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PROFESSIONAL
MAY 2022
MOTOR
F R T E R E A
T T O H E
D E
S E R V I C I N G ■ R E P A I R ■ D I A G N O S T I C S ■ M O T
THE TRADE MAGAZINE FOR SERVICING AND REPAIR PROFESSIONALS
IT’S SHOW TIME! The industry is gearing up for show season Also inside... You could be winning new customers with the power of marketing
TECHNICAL TIPS AND CLINICS ‘HOW TO’ GUIDES AND BEST PRACTICE ADVICE BUSINESS ESSENTIALS AND TRAINING UPDATES
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Contents Regulars 6-12
NEWS & VIEWS
14
CLUTCH CLINIC
17
BELT FOCUS
20- 27
TECH TIPS
29-40
BUSINESS & TRAINING
41- 49
SPECIAL REPORTS
72
PRODUCT TEST
74
ONLINE ROUND UP
77
GIVEAWAYS
78
COMPETITION
79- 82
WHAT’S NEW?
VOLUME 23 ISSUE 5 MAY 2022
Features
51-57 BRAKES & CLUTCHES
59-63 FILTERS
Editor’s Picks 29
MENTORING ROLES Gemma Westlake discusses the role of workplace mentors for apprentices
41
MARKETING INSIGHTS PMM catches up with Hayley Evans from Impression Communications to discuss the role of marketing in the aftermarket
44
READER SPOTLIGHT A look at the career of PMM reader and Car Consultant Edd Hunt
46
FEMALE FOCUS Find out how to get involved with The Pink Garage Company; PMM catches up with the founder Randeep Reehal
78
64-66 ADAS
COMPETITON Make sure to not miss out on a chance to take your family to spend a day with a championship winning race team, thanks to Kalimex
68-70 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Total Average Net Distribution 54,426 1st July 2020 – 30th June 2021
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VIEWPOINT
Editor
Market forces
KIERAN NEE Editorial Assistant FREYA COLEMAN Digital Manager
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KELLY NEWSTEAD Account Manager ALEX DILLEIGH Group Manager ROBERT GILHAM Magazine Designer GEMMA WATSON Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Production Assistant CLAIRE SWENDELL Distribution Manager KARL CLARK Subscriptions
PROFESSIONAL MOTOR MECHANIC is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the motor trade. It is published eleven times a year and is available nationally FREE to the trade through leading motor factors. It is also available through the post at a cost of £30. EUROPE and OVERSEAS 1 year (11 issues) £50 Airmail 1 year (11 issues) £65 Printed by Walstead Peterborough Published by HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF. Tel: Watford (01923) 237799
his month in PMM we are looking at marketing, which to many might seem an unsolicited departure from our usual fare of installation guides, diagnostic deep dives and product showcases. However, the more attentive of our readers (the majority, surely) will have noticed that for a long time we have run a Business & Training section slotted in neatly between the heavy stuff; this month’s focus on marketing is no different from what we aim to provide every month – advice to turn your skillset into profit. Every time I meet with workshop owners and technicians I am amazed at two things: first, the depth of mechanical knowledge everyone can dip into off the top of their heads – the wealth of experience and understanding of each component in a car and how they differ in each model is astounding; second, how little most workshop owners appreciate the true value of this knowledge. Sure, it’s easy to take it for granted when you do it every day, but every once in a while you should take a step back and reassess what this knowledge base is actually worth. I think most will agree you are underselling yourselves. That’s all well and good, I hear you mutter to yourself, but what use is it when customers are only willing to pay a certain amount. To answer that, I would like to direct your attention to the numerous services out there that people are willing to pay a premium for: certain people are willing to pay extra for specialist gyms, luxury hotels, private healthcare providers and the list goes on. People will pay extra when they believe they are paying for a better, more professional service. Let’s not forget, by taking their cars to the main dealer, many drivers have already proven they’re willing to pay more. If you’re already providing a high quality, professional service backed up by a well-trained, well paid staff, then what’s to stop you from raising your prices? Perhaps you need to focus a bit more attention on marketing yourself in the right way and to the right customer. You might think that marketing is only a concern for large corporations with Mad Men style boards, all suited and booted, speaking nothing but numbers and jargon. But marketing goes right down the ladder, even to the chalk sandwich board on the high street advertising BLTs. It encompasses everything that you put out there to the world: from your signage, to your leaflets to the air freshener you hang off a customer’s mirror; without knowing it, you are telling potential future customers what kind of business you are running. It’s up to you to make sure they know it’s a professional business with fair prices, knowledgeable staff and decent practices.
Fax: (01923) 246901
A note on Ukraine E-mail: pmm@hamerville.co.uk Sales enquiries: pmmsales@hamerville.co.uk Website: www.pmmonline.co.uk Facebook: /ProfessionalMotorMechanic Twitter: @pmmmagazine Copyright © 2022 Pg. 41 ©AdobeStock/cacaroot Pg. 42 ©AdobeStock/Pololia
Associate member
The publishers and editor do not necessarily agree with the views
Unfortunately, chances are that by the time you read this the Russian invasion of Ukraine will still be rumbling on – hopefully with as much incompetence on behalf of the aggressors as at the time of writing. At PMM we have discussed what the best editorial approach to take is and have unanimously agreed that reporting on the conflict isn’t for us to do. We understand that many of our readers will have strong feelings about the war and some will be dismayed at our lack of coverage; indeed, we have received many press releases outlining what individual aftermarket companies have done to support the Ukrainian effort. While privately we may applaud those initiatives, we feel our magazine is not the place to discuss what is essentially a political issue, not an automotive one. However, as with Brexit and Coronavirus before it, where the war disrupts supply chains or where the attendant rise in oil prices affects the UK independent aftermarket specifically, we will, of course, be there to cover it.
Kieran Nee Editor
expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors of translation in the subject matter in this publication.
PMM MAY 2022 5
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NEWS
& VIEWS
GET YOUR DAILY FIX OF INDUSTRY NEWS AT WWW.PMMONLINE.CO.UK
IMI 2022 award winners unveiled Over 350 members, supporters and industry partners of the IMI gathered in London to applaud the accomplishments of individuals and organisations across the sector.
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he last two years have presented personal and professional challenges that no one could have predicted”, said Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry. “Yet, collectively, those in the automotive industry have gone above and beyond to ensure that
hurdles have been overcome and unexpected opportunities grasped. The IMI is extremely proud to represent a richly diverse community of new and established professionals who have stood shoulder to shoulder to not only safely ride the pandemic, but also strengthen the industry’s foundations to ensure its continued success.”
“Collectively, those in the automotive industry have gone above and beyond to ensure that hurdles have been overcome and unexpected opportunities grasped.” Steve Nash, IMI
The winners Winners included students such as Ian Robertson James Moodie Motor Engineers and Ethan Harris of Euro Performance Ltd who jointly won ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and Trinity Hutley from Barnfield College who won ‘Student of the Year’. Other winners included Thatcham Research for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Motor Industry’ and Jan Livingstone from W Livingstone Ltd who won ‘The Patron’s Award’.
To see the full list of winners WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL001
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FOLLOW THE LATEST BREAKING STORIES ON TWITTER @PMMMAGAZINE
NEWS
& VIEWS
25th Anniversary celebrations KYB UK celebrates 25th year as a leading supplier in the UK and Irish automotive aftermarket.
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YB was first registered as a UK company in December 1996, before fully trading in February 1997. Starting with just two employees and three customers, they have grown year-on-year, becoming the established supplier it is known as today. Initially selling only shock absorbers, the company soon launched a new range of aftermarket coil springs in 2001, becoming the first branch in Europe to sell the product. They also expanded
their premises accordingly, enabling a stockholding of over 400,000 pieces on average. To date, KYB UK has supplied the UK and Irish independent
aftermarket with over 18 million parts. Romin Nassiri, UK Sales Manager said: “We take great pride in what we have achieved in the past 25 years and we want
to thank everyone who has joined us on our journey so far” Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL002
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NEWS
& VIEWS
FOLLOW THE LATEST BREAKING STORIES ON TWITTER @PMMMAGAZINE
Talent recharge event Automotive aftermarket unites at Talent Recharge event hosted by Autotech Group.
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ver 200 senior leaders united alongside automotive industry trade bodies and representatives from the education sector at the inaugural Talent Recharge event, to kick start the industry’s talent shortage conversation. The event was held at Red Bull MK-7, including speakers such as former McLaren Formula 1 team mechanic and the IMI’s Jim Saker and Joanna Hollingdale, as well as interactive roundtable discussions. The afternoon session brought together senior
New-look IAAF council formed Hayley Pells, Avia Autos, appointed to head up IAAF Garage Section.
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leaders from the automotive industry with the education sector. This included a panel debate between VW Commercial Vehicles’ Paul Anderson, Ford UK’s Sarah Brettle, Fix Network World’s David Lingham, Kevan Wooden from Euro Car Parts, and Catherine Treanor from Electude.
he IAAF has formed its new look council including distributors, suppliers, buying groups, service providers and garages, who come together regularly to debate industry issues and IAAF policy, ensuring the independent aftermarket can continue to thrive and develop. Appointed at its recent Annual General Meeting
Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL003
(AGM), the meeting provided a welcome opportunity for members to network face to face, with some members attending virtually. Richard Welland, WAI, has now commenced the second year of his term as President, Craig McCracken of Arnold Clark Autoparts is Vice President and Lawrence Bleasdale of TMD Friction was re-elected to the position of Hon. Treasurer. Following the IAAF council elections, Steve Dunn of Exol Lubricants and Wayne Stevens of Tetrosyl were elected. Joe Howard of Boswell Insurance was elected in the service member council seat. Hayley Pells has been appointed to head up the IAAF Garage Section. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL005
UK subsidiary REPXPERT Academy Live is back Including four technical and business seminars, the academy is set to return on the 21st May at the STEAM Academy at Bridgend College.
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ach session is designed to offer garage owners and professional technicians a taster of the complete one or two-day IMI certified training packages available from Schaeffler directly,
8 MAY 2022 PMM
or through its distribution partners. Even though they are ‘taster’ sessions, they are packed full of valuable tips, tricks, and best practice advice, so IMI members can still claim CPD points for a full day of training. Talks include an introduction from Schaeffler on LuK Double Clutch Systems and a Timing Belt Workshop from Tim Adams. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL004
Oil and additive specialist Liqui Moly invests in further growth in the UK.
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ontinuing its growth course in the UK, they have now established the subsidiary Liqui Moly UK. “This will enable us to better exploit the potential offered by the British market,” says Salvatore Coniglio, Export Manager. In terms of its sales operations, the company traditionally works with independent importers in most countries. In the UK, however, the company has had its own employees for years to personally support the wholesale and specialist trade and support
them on visits to garages. The establishment of a subsidiary underlines the potential that the company sees in the UK market. Additional personnel have already been hired for Liqui moly UK based in Birmingham. During the course of this year, more new jobs are to be created, especially in sales. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL006
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GET YOUR DAILY FIX OF INDUSTRY NEWS AT WWW.PMMONLINE.CO.UK
NEWS
& VIEWS
Critical item shortages Global supply chain risk report indicates high risk of prolonged key raw material shortages and price rises amidst conflict in Ukraine.
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ccording to a new report from Achilles, global supply chains had already fallen significantly for the 12 months prior to the conflict in Ukraine, the issue being exacerbated since. The shortage of raw materials such as tin, a key component of circuit boards; molybdenum, a trace mineral used in energy
The scarcity of lithium could see some 20 million electric vehicles taken out of production by 2029.
creation, defence products, and new applications powering electric vehicles; and other materials such as nickel, zinc, copper, oil and gas, are expected to impact downstream global supply chains and hamper global trade. The scarcity of lithium, essential to the production of batteries for electric vehicles and electrical storage, meanwhile, could see some 20 million electric vehicles taken out of production between 2022 and 2029. In the short term, competition for lithium is likely to see the global transition to a renewable energy system come under pressure dramatically as car manufacturers and battery producers compete for the same supply.
Cutting back on costs
Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL007
The Motor Ombudsman urges motorists to keep vehicle servicing in mind as the cost of living hikes.
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n online Opinion Matters poll of UK car owners commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman, has revealed that the majority (56 per cent) of respondents who do not currently have a service plan in place, are planning to miss (33 per cent) or delay (23 per cent) their car’s annual service this year beyond the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended
56 per cent of UK car owners are planning to miss or delay their car's annual service this year.
interval, in order to save money in the face of the sharp rise in the cost of living. From the introduction of a 54 per cent increase in the price cap for gas and electricity bills and the surged fuel prices, it’s no wonder people are trying to cut costs by not getting their cars serviced. The study revealed that female car owners (57 per cent) and 45- to 54-year-olds (64 per cent) emerged as being the least likely to, either get their car serviced at all this year, or to take their car to a garage on time once they had reached the next servicing interval based on the mileage completed, or on the 12-month anniversary since the last check. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL008
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NEWS
& VIEWS
FOLLOW THE LATEST BREAKING STORIES ON TWITTER @PMMMAGAZINE
Raising standards The Motor Ombudsman welcomes The Motoring Organisation to its Vehicle Warranty Products Code.
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200 Technician recruitment drive Revive! Auto Innovations announces their five-year plan to expand their business.
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he recruitment drive is anticipated to more than double their workforce as the company embarks on an ambitious expansion plan to increase network sales to £40m. They currently employ the UK’s largest accredited network with more than 200 IMI certified repairers and expects to grow the number of franchises to over 100 within the next five years. The announcement comes after the company recently celebrated its best sales year at its 18th annual conference. Over 150 delegates attended the event, where Revive! managing directors Mark Llewellyn and Terry Mullen laid out plans to double the size of the company’s repair network within the next
five years. Andy Hupfield, Operations Director, added: “Revive! has made huge strides over the last two years with investments in IT efficiencies and digital marketing. With the opening of our bespoke IMI accredited training centre in 2020, we have the facilities and expertise to grow our team of over 200 fully trained repairers to more than 400 over the next five years. We are growing and so we are hiring. As we continue to grow, we will continue to hire.” The purpose-built training academy in Rugby, Warwickshire allows Revive! to accredit ATAs, develop internal training and fast track novices who want to become SMART repair technicians with no previous experience. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL009
"We are growing and so we are hiring." Andy Hupfield, Revive
12 MAY 2022 PMM
he Motor Ombudsman is pleased to announce that The Motoring Organisation, the Sheffieldbased provider of warranty products for cars, vans, motorcycles and motorhomes, has gained accreditation to the Ombudsman’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). The portfolio of businesses signed up to the Vehicle Warranty Products Code
The Motor Ombudsman's Code of Practice was launched in 2009 to drive up standards beyond legal requirements.
represents around 75 per cent of the industry’s major providers that administer over two million vehicle warranty products to consumers every year. The Code of Practice was launched in 2009 to drive up standards beyond those required by law for the provision of automotive warranties. It details a series of commitments that all businesses agree to adhere to as part of their accreditation. These are namely, the use of accurate and clear advertising and consumer communications, the provision of advice and information in line with the customer’s needs, the writing of jargon-free and easy-tounderstand product literature, and the supply of additional consumer protection above and beyond the business’s legal obligations. Want to know more? WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL010
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CLUTCH CLINIC
HOW TO Replace the clutch on a VW Passat Blue Print’s Charles Figgins guides readers through a clutch replacement on a 1.9 VW Passat. Vehicle Information Make
Volkswagen
Model
Passat
Engine
1.9 TDi
Transmission
Five-speed manual
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14 MAY 2022 PMM
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he Volkswagen Passat, a versatile and large family car, was introduced to the market in 1973 and is now in its eighth generation. This well-known international model uses many mechanical components familiar to workshops and other Volkswagen/Audi group vehicles. Featured in this article is a sixthgeneration Passat fitted with the popular 1.9 TDi engine and five-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle was reported to have a rattling/knocking noise coming from the clutch area and a high-frequency vibration that was felt through the clutch pedal and gearstick whilst driving. This was possibly due to a faulty dual-mass flywheel; this would require the gearbox to be removed and the clutch assembly to be inspected in order to fully diagnose the fault and rectify it. Once the vehicle was brought into the workshop, the bonnet was opened and the battery, battery tray and air cleaner assembly were removed to give access to the top of the gearbox. This revealed the gear selector, clutch slave cylinder, starter motor and gearbox mounting (Fig.1).
