FORT SILL, Okla.-- The automotive skills center has the equipment, classes and computer programs for do-it-yourselfers to do most anything necessary to get their vehicles in tip-top shape or do regular maintenance.
Because the center contributes to Army quality for life of Soldiers, spouses, retirees and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation patrons, it is now funded by the Army Family Covenant.
New upgrades range from multi-purpose lifts to equipment for specific needs.
"We have eight two-post center lifts to raise vehicles off the ground, and a sheet metal fabrication area, which is something we have never had before," said Kenny Klingensmith, automotive skills center manager. "It's for making custom panels and building fenders for a car, truck or motorcycle fender."
For patrons who need a refresher or a little instruction, the center now has classrooms with flat-screen TVs.
"We teach classes for repairing brakes, fuel-injection and electrical systems, and suspensions anything that has to do with vehicle repair, we teach a class for it," said Klingensmith.
There are 32 different classes offered at the skills center and most classes average about 10 people per class.
"The classes are recorded and played on the flat screen TVs. Everyone who attends the class receives a certificate of completion, and it's all free," he said.
For those people who cannot attend the scheduled classes, the center's staff provides classes on call.
"Those patrons come by the shop and we show them how to do it right then. We'll take them through step by step on what work needs to be done," he said.
Other improvements include a jet wash for cleaning cylinders blocks, heads and transmission cases, a brake and rotor lathe, a valve grinding machine, hydraulic presses and an air conditioning machine.
"The new air conditioning machine really rocks," said Klingensmith. "It's all computer controlled, you hook it up to your car and it does everything. It sucks out the Freon and replaces it with the exact amount needed all you do is push in the number for the car."
He said gauges for checking Freon levels are no longer needed, especially for 2006 and newer vehicle models.
Spc. William Klier, C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, has been working on his vehicles at the automotive skills center for years.
"I'm repairing my Grand Prix right now but I've done all kinds of repairs and work on vehicles here over the years," said Klier. "It's much better than going in town and [maybe] getting ripped off. The facility is great they have the tools and the staff to get the job done. The staff is always available for advice or assistance."
An unusual piece of equipment is the body twirler, a stand that allows a mechanic to bolt a bare car to it and then rotate the vehicle 360 degrees to do any work to it. The center also offers two tech computers, which are car repair manuals on DVD. The tech computers have Mitchell on Demand, the manual for engines and wiring diagrams on one computer and All Data, which is better for color-coded wiring diagrams and transmissions, on the other.
"The computers allow us to print a troubleshooting guide. We can pull it up and print it out and patrons can take it to the bay and do the work," said Klingensmith.
Some service bays within the center charge by hours of operation, not the duration of the time it takes someone to complete a task.
"This can be very helpful for patrons who don't complete the work in a day or two," he said.
Although the skills center is primarily a do-it-yourself facility, it does offer limited services for those patrons who don't have the time or interest in rolling up their sleeves and getting their arms dirty. For patrons who want to drop off their vehicles, the staff does tune-ups, oil changes, welding, tire changes and scans or engine diagnostics.
"If it's something minor, the staff is willing to fix it," Klingensmith said.
Also, if patrons buy parts, the staff will replace them. Klingensmith said his staff can get the parts but that invariably adds time and money. He added sometimes when spouses come in, if the part is small, his staff won't even charge them.
Lee Alexander, an Army retiree, said he uses the center all the time.
"The center offers a big benefit to Soldiers and their families, and it's very important for retirees like me," he said. "Today I'm working on the brakes of my '94 Dodge truck, but I also have a '64 Mustang in the welding bay that I have rebuilt from the ground up."
Klingensmith said the center now offers movie night for something new and different.
"Instead of just working on the vehicle, they can come in and watch a car-related movie," he said. "Beginning in October, we'll have four movie nights a month and two different automotive classes every week."
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