Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine - July 2019 by aaaa710

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SERVICE YOUR CUSTOMERS’ VEHICLES

OSCILLOSCOPES: THE X-RAY MACHINE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER’S CAR

FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS: PREPARING FOR A QUANTUM LEAP

ABOUT THE COVER In the competitive world of motor vehicle batteries, one name is often said to be synonymous with innovation, quality and reliability: Century Yuasa Batteries.

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS New Members........................................ 4 AAAA Report ......................................... 5 Calendar................................................ 6 News..................................................... 6 Products.............................................. 24

Business Services................................. 96 HR Matters.......................................... 97 Consumer Law...................................... 98 Inside Inventory.................................... 99 PRTC................................................ 100 4WD.................................................. 102

KEEPING YOU INFORMED Automechanika Dubai continues to grow....................................................................... 6 OAM Award for Capricorn CEO..................................................................................... 7 Pedders preaches the impacts of weight at ‘Sandown Safety Week’................................. 8 AutoMate Training looks to the future with new global parent ......................................... 9 Positive outlook for automotive manufacturing ............................................................ 10 Autopromotec 2019 crosses the finish line.................................................................. 13 Cooldrive management changes................................................................................. 14 Delivering to the needs of female workshop customers................................................. 17

FEATURES Cover Feature: Century Yuasa Batteries: helping grow your battery business..................... 18 R&D: FRAM Filters: R&D makes the dfference............................................................. 20 2019 Innovation Awards: Accessories........................................................................... 62 Member Feature: DENSO: It’s all about the people ....................................................... 64 Batteries & Charging: Power up with batteries and chargers............................................ 66 Servicing: Everything you need to service your customers’ vehicles................................. 78 Future Auto Innovations: Preparing for a quantum leap................................................... 90 Trade Talk: Peter Rogers: Returning to his roots........................................................... 92 Workshop: Oscilloscopes: the x-ray machine for your customer’s car............................... 94

Publisher Cameron McLachlan for The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association ABN 23 002 271 454

CAB Audited

Suite 16, Building 3, 195 Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355

Official publication of the AAAA

Email: info@aaaa.com.au Website: www.aaaa.com.au EDITOR Allan Edwards

EDITORIAL Tel 61 3 9372 9125

PRODUCTION MANAGER Brigid Fraser, Tel 61 3 9505 0121

ADVERTISING Tel 61 3 9545 3333

PUBLISHER Cameron McLachlan

All material appearing in Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Contribution: Freelance contribution and submissions are welcomed by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and transparencies. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the AAAA. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

AAAA NEWS

AUTOCARE 2020 LAUNCHED

NEW MEMBERS Boundary Street Automotive 127 Boundary Street RAILWAY ESTATE QLD 4810 Ph: 07 4724 3302 E: thomas@boundarystauto.com.au

The AAAA-hosted National Convention will be held in Brisbane across two days Following the success of the inaugural event held in 2018, the Australia Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has officially launched Autocare 2020. The two-day event for aftermarket parts, service and repair professionals, mechanical workshops and product manufacturers and suppliers will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre across 19-20 June, 2020. Twenty-three percent of Australia’s mechanical repair workshops (independents and chains) are based in Queensland with around 5,000 of these businesses based in South East Queensland alone. “As there has not been an event of this size and scale run for the mechanical workshop sector in Queensland we anticipate strong support for Autocare 2020 from local mechanical repair businesses,” AAAA Chairman, Graham Scudamore-Smith, said. “In addition Queensland is home to a massive 4WD parts and accessory industry and this rapidly growing segment will also be a major focus of the Convention.” The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s purpose-built facilities are conveniently located in downtown Brisbane, offering easy access to all forms of transport.

Chief Products 11 Shetland Place MUDGEERABA QLD 4213 Ph: 07 5522 7340 E: ben@chiefproducts.com.au Hunter Automotive Solutions 1517 Elderslie Road MITCHELLS FLAT NSW 2330 Ph: 0427 721 361 E: jasonhunter1517@gmail.com IKA Germany - Automotive & Industrial Parts 84/ 168-174 Moore Road KEWARRA BEACH QLD 4879 Ph: 0408 613 969 E: R.Brunger@ika-germany.de Reimers One Stop Auto & Tyre Shop 1-13 Brickworks Lane SOUTH GRAFTON NSW 2460 Ph: 02 6643 5079 E: Info@reimers.com.au

international speakers, the education-led Autocare 2020 will cover a range of topics that matter to the future of all in the automotive industry,” Graham said. “Autocare 2020 will also provide industry suppliers with an unrivalled business development opportunity in the large and important Queensland market, allowing participants to network and promote their latest products to a highly targeted audience.”

“With a range of world class Australian and For more information, visit www.autocare.org.au

Underwood Auto Repairs 2/4 Kenway Drive UNDERWOOD QLD 4119 Ph: 07 3290 1110 E: info@underwoodauto.com

AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) Fulcrum Suspensions Ph: 07 3892 9000 DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Ph: 03 9706 3500

Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer

SECRETARY Guy Nicholls (VIC) Repco Ph: 03 9566 5444

DIRECTORS Adam Pay (NSW) Kmart Tyre & Auto Service Ph: 02 9680 6500

Peter Rogers (SA) Inspired Automotive Marketing Ph: 08 8362 1225 COMMITTEE

John Benson (VIC), Davies, Craig Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9369 1234

Janelle Gonzalez (NSW), Blue Toro Ph: 1300 258 386

Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Ph: 03 9566 5223

Craig Magill (VIC), Burson Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9914 5555

Nikki Gerling (VIC), Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9541 3919

Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Ph: 03 9581 9407

Graham Scudamore-Smith Chairman

AAAA NEWS

WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS We spend a lot of time at AAAA working on vehicle and product regulations It doesn’t sound like a particularly important or even glamourous part of the job, but for our product manufacturers, distributors, retailers and vehicle modifiers – it can be the most important thing that we do. Last year, our phones ran hot with complaints from NSW about tradies that were pulled off the road and fined for vehicles with H-Racks (sometimes called ladder or tradie racks). These drivers were not fitting home-made racks, they were professionally designed and manufactured by our members as safe and fit-forpurpose, but one particular enforcement officer in one region in NSW presumably woke up one morning and decided that these products are not legal in NSW. What was the reason given? That they were not part of the original design of the vehicle. The rationale here is that if the designers of these Utes felt that they needed a H-Rack, they would have put one on in the first place. Sounds a little crazy doesn’t it? And yet the fall out for our members was devastating. Local businesses stopped fitting the products and our members that make these products were concerned about their future.