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Firstly, the gear selector cables were unclipped from the selector levers and the three retaining bolts from the cable bracket were removed, with the cables being put to one side. The clutch slave cylinder was unbolted and secured, followed by the reverse lamp switch, wiring harness and the starter motor. This left only the gearbox retaining bolts to be removed at this stage. The engine was supported by an engine brace, before removing the two bolts that hold the gearbox mount in place. The vehicle was then raised to a working height. The front wheels were removed followed by the left-front driveshaft retaining bolt, and then both of the lower suspension arm swivel
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joint retaining bolts (Fig.2) and the left-hand wheel arch liner. The inner driveshaft joint retaining bolts were unbolted and then the driveshafts could be pulled free from the drive flanges. The right-hand driveshaft was secured to one side and the left-hand driveshaft was removed completely to give clearance for the removal of the gearbox from the vehicle (Fig.3). Working underneath the vehicle, the exhaust bracket attached to the gearbox was removed, along with the small gearbox shield above the right-hand driveshaft. All that remained was the removal of the upper gearbox retaining bracket and the lower gearbox retaining bolts. The engine and gearbox were lowered to an appropriate position and the mounting bracket was removed. With the gearbox supported, the last retaining bolts were removed and the gearbox was lowered out of the vehicle. The clutch pressure plate, friction disc and flywheel were removed and inspected. Upon inspection of the release bearing, it was apparent that it had become worn and sticky in operation; however, the root cause of the noise and high frequency vibration was the flywheel. Although there were no signs of scoring/cracks or ‘blueing’ on the friction contact surface, it was obvious that the flywheel had excess ‘free play’ when tested, as well as an internal material failure. (Fig.4)
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The conclusion was that the complete clutch kit was in need of replacement. To carry out this work, Blue Print’s Smartfit Conversion clutch kit ADV183059 was chosen. This includes a complete four-piece dual mass flywheel conversion kit with torsion-damper friction disc, pressure plate, solid flywheel, grease, release bearing and all necessary bolts, and a Smartfit installation sticker. The crankshaft was inspected and cleaned along with the rear main oil seal, before fitting the new solid flywheel. The new bolts were then tightened to manufacturer specification. Before fitting the new pressure plate and disc, the contact surfaces were cleaned and all parts were aligned and fitted fully against the flywheel – along with the new retaining bolts. The six pressure plate bolts were tightened diagonally to ensure ‘even’ contact and to prevent any damage to the pressure plate and flywheel centring pins (Fig.5). Our attention then turned to the release mechanism; the bell housing was thoroughly cleaned to free all grease, dirt and old friction fibres from the previous clutch, and then the release fork was removed and inspected for cracks or wear. The new release bearing was clipped into the fork and then operation of the release
mechanism was tested for smoothness, before grease was lightly applied onto the input shaft. The transmission was now ready to be refitted to the engine. The gearbox was refitted to the engine using some of the retaining bolts to hold it in place, followed by the gearbox-mounting bracket. The engine was raised using the support brace and put back into position, before the gearbox mountings were refitted. The driveshafts, suspension joints and wheels were then fitted – ensuring all fixings were tightened to manufacturer specification. Working from the top of the gearbox, the gearbox mounting was refitted and the engine brace was removed. The starter motor and wiring harness for the reverse lamp switch were also refitted, and the gear selector levers reassembled. The clutch slave cylinder, selector cables, air filter and the battery were reconnected. The clock and the one-touch window operation were reset. The clutch operation was then tested, before a full road test was carried out. The clutch fault was fixed – proven by very smooth pedal ‘feel’ and operation. The vibration felt throughout the vehicle had gone, demonstrating that the perfectlycoordinated combination of a rigid flywheel and clutch disc (with torsion damper) gives excellent vibration dampening and a high degree of driving comfort. The vibrations generated by the engine are also filtered out (in all driving conditions), noise is reduced and the service life of the clutch is prolonged by means of low-wear clutch linings. This was very much a smart conversion.
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WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL011
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BELT FOCUS
HOW TO Replace the timing belt on a 1.4l Škoda Octavia In this month’s Belt Focus, Dayco explains how to replace the timing belt on a Škoda Octavia mk3.
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n its launch in 2013, the 1.4litre TSI (CHPA) powered mark III Octavia, was the largest petrol engine in the Octavia range, a unit Auto Express magazine claimed at the time was ‘arguably the best engine in the line-up, as it combines impressive pace with good economy’. The powerplant is used across several VAG models, so is likely to be familiar to workshops throughout the country. As replacing the timing belt requires the removal of the auxiliary belt, Dayco recommends that in addition to replacing all the primary system’s components, technicians check, and if necessary, change the auxiliary components at the same time. This step-by-step technical guide will help technicians through the process, avoiding complications and ensuring a firstrate outcome. As with all primary drive system jobs, always check the timing marks before removing the timing belt and ensure the work is undertaken when the engine is cold, so ideally, the vehicle will not have been run for at least four hours.
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Start by removing the plastic guard from underneath the engine and then, after taking off the front offside wheel, the lower part of the plastic cowling from inside the wheel arch. This will reveal the auxiliary belt system and by relaxing the tension on the belt with a spanner on the tensioner, the belt can be removed. Before disconnecting the tensioner, lock it by inserting a pin as shown (Fig.1). Remove the cap in the engine block used to close the hole in which the crankshaft timing tool will be inserted and then disconnect the air intake to the filter box, take out the filter box and detach the pipes between the throttle and turbo, and the filter box and turbo, as well as the oil vapour recirculation pipe and the turbo air intake connector.
“It is extremely important to follow the correct tightening procedure when reattaching the water pump cover.”
Now remove the water pump belt cover and the cover on the gearbox side of the intake camshaft, drain the cooling system and take off the upper cover of the water pump and the expansion tank, as the pump and belt should be changed at the same time. Detach the upper timing belt cover, which will expose the variable exhaust valve timing unit on the left and intake on the right, and rotate the central crankshaft pulley screw clockwise and position the intake camshaft as viewed from the gearbox side as shown (Fig.2). After disconnecting the ignition coil and removing the spark plugs, insert a screwdriver, which is long enough to touch the top of the number one piston at BDC and rotate the crankshaft to its TDC (the screwdriver will rise by 35mm). Insert, and fully screw into place, the crankshaft timing tool (T10340) and rotate the crankshaft until the shaft rests on the tool. Then fit the camshaft tool (T10494) and after making sure it is in the correct position, lock it with a screw. Using special tool (T102475), remove the crankshaft pulley, followed by the lower
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BELT FOCUS
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timing belt cover and the two alternator retaining screws to detach it. Then take off the plate shown (Fig.3), support the engine appropriately from above and remove the top engine mount adjacent to the timing belt and take off the central timing belt cover to access the tensioner and idler. After removing the cover of the left (exhaust) and the central cap of the right (intake) variable valve timing units, take off the tensioner and timing belt. Appropriately lock the valve timing units, remove the centre screws and the units themselves. Attach the new idler, Dayco ATB2637 and torque to 45Nm, and tensioner, Dayco ATB2636, ensuring it is fitted as shown (Fig.4), and then fit the valve timing units on the corresponding camshafts, but do not fully tighten their screws. Fit the new timing belt, Dayco 941060, installing it clockwise from the crankshaft pulley via the tensioner, exhaust and then intake camshaft pulleys and the idler. Use the special tool (T10499) to move the needle of the tensioner to the right, about 10mm
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beyond the fixed reference and then back to the middle of the fixed reference as shown (Fig.5), finally tighten the tensioner fixing screw to 25Nm. Suitably lock the valve timing units and tighten their screws to 50Nm before removing the camshaft timing tools and temporarily refitting the crankshaft pulley to enable the engine to be turned through a few clockwise revolutions.
Tightening up Check the belt tensioner needle remains in the right position, and using the crankshaft and camshaft tools, the timing is still correct. If so, appropriately lock the valve timing units and tighten their screws another 135°. Now remove the water pump with the belt drive and after flushing out the cooling system to remove any debris and cleaning the water pump facing, reposition the replacement pump, with the new belt, Dayco 941094, at the same time. It is extremely important to follow the correct tightening procedure when
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reattaching the water pump cover, so first tighten the screws to 10Nm in the sequence shown (Fig.6) and then loosen by one turn. Put a hex screw in ‘A’, torque to 30Nm and hold the torque wrench in position while retightening screws 2, 1 and 5 to 10Nm and then 3, 4, 5, 1 and 2 to 12Nm. Refit the components in reverse order of their removal, tension the crankshaft pulley screw to 150Nm + 180° and the crankshaft timing tool cap to 30Nm. To follow best practice, Dayco also recommends the replacement of the auxiliary tensioner Dayco APV3270 and the auxiliary belt Dayco 6PK1000. Finally, refill the cooling system, start the engine and carefully check for leaks and ensure the radiator fan is operating correctly. Then, once the engine is cold, check the level of the fluid again. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL012
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Sponsored by
SHOULD YOU BE PREPARING FOR REPAIRING AND SERVICING
EVs
NOW?
Welcome back to the second instalment in a series of articles in which I will be examining different aspects of EVs. I will cover technology, tools, issues, systems and much more. I know some of you love EVs and some hate them. I definitely love them, so maybe I can change your mind if you don’t! My answer to this question is a resounding yes! In last month’s article we looked at what EVs are and, particularly, why they are becoming popular. Many people say there is lots of life left in the internal combustion engine (ICE) and I agree. However, the combination of the need to reduce carbon emissions, Government legislation and how nice EVs are to drive, means they are here now, many more are coming, and we need to be ready. Managing change can be a difficult challenge for any workshop; but if we plan, and take smaller steps while we have time, it will be much easier. How you go about this will very much depend on what type of workshop you have, how many staff, where you are located and so on. Nonetheless, I suggest there are five steps to prepare yourself and your business for repairing and servicing EVs:
1. MAKE THE DECISION For some people, it will be
entirely possible to continue to run a successful garage or workshop and not work on electric vehicles. You could choose to become a specialist in servicing and repairing ICE vehicles, and eventually in their restoration. If this is your choice then no need to read any further.
5. ADVERTISE WHAT YOU ARE NOW ABLE TO OFFER
It may look like an engine at first glance…
2. START LEARNING Initially, you don’t need to go on a course to start learning about EVs. The IMI, for example, offers free EV training for members, and there is always the option to read a good textbook (www.tomdenton.org!) Current measurement on a PHEV
3. ARRANGE A TRAINING COURSE TO GAIN A QUALIFICATION
4. COLLECT TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
In a later article we will look in more detail at the options available, but to set a context for now, an existing technician can do a course that covers level three and four in 4 or 5 days. There is a cost involved for the training and the time lost, but think of it as a good and necessary investment.
Next month we will look in detail at what tools and equipment you will need. But for now, is it time your multimeter, scope or scanner was updated anyway? If so, make sure the replacements will be appropriate for high voltage work. The multimeter should be classed as at least CATIII for example.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL013
There is a problem at this time: getting enough EV work in, to consolidate the training. Some garages have started to specialise in EVs as a way to tackle this. Others accept that additional top-up training may be needed. It is just because we are at the crossover time – things will change. Start letting your customers know what you can, or will be able to do. In summary, if you do intend to work on high voltage systems, then start preparing now. Learning about them is good CPD anyway and will certainly mean you will get much more out of a training course. The cost of buying all the equipment you need for EV work is not huge, but starting now, bit by bit, may help your cashflow. More on tools and equipment next month.
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TECH TIPS
KNOW YOUR PARTS GDI: Gasoline Direct Injection Bosch explains what it offers when it comes to petrol-powered hybrid vehicles. Gasoline Direct Injection
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n the first three quarters of 2021, according to ACEA, the share of hybrid electric passenger cars (HEV and mHEV) registrations accounted for 19.4 per cent of total vehicles. If we sum up the PHEV registrations that represent 8.6 per cent, all types of hybrids represent 28 per cent of the total registrations in the European Union. In comparison with the first three quarters from 2020, the registration of all hybrids in 2021 has doubled, becoming the most popular alternative powertrain with respect to volumes. Today on the market there are three commonly known types of hybrid vehicles: 48 V mild hybrid electric vehicle (mHEV) These vehicles comprise an internal combustion engine, a 48 V motor-generator with a compact 48 V Li-ion battery, where the combustion engine is running all the time except Start/Stop. mHEV provides benefits in terms of efficient recuperation and power boosting and fuel economy up to 15 per cent compared to conventional Start/Stop systems. It is expected that this will be the fastest growing drivetrain typology in the next 10 years. Full hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) This technology combines a conventional combustion engine with an additional electric drive, both of them able to run independently or work together to provide a boost of power.
The electric drive can move the vehicle alone at low speed and on short distances – up to 3km purely electric (strong hybrid). One of the main advantages is the significant fuel and CO2 savings that enable manufactures to respect the limits of emissions. Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV) These cars go a step beyond HEV, being able to do city traffic in electric mode alone, thus avoiding local exhaust and noise emissions. They are characterised by a larger HV battery and an external charging connection. When drivers need to travel longer distances, even if the battery is discharged, the vehicle will run on its internal combustion engine. In this way the “range anxiety” experienced with the full electric cars is not present for the PHEV.
The majority of manufactured hybrid vehicles have a petrol engine on board. In the future, the most dominant system for hybrids will be gasoline direct injection (GDI), where Bosch has a leading position in OE for both injectors and pumps. GDI is the key to efficient and economical engines because it reduces the fuel consumption and emissions with enhanced driving dynamics due to direct injection of the fuel into the combustion chamber. The quality of the engine management parts in hybrids is highly important due to the Start/Stop system’s instant starting capabilities in cold weather as well as warm. Only parts having an OE-level quality can ensure the benefit of hybrid technology in terms of fuel efficiency and Bosch is the right partner for this, offering a wide range of components for hybrids. Although existing and available technology, these parts are essential for the maintenance and good functioning of the gasoline engine. For the most sold European hybrid vehicles Bosch provides several petrol parts and below you have a glimpse of what is provided: ■ Toyota Yaris 1.5 HSD ignition coils and
electric fuel pumps ■ VW Passat 1.4 GTE Hybrid Variant and
Golf VII 1.4 GTE ignition coils, highpressure injectors GDI, knock sensor, pressure sensor, rotation speed sensor ■ BMW 225 xe Active Tourer ignition coil, high pressure injector GDI, high-pressure pump GDI, oxygen sensor, knock sensor.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL014
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TECH TIPS
BEST PRACTICE Plugs and sensors NGK offers PMM readers some advice for working on spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda sensors.
SPARK PLUGS
Terminal Corrugations To prevent flash over NGK and part no. Special packing Excellent air tightness Robust construction Insulator Made of high purity alumina providing better heat dissipation, higher electrical insulation and stronger thermal shock resistance Metal shell Zinc plated and chromated to guard against corrosion Gasket
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Copper core Deeply inserted in the centre electrode for improved thermal conductivity. Providing an ultra wide heat range plug that gives maximum performance at both high and low speeds Spark gap Centre and ground electrodes Special nickel alloy ensures superior heat resistance and durability Ceramic Resistor A 5k ceramic resistor to supress radio frequency noise protecting: car radios, mobile phones, engine management systems
Most issues in relation to spark plugs are invariably down to a plug being affected by either an engine running or set up problem or something that has gone awry upon installation. The common ‘misfire’ complaint in connection with spark plugs is first tackled by plug removal and examination. Plug fouling can cause a misfire. This can be, for example, in the form of excessive carbon build up caused by an engine running in a rich condition, coated with oil due to an engine condition issue. Fouling will not be the fault of the plug itself provided the correct plug for the engine is installed. Closely inspect the plug insulator for cracks, which will cause a misfire due to the voltage no longer being contained. A crack to the top portion of the insulator is caused by either over tightening or the plug being tightened with the wrench canted out of line. This puts pressure on the top of the plug. A crack in the insulator on the firing end is usually caused by ‘thermal shock’, the result of neat or poorly atomised fuel hitting the hot insulator surface causing it to cool rapidly. Black vertical electrical lines on the white insulator surface (sometimes mistaken for cracks) are a sign of ‘flashover’. They can occur between the top terminal and the metal shell body. These are the result of a worn or deteriorated plug rubber sealing boot on the lead or ignition coil. Replacement of the plug alone may not cure unless the connection on to the plug is secure and the seal over the insulator is tight. A broken plug metal shell is the result of over tightening. This occurs at the top of the thread or just above. There is no requirement to use any anti-seize grease on NGK spark
Iridium plug
plugs. Use either the vehicle manufacturers or NGK’s recommended torque. If the threads are not dry or an anti-seize grease has been applied, then do not torque, but use the tightening angle advice displayed on NGK spark plug packaging. Torque and tightening angle advice varies depending on the plug thread size, sealing method (taper or gasket seal) and varies between gasket material and construction types.
GLOW PLUGS Plugs can be tested in situ if access allows. Heating coil resistance can be checked with a meter by first removing the lead from the top terminal. Check the resistance between the
Glow plug
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top terminal of a glow plug and the cylinder head. Individual part numbers have individual manufacturing target resistance values. However, general rule for metal type glow plugs is a reading less than 5 Ohms indicates the glow plug is in serviceable condition. No reading indicates that there is a break in the heater coil. This could be due to natural degradation over the service life of the plug but could be caused by some other factor such as excessive voltage being applied. Upon glow plug removal, look at the heater tube surface. Any scuffs or ‘swirl marks’ over the surface is an indication that the glow plug has been caked in carbon build up. This can cause a glow plug to fail prematurely and can cause a replacement plug to become damaged if not rectified. Excess carbon should be removed from the glow plug hole using a proprietary glow plug reamer kit.
NTK LAMBDA (OXYGEN) SENSORS Various fault codes exist that indicate an issue with the heater circuit. Individual sensors have their manufacturing target resistance values for their internal heater. The heater circuit within the sensor can be tested with the sensor in situ if access permits. After disconnection from the vehicle loom, inspect the inside of the connector very closely for any contamination. It should be bone dry with no oily residue apparent (which can affect the sensor connections and operation). A resistance reading should be taken between the two heater wires (most often two white wires on 4-wire zirconia sensors or white and grey on 5-wire wideband sensors - but both types can vary) should be taken and compared to the vehicle or component manufactures specification. If within tolerance, then the rest of the lambda heater circuit (vehicle-side) should be investigated.
5-wire sensors
WANT TO KNOW MORE? TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW, VIDEOS AND TECHNICAL TIPS CAN BE FOUND IN THE TECHNIWIKI SECTION ON THE NGK WEBSITE. FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL015
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TECH TIPS
KNOW YOUR PARTS air struts PMM and air suspension specialists Arnott give readers a deeper look at air struts.
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ir suspension systems come in multiple configurations which define the product mix between air struts, shock absorbers and air springs. Whenever a system is equipped with complete air strut assemblies, the air springs are integrated onto the struts instead of separately mounted onto the axle. These complete assemblies are typically used for the front suspension. The rear suspension usually features a combination of shock absorbers and air springs. Four-corner air strut set-ups exist as well.
