaps in technology turning something like a self-driving car from a sci-fi dream to a prototype in the time span of a generation.

But technological advances that change the landscape of the auto industry are nothing new. Not long ago, innovations such as fuel injection, antilock braking systems, and even check-engine lights were seen as the ultimate in cutting-edge technology.

Now, all sectors of the auto industry need to be ready to react to even greater leaps forward in auto technology.

For the aftermarket, this means being ready to meet new advancements and futuristic car models with complimentary upgrades in repair and maintenance services.

To stay on top of the tech evolution, aftermarket professionals should stay focused on trends affecting three sectors.

Autonomous cars
The possible proliferation of driverless cars represents the biggest potential transformation in the automobile industry.

On-demand mobility and data-driven services (crucial components of an autonomous-driving system) could create up to $1.5 trillion in car sales and aftermarket products and services by 2030.

This includes the cost of eventual software upgrades for self-driving vehicles. As with all software- and hardware-based technology, autonomous operating systems will need upgrades on a regular basis, just like a smartphone or a laptop. Whether those software upgrades one day will be provided to consumers by the IT department of an auto dealership, by aftermarket specialists or over the air remains to be seen.

Running parallel to the potential rise of the driverless car is a potential decline in private-vehicle sales.

More people will be turning to shared cars in the future, which would reasonably require more repairs, maintenance and parts replacement due to higher wear and tear from multiple users.

If more shared vehicles are also autonomous, following the example of shared car services such as Uber that have experimented with driverless cars, those autonomous shared cars will experience even more wear than regular shared cars.

In fact, they may almost never stop driving, instead of remaining constantly on the road shuttling riders from place to place. The need for maintenance and repair of such vehicles would be immense.

Not everyone will immediately sell their current car and purchase an autonomous vehicle, or rely only on a shared car. The aftermarket has time to take stock of the rise of the autonomous car and adjust for a shift in demand for services in the future accordingly.

High-tech enhancements
Aftermarket consumers have more choice in technology than ever before, even if not everyone will be buying a driverless car any time soon.

The increased variety of supply and demand for new technology, such as driver aid and infotainment, means aftermarket specialists will need to develop expertise and services catered to these types of enhancements.

High-tech auto enhancements can include products such as:

  • Head-up displays that keep drivers’ eyes on the road while also keeping track of GPS navigation and directional services
  • Driver-aid systems that include back-up cameras and other aids to help drivers avoid collisions
  • Cloud-powered systems that let drivers control services on the car through apps or to call for assistance while driving; and other apps or enhancements that connect multiple smart devices to a car via Bluetooth.

All of these technologies allow customers to dramatically upgrade cars without buying a new vehicle. They also represent unique opportunities for the aftermarket to learn how to adapt and provide maintenance and repair for these software products in the future.

To succeed in a world of constant auto-tech advancements and upgrades, automakers, suppliers and service providers need to leverage partnerships and alliances to find the highest quality and combination of services for consumers.

Industry momentum
Despite exciting new developments in car tech, aftermarkets have seen comparatively restrained evolutions in their services.

For example, in 2003 Tesla shook the car world with the introduction of the first modern electric car for consumers. The automobile industry saw this breakthrough technology as a major disruption to the traditional products and services they had been providing to consumers for more than 100 years. Today, EV sales are less than impressive. Impediments include high prices and a lack of a recharging network.

The industry’s reactive momentum was much slower than the initial tech push would suggest, and the aftermarket hasn’t needed to completely overhaul its services and products for an all-electric car fleet quite yet.

However, the vehicle-service industry should remain and has remained current when it comes to repairs and maintenance on newer operating systems. Technicians have received more specialized tech-related training than ever, attracting higher-tech consumer business. According to the Auto-Care Assn., there were 264 million vehicles in operation in the U.S. The future of the automotive repair business appears stronger than ever.

By: Randy Wright – president of Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care.

As originally featured in WardsAuto.com.

Get To Know Your Neighborhood Cottman Man For Fall Car Care Month

October is the fall Car Care Month, a terrific time to take your car in for its semiannual service checkup. But where should you take it? Who can you trust to provide honest, quality service at a reasonable price?

Cottman Transmission and Total Car Care are here to help. Just in time for Car Care Month, they’ve begun to post new franchise profiles on The Cottman Man blog site — www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.

Fall Car Care Month

Practically every day for the entire month of October, a new article will be released about a specific Cottman franchise and the story behind why they are the neighborhood “Cottman Man”.

This is where center owners discuss their backgrounds; how they got into the auto repair business; and why, when they decided to open their own business, they chose a Cottman center.

And, most important of all, you’ll get a close, personal look at their business philosophies — the guiding principles that get them up every morning and keep them opening the doors every day.

Derik Beck, Vice President of Digital Marketing at Cottman, had this to say: “What you’ll find is that, Cottman franchisees want to provide customers with the most capable service at an honest price. They pride themselves on customer service and it’s an attitude that we’re proud to foster and support.”

