Full Membership FAQ

Q: Why should I join ETI and become a Full Member?

A: ETI is one of the few organizations that is respected by vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket alike. Our members supply products to both markets. ETI offers its members access to important OEM and aftermarket contacts through meetings and seminars.

Sometimes it is difficult for a tool or equipment company to understand and engage in government regulation or a vehicle manufacturer’s policy. ETI supports its members through our industry relationships, ensuring that our members voices are heard.

ETI’s TEK-NET Library can provide you with the information required to build enhanced scan tools for many vehicle manufacturers.

ETI works with Government and private organizations to ensure that tool and equipment concerns are accounted for when standards and regulations are developed.

ETI maintains several email lists. These lists keep you informed of industry activities, meetings, issues and important documents

Q: What is the difference between a Full member and an Associate member?

A: Basically the difference has to do with access to the technical side of ETI.  Full members have access to the TEK-NET Library, vertical group activity and ETI Tech Week Meetings. Additionally, Full Members, if nominated and elected, can become a Director or Officer of ETI.

Associate members can participate in the marketing side of ETI’s business only. This includes ETI ToolTech event.  

Q: What are ETI’s yearly activities or events and the content of those activities or events?

A: Summer Tech Week is held each June. 50-60 ETI engineers and product managers meet with key individuals from GM, Ford, Chrysler, VW/Audi and other car makers to discuss new systems and the tools and equipment that will be needed to service them. For details click on the events tab.
Summer Tech Week is our largest event. As many as 200 people, over half of which are from the car companies, have attended the closing banquet. The banquet is our way of thanking the OEMs for all the information they have given us.

Winter Tech Week is held toward the end of each year. Winter Tech Week is similar to Summer Tech Week except that we alternate locations.  We meet with 8 vehicle manufacturers during the week and gain quite a bit of insight into all the new technologies and specifications that will be introduced into the next year’s models.  For details click on the events tab

ToolTech – There is no other venue or event like it. Nowhere else can you find the networking, promotional opportunities, and access to important purchasing decision-makers for OEMs, national accounts, and large purchasing groups targeted specifically to the vehicle-related equipment and tool industry.  For details click on the events tab.

In addition to the above meetings, we also hold vertical group meetings on an as needed basis, mostly when there is an issue that requires a meeting or teleconference. Vertical groups are ETI’s technical committees.

Q: What information is contained in ETI’s TEK-NET Library?

A: ETI’s TEK-NET Library contains all the OEM data stream information we have collected over the years.  Even as far back as 1981 on some vehicle makes.  This is the scan tool information we request from all OEMs.  In some cases, we get what we ask for and in other cases we get something less.  The information is provided in all kinds of formats and data structures.  ETI does not edit the material for any specific purpose.  We always deliver the information in the same format we received it in.  Specifically, this is what we ask for.

Physical layer data link specifications for OBD systems.  This includes a description of and definition for the data link physical layer.

Protocol specifications for OBD systems.  This includes a description of and definition for the communication protocol.

Parametric data for OBD data display and activation.  This includes DTC, data list, device control, and system test data stream specifications.

ETI maintains the Library online.  Only Scan Tool Vertical Group members have access to the files.  

Q: How is ETI Organized?

A: ETI Structure – ETI is a non-profit organization managed by a small staff consisting of an Executive Manager, Chief Technology Officer,Administrator, Technical Manager and a Marketing Manager. All final decisions are made through an elected Executive Committee and Board of Directors

Vertical Group Structure – Vertical groups are the heart of the organization. ETI is more than just scan tools. We cover all aspects of automotive repair. 

Q: Are there other information charges besides the cost of membership?

A: Some OEMs charge a license fee for the use of their data.  These license fees are not included in the dues.  In some cases OEMs do not use the TEK-NET Library to store their information.  In these cases, you must deal directly with the OEMs

Q: What will be my ETI member responsibilities?

A: ETI members can do as little or as much as they like. Obviously, the more active any company is in ETI, the more value they will get out of their investment. We encourage members to become active on Vertical Group Committees, Marketing Committees. We further hope that you will bring your industry level issues to us for consideration because whatever is bothering you is probably bothering others as well. We encourage participation in ToolTech and our Tech Weeks.

At ETI we realize that your company job is more important than association volunteer work. We only ask our volunteers to do what they can within the limits set by their employers.