ORLANDO — One day your customer brings in the same vehicle he or she has been bringing to you for years, but they casually mention they just bought a new hybrid vehicle.

In today’s aftermarket, you should be marketing to them your ability to service their hybrid just like you’ve been providing them quality service all along. Yes, there are some differences between them, as Rob Pohl described in his hybrid basics class at WORLDPAC’s supplier and training expo, but you can master these changes.

It all starts with the basic safety. Pohl, national account training manager for the CARQUEST Technical Institute, told expo attendees that it’s mostly common sense. Yet another reason taking no for an answer isn’t an option when it comes to servicing hybrids.

After all, according to Pohl, there were more than 201,000 new hybrids sold through early September this year alone. (That’s beyond remarkably higher than the 17 sold in 1997, and could be near the 347,000 sold in 2007 by the time the year ends.)

But back to the safety. First, just pay attention to the warning labels — they’re not difficult to miss, really.

“You don’t want to be that casual when you see these warnings,” Pohl says.

While most basic service on hybrids is nowhere near the high voltage areas (most notably marked by orange), if you do work in these zones, there are some basic safety tips to follow.

First, wear Class 0 high voltage insulated gloves. These gloves need to be 1,000 volt rated and tested often for leaks using shop air not water, as they must also be kept dry. They also should be recertified every six months.

Next, don’t wear watches or rings, and be aware of the increased dangers should you have a pacemaker. Also, always test for the presence of voltage before beginning service by using a hybrid rated volt meter, Pohl suggests. He also adds, do not leave the key in the ignition; you don’t want someone to start the car to check the mileage while you’re servicing it.

“I’m not here to argue about your shop policy (for keeping keys near or in vehicles),” he explains. “I’m here to make you aware of certain things.”

Also keep in mind that hybrids should not be towed or pushed with the drive wheels on the ground. Pohl explains that any time the drive wheels are turning the same directions, the motor/generator turns and creates voltage.

For more information on keeping techs safe when it comes to servicing hybrids, Pohl recommends downloading the emergency responders guide, which can be found through the National Automotive Safety Task Force.

Pohl’s class was just one of dozens of technical training courses offered during the WORLDPAC expo.