Presentation Format & Documentation Criteria (Revised)

Overview

The intent of developing AMRA Uniform Maintenance Service Recommendations is based on the consumer benefit of performing maintenance services on a vehicle in order to:

Prolong the life of the vehicle,
Maintain the performance of the vehicle,
Maintain the operating efficiency of the vehicle,
Reduce the likelihood of breakdowns; and/or
Reduce the overall repair cost to keep the vehicle operable over its lifetime.

With this in mind, any presentation must effectively support maintenance recommendations that will achieve this purpose.

It is the responsibility of each AMRA subcommittee to develop a presentation that clearly communicates the subcommittee’s findings and recommendations. In order to do this effectively, the presentation format and documentation criteria listed below must be followed.

Keep in mind, when developing the presentation, there are three questions that must be answered and supported by industry accepted documentation and data:

1. What is the substantial proof that demonstrates the basis for a maintenance recommendation?

2. Is there an optimal mileage or monthly interval or other criteria to follow to determine when a maintenance service should be performed?

3. What is the desired result of performing such maintenance?

Include only information that is factual and supported by industry accepted documentation and data. Do not include unsupported opinions and/or assumptions to the above without so noting.

In addition, three additional questions should be answered to assure that we have a complete picture prior to making a decision:

1. Are there beliefs, ideas, etc. accepted by the general public and/or segments of the industry that do not support or are inconsistent with the proposed maintenance service? Cite all data that supports or refutes that belief.

2. Is there any additional information that the Association and Consumers should be aware of that is pertinent?

3. How should AMRA members, offering this service, present them to their customers?

Presentation Format

1. Establish Basis

Determine if there is, in fact, a condition that forms over time, which if gone untreated, will have an adverse effect on the life or reliability of the vehicle and/or its performance and/or its operating efficiency and/or increase the repair costs for the vehicle over its lifetime.

Describe (in common terms) the existence and adverse effects of the condition being addressed.
Describe how preventive/corrective action can/will prolong the life or reliability of the vehicle, and/or improve its performance/operation, and/or enhance its operational efficiencies and/or reduce the repair costs to the vehicle over its lifetime.
Describe a general solutionnot a specific vendor/manufactures solution. Be sure description defines specific MINIMUM key elements.
Reference documentation that supports your findings.

(SAE Papers, TSB's or other OE documents, Etc.)

2. Establish Recommended Interval

Determine if there is (or recommend) a mileage and/or monthly interval or other criteria to follow to determine when preventive/corrective action should be taken to either prevent or correct the condition.

Describe Time and/or Mileage intervals or other criteria to follow to determine when preventive/corrective action should be taken. Include the earliest interval and each subsequent interval along with reasons for your choice.
Reference documentation that will prove your assertion.

(SAE Papers, TSB's or other OE documents, Etc.)

3. Establish Results

Determine if there is a particular result that should be achieved by performing such maintenance. This is not the specific solution/fluid, process, product or equipment to be used.

Describe desired results of any preventive/corrective action taken.
Describe any existing and/or accepted industry Recommendations regarding the desired results.
List any Vehicle Manufactures that prohibit and/or endorse any general method of such maintenance.
Reference documentation that supports your findings.

(SAE Papers, TSB's or other OE documents, Industry Studies, Etc.)

4. Unsupported Beliefs

Are there beliefs, ideas, etc. accepted by the general public and/or segments of the industry that do not support the maintenance service that we do not have data to refute?

Give a brief description of the idea and the segment of the industry or public that holds this belief and reason -- if you know their reason -- IF UNKNOWN FIND IT OUT!

5. Additional Information

Is there any information the committee and the association should be aware of?

List any additional pertinent information not mentioned in the above four questions that would help promote the recommendation to service providers, regulators, etc. who are not part of the process.

List any information that may support an alternative viewpoint.