Bringing AI Into Your Auto Repair Shop: What You Need to Know

Let’s get real—artificial intelligence isn’t coming. It’s already here. And it’s not waiting around for you to get comfortable.

Last week, I had two shop owners tell me they were afraid of AI. One thought it was straight-up evil. The other was convinced it was going to ruin the industry. But here’s the truth: the toothpaste is out of the tube. You can’t put it back in.

Ignoring AI won’t stop it from being used by your competitors. The question is—how are you going to use it to your advantage?

AI is a Tool, Not a Threat

I get it. New technology can feel overwhelming. When calculators first came out, teachers said we couldn’t use them. Now? We don’t think twice.

Same goes for AI. If you treat it like a tool—not a replacement—you’ll start to see just how powerful it can be.

For shop owners, AI can help you:

• Build processes
• Create workflows
• Crunch numbers faster
• Research demographics for new shop locations
• Analyze vendor performance
• Speed up documentation and reporting

And that’s just scratching the surface.

AI for Service Advisors: Communicate Better, Faster

I’ve seen demos of AI tools being tested as virtual advisors—answering phones, booking appointments, and more. But even before we get there, advisors can use AI right now to:

• Clean up repair explanations
  
• Write customer-friendly estimates
  
• Document notes more clearly and consistently
  

Imagine being able to explain a repair in simple language that actually makes sense to your customer. That’s not science fiction. That’s today—with AI.

AI for Technicians: Better Write-Ups, Smarter Diagnostics

Technicians can use AI to:

• Write up findings more efficiently
• Get help formulating questions in diagnostic scenarios
• Document test results in a more readable format
  
  

This isn’t about replacing skilled labor. This is about giving techs a hand with the part of the job that usually eats up time and energy—the paperwork.

The One Thing AI Can’t Replace: Critical Thinking

Here’s the danger—and I talked about this with my grandson the other day. AI can do a lot. But if we’re not careful, it can also take away our ability to think.

Just like calculators made some of us forget our times tables, AI can make you lazy if you let it do all the thinking. Don’t let that happen.

Use it as a tool. Ask for sources. Fact-check the results. Stay sharp.

Real Talk: Getting Started with AI Isn’t That Hard

I used to think AI required coding skills and special prompts. Turns out—it’s more like having a conversation. I asked it to generate an image the other day, and we went back and forth until I got exactly what I needed.

For under $100 a month, I use multiple AI platforms: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot—you name it. And at 180BIZ, we’re even using AI in our coaching portal with a tool we call Rick 2.0. You can ask it questions, speak to it, or even show it a video—and it’ll talk back like you’re having a conversation with me.

One Last Thing

If you’re still scared of AI, I hear you. But let’s not let fear keep you stuck.

Ask yourself this: “How can I start to play with AI so I get more comfortable using it in my shop?”

Because the reality is—your competition already is.

So stop waiting. Start experimenting. And let’s grow together.

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