Construction Although a conventional coil strut looks very different from an air strut, the replacement of both is similar. If a mechanic can replace a coil strut, they will most likely find replacing an air strut relatively easy as well. Despite the ease of installation, the workings behind the strut and air spring combination are quite complex. Let's take a closer look at the air spring construction. In order for the air spring to support the vehicle weight through air pressure, it is constructed with several components to aid this. Heavy duty crimping rings seal the air sleeve with the top mount and the rolling piston. The rolling piston is connected to the outer damper tube and sealed off with an Oring to keep an airtight connection. The rubber sleeve of this airtight construction is usually encased in an aluminium canister for a more responsive behaviour. To protect the air spring from collecting dust and debris between its sleeve and rolling piston, it is often covered by a flexible dust cover. Depending on the design, adding a cover can greatly lower the risks of leakage caused by these elements.
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Internally, the air strut has an integrated bump stop. This helps to prevent damage to the piston and foot valve by making sure there is enough clearance left when the vehicle is bottoming out (when the shock is full compression). Some air struts also feature a second air chamber in the top area or even in an external canister. The extra air chamber provides additional volume which is used to create two levels of spring rates. This additional air volume results in an overall driving experience that is more comfortable because more air needs to be compressed in the air spring. Less air volume translates into a firmer ride. Secondly, the extra air chamber allows the manufacturer to build a more compact suspension part, reducing the space needed for the total rear axle configuration. This results in a larger cargo area in the booth.
Replacement There are a few things to consider when replacing an air strut. If you have the proper equipment, it is always possible to remove a worn or broken coil spring from its strut and then re-assemble the strut with a new coil spring. However, this is usually not the case when dealing with an air strut. Often the
complexity of the strut will not allow the separation of the air spring whilst maintaining a new airtight air strut construction upon re-assembly. There are some exceptions whereby the OE manufacturers have designed the air strut so that the possibility of replacing solely the strut-mounted air spring does exist. In this case, Arnott offers the option to replace only the air spring and additionally offers the pre-assembled full strut. If a customer decides to only replace the air spring, there are a few things to keep in mind. When only replacing the worn air spring, the air strut’s shock absorber should be inspected critically for both oil leakage and function. Oil deteriorates the rubber sleeve and would consequently shorten the new air spring’s lifespan. Secondly, the damping force of a worn shock absorber is considerably lower, this means the air spring is being exposed to impacts which it was not designed for and gets easily damaged requiring an earlier replacement. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL016
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Vehicle Case Files In this series of articles, Liqui Moly investigates common vehicle problems and proposes a solution. PROBLEM: Specification errors
SOLUTION: Liqui Moly’s Oil Guide
ASSESSMENT: It used to be so easy in the old days when the same 10W-40 oil was suitable for almost all vehicles. However, these times are long gone. Nowadays, well over 50 motor oil specifications are available just for cars. What used to be a universal lubricant has become a liquid spare part that must accurately match the respective engine. If this is not the case, the consequences may range from a formation of oil sludge, significantly increased wear, issues with exhaust gas aftertreatment systems and major engine damage. If workshops use the wrong oil, this will not only be embarrassing and raise doubts about their professionalism, but it may also lead to expensive complaints. But how can we avoid these issues when even professionals find it difficult to keep track of the plethora of specifications and standards, approvals, and recommendations? It's very simple
thanks to the free Liqui Moly Oil Guide! Simply enter the customer vehicle's license plate at www.liqui-moly.com to obtain a list of suitable engine oils, transmission oils, radiator antifreeze and many more products. Consequently, workshops will be on the safe side. Liqui Moly also helps workshops put together an individual oil range so that a maximum number of customer vehicles are covered with as few different oils as possible. This simplifies logistics and procurement and helps avoid accidentally choosing the wrong oil. The company also offers the oil cabinet for smaller workshops: a lockable metal cabinet for twelve 20-litre canisters or alternatively eight 20-litre canisters and two 60-litre drums. It features an integrated drip tray to catch any oil that spills when dispensing. It is also suitable for larger workshops to safely and cleanly store oils that are not needed all too frequently.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL017
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TECH TIPS
BRAKING Going all electric: braking system ACtronics outlines how even the braking system on cars can’t escape an all-electric future.
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n recent decades we’ve become used to pressing down the brake pedal in order to push fluid towards the brake calipers. A lot may have changed over the years, but the master cylinder, brake lines and fluid are still there. However, for how much longer will this be the case? Why still use fluid when smart electronics can take over?
Brake by wire Well, to be perfectly honest, there already are some systems that are trying to get rid of the whole idea of pushing fluid towards the brakes. This is called ‘brake by wire’. With this system the pedal functions just like a brake pedal from a racing simulator: a pedal travel sensor (Hall-effect sensor) measures how much the pedal is pressed and generates a signal. This signal is then sent to the ABS/ESP ECU. The output can be either an analogue signal or a PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation). Because people are creatures of habit, the brake pedal feel is still the same as a conventional braking system. A pushrod and an independent cylinder filled with fluid are used to create this authentic feel. Yes, we are being played here. The direct connection is really gone (Fig.1&1a).
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An evolved master cylinder So, if the master cylinder isn’t directly connected to the brake pedal anymore, why do we even need a master cylinder? The clever minds at Continental thought the same and designed a new concept where the master cylinder is integrated into the hydraulic control unit of the ABS/ESP system (Fig.2). You have probably already come to this conclusion by looking at the scheme above: Integrating the master cylinder into the hydraulic control unit creates a system with a much wider range of possibilities. The ‘master cylinder’ is no longer directly controlled by the brake pedal, so the ECU can determine when and how much pressure it needs to build up.
The benefits When stopping a vehicle no longer solely depends on a drivers input, a world of possibilities opens up. Systems such as precollision assist and adaptive cruise control can intervene if the driver fails to react in time. In addition, advanced regenerative braking systems can operate with high efficiency. But brake by wire also adds an extra level of comfort for the driver. Since the
��� a
��� brake pedal isn’t directly connected to the system anymore, the amount of brake force isn’t directly related to the amount of pedal force any longer. Because of this, it’s possible to adjust the amount of brake force to the driver’s preference. That is, if the car manufacturer equips a car with this possibility. But all in all, you could say brake by wire has benefits for safety, fuel consumption and comfort.
Taking it to the next level You might be surprised when we tell you the story above is just an intermediate stage. But think about it: The whole hydraulic set up was originally created to have a direct connection from the pedal to the brake calipers. However, when a direct connection is no longer needed, why still use hydraulics?
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Of course, hydraulics is a very reliable way of transferring pressure, but modern step motors are just as capable these days. So why not switch to electronics? The most important reason for sticking with hydraulics are the operating temperatures while braking. Electronics in general don’t like temperature swings. However, electronics do save weight and aren’t susceptible to leakage. You’ll also get rid of maintenance, such as changing brake fluid and bleeding the brake calipers. So, if the temperature issue can be solved, electronic braking might actually be a great idea.
In 2019 Brembo thought the same way and started experimenting with electronic brake calipers. The result was a system called ‘Brembo Sensify’ (Fig.3). This system uses fully electronic brake calipers on the rear and two independent calipers on the front with each their own hydraulic system. The aim is to eventually eliminate hydraulics altogether, but the technology isn’t ready yet to make this final step. So, they’ve kept some hydraulics for now. According to Brembo, this new way of braking offers lots of benefits, such as shorter lockup times under extreme braking and a more precise
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application. They’re convinced this is the future and to be honest we believe so too.
The future according to ACtronics At ACtronics we’re always really interested in innovation and new technologies. That’s also the main reason why we follow the latest developments on brake technology. If we were to make a bold prediction on how brake technology will develop, this is what we believe to be the future: We foresee that besides all hydraulic parts, all wear and tear parts (such as discs and pads) will also be obsolete eventually. This might sound far-fetched, but just think about it: Regenerative braking is ever evolving and in the near future these systems will function with such power and such precision, parts like discs and pads are just not needed anymore. Basically, it will operate just like the magnetic braking system of the newest Japanese bullet trains, but smaller and more sophisticated. So, you’ve read it here first: Even the braking system won’t escape an all-electric future. And this could actually be a good thing.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL018
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BUSINESS
& TRAINING
APPRENTICESHIP Becoming a mentor ANSWERS Gemma Westlake investigates the role workplace mentor plays in an apprentice’s early career.
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hope the last few months have been good, both personally and professionally for you all. In my last instalment I discussed some of the impacts that we have seen as a result of Covid-19 with our apprentice progression, I also stated that next time around I would be discussing the role of the workplace mentor in supporting an apprentice through their journey. So let’s do just that. Years ago being a workplace mentor meant showing your apprentice ‘the ropes’, providing support and feedback on practical jobs that had been completed and generally overseeing their progress in the workshop. Back then however, their learning progress was generally overseen by the college assessor and apprenticeship team who would conduct regular visits and checks to tasks carried out in the workshop. 2014 saw a government initiative to engage with employers and give them more say over the qualification process, the introduction of the new apprenticeship standards as quoted from onefile.co.uk: The new standards were introduced as part of the Government's major apprenticeship reforms. The standards represent a shift from assessing to learning and put employers in control. The changes from the old frameworks to the new standards has had a real impact on the role of the mentor, putting much more emphasis
on guiding someone through the learning side of the apprenticeship as it ties in with tasks that are completed in the workplace. One example of this change is the following: previously the workplace mentor might sign off a job card to confirm that the job has been completed to the correct standard, now they are also able to oversee their apprentices learning journey through the use of an online portfolio, it is now the mentor’s responsibility to help their apprentice to get the jobs written out signed off and uploaded to show progress, they are the person that is, in effect carrying out the assessment of the work completed by their apprentice which means it is much more within the garages responsibilities and capabilities to work with the training provider in deciding when they believe the apprentice is ready to complete their gateway and end point assessments. The new standards have also had an effect on the types of tasks that are completed in the Gateway assessments to ensure that they are appropriate to the skills needed from garages. It is however worth mentioning that support should be provided by the assessor/mentor with
the training provider (or college) if as a mentor you are unsure of the process. If you are reading this and thinking of taking on an apprentice then please do remember that if you will be going through a local training provider such as colleges then you should be given a contact at the college who will be responsible for assisting you in overseeing your apprentice’s progress along with developing their learning/training needs, the changes we have identified were put in place to give garages more say over the learning taking place and give them a more detailed overview of what needs to be completed within the apprenticeship. I hope you have found this information useful, please do join me next time when I will be highlighting how and why it may be useful to your business to engage with local colleges!
Gemma is a lecturer at Basingstoke College of Technology. To find out what goes on there, GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL019 PMM MAY 2022 29
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SHOW PREVIEW
Q&A Show Preview: REPXPERT Academy Live PMM catches up with Schaeffler’s Key Accounts Manager Simon Cooper, to discuss the company’s upcoming REPXPERT Academy Live shows. Hi Simon, for those who don’t already know, could you explain what the aim of Schaeffler’s REPXPERT scheme is? REPXPERT is Schaeffler’s service brand. It’s the platform we use to deliver all things technical regarding our LuK, INA and FAG brands to workshops – from simple printed materials to live events. The online portal and app contains everything a professional technician needs to know to fit our products safely and efficiently, from vehicle manufacturer fitting instructions and specifications to example installation videos and service information, so in effect, it’s our fourth brand. How does the live event transform the online platform? We utilise the huge REPXPERT and TecAlliance technical library that we have at our disposal, along with all of our OE experience and know-how, to deliver training and technical advice to workshops.
This can be from chatting to technicians at trade events, through to fully IMI-certified one and two day training courses on how to repair the systems we design and supply to VMs. Everything is as hands-on as we can make it, even in COVID times, as the best way to show technicians how things work is to let them get up close to the actual products.
Why is it important to offer training in a live setting? Do you think the pandemic has had a negative effect on training in the aftermarket? We think an appetite has been building up for live training since the cap was put on a couple of years ago, and it is now time to ‘break the seal’ and get back out there! Schaeffler, along with other quality suppliers, has made a concerted effort to keep training alive in the minds of garage owners and technicians during the restrictions. Our range of ‘Tea-Break training sessions’, Zoom-based hour-long snippets of high-quality easily-absorbed information, have proved very successful, with over 750 online attendees. When and where is the next event? The first event of 2022 will be at Bridgend College on May 21st, which is a fantastic new venue with amazing facilities, with a broad reach to workshops across the whole of South Wales. Bridgend is, of course, Hayley
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Pells country, and her ‘Pathway to EV’ class will be one of the four training sessions taking place during the day. There will also be a Schaeffler REPXPERT ‘LuK Double Clutch Systems’ introduction, along with a ‘Timing Belt Workshop’ which promises to save you a lot of time and expense by avoiding unnecessary mistakes! Academy Live newcomer and experienced garage owner Tim Benson will be also be on hand to present a businessoriented session designed to help workshops optimise the profit opportunities in their area. The workshop will be the focus for the day, which will feature demonstrations from REPXPERT with its training van, Laser Tools, leading Garage systems supplier TechMan and Bridgend College. What are most important topics that technicians need to be learning about right now?
the aftermarket also needs to keep up-to-date with the technology used in vehicles that will be driving into workshops today, tomorrow and in the coming years – most of which will include some form of combustion engine. How can readers attend the upcoming shows? How much will they cost?
The main topic everybody seems to be focusing on right now is EV, and the rush to upskill and upgrade workshops to be ready to repair them. However, combustion engines are going to remain the bread and butter service and repair opportunity for most independent workshops for many years to come. Diesel, petrol, mild, full and plug-in hybrid engines will not start to completely disappear from our roads until 2050, and many of the very latest products and systems being originally installed in them may be new to some mechanics. Yes, EV is coming, but
The shows are completely free to attend, will feature four 45-minute training sessions and the workshop hub to explore, with breakfast, lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day. Garage owners and technicians can register their interest at REPXPERT ONLINE Academy Live ( WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL020) with more details to follow in the coming weeks. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL021
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BUSINESS
& TRAINING
Q&A PMM interviews Grouptyre’s Paul Hollows Grouptyre’s Commercial Director Paul Hollow outlines the group’s offering to PMM editor Kieran Nee. Hi Paul, could you tell our readers about Grouptyre? Originally formed as a buying group, Grouptyre is made up of 10 independent member wholesalers across the country and has evolved into a force to be reckoned with in the industry over this time. Having recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, Grouptyre has evolved massively since its inception. The company has the strength and buying power of a national organisation, but with expert local knowledge and service levels provided by its 10 members. Collectively the members move a huge number of tyres from their strategically located warehouses to retailers, and these numbers just keep on increasing. With a huge turnover approaching £450m, collectively the group employs over 1,700 people around the country of which 47 are Business Development Managers and three Regional Sales Managers cover the country. Overall there are 40 local/regional warehouses operated individually by the members housing a massive 1.3m tyres in stock at any one time. A nationwide fleet of over 455 vans make, on average, deliveries to tyre retailers at least twice a day (sometimes more often, with on demand deliveries in many areas).
Will our readers already be familiar with you or with the brands you work with? Many people in the industry will have heard of the Grouptyre name but may not realise how we work nationally throughout the UK. Readers will have heard of the local member which services their area if they are a retailer who is active in selling and fitting tyres.
extensive range of exclusive margin brand products for our customers, including Ceat, Evergreen, Goodride, iLink, Landsail and Rapid. These brands offer a range of fitments, dealer support packages, competitively priced products, access to exclusive dealer promotions, eye-catching point of sale material and merchandise as part of their customer support. Do you cover the whole country?
Could you explain the range you have to offer our readers? Grouptyre offers a wide range of brands covering all sectors of the car, van and 4x4 markets. Of course, we work closely with all the major premium tyre manufacturers, and we are the exclusive distributor for the Firestone brand in the UK. We also stock an
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We cover the whole of the UK with most areas receiving a delivery twice a day, and some areas receiving hourly deliveries. The structure of Grouptyre means that we can reach retailers in most areas across the country. Our huge stockholding means that tyres can be moved easily across the country.
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What enables the group to offer such quick delivery times? Our delivery offer is second to none and collectively our members have over 455 delivery vehicles across the UK making deliveries to thousands of customers. The strategic positions of our 40 distribution warehouses across the UK mean that our customers can obtain the tyres they need for their customers in a timely manner. Our highly skilled and experienced sales teams are extremely knowledgeable and trained in all aspects of tyre retailing and really are experts in their own local area. Our sales teams can offer lots of support to retailers, including training and other dealer support tools, such as online purchasing to help them grow their tyre retailing business. What are some recent developments you’ve seen in tyre technology that readers need to know about? Tyres are always evolving from a technical point of view as all manufactures race to develop/manufacture tyres that last longer, reduce noise pollution and improve traction. Tyres will continue to evolve and in time will be fully integrated into the engine
management systems to improve the overall driving experience and enhance all safety aspects. EV cars will be at the forefront of these technological improvements and will lead the way in tyre, wheel, brake and suspension connectivity.
premium tyres. The excellent training which we offer our customers allows the retailer to be able to identify the needs of the consumer, not just relying on a specific price point, so each and every customer will have their own needs and circumstances.
Should independent workshops be upselling customers to premium brand tyres? What can GroupTyre offer workshop owners to give them the confidence to upsell?
Is the group doing anything to improve its sustainability?
Grouptyre’s highly skilled sales force offer tyre training to customers to help them sell effectively to their customers. This training offers everything from how to sell, right through to basic tyre technical training and awareness so really does help the retailer to maximise their profits by selling the right tyre for the right job. Generally newer vehicles looking for replacement tyres are fitted with a like for like original equipment tyre, i.e.