These profiles will begin to post on The Cottman Man blog beginning, Friday, October 2nd. The following is the schedule, so you’ll know when to look for your local Cottman center’s profile:

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

Cottman of Louisville

Louisville Welcomes Newest Cottman Man

 

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Cottman of Feasterville

Cottman Man John Hilgar Of Feasterville Built His Career In Cottman Centers

 

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Cottman of Beaverton         

From Tinkering To Transmissions Spells Success For Cottman Man Of Beaverton

 

Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

Cottman of New Castle        

Cottman Man of New Castle Boasts An Unusual Type Of Family Dynamic

 

Thursday, October 8th, 2015

Cottman of Lansdale

Lansdale Cottman Owner Proves The American Dream Is Alive and Well

 

Monday, October 12th, 2015

Cottman of West Mifflin      

Cottman Man Of West Mifflin Owner Jay Kapcin Got His Start the Old Fashioned Way

 

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

Cottman of East Jacksonville

Fixing Cars Is In His Blood, Says Jacksonville’s Cottman Man

 

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

Cottman of Gladstone         

Cottman Man Doug Scott Is Flying High At The Gladstone Missouri Cottman Center

 

Thursday, October 15th, 2015

Cottman of Des Moines       

Cottman Man Of Des Moines Turning His Hobby Into Community Service

 

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Cottman of Austin/Cedar Park/Round Rock

Customer Service Is Top Priority For Austin’s Cottman Man

 

Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Cottman of Garner

An Eclectic Background For The Cottman Man Of Garner, NC

 

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Cottman of Lancaster

Cottman Man Celebrates One Year Serving Lancaster But Has 20 Years Under His Belt With Cottman

 

Thursday, October 22nd, 2015

Cottman of Kansas City

Kansas City’s Cottman Man Approaches 25 Years Fixing Cars

 

Monday, October 26th, 2015

Cottman of Manassas

The Cottman Man Of Manassas Takes Pride In Getting Their Customers Back To Work

 

Tuesday, October 27th, 2015

Cottman of Brandon

Cottman Man of Brandon Educating Customers Is Key To Success

 

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

Cottman of Shawnee

Shawnee Kansas Cottman Man Jim Lamar Proves that Community Service Can Pay Off

 

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

Cottman of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Cottman Man Builds A Personal Relationship With The Neighborhood

Local Auto Repair Center

So, if you’re looking for a center you can trust to check your car for Car Care Month, look no further than your local Cottman center and your neighborhood “Cottman Man”.

To find the profile for the Cottman center near you, visit The Cottman Man blog at www.TheCottmanManBlog.com and click on the link “Franchisees in the News” or just click this link below:
http://thecottmanmanblog.com/category/franchisees-in-the-news/

How To Find A Good Car Mechanic – Choosing the Right Shop

Maybe you’re new to the area… or maybe your old shop closed. Whatever the reason, there may come a time when you have to look for a new repair shop. But how do you choose the right one?

How To Pick An Auto Repair Shop

When it comes to trying to find a good car mechanic, it can be a difficult decision. Here are some tips to keep in mind on how to choose the right auto shop:

  1. Start with recommendations from friends and family. See who other people in your neighborhood use.
  2. Once you have a few names, go online and research those shops. Start with their websites. Do they present a professional presence? Do they have relationships with organizations that serve the public, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Automobile Association (AAA), or the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA)?
  3. Check customer feedback. Is the majority of their feedback positive? Keep in mind, sometimes you’ll find a negative comment for even the most reliable service provider. But the feedback should be overwhelmingly positive.
  4. Consider a franchise shop. Don’t forget the benefits of doing business with a franchise shop, such as your nearby Cottman. They offer several advantages: To begin with, the franchise has its own standards for honesty, integrity, and technical proficiency that every center must abide by.
  5. Finally, visit the shop. Do they present a professional appearance? Do they greet you with a friendly demeanor? Do they have their technicians’ certifications displayed proudly in their waiting room?

If you can answer “yes” to all these questions, you’ve probably found a reliable, honest, and capable shop. Take your car there with confidence.

Quality Auto Service Center

When it comes to customer service, Cottman takes pride in leaving our customers with positive experiences. Cottman’s corporate office keeps a close watch on their franchisees. If you have a problem with a Cottman center, the home office will examine the situation on your behalf. And a shop that doesn’t meet their high standards won’t continue to display the Cottman sign for long!

Steering You Right

Most cars these days are fitted with power steering, which essentially means that a pump assists with the steering to make it easier to turn the wheels, even when the car is stationary.  The steering rack is connected to the front wheels and it’s the rack that allows the car to turn corners. This sound simple in practice, however it is a bit more complex and the power steering system needs to be checked regularly to ensure it is working properly.

The largest cause of failure in this system is a worn power steering pump which will not only operate ineffectively, but they can also contaminate the steering hydraulics with metal particles. These are the most likely cause of damage to components in the system such as damaged fluid seals, sticky valves and scored shafts and power bores.

Leaking hydraulic pipes that drive the steering pump can also be an issue and need checking and from time to time, or replacing, as part of your regular service. You can learn more about your power steering system by viewing our new videos.

If you have any concerns with your power steering call your local Cottman Transmissions & Total Auto Care today.