Auto Data: Pos-i-Lube Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Daily Operations

Questions

Answers

Questions

Answers

How do I switch between customers in my customer waiting list?

Your active customers are saved in your customer waiting list until you are ready to cash them out. To switch to another active customer, click on their vehicle type in the customer list on the left side of the screen. To start a new customer, click on an empty number. To view your entire open customer list, either press the <Insert> key on your keyboard, or right-click your mouse in the Point of Sale screen.

How can I remove “In-Use” customers from my customer waiting list?

Use the Unlock In-Use Customer Feature. Customer information will not be lost using this feature. From the Home tab on the main menu select Miscellaneous. Select Store Setup, followed by Software Setup. Finally, select "Unlock In-Use Customers." The process takes only a few seconds. Once you're done you can return to the Point-of-Sale.

Is it possible to write an estimate?

Yes, simply select Estimate as the payment type.

How do I void receipt after cashing out a customer?

If it is necessary to void a customer after cash out, you can use the Void feature. Simply click Void from the main Point-of-Sale menu and then click Plus or Minus to scroll through your cashed-out tickets. Once you find the ticket you would like to void, click Void. Remember that you can only void tickets on the same day.

How do I reprint a receipt from a previous day?

First, pull up the customer and go to their history. Click View History and scroll the report to find the date of the visit you would like to reprint. Return to the main History menu. Click Reprint receipts and you will see all the visit dates and any receipts available for reprinting will have have a receipt number next to the visit date. If there is an n/a next to the visit date, this customer was cashed out with version of the point of sale that did not save receipt data and therefore cannot be reprinted. If there is a receipt number present, click that line and a duplicate receipt will be sent to your receipt printer.

How do I view a customer’s history without having to cancel the receipt?

With the new Review Customer in version 9 of Pos-I-Lube you can 1) review a history, 2) reprint a receipt, and/or 3) make changes to contact information without having to print a receipt or cancel the customer. To start a Review Customer, go to Customer, and then select Review Customer, click Search and locate the customer. Enter the mileage, if available. Now you have access to the customer’s information. When you are done with your changes, click Save.

How do I cash out a Top Off?

First, you have to add the top off service to your inventory. To do this 1) Go to your inventory services setup and select an available product code 2) Enter “TOP OFF” as the new service name 3) Click Change and set Call Up Lubricants to “Y”.


A top off service will only be allowed within 3,000 miles of the last full service. To cash out the top off service, select Top Off from your Services list and select the oil and quantity. The maximum quantity allowed for a top off is 1 quart. Make sure top off is the only item on the ticket. Finally, select Top Off as payment type and click Final OK to print the receipt.

How does the customer loyalty program work?

Now you can reward your most loyal customers with a free service. Every time your customer purchases a full service, a point is added to their total. To check a customers’ point total, go to their history and look under the heading Customer Loyalty Program. The customer will be allowed a free service on the visit after reaching their points’ goal. You will receive a reminder on the day the free service is due. If the free service is redeemed, you have the option to re-set the customers points total to zero. Call Auto Data to activate this free feature.

Why should I do a daily backup?

Data Protection. Your backup should be done daily to keep important information current. In case of hardware failure, everything we need to get you back up and running will be on your pen drive. Fortunately, after closing, your daily backup runs automatically if you have your USB pen drive plugged in. If you forgot to plug in your drive and the backup fails, simply plug in your drive and go to the main CASH tab and click Backup.

Why do I get an error when I try to connect with AUTOPOLL.NET or try to run an AUTOUPDATE?

One of the main reasons you might have trouble running an Autopoll is that you may not have an available internet connection. Check and make sure you have a phone line connected to your computer's modem. In case you use DSL to connect, make sure you can access an internet page. If you cannot access an internet page, you may need to power cycle your DSL modem or contact your internet service provider. Once you are able to access the internet, you will most likely be able to run an Autopoll. If your Autopoll fails, try again later. If it consistently fails, contact Auto Data technical support.

Why am I getting this message “Your subscription to Parts Pronto has expired”?

Parts Pronto is the service that enables you to see manufacturer recommended part numbers and vehicle specifications on your work orders. This is a quarterly service, which is renewed when you pay your quarterly bill. In some cases, this is a monthly subscription. When your subscription expires, you will see a courtesy message and you will have the option to check online for updates. If you have already paid and see this message, click Yes to update and your renewal should download.

Why can’t I look-up MY FLEET accounts in POS?

Verify that your Fleet Lookup is on. From the Home tab on the main menu select Miscellaneous. Select Store Setup, followed by Software Setup. Go to Store Information Setup. Verify that Fleet Lookup is turned on. Select Go Back, and select Fleet Management to manage your fleet list.

Why am I not able to view a work order?

Your Parts Pronto subscription may have expired. Parts Pronto is the service that enables you to see manufacturer recommended part numbers and vehicle specifications on your work orders. This is a service which is renewed when you pay your quarterly bill.
If you have already paid to renew and still cannot view a work order, just run an Auto Update to download your renewal. If you have not paid to renew, you need to call Auto Data when you are ready to re-subscribe to Parts Pronto.

 

Network Troubleshooting

Questions

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Questions

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Why is my Bay Computer not pulling up Point-Of-Sale?