Grouptyre are currently in the process of undertaking a sustainability review, whereby we are looking to optimise all business disciplines from: supply chain partners, warehousing and storage, logistics and distribution, and sales and operational activities to ensure that we are minimising our carbon footprint by taking a sustainable approach to all business functions across the group. Have recent pressures on global supply chains affected the UK tyre market and tyre availability? The UK market has been affected by pressures in the global supply chains, as in every single consumer product market, however our vast stockholding of tyres, coupled with our unrivalled delivery service and number of distribution points around the country has helped us to ensure that we have been able to service our customers in an efficient way. Where there have been shortages in certain products, we have been able to offer suitable alternatives to ensure that our customers have not suffered as a result of the difficulties globally.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL022
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BUSINESS
& TRAINING
Searching for
UPDATES Garage management software provider MAM Software has announced the latest updates to its Autowork Online platform.
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AM Software has launched the latest version of Autowork Online, its cloud-based garage management software designed to manage every aspect of running a busy workshop or garage. The latest version contains a series of new features that have been developed to streamline processes, enhance customer service and deliver greater efficiencies. Key enhancements include:
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■ TeamView’s report suite has been
enhanced and extended allowing data to be viewed at individual technician or group level. Users can gain a greater insight into data with the ability to drill down into specific metrics and easily view/export tabular data. ■ The popular SMS features of Autowork Online provide automatic work due and appointment reminders, in addition to manual message sending. The facility for sending manual messages has had a facelift and now displays any previous message history. Predefined messages are easier to use, with an automatic preview which includes any form fill information.
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Multi part messages of up to 458 characters can now be sent. Numerous customer requests and feedback have also been addressed, including: Customer facing documents now have more space for customised footer text when printed or can be emailed with an improved email subject line which reduces the chance of them being misidentified as spam. Stock movement tracking has been improved to better handle items removed from the built-in returns bin or when returning part cores. Customer order number search ability has been added for estimates, jobs and invoices.
“Garages looking to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape rely on a wide variety of digital workshop tools to undertake their repairs. Managing their business should be no different” said Ashley Tankard, Autowork Sales Manager at MAM Software. “By continuing to advance and enhance our software, we are driving innovation and providing workshop owners with the capability to meet the changing demands of their customers. The latest developments
“Garages looking to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape rely on a wide variety of digital workshop tools to undertake their repairs. Managing their business should be no different” Ashley Tankard, MAM Software will enhance the functionality of Autowork Online, while expanding on some of its most popular features allowing garages to further streamline their processes and become more productive” Autowork Online users will receive notifications from MAM Software when their system has been updated.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL023
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PROFESSIONAL MOTOR MECHANIC
MECHANEX
THE REGIONAL TRADESHOW FOR AUTO REPAIR PROFESSIONALS
LET’S MAKE 2022 THE BEST MECHANEX YET! The UK’s only regional tradeshow dedicated to garage ain in businesses is back ag proach 2022, with a fresh ap ing cit ex and a host of new content.
2022 SHOW DETAILS Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ, 8th & 9th November It’s an unmissable opportunity to attend FREE seminars, sample the latest products on the market, and take advantage of exclusive show special offers. So, why not bring the full workforce along and make a day of it?
In the next issue, we talk to MECHANEX organiser Dave Jones to find out more about what the show has to offer readers. Each month we’ll be catching up with some of this year’s fantastic exhibitors. Make sure you watch this space to discover what great offers and products will be on display this November at Sandown Park!
GET SOCIAL To keep up to date with all things MECHANEX in 2022, be sure to visit WWW.MECHANEX.INFO, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
MECHANEXShow
@MECHANEXShow
REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS AT:
WWW.MECHANEX.INFO
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SHOW PREVIEW
AUTOPROMOTEC: May 25th -28th, Bologna Organisers of the 29th international biennial exhibition of automotive equipment and aftermarket products, that will be held in Bologna on May 25-28th 2022, are starting their engines with several initiatives for the international audience.
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ore than three years after the last in-presence event, Autopromotec, scheduled on May 25-28th, 2022 in Bologna, is confirmed as a must-go event to discover all the latest innovations and trends of the aftermarket automotive, to share perspectives on the present and future scenarios of the sector, but also an important business and networking opportunity. Attractiveness and business: these are the keywords of the strategic plan for international promotion developed by Autopromotec for the next edition. The organisers of the biennial international automotive equipment and aftermarket exhibition have launched a series of large-scale promotional activities with the aim of attracting the largest number of buyers, decision-makers and stakeholders at an international level. The organisers of the exhibition have already announced that several halls are fully booked, while some sectors are experiencing strong growth. In the 2022 edition of
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Autopromotec, one of the strongest product categories is spare parts, components and car services, the most recent to have joined the event. In fact, while Autopromotec has featured equipment and tyres for more than 50 years, components and spare parts have “only” been included for about 15 years. In terms of attendance and therefore of exhibition surface area, the organisers have seen a huge surge compared to the last time,
forcing them to increase the space dedicated to the show, increasing from the three pavilions of the previous edition to four. Autopromotec will also be the right occasion to update personal and professional knowledge, thanks to a programme of workshops and events, especially devoted to the international audience. The 2022 edition of the show will be expanded with International Aftermarket Meetings, a round
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of six workshops of a global nature and with a European focus, whose working language will be English, which puts the spotlight on the most relevant issues for the sector, bringing the main players together for a series of in-depth meetings. The meetings are based on Autopromotec’s extensive international reach and close relationships with all sector associations at a European and global level. The six meetings of the calendar will be held during the first two days of the 2022 edition of Autopromotec (25 and 26 May), organised with the contribution of EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association) and the main national and international trade associations. The focus of the meetings, specifically designed for an international audience, particularly European, will be on various central issues for the post-pandemic automotive world and will offer all supply chain players a unique opportunity to get up to date and share experiences. The first titles have been already unveiled: The “Access to data and free competition” meeting will focus on access to technical information and onboard vehicle data and the issue of aftermarket competition. “Periodical Technical Inspections Conference” will be dedicated to the world of inspections, while the third meeting, the Global Aftermarket Conference, is dedicated to the automotive aftermarket sector. In addition to these meetings, three workshops will be held looking at components of the future, the new digital workshop and developments in the world of tyres. But these are just the first details of the Autopromotec agenda, that will be fully unveiled in
Autopromotec is the right occasion to update personal and professional knowledge, thanks to a programme of workshops and events devoted to the international audience. the following weeks. For the moment, the organisers show a particular interest in involving the international operators: the Italian Government is continuously loosening the Covid-related restrictions, making it easier for the foreign audience to plan their trip. Autopromotec, for its part, is devoting several activities to its international audience – including a special set of discounted flight and accommodation fares reserved for its visitors. In addition to that, thanks to the full synergy with the Motor Valley system (the association that gathers together all the most important motorsport car and bike brands located in the Emilia-Romagna region), this year visiting Autopromotec will be a unique occasion to discover all the latest technical innovations of the aftermarket sector, but also be to live a memorable experience for all the motor enthusiasts. WANT TO KNOW MORE? REGISTRATIONS FOR VISITORS ARE NOW OPEN: REGISTER NOW AND PLAN YOUR VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL024
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BUSINESS
& TRAINING
GREEN TEAM Could investing in the right user-friendly tools keep your business healthy and your workforce happy? Rozone’s ROwasher green parts washing experts to walk us through the benefits of environmentally advanced cleaning and its money savings.
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he UK’s independent garage sector accounts for 83 per cent of all garage businesses in the UK, and is thriving, according to the IGA, despite increasing costs and the complexities of new vehicle technology. But it warns that garages must continue investing in more technologically advanced tools, equipment, and machines to succeed. Keeping vehicle components clean is essential to preserving parts and extending their lifespan. Helping customers prevent costly repairs through regular, thorough cleaning is part of excellent customer care and will keep customers loyal to you. Investing in the right tool for the job will increase service efficiency, keep technicians happy, save money and reduce the headaches in your service operation. Beth Jones, ROwasher’s Customer Relationship Manager, says: “The selfrecycling ROwasher is a powerful cleaning alternative to solvents. It makes parts cleaning a quicker, safer, and more pleasant experience. This clever parts washer safeguards the health and safety of staff and customers, whilst lowering impact on the environment – and the electricity bill. We have developed the most technologically and
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environmentally advanced parts washer, fluid and filter combination on the UK market, through a partnership with scientists at Wolverhampton University. The ROwasher has a host of “green” credentials and features a built-in energy saving eco-mode. “We have worked closely with our independent workshop customers to provide the right cleaning solution – the fluid degreases motor oil and grease deposits fast, leaving no residue, whilst our range of parts washer machines suit any workshop space, from a mobile unit that can be wheeled between workstations for speed and efficiency, to an XL two-person cleaning station – all work using the same process.”
Bioremediation Beth Jones explains: “The ROwasher uses the science of bioremediation to clean oily and dirty parts. In its simplest description, bioremediation is the process of introducing oil eating microbes into an environment, to produce a natural, safe, and effective way of cleaning. Bioremediation is nature fixing nature, to dramatically reduce waste fluid generation, and cut the expense of hazardous waste removal, as well as assisting compliance with legislation such as ISO14001.”
Lower cost The cost of running an independent business is rising fast; with energy bills set to double and wage bills going up through National Insurance and minimum wage increases. Business operators are looking for any way to save costs. ROwasher features a built-in energy saving Eco Mode, where the temperature drops from 42°C to 37°C when not in use for four hours (overnight and weekends) – a reassuring saving on the electricity bill. Beth Jones comments: “We know through extensive comparative laboratory trials that the ROwasher offers a 42 per cent reduction in energy costs compared to a leading parts washer competitor. “It poses no risk to the health and safety of technicians and keeps hands warm in winter! Our customers tell us that it is more pleasant to use with minimal PPE, it releases no harmful vapours, and they don’t go home smelling of solvents!” WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL025
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ADVERTORIAL
THE BILSTEIN ACADEMY OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND PARTS DEALERS WORLDWIDE ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR ALL QUESTIONS RELATING TO SHOCK ABSORBERS AND SUSPENSION.
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SPECIAL REPORT
PRO TIPS: Marketing your business In this issue of PMM we are looking at how you can use marketing to grow your business. Dee Blick, an experienced marketer in the automotive trade and bestselling author of several books on marketing, offers her top tips for workshops looking to make use of marketing: I’m fortunate to work with Darren Darling’s DPF Doctor Network. Last year I delivered five marketing masterclasses to members. Here are some tips I shared that you can use to build your business. ��� Know who you want to reach, why and where to find them – your target audiences. They may comprise other workshops, fleet managers and motorists in defined geographic areas. Be detailed. ��� For each audience have three compelling reasons why they should use you. Just how are you super customer-focussed, go the extra mile and are a genuine expert? Every statement needs supporting with an example showing the reason in action.
��� Use successful case studies of vehicles; why you saw them, the diagnostic process you followed to get to the root of the problem; the reaction from your customer when you delivered on your promises. Case studies show your expertise in action and are interesting. ��� Always aim for the WOW factor – exceeding customers’ expectations by one small extra gesture. This leads to “Wow that was amazing service!” It’s the wows that lead to customers recommending you and coming back. List your wows and ensure everyone has the WOW mentality. ��� Review your marketing communications in the light of these
tips. Are you guilty of serious underselling – using text that’s old, incomplete and doesn’t convey just how good you are? Today’s customer is online. If what they see is old, poorly written, and incomplete they’ll go elsewhere. Those leaflets you had printed years ago – should they be recycled and rewritten? ��� Consider a new customer offer – with a close date to encourage prompt responses and likewise a welcome back offer for customers that haven’t been in touch. And a thank you offer to loyal customers. WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL027
Jane Wright, Head of Marketing for Garage Services Online urges readers to make sure their website is up to the job: For an independent garage, a website is arguably one of its most valuable business assets. It’s your number one salesperson, answers everyone’s questions and creates that first impression. It’s easily the hardest working member of staff you have. It never complains or rings in sick and works 24 hours a day, every day. But do you know if your garage’s website is actually working at all? Does it bring in sales? Answer customers’ questions at 10pm? Make your garage look professional at all times? Does it bring in pre-qualified enquiries for the type of work you really want?
No? Then it’s not working. You’ve just identified the laziest employee in your business. What would you do with a mechanic who wasn’t pulling their weight? Someone who sat at the back of the workshop, not working, not talking to anyone and certainly not earning your garage any money? They’d be on their way out. So why would you put up with a website that simply doesn’t work? Just because you’re busy and the garage is doing okay doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. You might not care whether your
website’s any good; but your customers will. Because if your website is not being found and converting, they’ll take their profitable routine service work across town to your competitor or a main dealer – those garages that don’t have any ‘lazy employees’. There are good bespoke websites out there that cost as little as £4 per day. Websites built to attract the work you want and – here’s the good bit – bring in enough of it every month to cover build and maintenance costs multiple times over. WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL028
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SPECIAL REPORT
Q&A PMM Interviews: Hayley Evans, Impression Communications PMM Editor Kieran Nee chats to Impression Communications’ Hayley Evans about the importance of marketing to the modern workshop. Hello Hayley, could you give readers an overview of who you are and what your role is? I’m Hayley Evans, Account Director at Impression Communications. I’ve been in PR for over 10 years and good majority of that has been in the automotive industry. At Impression, we work with many types of business in the supply chain, including suppliers/manufacturers, distributors/motor factors and independent garages. The business was set up this way from the beginning to ensure we have full vision of what is affecting businesses up and down the supply chain. I oversee a number of accounts ensuring that, in short, their messages are not just being communicated properly to their intended audiences, but most importantly that they are being understood. For those of our readers who are unfamiliar with the idea, or perhaps weary of it, could you explain what marketing is and what its aims are? Marketing is everything you do. From the way you answer the phone, the way you communicate with customers, the way you portray yourself and the way you promote your vision. Everything you do is marketing and potentially leads to an impression on new or potential customers. Social media, magazines, local newspapers and websites are all tools for you to communicate your message, or should I say, story. Because, in the end, marketing is all about storytelling and everyone has a story to tell.
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high number of independent garages embracing social media for an effective way to communicate with customers. It’s great to see this continue and see more garages and technicians becoming comfortable with their digitial presence. Couple this with how we conduct ourselves as an industry and business, and the automotive aftermarket is in a good place to win new business and attract new people into our trade. What types of marketing are available for independent workshops?
Is marketing something that businesses of all sizes can engage in? Isn’t it just for large companies? Garages in particular will be the first to say they don’t need to get involved in any marketing activity because they are busy enough. But, as highlighted above, the fact that they are busy and benefiting from repeat business from word of mouth is the holy grail of marketing. The way you present yourself and your business is all a form of marketing and so the manner that garages deal with customers, if it has a Google presence or website, how easy it is to deal with, the quality of facilities it offers, if it offers a courtesy car service, are all part of its marketing mix. And it’s important to get this message across to highlight its commitment to delivering excellent customer service. The coronavirus pandemic challenged this word-of-mouth relationship and we saw a
The short answer is everything, but in reality, a business has to look at their customer base and where they congregate. Today, it’s much more varied, so for an independent garage, there will be an element of customers who receive your messaging via local press, online, or via social media to name but three. It’s important to have the key building blocks in place: Namely a website, Google My Business presence, logo, email database of customers and social media presence. The latter is a little more tricky for businesses, of all sizes, but a quick tip would be to keep content as authentic as possible, establish a consistent tone of voice, and to be patient with it. There’s a reason social media platforms are some of the richest in the world and that’s because they attract large amounts of advertising. In the end, it’s all about the data. They have access to a huge amount of people, and are charging you to reach your target audience. That’s why an effective and well maintained email database of customers comes in handy.
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Does marketing necessarily cost a lot? What are some cheaper options that work well for smaller workshops? I think the best form of marketing is the obvious one: manners and a friendly service, and they cost nothing. But in all seriousness, if you adopt the approach that everything you do is marketing and that you are always representing your brand, no matter where you are, then it becomes second nature. In terms of the tools that amplify your brilliance, websites can vary in cost massively. There are dedicated companies that can help you set up a website and do everything for you or, alternatively you can purchase your own domain name and work with a local provider. Email marketing is a very cost-effective tool and a well-maintained database of customers can really help you communicate with customers. If a garage has a minimal budget, I’d argue that the one thing that they need to ensure they have is some form of online presence, and if setting up a website isn’t an option, turning to Facebook is always a good bet. It’s simple to set up, fairly easy to maintain, although it requires time, and most importantly, it has the best algorithms for reaching local customers.
While the concept of underpriced attention is now more reserved for new platforms like TikTok, I still find Facebook one of the best for cost-effective advertising of your business. As I said earlier, you have to be patient with social media and gaining an audience won’t happen overnight. Make sure you exhaust all avenues in telling your customers that you are on Facebook and ask them to follow you page, or even to give you a review. That’s the easy part, we know how hungry a tool social media can be, so take your time, experiment but overall, be authentic. What are some potential pitfalls when it comes to “overselling” yourself? Always remember that you’re talking to people – think how you would feel if you saw something that your business has put out. To reiterate, it’s important to establish a tone of voice for your business. It’s all too easy to get this wrong, as some garages can get caught up in trying to follow trends or get caught up in sharing posts that represent their own sense of humour or personality, rather than considering if it reflect the garage’s professional tone of voice. That being said, there is nothing wrong with sharing ‘humourous’ posts – everyone
loves a bit of ‘banter’ – but it’s important to be mindful that what someone finds funny may be offensive to others, for example. It goes without saying, but when it comes to offers, don’t fall into the trap of offering discounted prices that just aren’t sustainable just to draw people in. People are more savvy than ever before, and although everyone loves a bargain, there are far too many businesses who do this and then land the customer with a hefty bill for other services. And you know what that leads to? Bad marketing. Quality should always be key, and good marketing will help get this message across to customers. And what’s more, if they’ve received good service but have paid slightly more for it, they’re more likely to spread the word and come back in the future. I think as long as you get your tone right, you remain as authentic as possible, keep your customers updated with regular information and offers, are responsive as possible, and most importantly, always portray your brand positively, I don’t believe you can ‘oversell’ yourself. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL029
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READER PROFILE
PMM interviews: Car Consultant Edd Hunt PMM visits the Car Consultant Edd Hunt in Stockbridge to discover what it takes to be crowned winner of Denso’s 2021 League of True Mechanics.