Parliament – whomever we decide is the best way in – and then we start the process of what we hope is logical, sensible, rational discussion. It’s not easy – some of what we encounter is a bias against the aftermarket and sometimes the regulators are of the view that the vehicle, when it left the assembly plant, is perfect in all circumstances and should not be modified. We can normally work around these poorly informed views, but it takes a little time and a lot of strategy. We believe in good regulations. We don’t want people making their own bull bars – please don’t do that! We also don’t support homemade H-Racks. Our products meet Australian Standards where these exist; our manufacturers design, develop and test products for safety; we are the good guys – we make cars safe, and fit for purpose and we do this responsibly. Now – you and I know that, but government takes some convincing and a lot of evidence and persistence on our behalf.

This is a familiar story for us – our reactive work is at least 50 percent of our advocacy efforts. We get a call about some Police action, then we get another 100 calls, and check social media. That’s when we find out that, without consultation, an enforcement agency has decided the time has come to ‘clamp down’ on an activity that they deem to be outside of the regulations. In the majority of these ill-informed actions it is a misreading of the regulations – or in the case of the H-Racks action, no regulations existed either way.

In the past 12 months, we have responded to over a dozen vehicle standard and regulatory issues. The most high profile was the Queensland Government decision to launch ‘Operation Lift’, whilst we were still in negotiation on a possible amendment to the lift regulations to allow a 50mm suspension lift plus a 25 mm tyre lift without an engineer’s certification. We thought discussions were going well, until the phone rang hot one morning and we put together what we call an ‘escalated’ strategy to tackle this issue head on. One million Facebook hits later and we had a reversal of their opposition to a combined 75mm lift. I say this not to criticise the Queensland Government – indeed we now enjoy a good relationship with the Queensland Transport Department – but it’s a good illustration of how our week can be hijacked pretty quickly.

This is how a week or a month can get hijacked: we have to meet urgently with a Government department, a Minister, a local Member of

I don’t have room to detail all of our work on vehicle standards and modification regulations but here is a quick list of our work in the past

12 months: Bull Bars (WA), Aftermarket Lights (NSW), Brake Testing (NSW), Gross Vehicle Mass Upgrades (Federal), Jerry Cans (Federal), Recovery Straps (Federal), H-Frames (NSW), Suspension Lift (QLD), Seat Belts and Child Restraints (Federal). How did the H-Frame story end? Well the NSW Roads and Maritime Services issued a new Vehicle Standard for Ladder Racks. A sensible and clearly articulated position that requires that rack and vehicle must be compatible, and a ladder rack should be designed and manufactured for the vehicle model to which it is fitted and the mounting structure must be able to support the fully loaded ladder rack; and the fully loaded ladder rack does not overload the vehicle’s front axle. This is what happens when government articulates clear sensible guidelines in consultation with industry. When we work together the outcome is that the industry can responsibly produce and fit these components, and consumers can confidently purchase and use these products. Crisis over – everyone wins. With thanks to Lesley Yates, AAAA Senior Manager, Government Relations and Advocacy

GRAHAM SCUDAMORE-SMITH President

STUART CHARITY Executive Director 5

NEWS

CALENDAR 2019 AAPEX Sands Expo, Las Vegas, NV 5 - 7 November 2019 www.aapexshow.com

SEMA Las Vegas Convention Center 5 – 8 November 2019 www.semashow.com

Automechanika Shanghai National Exhibition & Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai 3 – 6 December 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 12 – 14 December 2019 www.performanceracing.com

2020 Taipei AMPA Teipei Nangang Exhibitor Center 15 – 18 April 2020 www.taipeiampa.com.tw/

Automechanika Dubai Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre 7 - 9 June 2020 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

Autocare 2020 Brisbane Exhibition & Conventions Centre 19 – 20 June 2020 www.autocare.org.au

Automechanika Frankfurt Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, Germany 8 - 12 September 2020 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com 6

AUTOMECHANIKA DUBAI CONTINUES TO GROW The three day event featured 1,880 exhibitors from 63 countries and 32,414 visitors from 146 countries Steady growth in both exhibitor and visitor numbers at Automechanika Dubai 2019 underlined a successful conclusion to the Middle East and Africa’s (MEA) largest automotive aftermarket trade fair recently. The 17th edition of the annual showcase, which took place from 10-12 June at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, registered a four percent year-on-year increase in exhibitors in 2019, with 1,880 exhibitors from 63 countries on-board. Amongst the exhibitors were a number of AAAA members, including TJM, Tough Gear Trading (including Airbag Man, Tough Dog Suspension, Dwizz and Torqit), Disc Brakes Australia, Dobinsons, Tred 4x4, ACL/SGF Asia Pacific, and Ozcharge (Zylux) who all participated in the Australian Pavilion as well as ARB, Mercury PM, Superpro, and IDrive who also exhibited as part of the show. Pre-audited visitor and trade buyer numbers from the event’s organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East came in at 32,414 from 146 countries, nearly two percent up on the previous year. Automechanika Dubai 2019 covered the six major product sections of Parts & Components and Electronics & Systems (1,181 exhibitors); Accessories & Customising (246 exhibitors); Tyres & Batteries (226 exhibitors); Repair & Maintenance (155 exhibitors); and Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning (72 exhibitors). Messe Frankfurt Middle East also added the four new sub-categories of Agricultural Parts & Equipment; Body & Paint; Motorcycle Competence; and Oils & Lubricants. The move was designed to make it easier for the tens of thousands of visitors to navigate the vast 63,300sqm expanse of exhibition space.

