The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has a new Chief, John Wallauch, who CAWA has met with and found to be supportive of the industry, knowledgeable and engaging.

But with a new regime comes new blood down the ranks. In this instance, there is a new Enforcement Division head who came from industry, previously worked at BAR then went to law school and came back to BAR ready to “enforce”!

The word on the street is that BAR’s enforcement folks are cracking down on fluid flushes.

Concerned that these preventive maintenance activities may be being sold unnecessarily to unsuspecting motorists, we are hearing that enforcement officials are reinterpreting existing policy to crack down on fluid flushes that do not adhere to strict manufacturer recommendations.

But we all know that factors like driving conditions, customer preference and numerous other factors drive these decisions and the threat of prosecution over a departure from a strict mileage recommendation is unreasonable.

CAWA will remain vigilant and is working with our service industry partners and will join them in outreach
to BAR so that enforcement policies make sense. For more information on this issue, contact our California
legislative advocate, Norm Plotkin at norm@pzallc.com or 916.275.0796.