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here is, it must be said, a reason that some people always seem to be at the right place at the right time. Some people, Edd Hunt included, work hard to be where they need to be so that when an opportunity arises, they are in a position to grab it. Edd always knew he wanted to fix cars, just like his dad and grandad had done before him. Before that, his great grandad had been a bicycle repairman, but that’s only because cars were considerably lighter on the ground in those days compared to now. In short, car repair is in Edd’s blood. Fixing cars is a considerably different prospect than it was even in Edd’s dad’s day. Whilst the old, mechanical problems still persist, newer, more complex issues continue to multiply. Accordingly, a gap has opened up for a new breed of vehicle repairer, such as Edd. Edd focuses on pure diagnostics, solving the problems that other workshops are unable to. Unlike previous generations, his working week involves sitting at the computer searching for known problems on a given vehicle, keeping up-to-date with the latest bulletins and training, visiting trade clients at their workshops and members of the general public at their homes, offering specialist advice to drivers and workshops involved in
disputes, using a range of innovative techniques (including thermal imaging) to solve problems, poring over documents and literature to ensure that clients receive the best possible service. As a friend of a friend he bumped into at a garden party pointed out to him a few years ago, drawing a parallel with his own profession in the medical world and giving him his new moniker, Edd is less a mechanic and more a consultant.
Journey to Consultancy Edd started his automotive career in the same way many of our readers did, by doing an apprenticeship with a main dealer. “I started at VW as a 17 year old, as they were known for offering the best training,” he tells me. “Through a stroke of luck I was put to work with one of the senior technicians at the local dealership, a man called Adam King. A lot of the work we did was solving the problems that none of the other technicians could. I really do feel I owe a lot of my success and where I am today to the first class tutelage I received from my mentor. Ever since, I have been fascinated by the problem solving aspect of diagnostics; I was never satisfied with simply servicing or doing routine maintenance on cars.”
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Edd graduated top of his class at the VW Academy and was even selected as the top apprentice in the South West of England. After a string of jobs, including working at VW as Senior Technician, Edd decided to go self-employed as a VW group specialist dealing with general servicing, repairs, MOTs and diagnostics. At first, he struggled to gain real success, until he passed his big break literally on the side of the road: “One piece of life advice for mechanics, if you see a Jaguar broken down, it can’t hurt to offer to help! I did and it turned out the owner was a nearby brewery owner. He’d had a recurring intermittent fault that his garage and the dealer hadn't been able to pinpoint. When I was able to fix it and make his pride and joy reliable again, he offered me the contract to look after the brewery’s whole fleet of vehicles there and then.” Edd quickly gained a reputation locally as the go-to guy for troubleshooting. If you needed a diagnostics issue sorted, Edd was
the person to call. His mix of first class training and a wide range of experience in the world of repair meant that he’d honed a fine skill in detection. The problem was that he was still spending too much time on problems another mechanic could sort out. Eventually, he decided he’d had enough: “It was a snowy evening and I was lying on my back in two inches of snow working on an Audi TT mk1, when all of a sudden engine oil started leaking down my arm. That was when the seed of consultancy was sown; I knew I wanted to focus on pure diagnostics from then on.” That’s exactly what Edd did, eventually becoming the Car Consultant. Determined to live up to the image of a consultant, Edd donned a suit to meet clients, traded in his van for an Audi A4 and brought clients through a structured plan of action – including the research he would undertake on their car and a range of communication tools
including video calls from his neatly laid out home office. It’s this combination of mechanical knowhow, diagnostic precision and professional care that enabled Edd to reach the top spot of Denso’s League of True Mechanics. He may have conquered the UK, but he’s not stopping there. His reputation as the Car Consultant has extended even as far as Geneva, where he was called out to (successfully) sort out a VW Golf for an exasperated dealer – it turns out snow isn’t so bad when you’re not lying in it! We at PMM are delighted to announce that Edd will be contributing troubleshooter articles with us going forward.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL030
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SPECIAL REPORT
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY PMM meets: Randeep Reehal PMM ’s Freya Coleman caught up with Operations Director of Courtwood Car Services and founder of the Pink Garage Company Randeep Reehal.
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oming from a South Asian Sikh background and being female, Randeep was encouraged into a traditional job and so went on to study business and German at university. But, from a young age she’d always loved being in the garage with her dad. Watching him work, observing how he interacts with costumers and learning to understand cars. Upon completing her degree, Randeep decided to take up a summer job at her father’s workshop after working there part-time previously, soon deciding to stay. She pushed herself to learn about car repair so she was able to talk to customers and provide them a good service. The fact that it was her dad’s garage gave her a catalyst to learn – not just for recognition but because Randeep wanted her family business to continue to thrive. Now, 20 years later, she has built credible relationships with clients, local businesses and with the community, learning to liase with suppliers along with customers. Randeep is now the Operations Director at this garage, Courtwood Car Services.
she realised that women will bend over backwards and go the extra mile when given the opportunity to come into the trade, wanting to prove themselves. Randeep also commented on how women in the trade are too quiet – recognising these women is one of the purposes of The Pink Garage. Also with the aim to empower these female technicians and to make future generations aware of the ample opportunity for them in the automotive sector. Her career and being the founder of The Pink Garage Company has allowed Randeep to encourage women into the trade, currently training two women part time. One of these women is a mum of three children who has always wanted to be mechanic but has never been given the opportunity. She comes in for training at 9 and leaves at 1 and whilst it is going to take her a little longer, every training session she walks away on a high and thankful for the opportunity. Randeep wants to collaborate with more women to create awareness of the work that goes in to being a woman in the automotive trade and encouraging other women to join, as there is only so much she can do by herself.
Now, 20 years later, she has built credible relationships with clients, local businesses and with the community, learning to liase with customers. that they can come into the trade. She believes that if colleges did that then it would be a start. Career counsellors are also often unaware of the the amount of opportunities in the trade, and so this misinformation needs to change. She argued that garages should be made aware that building relationships with your local secondary school can be beneficial. This communication would go a long way in changing the stereotype of mechanics and boosting more women to enter the automotive sector. Randeep finished with a plea for “any hands on woman reading this article please reach out to me and let’s work together and encourage more women into the trade. I think that alone, we’re so good at networking and encouraging eachother that we can make this happen”
The Pink Garage Company Along the way Randeep noticed a huge gap in the motor trade – there are not enough women. She also observed a gap between female motorists and the garage and so developed the concept of The Pink Garage. Over the years
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Reaching Out Seeing as the lack of women in the trade is such a deep rooted issue, the first thing Randeep is doing now talking to schools and actually giving young women the awareness
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL031
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HYBRID
& ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Maverick Diagnostics’ Managing Director Andy Brooke is a self-confessed petrol head. If he can learn to live with, and even love, EVs, you can too!
The POWER of GREEN: part two
I
use EVs and hybrids every day. I think I’ve worked out how to do it without causing myself anxiety or stress and I’ve even learned to love them. Let’s go back to 2018, at the time my daily driver was a B7 RS4 Avant, the last of the great manual V8s. I spent a lot of time at our local shell station putting “super” in it and had a Greggs loyalty card. I found I was quickly getting much fatter and much poorer owning an RS. I decided to sell it as it also consumed brakes, tyres and more importantly workshop time at a dramatic rate, I loved the noise so it was hard to say goodbye. I started to use a pool car, our technical director’s ex-company car, a 2015 Mitsubishi PHEV or the company ‘milk float’ as I love to call it. It was only a little more exciting than a Leaf, but I realised it suited my life in some ways and I was soon taking delight in losing weight and visiting the Shell station once a month instead of three times a week. To explain, I walk my two German Shepherds every morning in the local nature reserve five miles away: total fuel cost, zero. Throughout the day running around local journeys, still zero; driving to the mother in law’s 40 miles away, the battery runs out around 20 miles. It then becomes a 2.0l petrol car towing a mountain of batteries, not so great but still 40 mpg overall.
48 MAY 2022 PMM
It is still not an RS4, however I considered many options, whilst in the meantime our technical director ordered a Skoda Enyaq. It is half the price of an Audi E-tron and is an excellent car, with everything you need as long as you only need to do less than 260 miles in a day. I was really surprised at how much I liked it. It’s not trying to compete with a Tesla as it’s limited to 99mph and it’s made by a car manufacturer, not a technology company. This means we all can work on them; I have already looked at the servicing and used my ODIS (VAG) tool on it and it all makes sense after being EV-trained.
Eventually the Nissan Leaf, like all old EVs, has developed a fault: it isolated itself when charging and the battery pack needed a rebuild; this really got me thinking and I embarked on a research project. I did lots of research, looked at documentation, joined EV forums, purchased a Nissan OEM tool, spoke to Nissan dealers, and realised what a massive trick the aftermarket will be missing. The dealer simply didn’t have clue what to do with older EVs. I asked about replacement batteries, even diagnosing issues – they were absolutely clueless and had no trained technician available at their dealership. Those
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“I did lots of research, looked at documentation, joined EV forums, purchased a Nissan OEM tool, spoke to Nissan dealers, and realised what a massive trick the aftermarket will be missing.” who had some idea quoted a price of over 20k for a Nissan Leaf battery pack for a car worth 4k. I’m now spending an awful lot of time looking at diagnostics, battery replacement and training and thinking of starting an EV specialist training centre and workshop. My point is we all need to experience and will experience these vehicles sooner rather than later. The technology is not going backwards and you can’t rely on your old customers to carry on buying internal combustion engine cars, despite the battery and infrastructure issues. As most of your customers do have driveways to charge their cars on and probably travel less than a couple of hundred miles a day, they will be buying one sooner rather than later. Deals are already out there and MG has just brought out an affordable EV SUV that I’m told is taking the mobility market by storm. My advice: buy one, drive one or just try one, look at its beauty (hmmm), book yourself on some training, learn to love them and more importantly keep loving petrol as a hobby or sport (especially V8s, superchargers and big turbos with nitrous to spool them up!). So when did I finally fall in love with them? When I needed something that outperformed my RS4, costs less than a Skoda Enyaq, does 70mpg, goes 350 miles on 40 litres of fuel, is made of carbon fibre and is utterly bonkers looking, I bought a BMW i8. Unfortunately, I can’t get the dogs in it, so I still use the old ‘milk float’ every day. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL032
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BRAKES
& CLUTCHES
BEST PRACTICE NVH Design Solutions: Part two Brembo continues its look at how manufacturers can create a smoother braking experience for drivers.
A
s a recap, in part one of this article, noise, vibration and harshness (or NVH) produced by brake discs was explained and the preventative design measures and materials used to reduce NVH on brake discs were discussed. In this article we will cover NVH produced by other components in the braking system and discuss the solutions taken to reduce it on brake pads and calipers. Besides the juddering that was discussed in the first article, the braking system produces several categories of brake noise e.g low or high frequency squeals. Both are caused as a result of a phenomenon of dynamic instability that occurs at one or more of the natural frequencies of the brake system. In general, the sliding of the pad against the braking surface of the disc leads to small fluctuations in the friction force itself. This can then resonate with the components around the friction material, further amplifying fluctuations in friction force and generating noise. When the brake
pad does not move in harmony with the caliper piston, the result is an increase in noise, vibration or harshness. There is a common misconception that squealing is a result of the friction material itself. While this might be the case for high performance brakes used on the track, for road use there have been several advanced solutions used to reduce this. Brembo uses more than 100 different compounds, designed to offer the most suitable solution for each type of car and driving style, in terms of both performance and comfort. When developing the compounds, there are more than 20 different properties to be considered. When designing a pad there needs to be a balance on performance and comfort. In high friction brake pads for racing purposes this creates high energy at the friction interface this can lead to more brake squeal which isn’t acceptable for normal everyday situations. Brembo’s tribologists have developed ways of engineering out the noises audible to the human ear by
knowing the exact raw material to use without compromising on performance, by adding graphites and other elements to create dampening effect. Besides the materials used, the design of the pad is also taken into context.
Chamfering The primary role of chamfering is to improve braking comfort by eliminating squeal and noise. Chamfers can control how the edge of the pad contacts the disc. A cornered edge on the pad clamping the disc can be quite harsh. By angling the edge, we can make sure that the largest possible edge of the pad makes contact with the disc when clamping. This smooths out the clamping action. Besides reducing NVH, the other purposes of a chamfer is to induce even pad wear, to prevent the leading edge of the brake pad lifting and being pulled away by the brake disc. If the leading edge of the pads has a sharp edge, it increases the tendency to grab and bounce more than if the leading edge is chamfered. Brake pad slots perform triple duty: firstly, they divide the surface in two smaller areas reducing the thermal deformation. Due to
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BRAKES
& CLUTCHES
heat, pads will bend and flex on their backing plates. If a solid piece of friction material is used on a pad that flexes quite a bit, it can lead to excessive NVH and even chunking of the friction material. Secondly, slots break the friction material into separate units to change the frequency and amplitude of brake vibration. The slot will eliminate warping of the metal backing plate. Lastly, the slots facilitate the expulsion of friction material particles abraded during braking from the pad-disc contact surface.
Brake shims Brake shims have the ability to control noise in three different ways: ■ Prevent and reduce the transmission of
vibrational forces that cause excitation of the caliper, pads and all the attached structure. ■ Shims can add mass to the brake pad to dampen vibrations and oscillations in the pad and caliper. Shims reduce reaction forces transmitted back into the brake piston using an elastomer interface coatings on their surface. ■ A good brake shim can act as a thermal barrier to ensure consistent temperatures across the entire face of the pad. This can help to ensure a consistent braking torque. Brembo provides a multi-layer shim made out of a mixture of different layers of metal and rubber for maximum comfort. The arrows on the anti-noise shim of Brembo brake pads indicate the disc rotational direction, which means they should be taken into account when fitting the pads inside the
caliper body. Fitting instructions can be found here ( WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL033) Brembo directional brake pads were created to enhance the comfort of the braking system, so fitting them on the wrong side could increase the noise level during braking, increase pad wear and reduce system performance. A huge challenge in NVH prevention is minimising the vibrations of the components when in motion. If they do not move in harmony with each other but collide with each other this can create unwanted NVH. This is one of the functions of the spring clips that come in the form of metal, wire or ribbon component. These reduce/eliminate noise and return the pads to the rest position after braking when the kickback from the
“Brembo uses more than 100 different compounds, designed to offer the most suitable solution for each type of car and driving style, in terms of both performance and comfort.” disc is insufficient. Due to the constant exposure to varying temperatures these components can lose their tensile strength due to the annealing process. Brembo provides the complete solution by providing brake pads complete with a range of accessories and assembly kits, included in the box. Replacing these accessories at every pad replacement is a compulsory servicing method as these fitting kits can lose up to 50 per cent of their tensile strength in only two years. Supplying the pad as a complete kit ensures that these components are replaced at all times required to prevent further issues and is also far more economical compared to purchasing these parts separately. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL034
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BRAKES
& CLUTCHES
Putting BRAKES to the TEST Step-by-step guide to using Bowmonk’s BrakeCheck unit for performing service and hand brake tests. ��� Position the BrakeCheck unit on a level
surface, such as the passenger side foot well.
씍 With the BrakeCheck unit positioned
Service Brake test is complete, change to Hand Brake mode by pressing the Menu button (so that the Hand Brake Test LED is illuminated).
on by pressing and holding the Menu button until Sbr appears in the display. ��� Confirm ‘Service
Brake’ choice by pressing Enter.
쐈 As before, confirm this Step two
positioned level enough to start the test a symbol will be shown on the display: Once the symbol is displayed press Enter.
approximately 2-3 cm in front of the infrared printer, switch on the printer and press the Print button on the BrakeCheck to print the test result. 씎 To view or print the Hand Brake test,
Step nine
choice by pressing Enter, which will take you to the levelling display.
carry out the same procedure, but use the Menu button to illuminate the Hand Brake Test and Last Test Result LEDs.
Test Sample Print-out
쐉 Press Enter when the level indicator is
shown as in step four. 씈 As before, accelerate the vehicle to the
test speed, this time applying the Hand Brake to stop the vehicle. 씉 Note – please
��� The unit is now
ready for the test. ��� When the test
area is clear, accelerate the vehicle to an appropriate test speed (e.g. 20 mph)
which can now be printed using the optional wireless printer.
쐅 Once the
��� Switch the unit
��� When the unit is
씌 Then press Enter to display the result,
display a braking efficiency value.
Step four
��� Once the vehicle is travelling at an
appropriate test speed, check for traffic approaching from behind. ��� If safe to do so, apply the footbrake as a
controlled emergency stop, without skidding. ��� Once the vehicle has been brought to a
complete stop, the unit will generate and
check with your vehicle manufacturer if this type of procedure is acceptable.
Company Name
Peak deceleration corresponds to Peak Brake Efficiency for the UK MOT Test Percentage of braking imbalance This is an average brake efficiency reading (do not use this figure for the UK MOT Test)
씊 Once the vehicle
has come to a complete stop the display will show the braking efficiency of the Hand Brake.
Step 15
씋 To view the Service Brake test report,
press the Menu button until the Last Test Result and Service Brake Test LEDs are illuminated.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL035
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BRAKES
& CLUTCHES
JUDDER explained When customers come into the workshop complaining about their brakes, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of what the problem could be. Here, Juratek explains what brake judder is and what causes it.
