Don’t forget—our next LIVE Lab kicks off at 1PM today here inside the Torque Authority Skool community! If you’ve ever: Felt second-guessed by a stubborn fault code Burned time chasing your tail on a diagnostic job Wanted a sharper, proven workflow to lean on …then this session is for you. We’ll be breaking down Your 10-Step Success Playbook—a step-by-step diagnostic workflow designed to help you: ✅ Build confidence in your decisions ✅ Sharpen your skills with real-world techniques ✅ Slash diagnostic time without cutting corners This isn’t just theory—it’s practical insight you can put to work the very next time a “mystery concern” rolls into your bay. 👉 Don’t miss out! Set a reminder or add the event to your calendar!!

Hey everyone, and welcome to the Torque Authority Community! We’re still in the early stages of putting this space together, so you might notice a little “construction dust” while things get organized. The vision here is to build a collaborative hub where technicians, shop leaders, and innovators can share knowledge, sharpen their skills, and support each other in this industry we all love. 👉 While we’re getting things set up, I’d love to hear from YOU: - Where are you from? - What’s your current role in the automotive world? - What’s one thing you’d love to learn, improve, or discuss in this community? This is your chance to help shape what Torque Authority looks like from the ground up. Don’t be shy—we’re a small group right now, which makes it the perfect time to connect. Excited to build this with you all, — T. W. Mulder

This week’s spotlight is on: Ben Mattsey – Electric & Electronic Analysis Engineer, Scout Motors Ben Mattsey has built a reputation for blending sharp diagnostic skill with the ability to lift up the people around him. From his early days turning wrenches to supporting 20+ Ford and Lincoln dealerships as a Field Service Engineer, Ben has tackled everything from high-voltage systems to the trickiest drivability concerns. But just as important, he’s coached technicians, streamlined processes, and championed new tools to make shops more effective. Today at Scout Motors, Ben continues that same mission—bringing technical excellence, problem-solving grit, and a collaborative spirit to every challenge. Whether it’s mentoring a teammate or digging into a complex issue, he’s proof that the best engineers know how to fix cars and build people. I've had the privilege of working alongside Ben and I can say firsthand how much I value his professionalism, skill for lifting those around him, and bringing fun to the mundane. He's a leader in the automotive service industry and it's an honor to highlight him in this week's spotlight!

This week's highlight is on Clint Egan, Field Service Engineer at Ford Motor Company This week we’re honored to spotlight Clint Egan, Field Service Engineer with Ford Motor Company whose career reflects both technical excellence and a true commitment to strengthening our industry. Clint has built his path from the ground up—starting as a Tire Technician and Parts Specialist, moving into technical support roles, and ultimately stepping into his current position where he provides dealerships in the Central US Region with the expertise needed to solve complex vehicle concerns. With tools like oscilloscopes, scan tools, and even other cutting-edge techniques, Clint helps dealership technicians get to the root cause quickly and efficiently. Beyond the toolbox, Clint invests deeply in people. Whether he’s guiding service management to refine repair processes, ensuring technicians receive the training they need to succeed, or supporting recruitment efforts to bring new talent into the trade, his leadership leaves a meaningful mark on both individuals and organizations. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Clint, and I can say firsthand how much I value his professionalism, his ability to make others feel supported, and his passion for building up those around him. He embodies what it means to be a leader in the automotive service world, and we’re thrilled to highlight him as this week’s Torque Authority Spotlight.

Hey all! I recently came across a simple but effective way of looking at A/C refrigerant flow, I shared this on LinkedIn and figured I'd share it here also. I typically struggle with trying to remember the state of refrigerant as it passes through the system. When is it a liquid or a gas? When is it high-pressure or low-pressure? What about temperature??? I have found that the simplest method to remember is by drawing two perpendicular lines on a piece of paper to make a cross or 'plus' symbol. At the top of the vertical line draw a compressor. At the bottom of the vertical line draw a TXV or Orifice Tube (restriction device). At the far left of the horizontal line draw a condenser, and at the far right of the horizontal line draw an evaporator. The horizontal line represents the state of the refrigerant—the refrigerant above this line is in a gas state, refrigerant below is a liquid. The vertical line represents the pressure of the refrigerant—the refrigerant to the left of this line is high pressure, the refrigerant to the right is low pressure. To my brain, this is the simplest way to remember the state of refrigerant as it passes through the A/C system. The compressor takes low-pressure gas and compresses it into a high-pressure gas. As it goes through the condenser, the refrigerant loses heat and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. The restriction device (TXV or Orifice Tube) causes the pressure of the refrigerant to drop so that it enters the evaporator as a low-pressure liquid. As it passes through the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the cabin and evaporates from a liquid to a gas. This low-pressure gas then flows back into the compressor, and the cycle starts all over again. Hope you found this as helpful as I did!