With 23 country pavilions and 34 international trade associations, and a buzzing Innovation Zone providing informative insights to the auto aftermarket’s future, Automechanika Dubai doubled down on its globally renowned reputation as the gateway to the vast MEA market and beyond. “The last 12 months have been challenging, but we worked tirelessly to deliver another successful show, where the entire global automotive aftermarket community converged to share knowledge and expand their business networks not only in the MEA, but also the subcontinent and CIS,” Automechanika Dubai Show Director, Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, said. “Dubai’s central location between manufacturing countries from the East, Europe, and the Americas, coupled with its reputation as an Emirate that allows access for traders and aftermarket professionals from throughout the wider region means Automechanika Dubai can attract the kind of buyers that no other aftermarket trade fair can.” The 18th edition of Automechanika Dubai will take place from 7-9 June 2020 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information, visit www.automechanikadubai.com

NEWS

OAM AWARD FOR CAPRICORN CEO Greg Wall has received the Order of Australia award for services to business and the community Australasia’s largest automotive co-operative, Capricorn, together with the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM), warmly congratulates outgoing Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Wall on receiving the honoured Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Award for his significant service to business and the community. Along with having led Capricorn to record high levels of business success over the past eight years as the cooperative’s first ever Group Chief Executive Officer, Greg is also a Director and founding Chairman of the BCCM. Greg has been involved with co-operative and mutual businesses throughout his working career which spans almost four decades, leading the sector’s most significant period of resurgence. Aligned with Greg’s outstanding leadership of Capricorn, which included a complete restructure of all areas of Capricorn’s business, he has also been pivotal in the growth and success of the BCCM. Some of his extensive achievements include establishing the first national forum for the Chairs of Australia’s top co-operative firms; advocating

for the highest governance standards in business; chairing the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives Secretariat in 2012; presenting at the United Nations in New York for the launch of the International Year of Co-operatives; and founding Australia’s national peak body for the sector - the BCCM. Greg is also recognised internationally as the first Australian to be elected to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the peak global body representing co-operatives and mutuals worldwide. With members from more than 95 countries, in 2013 Greg was the first Australian to be elected to the board of the ICA in its 120-year history. He has also been appointed to the board of Dot Coop Ltd (the internet domain for co-operatives worldwide) and has joined the leadership circle of the ICA. According to Capricorn’s new Group Chief Executive Officer (effective July 1), David Fraser, this is a deserving accolade for a truly outstanding individual. “To say that we are incredibly proud to have our Group CEO of the past eight years receive a

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Award is an understatement,” David said. “Greg has been at the helm of not only the Capricorn business during several years of unprecedented growth, but he has also been a relentless champion for both the Australian and the global co-operative movement. “I couldn’t think of a more fitting way for all involved to show their appreciation for his dedication and enthusiasm than this.” For more from Capricorn, visit www.capricorn.coop

REPCO HOBART CELEBRATED BY TACC The business was recognised as Tasmania’s 2019 Aftermarket & Retailer of the Year The Repco store in Hobart was, once again, awarded the Aftermarket & Retailer of the Year Award at the 2019 Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (TACC) Castrol Motor Industry Gala, held on the evening of Saturday 25 May at the iconic Wrest Point Casino in Sandy Bay. The TACC Castrol Motor Industry Awards event was established in 2005 to formally recognise the many excellent automotive businesses in Tasmania who provide exceptional service to their customers, staff and local community. “Repco Hobart is delighted to be the recipient of this award. Actually, we’ve won it for five of the past six years. It is the premiere Aftermarket parts award in Tasmania and hotly contested by the industry. We’re honoured to be recognised in this way”, Repco Area Manager (Vic/Tas), Dean Downham, said. “We pride ourselves on successful non-financial factors such as safety and team training. We are really pleased that the TACC consider these

aspects just as important as the traditional ones. We are looking forward to contesting this award again next year and hope to achieve further success as we advance our Connectivity and European Parts offerings throughout the year.” TACC General Manager, Malcolm Little, said “the TACC Castrol Motor Industry Awards clearly demonstrate member dedication to quality and passion for the automotive industry. Winners of the TACC Castrol Motor Industry Awards really are the best in the Tasmanian automotive industry.” Awards across 13 categories were presented throughout the evening including: achievement in body repair; aftermarket and retailing; automotive specialisation; new and used car dealer; engine reconditioning; towing; motorcycle dealer; small and large mechanical repair; tyre dealer; auto electrics; and underbody repair. “TACC was overwhelmed by the number of entries received from businesses all over the state. Judging was not an easy task, as all applications were of such a high quality. It’s fantastic to

TACC’s Malcolm Little (left) with Repco Hobart Store Manager, Bret Snare. see members wanting to share their stories and successes. Each entry was evaluated based on the business’s approach to customer service, professional development, industry improvement, and environmental and occupational health and safety, to ensure that only the best of the best would be declared as winners,” Malcolm said. For more information, go to www.vacc.com.au/TACC 7

