Denver--A group of women attentively listen to Al Oramas as he displays a dirty, black cabin air filter. They collectively gasp after he tells them the filter is designed to clean the air they breathe in their car.
This and other vehicle maintenance topics were discussed during a Women's Car Care Clinic at Pro Auto Care on March 10. Oramas, the shop's owner, got a head start on April National Car Care Month.
The group wasn't limited to women, however, Oramas said, as several women brought their husbands and even their daughters.
In addition to two breakout sessions--one on engine function and another on fluids--14 of Ormas' customers had the opportunity to examine their own vehicles in the shop, speaking one-on-one with technicians about their car.
"The powerful piece was the ability for them to interact with the technicians and service writers," Oramas said.
Customers brought their vehicles in, which were lifted and the wheels removed, said Service Manager Manny Barela. "We showed them their brakes and other components."
The technicians showed the vehicle owners where their tire jacks were located in their vehicles, he said, adding that many people don't know where they are.
Sometimes people will put windshield wiper fluid in the radiator overflow container, Barela said, which is why the technicians also identified what fluids go where.
The engine session reviewed the causes of engine-related failures, stressing the importance of regular oil changes and maintenance, said Oramas, who taught the session.
Bill Carroll of Kenz & Leslie Distributing Co. taught the fluids session, using a machine with a rotating bearing. He applied several BG Products chemicals to it to demonstrate their lubrication properties, comparing them to dirty, worn-out fluid.
Because of the conversational nature of the event, it gave the shop the opportunity to talk to customers about their vehicle's future needs, Oramas said, adding that five customers requested service appointments after the clinic.
The clinic also was an opportunity for Oramas and his wife, Jessica, to give customers a tour of their new 15-bay shop at South Dahlia Street and East Evans Avenue, which specializes in Japanese repair.