E
very motorist needs to have confidence in their vehicle’s braking system. So, when you put your foot on the pedal, the last thing you want is to hear excessive squealing or to feel unexpected vibration or judder. When vibration occurs, many people jump to the conclusion that the disc is warped and needs replacing. So, what is brake judder, and how can it be avoided? It can be divided into two types: 1. Hot brake judder and 2. Cold brake judder.
���
But what causes excessive heat?
��� a
Hot Brake Judder When two surfaces are brought into contact and at least one of them is moving at high speed, friction will be caused. This creates heat which is transmitted to other parts of the braking system. Brake discs are usually made of cast iron and when this material gets hot it naturally expands and distorts and when cool, returns to its original shape. This natural reaction to heat is consistent and brake discs are designed to handle this and can operate in temperatures up to around 500°C. If the brake discs exceed the normal operating temperature “Hot” Brake Judder can, sometimes be the consequence.
Figs.1&2 show an exaggerated view of the effects of temperature on a brake disc. Fig.2a shows a disc that has a number of indicators of disc thermal distortion and excessive heat: firstly the oxidisation (orange colouring); secondly the blue tint to the braking surface; third the dark spots on the disc surface (high spots); and finally the
���
“Whenever you bring two surfaces into contact and at least one of them is moving at high speed, the result will be friction. This friction then creates heat.”
56 MAY 2022 PMM
large radial crack where excessive heat has caused permanent damage. All these factors are indicative of distortion caused by excessive temperature.
The most common cause is abuse. Brakes are designed to withstand high temperatures, and cool down quickly, if you hit them hard several times in quick succession however, this can cause a phenomenon known as ‘brake fade’, which is when the brakes get so hot they fail to work effectively. Repeated heavy use of your front brakes might also cause the discs to turn blue. Once these marks appear it means the disc has been permanently damaged and will need to be replaced. Another reason could be that the brake caliper could cease to function properly; this causes the brake pad to remain in contact with the disc even when not braking. Heat will steadily increase and can eventually get so hot the brake disc may crack if rapidly cooled.
Cold brake judder Incorrect fitting – cold brake judder is almost always a direct result of a fitting problem between brake disc and hub. Brake discs and hubs are manufactured to strict tolerances, therefore any rust or other debris that can cause fitting issues, as illustrated in Fig. 3, needs to be removed prior to installation. If the disc is installed with too high levels of radial run out the consequence is very light continuous contact between the pad and disc at diametrically opposite points on the disc face in the “brakes off” condition (Fig.4). With increasing mileage this results in a progressively larger localised variation in the thickness of the disc (DTV – Disc Thickness Variation) which, when the brakes are applied, causes a pulsation to be felt through the brake pedal and steering wheel.
056_PMM_MAY22_Layout 1 06/04/2022 11:22 Page 57
���
Master which is a standard developed by the OEM side of our industry to type approve brake friction material. It goes beyond the tests conducted as part of UN ECE R90:02 and includes vigorous wear and noise tests. The addition of our unique “initial Performance Strip” which is a strip of green material applied to the surface of the front pads, aids in the initial bedding in stage. In addition, many of our pads contain the fitting kits, which often include bolts, caliper clips and wear leads. As these components corrode or wear over time, they can cause the pads to become loose in the caliper. So, it is essential to change these at the same time. So, in summary, the issue of brake judder, which is often blamed on a warped disc, is almost never a fault of the product and in most cases is caused by either excessive heat or poor preparation and fitting.
���
To ensure this does not occur, follow these steps: ■ Clean the hub of rust or debris. ■ Then check the hub for run-out using a dial gauge. ■ Install the new disc and then check using a dial gauge (Fig.5) mounted close to the outer radius of the disc; the installed value of radial run out should not be greater than 100 microns, and ideally not more than 70 microns. ■ Choose the right discs – poorly manufactured brake discs can cause brake judder. Reputable manufacturers like Juratek, now manufacture to the strict regulations imposed by UN ECE R90:02, which covers the way a disc is manufactured, and the material used.
At Juratek we pride ourselves on the high quality products we supply and our discs are manufactured to the strict geometric tolerances imposed by this regulation. Our discs are manufactured exactly as the OE disc including the vent design, which is specifically designed to maximise the airflow with a vehicle braking system. In addition, we coat the non-braking surfaces of all of our discs with corrosion resistant paint but the reason we do not coat the braking surface is because this acts as a lubricant between the brake disc and pad and this can impair braking performance. Good braking systems need more than a good quality brake disc to function and our brake pad range is not only produced to UN ECE R90:02 standard but is also tested to AK
���
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL036
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FILTERS
DUSTING off Comline underlines the importance of cabin air filter replacement during standard servicing.
D
id you know that a sneeze at 60mph can render a driver blind for 30 metres? That sneeze could be a sign that the cabin air filter needs replacing. Comline urges technicians to replace a cabin air filter during routine servicing to ensure they give their customers the best and healthiest service, especially since cabin air filters are often overlooked during a service. Allergens, odours, dust mites, pollen, toxic fumes and dirt are all potential, nasty threats – just a 1m3 of air contains 10-80 billion particles, many of which are contaminants – but the brand aims to help stop, prevent and protect against airborne pollutants with its range of cabin air filters. Due to them offering extra protection, thanks to an additional layer of media within
“Comline currently has a library of more than 1,800 filtration references and recently brought a plethora of new part numbers to market. ”
the part, Comline has a preference for activated carbon cabin air filters. These are said to remove micro-contaminants, typically toxic gases, like Benzine or Ozone, and filter out unpleasant smells to keep the cabin fresh.
Product Quality Comline’s product quality is proven; it continues to be a trusted member of the International Filter Testing Services (IFTS), a renowned filtration testing organisation. Since its acceptance in late 2017, the IFTS has been able to microscopically scrutinise the company’s filters, resulting in recommendations in how the brand can improve the anatomy of its components – that includes the entire filtration portfolio and not solely cabin air filters – and that has complemented its own inhouse quality control processes too. Also, it is a certified data supplier on TecDoc, which means both technicians and motor factors can depend on the product specification, guaranteeing an accurate first time fit.
Continuous category development Comline is continuing apace with its growth in the filtration sector; the brand’s product
team remain committed to carefully filling gaps in the market where demand is clear. The brand currently has a library of more than 1,800 filtration references and recently brought a plethora of new part numbers to market. This includes oil filters for a BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, X1, X2, Mini (2017-onwards), Clubman (2017-onwards) and Countryman (2017-onwards), Air filters for MercedesBenz A-Class (2018-onwards), B-Class (2019-onwards), CLA (2019-onwards), GLA (2020-onwards) and GLB (2019-onwards). Also, cabin air filters for a Volvo XC40 (2017-onwards), and diesel filter (EFF362D) for a variety of Citroën, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall applications (2018-onwards).
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL037
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FILTERS
Clean
AIR
inside the car Meyle explains how you can keep your customers’ cabin air fresh.
C
abin air filters prevent airborne pollutants from entering the passenger compartment. Failure to replace the filters regularly may cause the filter elements to clog. The consequence: insufficiently cleaned air fills the vehicle cabin. Especially now, during pollen season, allergy sufferers can feel an insufficient filter performance by the typical symptoms of runny noses or watery eyes. But no matter whether it’s pollen, smog, particles, or nitrogen oxide – cabin air filters can
protect the driver from most sorts of airborne intruders. The Hamburg-based manufacturer Meyle knows that and consequently offers a broad range of high-quality filters, that are fit for different driving localities. The latest introduced Meyle-PD cabin air filter even offers permanent NOx fixation even during disposal, as well as protecting the driver from it – a novelty in the market. Many car drivers don’t know that cabin air filters should be changed regularly. Meyle engineers recommend replacing the cabin air
filter every 10,000 miles, at least once, better twice a year. Over time fine dust, soot, pollen and even insects clog the filter, resulting in a gradual loss of function. For the best filter performance, drivers should choose the right product, whereas, depending on location and air pollution, different filters can be considered to be an adequate choice. But what filters are on the market and what is the right choice for your car?
Cabin air filter range Meyle offers a range of cabin air filters that include biofunctional cabin air filters, active carbon filters and particle filters. Depending on driving habits and the driving environment, the right one can be found amongst the Meyle cabin air filters. Each of the Meyle filters comes with its specific functions: ��� The Meyle -ORIGINAL particle filter is ideal for country drivers, offering the best protection from pollen and other particles in an environment with little air pollution like smog or NOx. ��� The Meyle -ORIGINAL active carbon filter on the contrary is the right choice
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for city and short distance drivers, not only protecting from particles like pollen, but adding extra filter performance regarding smog and NOx. ��� The biofunctional Meyle -ORIGINAL cabin air filter counts as allrounder against mould, bacteria and smog and is therefore a good fit for city drivers, especially in colder or more humid regions, where cabin air filters are more prone to get mouldy. ��� The Meyle-PD cabin air filter is the newest upgrade from Meyle and ideal for commuters and professional drivers. It offers the highest protection against NOx and fine dust meanwhile capturing NOx permanently. Being the latest enhancement, this filter also counts as a must have for anyone wanting the best protection from pollution, no matter if professional or regular driver.
The layers of the new Meyle-PD cabin air filter fulfil a wide spectrum of functions: ��� The cover fleece filters larger particles of dust. ��� The particle medium is outstanding at capturing fine dust. ��� The two impregnated layers of activated carbon chemically bind the NOx.
Performance filters Meyle has launched nearly 400 cabin air filters to date, including 38 references for the Meyle-PD cabin air filter. Questioning the status quo and constant optimisations are parts of the Meyle DNA. And the Meyle-PD cabin air filter is a result of this urge for optimisation. This filter is suitable for practically every vehicle, comes with an increased filter performance and is unique in the market due to its elaborate filtering technique. But how does this innovative filter work exactly? Unlike conventional cabin air filters with active carbon, filtered NOx is chemically bound in the Meyle-PD filter material as salt and is never released again, making it safe to dispose of in the workshop. The new cabin air filter thus permanently and sustainably reduces NOx in the environment and directly in the driver’s cabin. This makes the new Meyle-PD cabin air filter so unique. Meyle is the only manufacturer in the aftermarket to offer a filter with such an impregnated activated carbon.
��� The carrier fleece serves as a basis for the layer of activated carbon and the particle medium. With more than 1,400 filter solutions true to the original, Meyle represents a high-quality expansion of the portfolio for aftermarket customers. This filter category is subject to Meyle’s highest commitment to quality: all four product subcategories – oil, air, fuel, and cabin air filters – benefit from consistent supplier auditing and tests in Meyle’s in-house quality laboratory in Hamburg. With competitive coverage rates for European markets and European vehicles outside Europe, the Meyle filter category is the first choice for a comprehensive product portfolio. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL038
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FILTERS
Karl Ridings, Sales Director UK & Ireland Aftermarket of UFI Filters, explains the air filter’s main functions, provides an insight into the link between filter functionality and material and shares tips for air filter replacement.
REPLACEMENT TOP TIPS UFI recommends ensuring that the selected filter corresponds to the application suggested in the catalogue because the use of incorrect part numbers is a frequent cause of malfunction or even collapse of the filter. The person performing the replacement should follow service procedures as suggested by the vehicle manufacturer and filter element manufacturer in order to achieve convenient service operations and prevent functionality issues. Particular fitting mistakes that can be found: ■ Residues in the filter housing are not sucked up and the inside of the housing is not cleaned ■ The replaced filter is not perfectly sealed at the edges e.g., this can occur when the new filter is not the same as the one being replaced ■ Hoses or ducts disconnected previously for easier filter replacement have not been (properly) reconnected ■ Air filter is cleaned instead of being replaced – the use of compressed air makes the filter more porous, permanently compromising it Damaging particles can enter the engine as a result of poor filtration by air filter. Poorly fitted air filters can compromise engine performance, reliability as well as increase both fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
62 MAY 2022 PMM
FILTER TIPS
T
he air filter is a fundamental element in the life of a car. It purifies the air before it arrives at the combustion chamber, improving engine carburation and reducing vehicle consumption. Without this component, the engine and other downstream engine parts like the turbocharger would be exposed to the threat of impure particles such as dust and sand. These can ultimately lead to premature wear, clogging of the valves and injectors, which can cause sudden breakdowns. In addition, the flow of air directed to the engine would exceed the required fuel demand, leading to excessive fuel consumption. Air filters from UFI that offer high filtering efficiency perform an improved air flow for optimum combustion. They prevent the alteration of fuel flow and the subsequent loss of power, as well as the increase of fuel consumption and emissions into the atmosphere.
Time for a replacement It’s important to follow car makers’ instructions (Owner’s Manual) for the service interval of the air filters. Usually, the recommended maintenance schedule for a passenger car,
that drives in normal operating conditions, ranges between 60,000 km to 120,000 km or every two years for low mileage use. Moreover, UFI Filters recommends replacing the air filter every 12 months or 30,000 km because the filter element can be damaged by prolonged usage and in particular, due to the absorption of humidity by the pleated cellulose filter media. This can cause a loss in filtration capacity and an increase of the loss of air flow pressure, which in turn has a negative impact on engine power. For this reason, the company has been developing new filtering materials in synthetic hydrophobic fibres – found in the new engine air filter UFI MULTITUBE which has already been chosen as Original Equipment by Porsche, Maserati, Daimler AG, FCA and Great Wall. Thanks to this hydrophobic material, the filter repels water drops and humidity, retaining its full functionality throughout the entire life cycle. According to Karl, an UFI filter can be fitted with confidence. “Our aftermarket customers benefit from our OE experience. We have developed an aftermarket filter programme that incorporates our OE filters and our philosophy of meeting the demands of tomorrow already today.”
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Unscrew the airbox screws.
Vehicle: Audi A1 1.2 TFSI
STEP-BY-STEP REPLACING THE AIR FILTER
Remove the air filter by unscrewing it from the joints
Detach the fixing band and open the airbox. Check the compatibility between old and new filter. Insert the new filter in the airbox and reconnect the pipes.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tighten the airbox screws. Finally, check the perfect fitment of the assembled parts.
WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL039
The air filter is available in the aftermarket and listed in the print and online catalogues, product code UFI FILTERS 27.621.00. Initially designed for an Audi A1, it is compatible with Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza V and Škoda Fabia II.
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ADAS
CALIBRATION and DIAGNOSTIC Solutions Check out the latest ADAS calibration and diagnostics solutions from Hella Gutmann.
A
dvanced driver assistance systems are now standard features on millions of vehicles, so being able to calibrate the cameras/radars that allow them to function correctly, is vital, both commercially and for driver safety. The majority of businesses now realise that whenever they undertake work on a vehicle that has a direct effect on its steering geometery – wheel alignment, steering & suspension replacement, etc. – an ADAS camera/radar calibration must be carried out. Therefore, they must supplement their
64 MAY 2022 PMM
diagnostic equipment with a calibration tool. “Because the diagnostic device and the calibration tool must be compatible, the investment needs to be well-considered as ultimately, the model coverage of the diagnostic software and the associated calibration device will dictate whether the extent of the calibration work the workshop can undertake, is cost effective,” explains Neil Hilton, Head of Hella Gutmann UK. “This is where Hella Gutmann Solutions’ original analogue CSC-Tool SE and CSCMobile, as well as the recently introduced, CSC-Tool Digital, show their advantages.”
With outstanding vehicle model coverage, the CSC-Tool, in common with the easily transported CSC-Mobile solution, in conjunction with a Hella Gutmann mega macs diagnostic device, has a proven track record in the UK, Ireland and throughout Europe. It is for good reason that the world's leading auto glass networks rely on the German equipment. In addition to the calibration of front cameras, long-range radar and lidar, the comprehensive modular CSC tool system also allows calibration of 360° and rear cameras, as well as 24 GHz radar sensors for detection in the wider environment, and thanks to its ongoing developments, Hella Gutmann’s calibration hardware and software remains close to the vehicle manufacturers' rapid technology advances and short model cycles.
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“The CSC-Tool Digital is the latest evolution of the Hella Gutmann calibration offering,” Hilton continues. “Everything that is possible with the analogue CSC-Tool SE and CSC-Mobile, also works with the CSCTool Digital, but faster and more efficiently. Furthermore, the digital tool has some additional benefits to offer, for example, there is no need to store and carry around the largeformat front camera targets. This saves both time and money because currently many different targets are required for the vehicles that are commonly used in the UK and Ireland. “With three formats of calibration tool available catering for fixed workshop, mobile and digital applications, Hella Gutmann has a unique offering, which truly covers all the bases and provides the tyre replacement sector with the perfect solution for their needs.”
New diagnostic offering The mega macs range of diagnostic tools has a reputation as being amongst the leading devices in the field. But with the recent introduction of mega macs X, the specialist aims to change the operational method and communication with the vehicle from a diagnostic standpoint, providing a flexible solution that can adapt to whatever size of workshop. The mega macs X provides flexibility and an array of options when it comes to both the hardware and software configurations. It allows individual workshops to choose whether they wish to combine their existing desktop browsers or tablets with the system, or move to a totally mega macs driven platform. This level of flexibility means that should the workshop’s requirements change, then it is able to change the setup to match.