NEWS

PEDDERS PREACHES THE IMPACTS OF WEIGHT AT ‘SANDOWN SAFETY WEEK’ The company hosted the May event at Sandown Raceway The 20-24 May ‘Sandown Safety Week’ event hosted by Pedders Suspension and Brakes at Sandown Raceway was designed to demonstrate how added weight affects vehicle dynamics. The event gave a variety of industry and media participants, as well as Pedders staff, the opportunity to participate in a number of driving experiences which provided valuable first-hand experience on how increases to a vehicle’s weight through added load affects handling and braking. Importantly, the tests also revealed how equipping vehicle’s with fit-for-purpose aftermarket suspension and brake components can greatly mitigate the negative affect added weight has on vehicle performance and safety, says Pedders. For each test, three specifications of the same vehicle were used. A standard vehicle with no modifications, a standard vehicle with ballast loading it to within 400 kilograms of its GVM

rating, and a vehicle also loaded to within 400 kilograms of its GVM rating but fitted with a Pedders GVM+ kit. There were five tests in total, and each was designed to simulate typical driving scenarios at various stations around the Sandown Raceway: 1. The Emergency Braking Test had participants performing an emergency brake from 60km/h to a complete stop in a straight line. 2. The Slalom Stability Test required participants to navigate a series of traffic cones while keeping at a constant 60 km/h velocity. 3. The Double Lane Change Test involved drivers entering an emergency brake and swerve manoeuvre to avoid an imaginary obstacle, followed by a second manoeuvre to return to their original lane. 4. The Corner Brake Test was similar to the Emergency Brake test with the exception that the drivers had to continue to navigate a

corner with the brakes applied while holding their line. 5. Finally, the Rough Track Test took place over a corrugated, unsealed patch of road that simulated mild off-road driving, with the drivers required to keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line. In all the tests, Pedders says the laden Pedders equipped vehicles demonstrated superior handling, steering and braking characteristics compared to their OE counterparts carrying the same load. In addition to reduced braking distances, less body roll and greater stability being evident by those drivers in the Pedders vehicle, the physical input needed to keep the vehicle controlled was also significantly less, ensuring it was easier for the drivers to maintain control of the vehicle. For a full run-down of how the different vehicles behaved in the tests, visit www.youtube.com/user/ PeddersSuspension/videos for a detailed video.

MYREP SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES Specialising in the automotive aftermarket myRep Solutions has launched in Queensland and says it offers the automotive aftermarket a fresh approach to sales representation. Sales outsourcing is common internationally and has gained popularity here in Australia in the food and hardware industries, however there are a limited number of companies tailoring their services for the specific needs of the automotive aftermarket. myRep Solutions founder Jason Marshall states he has ambitious plans for the business with future expansion into other states and industry sectors. Whether you are a start-up looking to get established or a large multinational looking to reduce overheads, myRep Solutions says it can offer great benefits including: 8

• Sales representation at a fraction of the cost. • Fast results – within months myRep says it will be opening new accounts, growing old accounts, selling through the range and increasing your brand awareness. • Simple terms with no lock in contracts. Jason has a long history in the automotive and auto electrical sector with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He started out as a mechanic, established Autodata here in Australia from a home office, was the General Manager at Bainbridge Technologies, assisted to commercialise Direction Plus products and has spent the past two years establishing the Australian operation and distribution network for Betta Batteries Lead Crystal Batteries.

Jason’s Brisbane-based myRep Solutions is a division of War Bonnet Pty Ltd, first founded in 2012. Primarily established for the distribution of Jason’s technical book “The Recreational Power Guide” it has now diversified to include sales consulting and sales outsourcing. For more information, contact Jason directly on 0466 406 200 or visit www.myrep.com.au

NEWS

AUTOMATE TRAINING LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH NEW GLOBAL PARENT

The online training start-up has been acquired by Solera-Autodata In a good news story for Aussie ingenuity making its mark on the international stage, a pioneering start-up in the automotive aftermarket looks set for a very bright future under a new, influential global parent. AutoMate Training, founded by former technician and trainer Jonathan Sampson, has been acquired by Autodata Publishing Group Ltd, a Solera Holdings company and a global leader in automotive technical information. Started and based in Sydney, Australia, AutoMate explains it has rapidly expanded over the last five years to become a true “industry pioneer,” offering online, video-based training to automotive professionals and workshops in more than 60 countries. Jonathan, commenting on the acquisition, said he started AutoMate because he wanted to address the widening gap between fast-changing technology, and the ability for technicians to stay up to date. “Effective training impacts directly on a workshop’s efficiency and productivity,” Jonathan said. “It also future proofs technicians for tomorrow’s changes, so it is the most significant challenge the industry faces today.” Having started his career in the early 1990s as a Test Technician at the Ford Proving Grounds, Jonathan spent more than 25 years immersed in the Australian automotive industry. During that time, he developed a particular interest in the evolution of training methods, as the automotive sector began a new era of disruption and change. His passion for education and experience working

for OEMs and aftermarket firms helped Jonathan shape a new vision for automotive technical training: a video-based, online subscription service, which would allow automotive professionals to train more easily, cost-effectively and efficiently. To realise this vision, Jonathan assembled a small team of professional automotive trainers, as well as 3D animators from the medical and television industries. Together, they built up a library of high-quality training videos, each featuring “cutting-edge” graphics and demonstrations on real vehicles. Today, the library has more than 400 videos, covering everything from automotive fundamentals to the latest automotive technology. Jonathan says he believes the key to AutoMate’s success is that the videos are short, sharp and clear, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. “Using AutoMate, technicians and workshops can turn down time into training time,” Jonathan said. Having spent the last five years establishing an international base of subscribers, AutoMate is now ready to begin a new phase of accelerated growth under Autodata, and its parent, Solera Holdings. Jonathan says joining the Solera family is a logical and exciting next step on AutoMate’s strategic journey. “Our online training expertise, combined with Autodata’s highly advanced diagnostic and repair data, promises to deliver new and existing

customers a compelling suite of products for the automotive technician,” Jonathan said. AutoMate and Autodata are both trusted and valued information service providers to more than eighty five thousand automotive workshops across the world, as well as corporate clients in the automotive service, maintenance and repair (“SMR”) industry. Autodata itself is recognised as a go-to automotive data solution for workshops with many countries seeing eight in ten workshops choosing Autodata to meet their service, maintenance and diagnostics needs. Rod Williams, Managing Director of Autodata, said that AutoMate’s innovative solutions and strong management team provide immediate value with Solera. “Together we provide immense value to Solera’s 400,000+ SMR users, enabling us to further capitalise on the opportunity to support both our existing users and beyond with AutoMate’s solutions,” Rod said. For Jonathan, the acquisition is a vote of confidence in his initial vision. “It is a milestone for AutoMate and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and all of their hard work,” Jonathan said. “AutoMate has a very bright future ahead of it as part of the Solera-Autodata family.” For more information, please visit www.automatetraining.com, www.autodata-group.com or www.solera.com 9