Lost Network Connection. Your bay computer reads the Point-of-Sale program from your server computer. If the bay is not pulling up the Point-of-Sale, then your network might have lost connectivity. Check your network cables. Try power-cycling your print server, by unplugging the power to it for twenty seconds and then plugging it back in. You can also try shutting down the computers in this order: 1) Shut down bay 2) Shut down server 3) Start up server and 4) Start up bay.

Why do I get this message: “Print Server is not ready”?

Lost Network Connection. Your print server might have temporarily lost network connection. Try locating your print server (this will be the small box which will have your computer and your printer plugged into it), unplugging the power to it for twenty seconds and then plugging the power back in.

 

Printer Troubleshooting

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Questions

Answers

Why is my receipt / work order printer no longer printing or printing improperly?

Regardless of the error message, test each of the following procedures.
1. Reset printer by turning printer off and turning it on again. If printer still fails proceed to troubleshooting step 2.
2. Check the cable and power connections. Unplug and re-plug the connection between the printer cable and the printer as well as the connection between the printer cable and the computer. After you verify that the printer connections are properly and securely connected, and that the power is on, then go to step 3.
3. Replace toner cartridge and print a work order or receipt. If printer fails proceed to step 4.
4. Verify the status of the printer. Unplug and switch both printers. If printer fails after being switched, and printer failed after step 1, then the failure in the printer, the cable, or the printer port. Call Auto Data technical support for further assistance.

Why is my receipt / work order printer giving the error message “Out of Paper” when there is paper in the printer?

For the HP LaserJet’s verify that the paper is loaded correctly and that there is not too much paper in the paper tray. Verify that the green ready light is on and that the yellow warning light is not flashing. Check the connections on the printer and the computer and finally unplug the printer and plug it back in. If you have anymore problems contact Auto Data for further assistance.

Why is my static printer not printing correctly after I reload my static ribbon or stickers?

Your printer may need to be re-calibrated. After the printer has been reloaded it is sometimes necessary to recalibrate the printer within the Pos-i-Lube program. From the Home tab on the main menu, select Miscellaneous. Select Store Setup followed by Hardware Setup. Finally select Static Sticker Printer. Select First time setup. Follow the procedures as directed. If this does not help, or results in a red light on your sticker printer, try using the diagrams in the sticker printer section of the manual to re-load stickers and ribbon.

Why am I not able to print static stickers?

Check your static sticker printer and make sure it is ON and has a green ready light. If you have a red light, try re-loading stickers and re-loading ribbon and closing printer cover correctly. Check in Hardware Setup in your Pos-i-Lube program and make sure correct sticker printer is selected. If stickers are still not printing, check network and try a first time setup.

 

Scanner Troubleshooting

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Questions

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What do I do if I am getting errors on my scanner?

  1. From scanner main menu, select 4) Test Scanner

  2. Stand within 3 feet of the cradle.

  3. Select SHORT RANGE TEST

  4. If the scanner reports CRADLE: FAILED then either the cradle has no power or the scanner is not paired with the cradle.

  5. If scanner reports COMPUTER: FAILED, then either the serial cable is not plugged in properly or Auto Scan is not running.

  6. When the scanner reports CRADLE: PASS and COMPUTER: PASS, proceed to the LONG RANGE TEST.

  7. If the scanner reports SEND: FAILED, SEND: WEAK, or RECEIVE: WEAK then scanner is out of range or obstructed by a large object or being interfered with by a cordless phone, etc. and that location is outside the effective transmission range. (Logic would suggest that a FAILED transmission is further out of range than a WEAK transmission.)

  8. Move around the shop repeating the LONG RANGE TEST until an effective Scanner Transmission Range is determined. If the range is not acceptable then: a. Make sure there is not a cordless phone in the shop. b. Relocate the cradle (using a longer serial cable if necessary) to a better location and repeat the entire process starting with the SHORT RANGE TEST.

Why am I not getting a sticker when I scan a car?

First, try printing a sticker from the Point-of-Sale. If you are able to print a sticker from the Point-of-Sale and not from the scanner, try closing your Auto Scan program and re-opening it. This will allow the scanner to pick up any recent changes to your system and should enable you to print a sticker.

For additional scanner troubleshooting, please check the scanner section of this manual.

 

Software Troubleshooting

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Questions

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Why am I getting incorrect customer information or no information when I enter a customer’s License Plate Number?

Customer database needs to be re-indexed. Over time it becomes necessary to re-index or re-organize the information in your customer database. From the Home tab on the main menu, select Miscellaneous. Then select Re-Index Customer History. Follow the prompts. This process should take only a couple of minutes.

Why can’t I do a Daily Back-Up?

Your back-up drive is possibly defective. It is possible that your daily back-up pen drive has become full or damaged. Please delete any information on the pen drive that is not Auto Data related. After doing this, select Backup from the Cash tab on the main menu. If backup continues to fail, call Auto Data for further instructions.

 

Inventory FAQ

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Questions

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Why can’t I enter a new part in the Parts Category?

You may need to first create a new service category. First go to the Services menu and verify that a service category exists for that particular part. A part category requires that you have an existing service in that same product code in the services section before you can create parts.

Why can’t I select YES to “Priced by Parts” in the services category of Inventory Management?

You must first verify that a parts category has been created in the Parts menu. Remember that all service categories must be in the same numbered category for the corresponding parts category. If the service is in service category 30 then the related parts must also be in parts category 30. To set Priced By Parts to Yes, Call Up Parts must first be set to Yes.