“With three formats of calibration tool available catering for fixed workshop, mobile and digital applications, Hella Gutmann has a unique offering, which truly covers all the bases” Neil Hilton, Hella Gutmann
However, it is not only flexible in terms of hardware. Thanks to the different software modules that are available, workshops also have a choice when it comes to the scope of the services that can be accessed. This flexibility ensures that workshops are always able to gear the service level required to the needs of its customers and, should these requirements change, the software module can likewise be altered to make sure it always fulfils the needs of the workshop. Not only is this system different from previous diagnostic solutions in its approach, it’s also very different in appearance, as it has neither a display nor a keypad. At a first glance, the wired OBD plug with integrated LED lighting looks like a modern, neatly designed Bluetooth VCI – which, incidentally, it is – but this future-orientated solution is also the most advanced diagnostic tool they have ever developed. It incorporates the processor, diagnostic software and integrated diagnostic protocols, which includes among others, the CAN FD and DoIP for new vehicle models such as Škoda Octavia, Volvo XC 90 and Golf 8 of Volkswagen, and communicates on a wireless basis.
Put to use The well-thought out design comprises sophisticated details such as useful cable duct and a magnetic surface, for easy and secure fixing and the compact dimensions means it can be placed easily on the charging tray when not in use. A green LED progress bar on the front and back of the device indicates active vehicle communication when performing diagnostic work. This approach also allows workshops to stay in control of their overheads, as beyond the one-off costs to purchase the mega macs X hardware and relevant SDI X software, the only ongoing costs are for the associated annual licence, which includes any updates and system improvements as they are issued. Naturally, as with the other devices in the line-up, the mega macs X is equipped with ADAS calibration software. In addition, however, it also comes with a CSM (Cyber Security Management) function. There is no need to register individually with each vehicle manufacturer portal to obtain diagnostic releases for their customer’s vehicles, subjecting themselves to extensive checks and potentially significant extra costs. Instead, a one-time authentication, activated by proof of identification by passport or identity card, is all that’s needed for a mega macs user to have a clear path to work on all vehicles with a security lock, at the usual diagnostic depth.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL040
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ADAS
Automatic
SAFETY Denso explains how its ADAS systems are designed to improve user experience and road safety.
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s the world's second largest parts and systems provider, Denso has the ability to influence and develop solutions for society's greatest needs. Alongside its recognised range of automotive components that are of proven quality for both original equipment and aftermarket use, Denso’s future technology development goals are focused on enabling greater peace of mind across all areas of society. Peace of mind is one of the company’s three key global development pillars ahead of 2030, along with supporting the environment and inspiring others, by making a difference.
ADAS explained Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to improve the safety of passengers and aid better driving. Based on sensors connected to the internet, ADAS technology helps to avoid collisions and accidents by alerting drivers to potential problems in realtime, implementing safeguards and in some instances, taking over control of the vehicle. The current market for ADAS can broadly be divided into two sections: camera and radar. One of Denso’s major forthcoming product developments is to make its ADAS available for retrofit, not just as equipment for new vehicles.
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“Traffic accidents are a global issue,” explained the company’s Marketing Manager, Fatiha Laauich. “However, by reducing them, we not only save valuable lives, but are also giving people a new degree of freedom, empowering them to travel confidently. “Reducing traffic accidents is a common goal all over the world. The UN aims to halve the number of global traffic accident fatalities by 2030, whereas the EU and the US have set similar objectives for 2050.
“Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to improve the safety of passengers and aid better driving.” “We are working on an approach that takes account of both the depth and width of the task. The definition of 'depth' is the full pursuit of cutting-edge technologies that will make mobility users safer. One example of this is how Denso is using AI technology to predict potential hazards by, for instance, detecting pedestrians, in a non-distracting way, when visibility conditions are poor. In addition, at junctions with poor visibility and other situations where blind spots pose a
threat, V2X and map functions provide infrastructure-related information, which, together with sensor information, can help prevent many accidents. “The ‘width’ means ensuring that products and technologies are used in as many vehicles as possible, including in the aftermarket. Pursuing this goal will require safe products with the highest level of quality and reliability, at competitive prices. “Since the 1990s, Denso has provided advanced safety and various (OE) ADAS equipment such as LiDAR devices, millimetrewave radar, and vision sensors. Introducing ADAS to the secondary market not only gives a boost to aftermarket businesses, but it also makes life-saving technology more widely available, empowering confidence and peace of mind at scale. “It is this advanced technology that levels the playing field between independent workshops and their vehicle manufacturer franchised dealer counterparts, enabling professional technicians to access the most technically advanced vehicles parts, thus increasing customer confidence and loyalty.” WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL041
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TOOLS
& EQUIPMENT
KEEPING IT COOL Waeco offers their solution for workshops to combat the differences in A/C & thermal management in electric vehicles.
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ybrid and electric vehicles have made their entrance into the automotive world with 2021 seeing record sales, making up 18.5 per cent of new registrations. Petrol and diesel numbers still dominate workshops, of course, however hybrid and electric vehicle numbers are continuing to grow rapidly. As legislation, public demand, infrastructure and rising fuel costs with low emission incentives change the public perception of having an electric vehicle, the option of owning one has never been so tempting. So, if you haven’t already, now is the time to familiarise yourself with the opportunity that the electric vehicle presents in today’s market and the future markets to come, one of these being air conditioning and thermal management systems. Just like diesel and petrol vehicles, A/C on hybrids and EVs also require regular servicing but now operation and efficiency is more vital to a vehicle’s operation than ever before. The servicing procedures are similar but there are some differences that you need to be aware of in order to take advantage of and educate the end user about the importance of this service. Hybrids and EVs use high-voltage systems. Some vehicle batteries supply over 400 V, hence different procedures should be carried out before attempting any A/C service. Technicians must carry out a “power
This flushing device means that you can jump between EV/Hybrid and combustion vehicles without any danger of cross contamination.
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One of the most important things to be aware of is the type of lubrication oil used in the system. Conventional belt-driven piston A/C systems typically use PAG or Ester oil; however, all hybrid vehicles require a special polyester (POE) type oil. POE oil is dielectric – meaning it has non-conductive properties that are designed to lubricate the compressor whilst protecting the compressors electrical windings. Workshops must use the correct PAG POE when servicing, as cross contamination will reduce its dielectric property, which will also affect the oils as they are not meticulously protected against moisture present in the atmosphere (humidity free storage and feeding system). Contamination will lead to acid formation which attacks the compressors electrical motor windings and fine hydraulic components. POE oil is very hygroscopic, detrimental moisture levels can occur in one day if left open to atmosphere and once absorbed cannot be removed by system evacuation even at pressure as low as 500 microns. down” and disconnect supply of the system to remove any risk of electric shock when working in or around an electric compressor. Technicians should hold an approved hybrid/electric vehicle accreditation before working on high voltage vehicles. New technologies utilise different components such as a scroll compressor, which is powered either by the belt, when the engine is running, or electrically when the engine is off. Most newer hybrids (2004 onwards) have moved to a fully electric compressor, consisting of a spirally wound fixed scroll and variable scroll with a brushless motor, it runs on high voltage A/C. This allows the A/C system to operate even if the engine is not running.
Waeco has the solution for this Waeco’s ASC range AirCon Service Centers utilise software for hybrid service, with flush kit to safely change from conventional PAG oils to POE, enabling flushing of all machine pipework to ensure no contamination. Along with their patented Profil oil systems for truly moisture free storage. Original equipment specification oils such as Denso ND11 & ND12, Sanden SPA2 and RB100EV are some examples that are available in the patented Waeco Profil oil system. Compressor manufacturers are stipulating specific oil specifications that have different additives such as cleaning and molecule stabilising properties. Again ensure
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the correct oil is used. Waeco also provides a hybrid flushing kit as option on all of our ASC service stations, approved according to SAE J 2843/2788/2843H. This flushing device means that you can jump between EV/Hybrid and combustion vehicles without any danger of cross contamination. Research has shown that as little as one percent of PAG oil in a hybrid system can affect the dielectric properties, reducing the insulation resistance of a compressor from 10 mega ohms to less than one mega ohm. Case studies have shown failed insulation tests logging DTCs with vehicles ECUs can shut down vehicles system, because of small voltage leaks that have occurred. More worryingly, it can also conduct high voltage to the compressor housing and connected components, causing a harmful and potentially lethal shock to anyone coming into contact with it. Consequently, some vehicle manufacturers recommend that all system components are replaced if cross contamination of the oil has occurred in a hybrid vehicle, potentially resulting in a very costly service and an unhappy customer.
A major driving factor to this opportunity is the fact that the HVAC system is now an integral part of the hybrid EV thermo management system. Vehicle efficiency range and performance are affected if temperature of battery cells, motor, drivetrain and regenerative systems are not precisely controlled. Again shut down or no drive of a vehicle can occur if systems efficiency is reduced to 80 per cent or temperature of 40° reached. Temperature control of the vehicle’s battery could have systems that use refrigerant or a coolant that moves around the entire vehicle via valves and pumps that could lead to a further service and replacement parts opportunity, you may be only recharging the
Hybrid, electric vehicles and HVAC systems are changing A/C into an essential service item all year round. system. However, the awareness of different types of systems and how they work will enable a reliable service and happy customers adding profit to the workshop. So A/C service isn’t just for hot summer months anymore. Hybrid, electric vehicles and HVA/C systems are changing A/C into an essential service item all year round. The role of the A/C service must be carried out with understanding that normal air conditioning oil conducts electricity – new dielectric POE oil is hygroscopic, and electricity and water don’t mix. HVAC and thermal management systems provide heating where no engine coolant is available and provide cooling for passenger comfort, vital system temperature control along with other benefits.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL042
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TOOLS
& EQUIPMENT
CASE STUDY Organising change PMM caught up with Pete Anderson of South Coasting Auto Detailing in Hampshire, to find out whether his recent purchase of a Kraftwerk 3.9m Workshop Storage Unit is paying off. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Pete. So, why did you feel the need to invest in storage and choose Kraftwerk over other storage brands? As my business has grown over the years, I have found that I am buying more and more materials which I need to store and locate quickly when I am working on different cars. I researched the various storage brands online, and I found that Kraftwerk offered a better overall product package. They have a wide selection of different size combi units and offer a great range of accessories which I also needed, like hand tools with fitted inlays and lighting, which is not widely available. The whole package also just looked better quality and was more affordable. I also liked the fact they have been going since 1979 and the UK aftersales service was excellent when I needed some extra products to add to my order, they despatched them without delay. Was the unit easy to construct? That’s probably the biggest thing that put me off initially, but it really was effortless. I had the whole unit up in less than two hours. The drawer units came ready assembled which
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression with a new customer, and I have won new business just from compliments alone on how good my workshop looks.”
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customer, and I have won new business just from compliments alone on how good my workshop looks. You mention you also chose Kraftwerk Storage for their accessories? What are these?
was a big help and everything else is mounted off the backing panels, so it’s all free standing. There is no drilling into walls, it’s just a case of bolting everything together using a ratchet spanner. What is your favourite thing about the storage system since you installed it? Everything is now tidy and within reach, stored neatly in a draw or on a shelf. It makes looking for things or storing various items so much easier. Visually it also looks great and in my line of work appearance is everything. If a customer comes into my workshop and it looks messy and scruffy, they assume that is how I work and it is a reflection of how I will treat their car. You never get a second chance to make a first impression with a new
The modular furniture has a back panel for tool storage and Kraftwerk supplies a wide range of can holders, hooks and under cupboard LED Strip Lighting which I purchased so I can see things easily on my workbench. I also needed some new hand tools and I was really impressed that I could choose the tools I required from their online catalogue, and Kraftwerk then manufacture a fully fitted bespoke foam insert for the drawers. They have lots of different colours available, but I chose simple red and black, which really gives a professional look to my workshop. Have you found that being more organised and having the right equipment has helped your business? Definitely, in my game, time is money, so I can’t spend 20 minutes looking for some detailing cloths that I ordered a few months back and are in some box at the back of the unit. I need to locate everything quickly and get the job done so I can get paid and move onto the next. Being organised is being in control, it’s as simple as that really. WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL043
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PRODUCT TEST
WD-40 Product Test: WD-40 Contact Cleaner In the third and last of our series of WD-40 product tests, Dixons of Pudsey submits its verdict on WD-40’s Specialist Contact Cleaner.
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s an independent garage we work on a vast array of vehicles and, as you have seen from our previous reviews, our ethos is to repair rather than replace. A few months ago we were sent a variety of products to try out. One that we hadn’t encountered much before was the contact cleaner; for those who aren’t quite sure – it does exactly what it says on the tin. The contact cleaner has saved numerous parts from being replaced including wiring looms and expensive NOx sensors! One such job recently was a Citroen Berlingo van where the parts would outweigh what the customer valued his van at, especially if he would have to down tools and have the van off the road while parts were ordered from the dealership. In this instance the contact cleaner saved the cost of an integral loom and NOx sensor. We used contact cleaner to clean the electrolytic corrosion from the terminals on the NOx
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sensor which can be seen on the photographs. We had a customer that was happy with his bill – always a plus and he was back on the road the next day. Another job which could have posed a problem was an Audi convertible with the problematic broken loom in the boot lid. Contact cleaner was used on this job to clean
the traced broken wire prior to it being soldered. The cleaner did a cracking job of turning what could have again been a big job into a relatively easy one and with no residue left behind either. Using the contact cleaner on a Yamaha Thundercat that had failed its MOT on an inoperable front brake lever switch left us with a very happy customer. He had brought the bike in for an MOT before he started his work shift and didn’t expect a failure! Removal of the switch and flushing with contact cleaner worked perfectly and got his bike passed and more importantly him on his way to work! Our last example is on another MOT failure, this time an SRS light on a Peugeot 208. On inspection we found the airbag pretensioner under the passenger seat had a dry connection, so we used the contact cleaner on the connector block in the hope that a new one wasn’t needed: we reconnected and rescanned, cleared faults and got an MOT pass!
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Want to win? To be in with a chance of winning a tin of WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner, simply WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL044
and answer the following question: WD-40’s Contact Cleaner spray can be used on spark plugs? A) True B) False Deadline for entries is 10/06/2022
Smart working We found that using it with the smart straw gained more precise results and used less product. The bonus with a precise spray range also meant limited mess whilst using it so you can really get into those awkward places that larger hands can’t always reach – thus also making the office staff happy that they don’t
have to leave a cosy office or get their hands dirty! Although using the spray without gloves in tight spaces does result in ice cold fingers on contact. The product evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy type of residue that we have found with other products. We have used this surprisingly more than we thought we would with the product really coming into its own on the bike side of the workshop and using it in the workshop at home too. I have my vintage bikes and old projects on the go at home and found that the contact cleaner was good at removing the build-up of old grease from things, in particular my lad found it cleaned an old starter switch brilliantly so he could use it on the electric go-kart he was building. I think he quite enjoyed that job! Possibly worth mentioning – as my lad is still young at 1 – I did explain that the product is hazardous, and made sure he took precautions such as washing his hands after use and working in a well ventilated area. In conclusion, the products we were sent have managed to make it onto our regular consumable purchase list. We have really tried to find negatives and not just be jolly
and positive in the reviews, but the fact is, we have yet to find the negatives as the products have yet to fail us. So as far as recommendations go – it’s an all-round thumbs up from us here at Dixons.
A closer look WD-40’s fast drying Contact Cleaner spray is a non-conductive spray that is suitable for use on all sensitive electrical components. It provides excellent cleaning with minimal fuss, and removes dirt, dust, condensation and flux residue with ease. Simply spray on and allow the product to dry before powering up. The fast-drying electrical contact cleaner spray is ideal for use on circuit boards, switches, even spark plugs and tape heads. It will remove all the contaminants that cause current leakage and component failure. In damp conditions it can help chase away condensation for better, more efficient electrical contact, such as in spark plugs and electrical connections in cars.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL045
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ONLINE ROUND UP
Stars of the screen! PMM takes a look back on some highlights from PMM Online
Everything published in the paper version of PMM is also available online, with added extras such as online aids by Trico, addressing common issues when fitting wiper blades. With easy access to a wide range of information on previously reported topics, as well as competitions and giveaways, it is well worth joining our 50,000 monthly visitors.
Try before you buy On the PMM website you can look at a backlog of all the ‘Product Tests’ that have been conducted over the years, including our recent series where Dixons of Pudsey have been testing various WD-40 sprays. This has included their silicone lubricants and their penetrant sprays. By reading what your workshop peers think of various products you can decide if they’re the best fit for yourself and so these product reviews are well worth checking out.
Tips for thriving Another aspect of our website that is well worth checking out is the ‘Business’ section where you can find the latest tips in technology or otherwise to help your garage, as a business, to thrive! For example, you can see pictured an article from the website posted in January about the importance of software solutions, where our editor Kieran Nee spoke with Ashley Tankard, MAM Software’s Autowork Sale Manager. In this piece, you can read about how technology is
74 MAY 2022 PMM
the driving force behind a business’ efficiency by cutting down on your administration time, allowing you to spend more time working on jobs. You can also read up on the daily problems that can be avoided by upgrading your workshop, such as by reducing noshows by sending automatic reminders for appointments. To read this, along with other helpful articles to aid your workshop’s growth, make sure to visit the ‘Business’ section of PMM Online.
Instagram PMM also has an Instagram account! And, we’re almost at 500 followers so feel free to follow us over there – especially to keep up with Instagram exclusive content such as the giveaway we ran with Unilite. Also, with the ‘Story’ function on Instagram you can keep up with PMM at events such as our annual Mechanex event or the IAAF conference, there’s truly no better way to keep up with the team. In sum, to avoid missing out from the latest Aftermarket news and events, make sure to follow PMM’s Instagram page, simply search “pmm_magazine” on the social media platform.
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쑮 Shout out Our sister magazine ‘Professional Motor Factor’ or ‘PMF’ also has a great website if you’re wanting to expand your automotive knowledge and awareness further. Pictured, you can see opinion pieces from industry experts such as Lee Gratton and Hayley Pells where you read about how factors and garages have adapted in hard times throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, an interesting insight into the industry. Also on the PMF website you can also read up on ‘Market Trends & Analysis’, such as Klarious examining the rise in price of raw materials or Lucas Oil explaining the impact of E10 petrol. It’s often easy to read the news and know how various headlines might affect the trade, but this page is helpful at examining how this might go about, making the PMF website well worth the visit!