NEWS

POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING When car manufacturers ceased vehicle production in Australia the automotive manufacturing sector had to recalibrate, but positive signs are emerging Although overall revenue and employment numbers are down from 2015 figures, business sentiment is positive; with reinvention, new ventures and innovation driving an increase in the number of Australian manufacturing businesses. Research commissioned by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) with ACA Research has revealed a total of 300 automotive manufacturing companies operating in Australia, up from 260 in 2015. The increase is an encouraging sign and is a combination of OEM parts suppliers being able to pivot and diversify into other markets and skilled workers previously employed by vehicle manufacturers starting new ventures in more specialised or niche areas. In 2019, the Australian automotive manufacturing sector employs nearly 10,000 workers and has a combined annual revenue of $4 billion which predominantly comes from direct sales to consumers and trade, or sales to wholesalers and retailers. With the popularity of the 4WD market in

Australia and overseas, it is unsurprising that 86 percent of businesses are engaged in this market. Diversification is widespread however, with businesses most commonly producing parts for four types of vehicles - 4WDs, passenger vehicles, light commercial and performance vehicles. While Australia remains the core customer base for most manufacturers, 70 percent are exporting overseas. The combined export revenue within the sector currently sits at $640 million, with the USA remaining the key export market, ahead of Europe, New Zealand and the Middle East. Export markets remain a key area for growth potential to the sector, however external economic issues such as the fluctuating dollar, general economic conditions, plus rising power and fuel costs are the greatest challenges to medium term industry growth. To mitigate these factors, investment in new technology, R&D and skills building are the main drivers for business development. And with nearly all manufacturing businesses forecasting revenue growth and the volume of exports to increase over the next 12 months, signs are positive.

“It has been a challenging time for us following Ford, Holden and Toyota leaving Australia. But this landmark research has now shed important light on the steady growth in the number of companies and the increase in product innovation in our industry,” AAAA Senior Manager – Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, said. “We are still here and we are encouraged by the increase in exports and business confidence. These findings are a catalyst for further optimism and growth within automotive manufacturing.” For more from the AAAA and ACA Research, go to www.aaaa.com.au and www.acaresearch.com.au

NEW ROLE FOR GUY NICHOLLS The well-respected senior executive has been appointed as Repco’s new General Manager for the Southern Zone After resigning from his long-held tenure at Ryco, AAAA Board Member Guy Nicholls has been announced as the new General Manager, Southern Zone for GPC Asia Pacific’s Repco business, commencing from the 2nd of August 2019.

team have had many achievements, including being awarded ‘2018 Supplier of the Year’ by Repco, Burson and Supercheap Auto. They also successfully acquired and integrated Innovative Mechatronics, AA Gaskets and Disc Brakes Australia into their business.

In his new role, Guy will be responsible for 1,000 team members across nearly 100 stores. He replaces Ross Kusters, who has moved into a General Manager National Operations role.

When asked about his decision to join Repco, Guy was nothing short of enthusiastic and proud.

After starting his career as an apprentice mechanic, Guy joined the aftermarket in 1995 where his association as a supplier to Repco commenced. Over the past 24 years Guy progressed through Federal Mogul, Motospecs and then Disc Brakes Australia before settling in at Ryco in 2008. Over this time, Guy has developed deep relationships with many individuals at Repco and GPC Asia Pacific from Store Team Members to the Chief Executive Officer of GPC Asia Pacific. Guy became the Chief Executive Officer of Ryco Group in 2015 and in this time, he and his 10

“I am very pleased and excited to be taking on this new role with GPC Asia Pacific and Repco,” Guy said. “I have a strong background in trade and I am looking forward to growing my experience in the retail side of the business through the management of around 100 Repco dual-format (trade and retail) stores while being accountable for more than three times as many team members as I have been previously. “A big reason why I chose this role is the vibe of Genuine Parts Company. It is growing both domestically and internationally, it has a great healthy culture, strong values and a fantastic

team of people which is only set to be bolstered further in the future. “As a global company, I am also looking forward to the exposure this role will bring for me within the global marketplace. Starting out as a mechanic by trade and working my way through the industry from Sales Rep to State Manager through to divisional Chief Executive Officer of a public company, this is a step in a different direction for me and one which I am very excited about.” For more on GPC Asia Pacific and Repco, visit www.gpcasiapac.com and www.repco.com.au

NEWS

AUTOPROMOTEC 2019 CROSSES THE FINISH LINE The 28th edition of the show was held across 22-26 May in Bologna Autopromotec, the biennial international Aftermarket exhibition of automotive equipment, brought together the entire vehicle assistance sector in Bologna in a five-day event in May. The exhibition is dedicated to recent market developments, technological innovation, specialisation and professional training. 1,676 companies chose the event as a showcase to present their products and services, with a 4.4 percent increase in the number of participating companies compared to the previous edition, in 2017. Of these, the share of foreign companies was 43 percent, for a total of 53 countries represented. The event, which took place throughout 17 exhibition Halls and five outdoor areas, with a total exhibition area of 162,000 m2, attracted 119,108 professional operators, up by 4.85 percent compared to 2017, who had the

opportunity to meet specialist companies from all sub-sectors of the Aftermarket. Autopromotec organisers say it demonstrated its increasingly global outlook with an 18 percent share of foreign professionals and the presence of more than 100 delegates from 32 countries. Buyers and institutional operators were the protagonists of 629 B2B meetings with Italian exhibitors, organised as part of a plan to promote Autopromotec as well as the entire automotive aftermarket chain internationally, the result of an on-going collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Region and ICE (Italian Trade Agency). The event also witnessed a strong increase in digital activity: in the first five months of 2019, the Autopromotec website recorded 234,868 single visitors (+28.3 percent compared to the same period in 2017), for a total of 2,476,314 pages viewed (+25 percent compared to the

same period in 2017). Organisers also say the number of users who followed the 2019 edition of Autopromotec live, interacting actively on social profiles, was also remarkable. The 2019 edition of Autopromotec attracted a wide audience of professionals and enthusiasts thanks to special initiatives such as the “Hybrid & ADAS Village;” “Autopromotec Motorsport”, an initiative sponsored by ACI Sport and ANFIA-Motorsport celebrating the relationship between aftermarket firms and the motorsport sector; while the “Officina X.0” project, developed in collaboration with Accenture, highlighted the role of digitisation and connectivity in tomorrow’s workshops. The 29th edition of Autopromotec will be held from the 26th to the 30th of May 2021 at the Bologna fair-grounds. For more information, visit www.autopromotec.com

