Konrad Sierszen (bottom) gets a hand from Cliff Hagele, auto crafts manager, at Fort Sill, Okla., replacing the skid plate on his vehicle. Sierszen said the Auto Skills Center is the perfect place to do auto repair and maintenance since he lives in a...

FORT SILL, Okla. (May 21, 2015) -- The Fort Sill Auto Skills Center has lowered its user fees, refreshed work areas and begun classes in car maintenance. These are some of the changes the center has made to improve services to customers, said Cliff Hagele, Auto Crafts Center manager.

"We will continue to refine and improve our program because the automotive industry is pretty fast moving and it's very technical," Hagele said. "Our interest is to stay up with it so we're able to provide good information to people who come here."

To highlight the facility's services, the auto skills center will host an open house June 6 (Saturday) from 1-4 p.m.

WORK BAYS

The center has 27 bays to perform repair on virtually any type of vehicle. This includes seven lifts and two pit bays. The lifts are twin post floor mounts rated for six tons. They engage the vehicle at the factory lift points and provide good access to do any kind of work.

"In general, we can handle anything that drives in, like four-wheel drives," the manager said.

Pits and lift fees are $7 per hour; and flat bays rent for $5/hr. for active duty, family members, DA civilians and contractors. The rates are lower for retirees: pits and lift fees go for $6 per hour; and flat bays rent for $4/hr. All bay rentals include tools.

Before any one can use the work areas, they must have taken the center's safety class. The brief class is offered Fridays at 5 p.m. and on weekends at 1 p.m. Upon its completion, patrons receive a safety authorization card. Any patrons under age 13, must be under the supervision of an adult while they work in the shop area, Hagele said.

TOOLS

The center has specialized tools, equipment and facilities for repair and maintenance. This includes diagnostic scanners, pullers, presses, a sand blaster, battery charger, welding equipment, a variable load bank for electronic testing, nitrogen for tires, power steering and anti-freeze and brake fluid flush-and-fill machines, tailpipe benders, digital wheel balancers, tire machines, tire pressure monitor system scanner, coil spring compressors, floor jacks, sheet metal benders and paint booths. Of course, patrons are allowed to use their own tools.

The center's staff of five is also on hand to answer questions and provide assistance to patrons.

Hagele and another staff member are Automotive Service Excellence-certified. The ASE certification is a benchmark in the industry, and a technician must be recertified every five years, Hagele said.

There is also a DVD database customers can use for free to get tech specs, schematics, procedures, part numbers, labor estimates or general information about repairs. Old hard copy manuals are also kept in a library.

The center sells new high performance engine parts, such as aftermarket performance ignition systems, camshafts and piston sets. It also carries a limited amount of motor oil, batteries, carburetor and brake cleaners and grease -- basic things needed for repairs.

CAR CARE CLASSES

Hagele has started offering monthly classes in car maintenance which are taught on a Saturday from 2-5 p.m. and cost $10. The classes are open to all skills levels. Instruction begins with classroom theory and ends with practical demonstrations.

"Even if you are not planning to repair your vehicle, the more knowledge you have you'll be better equipped to hold a conversation with the mechanic downtown whose explaining something to you," Hagele said. "There will be less chance that you're taken advantage of."

Future classes include:June 20, fuel injection; July 18, fundamentals of electricity and electronics; and Aug.22, engine fundamentals.

OTHER SERVICES

The Auto Skills Center's staff also performs limited auto repairs for a cost, including brake jobs, tune ups, steering and suspension repair, some air conditioning work. One of its staff is also a master detailer.

The center accepts used motor oil and anti-freeze for recycling or proper disposal.

The center's staff is also responsible for the car wash facility on Sheridan Road. The staff has recently fixed the equipment and if anything is not working at the car wash, Hagele said he wants to know about it and he can provide refunds. The wash facility is also available for unit fund raisers.

For more information, visit the auto skills center at 2503 Ringgold Road, or call Hagele at 580-442-4147.