Come and find out more at www.pmmonline.co.uk
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PIT STOP
In need of a refuel?
FINDING THE LINK... Which actor links these three films? The Favourite, The Amazing Spiderman and La La Land?
GARAGE GAGS A FRIEND HAS GONE INTO BUSINESS BY SETTING UP A GARAGE THAT FIXES CAR IGNITIONS. IT’S A START UP.
Which sport links these three venues? Allianz Park, Twickenham and Ricoh Arena?
HOW DID YOU SCORE? TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/
WORDSEARCH B G X I M V J C S I S J F E F S F W A Z P I R T J Z Y C N J U I R D W Y E X H A
W A A V F B O W F U
H M E O Z A U Z C S
R S D G Z T S H Z T
Which spirit links these three cocktails? Daiquiri, Cuba Libre and Piña Colada? Which capital city features these three landmarks? The Anne Frank House, Dam Square and The Portuguese Synagogue?
AAL046
Q F M I R R O R D G
Which word can follow these three words? Orchestra, Arm and Sand?
Q H H D A T P O Y N
G Z W F A F T E P I S T Z W H E Q R M W E R Y T L K Y Y Q M F R F O O E Y Y S O
O I J S O N E L L B I U G M H P T E S R
CAMSHAFT BATTERY EXHAUST PISTON LIGHTS WHEEL SEAT MIRROR BUMPER TYRE
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GIVEAWAYS
The best things in life are free... Check out the fantastic freebies on offer this month To enter the prize draw, go to
WWW.RDR.LINK/AAL047
3 SEALEY 5PC TELESCOPIC MAGNETIC PICK-UP & LED INSPECTION TOOL KIT Sealey are giving away a comprehensive range of Premier Hand Tools, suitable for daily professional use. Featuring heavy-duty 6-section telescopic extending shaft with textured grip for comfort and control with a minimum/maximum length of 170/765mm and a quick release adaptor for easy fitting of individual accessories. Kit includes 35mm inspection mirror, which is mounted on twin ball joints for maximum articulation, 50 x 80mm hinged rectangular mirror, 10mm magnet with 1kg capacity. Magnet features recessed LED to illuminate pick-up area. It is also supplied with batteries. (3 x LR44).
10 1-LITRE BOTTLES OF CASTROL EDGE ENGINE OIL To celebrate their marketing campaign ‘Castrol Edge Recommended by Experts’, Castrol is giving away 10 bottles of their Edge Engine Oil. This campaign features prizes like a professional photoshoot tailored to showcase workshops and their staff. The engine oil has been designed to unlock the very edge of performance of engines, with Fluid Titanium Technology said to physically transform its structure – becoming stiffer at points of extreme pressure to keep metal apart and reduce friction. When the pressure subsides, the oil reverts to its free-flowing state. Stronger under pressure, it is said to help reduce performance-robbing friction. For a chance of winning a bottle of this engine oil, make sure to follow the link above.
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COMPETITION
WIN!
BRING THE FAMILY TO THE RACES!
The winner will also receive an exclusive goody bag including limited edition team clothing.
Kalimex is offering one lucky reader of PMM the chance for them and their family to spend a day with a championship winning race team.
P
MM is delighted to announce that we have partnered up with Kalimex, suppliers of K-Seal, JLM and Quiksteel, to offer one lucky mechanic and their family the rare opportunity to spend a day embedded with a world championship winning racing team. Team principal John Mickel, the five times UK and three times World Legends champion has over 40 years of racing experience and will share his tips for race car preparation with the lucky winner. The winner will also be able to sit in a race car to see what it feels like from a driver’s perspective. Plus, they can get their hands dirty helping to prepare the cars in between races – whether that’s
“The Legends series is arguably the most exciting series in the UK, with more overtakes in a single 10 lap race than you normally get in a whole season of Formula 1.”
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changing wheels, helping with suspension set up or even fixing race damage in double quick time to get the cars ready for the next race. The Legends series is arguably the most exciting series in the UK, with more overtakes in a single 10 lap race than you normally get in a whole season of Formula 1. The cars are fitted with special bumpers to allow them to bump draft on the straights, just like in Nascar racing – resulting in true bumper-to-bumper action all day! Plus there’s always plenty of other racing action and entertainment to keep you occupied during the day. The winner will be able to choose from one of the following events which take place around the country:
How do you enter? To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL048
and answer the following question: How many UK championships has John Mickel won? A) 1 B) 5 C) 20
● ● ● ● ●
11-12th June – Brands Hatch** 18-19th June – Anglesey, North Wales 20-21st August – Donington Park* 17-18th September – Snetterton 300* 5-6th November – Brands Hatch*
* Supporting the British Truck Championship ** American Speedfest
Deadline for entries is 31/05/2022
WANT TO KNOW MORE? FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL049
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WHATS NEW?
MORE IN FO Just type in www.rdr. link follo wed by the un ique cod e shown to get straig ht to more in fo.
■ PIPE BENDING TOOL This is a handy device to keep in your toolbox — the new brake pipe bender and straightening tool from Laser Tools (part number 8253). Small, but very capable and precise — it’s a specialist automotive pipe bender that features a triple-roller design and T-bar handle for controlled pipe forming without the risk of crushing. The compact design and T-bar makes it ideal for on-vehicle use allowing you to quickly produce smooth and accurate curves in small diameter pipes up to 6.35mm across a range of materials including copper and cupro-nickel. Can also be mounted in a vice. Keep it in the top drawer of your toolbox so that it’s ready whenever you need to fabricate a brake pipe section. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For more information
WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL050
■ DUAL CAST DISC This disc solution features the unique technical characteristics of Brembo’s two-piece portfolio, including use of a special cast iron process, lighter hats, pillar or directional venting, plus holes and/or grooves on the braking surface. Together these design solutions are said to optimise braking performance in all conditions. In addition, the new disc claims to allow more precise and stable vehicle dynamics, better pedal feel and a lighter braking system, along with added environmental benefits. Lastly, the Dual Cast design also delivers up to 70 per cent better resistance to thermal deformations, ensuring less residual torque and reducing the possibility of vibration. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For more information
WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL052
■ INJECTOR EXTRACTOR
Klarius has added 33 new products to its emissions control range, including catalytic converters (CATs) and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for multiple models of the Ford Focus. All components in the range are available with a Fit First Time guarantee, a 2-year warranty and next morning delivery to stockists and distributors. Plenty of new CATs have been added to their range. Supported vehicles include the trusty 2008- 2015 Honda Jazz 1.2 and 1.3, the 2010 onwards Fiat 500 and 500L 0.9.There are also new CATs available to fit a wide selection of German hatchbacks, French vans and Japanese vehicles. Shifting to DPFs, new items are in stock for the 2011-2015 Jaguar XF 2.2, the 2006-2014 Land Rover Freelander 2.2, the Volkswagen Crafter 2.5D for 2009 models onwards and for popular Ford and German cars. Finally, new exhaust systems are available for Dacia, Nissan and Citroën vehicles.
Tried to remove an injector from the Ford EcoBlue diesel engine? Previously the EcoBlue injectors could only be removed if the fuel return connection and Piezo head were removed by breaking them off — and of course this renders the injector unusable. This new injector extractor set from Laser Tools (part number 8288) allows the injectors to be pulled out without needing to break the injector first. The design of the injector removal clamp lets you remove the injector in one piece. The assembled extractor is also said to be compact and easy to use: just remove the fuel lines and electrical connector, then assemble the extractor components around the injector. Turn the force screw to steadily remove the injector. Supplied in a useful EVA foam tray that keeps the kit secure and clean, and is designed to fit neatly into the toolbox drawer, while also limiting packaging waste.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
■ EXHAUSTS
For more information
WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL051
For more information
WWW.RDR.LINK /AAL053
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WHAT’S NEW?
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■ NEW TO RANGE Many of the new additions are familiar power transmission components, where Dayco specialises, several fall within other categories, for instance, thermal management. Among the new parts recently introduced are thermostats, which together fit several popular vehicles from BMW, Mercedes, Renault and Volvo, as well as numerous VAG applications. VAG also features among the water pump additions that are an increasingly recognised product in our growing range of thermal management parts. Reverting to power transmission products, a notable addition among our new FEAD (front end auxiliary drive) kits is KPV1145, which features a unique Stop/Start tensioner and is the OE fitment on various PSA vehicles including the DS5, 3008 and 508. Although the tensioner is also available separately, they recommend workshops purchase the full FEAD kit, as this allows for a complete a full system overhaul, with the added security that provides the vehicle’s owner. Finally, the damper pulley range has also increased with BMW, Mercedes, MINI, PSA, VAG and Vauxhall applications all in the mix.
■ TOOL PROMOTION Sealey’s Tool Promotion, valid until 30th June 2022, offers savings of up to 83 per cent off list price and sees the launch of over 55 new products, including the VS8111 high performance handheld Borescope and CPG8V lightweight, versatile cordless Grease Gun. New additions to their 20V one-Battery range are also featured, including a Cordless 3/8In.Sq Drive Ratchet Wrench, Pressure Washer, Handheld Vacuum Cleaner and Chainsaw, to name but a few. Discounts across their range of Jacks can also be found, all of which offer benefits unique to the company. Packed full of useful information, from the comprehensive compressor buying guide on page 63 to the product demonstration video QR codes featured throughout, this promotion is designed to help you select the right tools and equipment for your needs.
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■ WIPER BLADES ■ TRANSMISSION FLUID Exol Lubricants’ Athena Multigear MTF LV is fully synthetic, ultra-low viscosity transmission fluid, is said to be suitable for modern cars and light commercial vehicles. The oil is recommended for use in manual transmissions where ultra-low viscosity fluid is required by the vehicle manufacturer, and aims to provide fuel economy properties, oxidation stability, and low temperature fluidity. Engineered from carefully selected synthetic base stocks and specialised, advanced additives, which help protect transmission systems, and in turn are said to offer improved fuel economy in all driving conditions. The product is recommended for passenger car applications including BMW, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan, PSA Group and Volkswagen Group vehicles.
Wiper blades are a crucial safety aid for drivers and a business opportunity for workshops, which is why DENSO Aftermarket constantly reviews and updates its wiper blade offering “To ensure that independents always have access to the products they need, we have recently added a number of new-torange additions to the wiper programme,” said their Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager, Fatiha Laauich. “The 23 new part numbers fall under the flat blade category and cater for more than 2.7 million vehicles in the UK and Ireland”. Also “Reflecting the growth in electric vehicle sales recorded in recent months, the Tesla Modal S, BMW i3 and VW ID.3 are among the vehicles covered with these additions”
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80 MAY 2022 PMM
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■ BRAKE REPLACEMENT PARTS TMD Friction has introduced 825 new products across its entire brand portfolio as it conitinues its drive to provide customers globally with safe and high-quality replacement parts. The new products enable the company’s workshops and dealerships to offer one of the largest vehicle coverages of all brake lining manufacturers in Europe. They continue to develop their product range for vehicles of the future, not only increasing its proportion of copper-free brake pads, but also has high coverages of e-platforms, covering more than 99 percent of the European fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles with its automotive programme. This ensures the independent aftermarket can remain competitive with new models, WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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■ ENGINE MANAGEMENT WAIglobal UK has expanded its engine management product range, including the launch of new sensor parts. The company has launched new products as part of a significant expansion to its ignition coils, MAF and MAP sensors ranges, as well as new camshaft and crankshaft position sensors being introduced to its portfolio. With the latest raft of updates, they now offer over 2000 references across its engine management range. These updates also mean that 412 individual parts are available across its ignition coils range. They have also expanded their MAP sensors product line with 100 new references, strengthening the company’s offering and covering more vehicles than ever before, enabling garages to serve customers with a wider range. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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WHAT’S NEW?
FO MORE IN in Just type wed fo link llo www.rdr. e ique cod by the un ht ig get stra shown to . fo to more in
■ SOCKET SETS Sealey’s AK2741B, AK2742B, AK2744B & AK2745B are Lock-On Socket Sets from their range of Premier Black Hand Tools, which are suitable for daily professional use and they are currently on special offer in Sealey’s Tool Promotion. All are manufactured from hardened and tempered high grade Chrome Vanadium steel and have been fully polished in a black chrome finish for resistance to corrosion. They all feature specially machined flutes in the walls of the socket which enable use on up to 85% rounded fasteners. This not only provides added strength but also prevents damage to worn or rusted fixings.
■ FUEL VAPOUR VALVES Recognising that 80 percent of Ford DPF issues are linked to Fuel Vapour Valve (FVV) failure, SMP Europe has introduced a new range of FVVs, via its Lemark brand, to meet growing customer demand. A total of 16 new Fuel Vapour Valve products have been launched, covering a number of both Ford passenger car. The aims to eliminate clogging, provide good fuel distribution and low back pressure, and offer minimal heat losses, resulting in efficient DPF regeneration and no secondary emissions. The FVV is said to incinerate particulate matter without oil dilution and requires no additional cooling, helping to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions. It also enables more frequent DPF regeneration with low load conditions and when idling, allowing for an extended operating range. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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■ SUMMER TYRES Apollo Tyres is expanding its range of Vredestein Ultrac summer tyres, adding 18 new options from 17 to 18 inches. This portfolio now encompasses 63 different dimension options, from 15 to 18 inches. The Ultrac aims to deliver in both wet and dry conditions, making it an ideal ‘summer’ tyre option for a wide selection of family and compact cars. The range is said to deliver high levels of comfort, as well as handling and cornering even at high speeds. This is facilitated by an enhanced tyre cavity with a squarer footprint, stiffer tread pattern and centre rib with parabolic lateral grooves. The tyre also aims to enhance steering response and precision for a safe and dynamic driving experience and offers impressive rolling resistance and fuel efficiency. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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82 MAY 2022 PMM
■ RATCHET RING SPANNER This ratchet ring spanner from Laser Tools features a design accommodating eight different bi-hex sizes in one spanner, from 8mm through to 19mm (part number 8143). It’s a reversible ring spanner which features a smooth 90-tooth ratchet mechanism with a simple thumb-lever to change direction as required. Two ring sizes at each end — turn round for another two sizes — eight different sizes altogether: 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19mm. An item manufactured from chrome-vanadium steel and fully polished. It aims provide both space and weight savings (overall length 242mm), and is the ideal tool for emergency tool kits in the car or motorcycle. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
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New to Range We are proud to introduce our new extensive Starline battery range which covers not only the automotive market, but also batteries specifically designed for a number of applications including standard automotive, commercial, marine, leisure. Starline batteries are designed for maximum starting power, completely maintenance free and meet the highest quality standards. Manufactured using the latest calcium technology to withstand higher temperatures with improved shelf life and overall performance. Available in: • Standard automotive • Start-Stop, AGM and EFB • Commercial • Leisure
Find out more about this “Powerful” new range at omnipart.eurocarparts.com/Omnihub
Call your local branch now!
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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX
Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Motor Mechanic. Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information
Alliance Automotive/APEC ........................................ (page 54)
Mahle .......................................................................... (page 58)
www.rdr.link/AAL100
www.rdr.link/AAL116
Autowave .................................................................... (page 37)
Mann & Hummel UK Ltd .......................................... (page 13)
www.rdr.link/AAL101
www.rdr.link/AAL117
Ben .............................................................................. (page 71)
Maverick Diagnostics ................................................ (page 10)
www.rdr.link/AAL102
www.rdr.link/AAL118
Bilstein ........................................................................ (page 40)
MEWA .............................................................. (page 84/OBC)
www.rdr.link/AAL103
www.rdr.link/AAL119
Brembo S.p.A ............................................................ (page 49)
Motul .......................................................................... (page 45)
www.rdr.link/AAL104
www.rdr.link/AAL120
Castrol ...................................................................... (pages 6,7)
NGK Spark Plugs UK .................................................. (page 4)
www.rdr.link/AAL105
www.rdr.link/AAL121
Castrol ........................................................................ (page 61)
Petronas Lubricants .................................................... (page 16)
www.rdr.link/AAL106
www.rdr.link/AAL122
Castrol ........................................................................ (page 81)
Power Probe Group/MGL .......................................... (page 71)
www.rdr.link/AAL107
www.rdr.link/AAL123
Dayco ............................................................................ (page 9)
PMM Online .............................................................. (page 67)
www.rdr.link/AAL108
www.rdr.link/AAL124
FAI Automotives PLC ................................................ (page 50)
Robert Bosch Ltd ...................................................... (page 28)
www.rdr.link/AAL109
www.rdr.link/AAL125
Federal Mogul Ltd/DRIV .......................................... (page 39)
Schaeffler .............................................................. (page 2/IFC)
www.rdr.link/AAL110
www.rdr.link/AAL126
Jack Sealey Ltd .......................................................... (page 47)
Shaftec Automotive .................................................... (page 75)
www.rdr.link/AAL111
www.rdr.link/AAL127
Juratek Ltd .................................................................. (page 53)
SP Diagnostics ............................................................ (page 77)
www.rdr.link/AAL112
www.rdr.link/AAL128
Kalimex Ltd ................................................................ (page 31)
UFI Filters .................................................................. (page 71)
www.rdr.link/AAL113
www.rdr.link/AAL129
Liqui Moly GMBH .................................................... (page 19)
VLS (UK) Ltd ............................................................ (page 23)
www.rdr.link/AAL114
www.rdr.link/AAL130
MS Motorservice ........................................................ (page 25) www.rdr.link/AAL115
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