COOLDRIVE EXPANDS INTO TRAINING WITH BOSCH The single-day CoolDrive courses are being offered across Australia and New Zealand CoolDrive Auto Parts is now offering specialised Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Systems training courses. The architecture and operating systems of hybrid and electric vehicles are significantly different from those of the more traditional petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles, and as a result, working with them requires a thorough understanding of the necessary safety measures. CoolDrive says its training course provides that knowledge and expertise. “We have partnered with Bosch Training to offer exclusive training packages that allow repairers to educate themselves on working with high voltage vehicles which, if done incorrectly, can be very dangerous, potentially even fatal,” CoolDrive Category Manager – Rotating Electrical, David Haley, said. “Buyers in the Australasian market are steadily moving towards buying even greater numbers of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the earliest of these models have now been on our roads for a decade.

“That means that, increasingly, workshops are having to conduct servicing and repairs, and in these types of vehicles which call for expert knowledge, the need arises for specialised training.” Conducted in conjunction with Bosch, the single-day CoolDrive courses are being offered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland and Christchurch. Each course covers hybrid and electric vehicle design principles, components and structures, battery technology, drivelines and e-machines, and vehicle and personal safety precautions. These new training courses complement CoolDrive’s recent introduction of a new range of specialised hybrid and electric vehicle spare parts, tools, equipment and workshop apparel. Over 180 related spare parts and 25 different tools and chargers are now stocked by CoolDrive including the Bosch FSA 050 Tester for insulation testing, the Tolsen range of 1000V AC-rated insulated screwdrivers and gloves, plus

safety glasses, IEC60900-complied spanners and ratchets, and even workshop warning signage. CoolDrive reports its Hybrid and Electric Training Courses began in February and have been wellreceived in the market with a strong uptake. Depending on demand, additional courses will be added to key regional centres. Further information on CoolDrive’s range of hybrid and electric vehicle equipment and parts and the training programmes is available at CoolDrive branches nationwide or at www.cooldrive.com.au 13

NEWS

DRIV IMPRESSES AT TRUCK SHOW DRiV Incorporated showed its heavy-duty product range at the Brisbane Truck Show Staged at the new Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre across May 16-19, the Brisbane Truck Show marked the second major Australian automotive aftermarket trade fair to feature the new global DRiV brand and its heavy-duty premium quality automotive product portfolio including the Monroe, FP Diesel, MOOG, Champion, Ferodo, Beral, Abex and National brands. The event was also the perfect launching pad for the new Monroe heavy-duty product catalogue which was distributed to customers who visited the DRiV stand. The Brisbane Truck Show was staged by Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), the national association representing and advancing the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of heavy vehicles and their components, equipment and technology.

TYREPOWER TOPS TYRE RETAILERS IN CANSTAR BLUE RATINGS Tyrepower has blitzed the Canstar Blue satisfaction ratings for tyre retailers in 2019 In an annual review of Australian motorists conducted by Canstar Blue, Tyrepower has received a top score of five stars across the categories of customer service, value for money, range of tyres, quality of tyres, advice provided by staff, and the highly sought after overall satisfaction category. Canstar Blue’s review seeks to identify the most favourable tyre retailer in the market, assisting potential and future customers to make an informed decision. Tyrepower has enjoyed remarkable success in Canstar Blue’s annual reviews and the 2019 results mark an impressive six consecutive years of topping the charts in customer service. “The Australian tyre market is extremely competitive and being rated as the top tyre retailer by Australian motorists is a fantastic endorsement of our company and the service our Dealer Network provides,” Tyrepower National General Manager, Simon Bateman, said. “We are extremely proud to have won the

very prestigious Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers award. It is an absolute credit to our dedicated Tyrepower Dealers and all their hard work and commitment.” Tyrepower says the results recognise its efforts to do more than just sell customers new tyres, with its extensive Dealer Network able to provide assistance and advice about the best options for customers’ specific needs. For more information, visit www.tyrepower.com.au

COOLDRIVE MANAGEMENT CHANGES CoolDrive Auto Parts has announced two key senior appointments in a management restructure

The major four-day event was the most comprehensive showcase of trucks, trailers, components, equipment, accessories and technology in Australia. Approximately forty thousand visitors took part in the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show including fleet executives and purchasing managers from industries including road transport, agriculture, retail, mining, construction, infrastructure, services, trades and local government. The 2019 Brisbane Truck Show displayed the outstanding capabilities and capacity of the Australian heavy vehicle industry, joined by world leading automotive component manufacturing companies and brands. This year’s show also featured dynamic and interactive tools and displays, demonstrations and information. For more information, visit www.driv.com 14

Reflective of its position as one of Australia’s largest suppliers of automotive aftermarket parts to the trade, CoolDrive has confirmed these latest changes to its management team. Former General Manager of Marketing, Tim Blanchard, has moved north from CoolDrive’s Melbourne headquarters to take up the role of Queensland and Northern Territory Regional Manager, based out of Brisbane. In this new role, Tim will oversee sales and operations at CoolDrive’s 10 branches in the region, to further enhance his existing knowledge and hands-on experience within the familyowned business. Karolina Micallef has been promoted to General Manager of Marketing, having been CoolDrive’s Marketing Manager since November 2017. In her newly-appointed role within the senior management team, Karolina heads the marketing team and strategy for the CoolDrive business across Australia and New Zealand, utilising her 19 years of marketing experience, which includes almost a decade in the Australian automotive aftermarket.

