10 Fixed Ops Trends 2026: Latest Insights for Service Lanes
Staying profitable has never felt tougher. Dealerships face shrinking new-car margins, rising overhead, and an increasing number of older vehicles rolling into the service lane. And guess what? Customers nowadays expect more than basic repairs. Yes, that’s true. What they actually want are clear updates, quick turnarounds, and digital convenience at every touchpoint. Thus, relying […]
Are Your Advisor Communication Habits Building or Breaking Trust
It only takes one rushed phone call or missed greeting to turn a simple service visit into a missed opportunity. Yes, you heard it right. Customers tend to remember how they were treated long after they forget the specifics of a repair. Thus, advisor communication habits often make or break that impression. Dropped updates, unclear […]
How Is AI Fixed Operations Transforming Service Management
Running a dealership service department never gets easier. Customer expectations rise, technology evolves, and competition grows tougher every year. Traditional service models now struggle to keep up, leading to longer response times, higher costs, and missed opportunities to build loyalty. For many dealers, finding ways to boost efficiency and revenue in service and parts is […]
Service Advisor Skills That Build Trust
A busy service lane is good for business, but it can also feel messy. Customers may be upset, techs may be swamped, and parts may be late. Even good plans can fail if advisors cannot connect or keep up with the rush. Clear service advisor communication skills, fewer missed details, and faster replies help customers […]
Complete Guide to Service Advisor Training Excellence 2026
Every car dealer has felt it—a customer walks out of the service drive, frustrated or unsure, and the next visit hangs in the balance. Too often, this comes down to more than just the quality of the repair. Breakdown in communication, unclear expectations, and missed opportunities for genuine connection can all derail customer loyalty before […]
Why SERVICE ADVISORS Should Make One Call
In the service drive, the way you communicate matters just as much as the work being performed. And sometimes, small habits—like how many times you call a customer—can make a bigger impact than you think. In Service Drive Revolution #356, Chris Collins and the team tackled two critical topics: how SERVICE ADVISORS should handle customer […]
Service Writer vs Service Advisor: Which Career Fits You?
Have you ever wondered why some shops build trust with customers and boost their bottom line, while others struggle with repeat business and poor communication? The difference often comes down to a single key factor: understanding the true impact of service writer vs. service advisor on your dealership’s success. When the wrong approach becomes the […]
How Mobile Service Grows Fixed Ops for Dealerships
When customers look for convenience, traditional service lanes often come up short. Long wait times, busy schedules, and limited bay space create friction that impacts both customer satisfaction and your bottom line. Shops get congested, advisors get stretched too thin, and valuable repair dollars can slip away to competitors or quick-lube chains. That’s where the […]
Can Service Drive Customer Rapport Beat Brand Loyalty?
Customers walk into your service drive expecting more than just a quick fix. Yes, you heard it right. What they are truly searching for is someone they can trust. That being said, misunderstandings, delays, or a lack of clear communication can quickly sour their experience. The result? Damaged relationships and putting repeat business at risk. […]
Why Service Advisors Burn Out So Quickly in Dealerships
Keeping your team engaged shouldn’t feel like a tough fight, but for many dealerships, it’s a real struggle. You might notice turnover rising, CSI scores slipping, and your best service advisors showing signs of fatigue. The conversation often circles back to why service advisors burn out. Long hours, high emotional demands, endless multitasking, constant pressure […]
What Service Advisors Strive For as Their Holy Grail
Every dealer knows the service department is where trust gets built—or broken. Customers walk in with concerns and questions, seeking guidance and reassurance. Too often, service advisors struggle to connect, juggling technical details and customer expectations. Now, that disconnect can affect loyalty, repeat business, and even the bottom line. What service advisors strive for goes […]
How Many Repair Orders Per Advisor Daily Is Ideal
Ever feel like your service advisors are drowning in paperwork instead of building real connections with customers? Chasing high numbers with repair orders per advisor daily might look impressive on paper, but it actually leads to stressed staff, lost profits, and disappointed guests. When volume becomes the focus, quality and trust often take a back […]