“Strengthening our management team and giving them a diversity of experiences across the business is very important as we continue to grow,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer, John Blanchard, said. “There are so many facets of our operations these days that we need our senior managers to have hands-on experience, so that they can understand the bigger picture and can contribute across everything we do. “Tim and Karolina’s personal values strongly align with CoolDrive’s value pillars of Passion, Knowledge and Relationships. “They are both proven performers within the business and we are confident they will both succeed in their new roles.” For further information on CoolDrive, please visit www.cooldrive.com.au

NEWS

ASHDOWN-INGRAM, COVS, NAPA APPOINTED AUSTRALIAN REDDOT DISTRIBUTORSHIP Australia’s largest specialist automotive electrical and thermal parts distributor has been awarded Master Distributor status for RedDOT heavy duty thermal products This Master Distributor status means AshdownIngram, Covs and NAPA Auto Parts are now the primary destination for Australia’s leading heavy duty automotive electricians and thermal specialists to purchase RedDOT’s “marketleading” products.

Ashdown-Ingram says it is known widely as the home of leading brands because of its relationship with so many of the world’s leading brands. Having been a partner with RedDOT for many years, it says this is a very exciting opportunity for the two companies.

Ashdown-Ingram Business Manager - Thermal Control, David Ellis, is very pleased with the appointment.

Covs is a trusted supplier of automotive spare parts in Western Australia, and has also been supplying RedDOT in the West for a number of years.

“It means we can better service our heavy duty and Industrial customers with a wider range of RedDOT products from over 50 well known locations across the country,” David said.

The increased level of products, greater availability and potential for customisation means heavy industrial thermal specialists can best adapt market leading cooling technology to their fleet, vehicles and equipment. RedDOT’s range of industrial HVAC units for transport and heavy machinery is said to be unparalleled in the market.

“This level of relationship is testament to our strong partnership with RedDOT; it is something we’ve been working hard to continue, knowing that RedDOT products are so highly sought after and trusted by heavy duty auto electricians and thermal specialists.”

With units developed for Trucking, Agriculture, Industrial and Construction applications, the company says each RedDOT thermal solution

is built to last in our rugged and demanding environment. Not only does RedDOT design and manufacture complete HVAC units and kits for rooftops, trailers and cabins, it is also a full line distributor of condensers, compressors, filters, thermostats, switches and fans as replacement parts for OE units. For more information about the RedDOT units available for your business, please contact your local Ashdown-Ingram, Covs or NAPA Auto Parts branch or visit www.ashdown-ingram.com.au/RedDOT

DAYCO PLAYS ITS PART IN ENGINE AWARDS Power transmission specialist features in multiple categories Dayco states it is a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries with close relationships forged with the research and development departments of many of Europe’s major vehicle manufacturers (VMs). It says these relationships are clearly evident in the latest International Engine of the Year Awards, presented by Engine Technology International Magazine. Ford’s innovative, multiple award-winning, 999cc three-cylinder turbo, which features in models such as the Fiesta, Focus, C-Max and Mondeo, was again crowned winner of the Sub 150PS category, while the VW 2.0-litre fourcylinder TFSI unit, used in a wide range of Volkswagen Auto Group (VAG) vehicles, topped the 150PS to 250PS classification. Dayco supplies the entire primary drive system, which incorporates its groundbreaking BIO (Belt-In-Oil) system, for the Ford unit and the timing / water pump belt for the VW engine, which Dayco says emphasises its extraordinary technical capabilities and manufacturing capacity. The awards, which are judged by more than 70 of the most respected motoring journalists from around the world, are held in high regard by the VMs and the wider industry alike, says Dayco. For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com.au 15

NEWS

TO THE NEXT LEVEL Bendix has taken its brake educational poster to the next level Following on from the extraordinary training poster developed by Bendix to provide a deeper understanding on how the braking system works, the leading supplier says it has now taken the concept to the next level. A visit to the Bendix website now reveals a full 3D version of the Bendix Brake System Guide which gives the user a full 360º viewing of the whole system. This is further enhanced with up to twelve key components activated at the click of a button which can then be rotated 360º to provide a complete view of the component, providing an even deeper understanding of its role within the overall brake system. The components highlighted include the rear caliper, rear hub assembly, rear park brake, handbrake, rear disc rotor, pedal and master cylinder, front hub assembly, front disc rotor, front brake pad, front caliper, ABS sensor and ABS module.

STEFANIE FISCHER JOINS LOCAL ZF LEADERSHIP TEAM Stefanie was awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ in 2018 ZF Services Australia is pleased to announce the inclusion of Marketing and Communications Manager, Stefanie Fischer, to the Oceania Leadership Team. Stefanie, who also holds the concurrent role of Regional Head of Communications AP Aftermarket, joined the ZF Services Australia team in 2014 to head up the marketing department, and has held related roles across the business since then. Stefanie joins Managing Director Mark Lowe, Chief Financial Officer Martin McKinley, Head of IAM Oceania Darren Leyshon, Head of OES Oceania Gary Bain and Technical Services Manager Shane Trenbath on the ZF Services Australia Leadership Team. “Stefanie has been a tremendous contributor to our business over many years, including being an integral member of the recent head office relocation team, and we are very pleased to announce her joining the Leadership Team,” Mark Lowe said.

“Her passion for ZF Services Australia and the LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, and TRW brands is refreshing, and I know our business will benefit greatly from her enthusiasm, dedication and insights while on the Leadership team.” Stefanie came to ZF Services Australia with a strong marketing agency background in her native Germany and here in Australia, in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors. Her current role encompasses responsibility for the planning, development, coordination, control and delivery of all marketing and promotional strategies and activities across the company. As part of her Leadership role, Stefanie will also be heavily involved in business strategy and planning. For more from ZF, visit www.zf.com/au

GATES AUSTRALIA RECOGNISED BY REPCO Gates Australia was celebrated as part of the recent Repco ‘Hall of Fame’ Dinner and Awards Night

There is a close up image and also an explanation against each component or part on its function and how it works. As with the poster, Bendix says the 3D version uses superb high resolution photography to great effect resulting in an amazing fully interactive training video that “will be a valuable training tool for TAFE training colleges and a wonderful asset for the trade generally where mechanics can explain to customers in a fully visual way why service work was required on the braking system.” To view the Bendix Brake System Guide, visit www.bendix.com.au and go to ‘How your Brake System Works.’ For further information, visit www.bendix.com.au 16

Gates Australia was awarded the ‘Best Trade Campaign/Promotion’ award for its ‘Honda Grom’ trade promotion at the recent Repco ‘Hall of Fame’ dinner and awards night. Held on Thursday the 9th of May in Melbourne, the awards recognise significant supplier contributions in a number of different categories for the previous 12 months. The Gates ‘Honda Grom’ promotion offered a number of the popular Honda Grom model motorbikes to Repco trade account customers who met a minimum spend on Gates products during the promotion period. The promotion was a huge success boosting sales of Gates products through the Repco trade network, highlighting the attractiveness of this type of prize. Gates Australia reports the ‘Honda Grom’ promotion is one of many successful past trade promotions it has conducted for the Repco trade network. Past promotions have offered exciting prizes and experiences including a one carat diamond, Derby Day and Melbourne

Cup VIP days, music concerts, experiences at sporting events like the Australian Open and more. Gates Australia’s most recent Repco trade promotion sent 10 winners on a money-can’t-buy trip to the Kelly Bros (Rick and Todd Kelly - Supercar team owners) family property near Mildura for a three-day experience. This included a return private jet to Mildura, accommodation at ‘Jack’s Hut’ on the Kelly Bros property, all meals prepared for guests by Rick and Todd themselves and activities like light plane rides over the 63,000 acre property, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riding, clay shooting, tours of the historic property and vineyards and more. For more from Gates Australia, visit www.gates.com

NEWS

DELIVERING TO THE NEEDS OF FEMALE WORKSHOP CUSTOMERS Workshops have traditionally been seen as confronting environments for female customers, with stereotypes suggesting that the customer experience is focused to the male customer base ACA Research says this doesn’t quite add up however with research conducted in 2018, which showed that females are significant decision makers when it comes to vehicle servicing, to the point that almost half of car services were commissioned by women. Additionally, women are more likely than men to be expecting to increase their use of privately-owned vehicles. Whilst these women don’t clock up quite as many miles, they are using their vehicles more frequently than their male counterparts and positioning them very much as the main driver of the household. This clearly shows that the more businesses can get in tune with their female customer base, the more likely they are to reap the rewards. To take this further, ACA Research reports it has looked at it from an automotive workshop perspective, stating that the 2019 AAAA Automotive Workshop Research revealed relevant insights into workshop operator’s perceptions of their female customers. As can be seen below, all three workshop segments were found to be proactively thinking about attracting more women as customers, however increasing their satisfaction is a much higher priority. In either case, recognising their preferences, and optimising their vehicle servicing experience is key in order to attract and retain more women customers going forward.

Q. To what extent do you agree the following are goals for your business? - (% Agree)

This is all well and good, says ACA Research, but what does that mean in practice? Luckily, ACA Research says that when looking at this in tandem with consumer research it conducted in 2018, we can talk to other factors such as choice drivers, servicing costs and satisfaction across generations, to help paint a much clearer picture around what workshops can be doing to better serve their female customer base. At an overall level, female customers are highly satisfied with their service at independent workshops, significantly more so than at car dealerships. However, when we dig a bit deeper and split out satisfaction of females by generation, independent workshops are not delivering quite as well to family groups as they are to older cohorts – this is where the focus needs to be for improvements going forward. To place this in context, there is no denying that younger demographics, particularly Millennials, are a more critical customer base, with demands and expectations higher than they once were. These customers want to feel they are getting value for their money and seamless experiences. The power Q. Thinking about the last time your vehicle was serviced, on a scale of 0-10 how satisfied were you with the work done? (% 9/10)

Q. Thinking about what is important when deciding to take your vehicle for servicing, which of these are the most and least important in determining where you go?

of word of mouth amongst these younger groups has also amplified in recent years alongside the growth of social media platforms. Workshops who put this front of mind in their strategies going forward are likely to be those who win new, but also loyal business. So what are the most important factors of choice for females? How can you win more of them and retain those you already have? Female customers who service their vehicles at independent workshops are placing greater value on trust in the workshop. We should have a think about what ‘trust’ really means for the female customer base, however. Everyone wants to have trust, but females often look for a trust which constitutes safety, reliability, good customer service and honesty, but also a sincere and genuine “relationship.” It is these factors which will act as a catalyst for positive word of mouth, repeat customers and new customers. Again though, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach and there is an increasing need to recognise the wants and needs of female customers across the life stage. What trust means to Empty Nesters is what workshop skill means to SINK/DINKs, and again we see a greater emphasis on cost for younger family groups. Having this knowledge as part of your toolbox, tailoring your choice of language, and ultimately optimising the female customer experience at a generational level will help to create both a more inviting, and lucrative, workshop business. In summary, women are invested in their vehicles and they are savvy about how they want to service them. From the research, we can see that female customers are choosing to service their cars at independent workshops, with usage increasing further amongst females with young families. With these life stage changes bringing substantial cost pressures, and challenges, workshops need to recognise the importance of tailoring their service offer and marketing to females overall, but also across the generational differences of the female customer base.

This column was prepared for AAA Magazine by ACA Research, our partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to your inbox each quarter. For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au 17

COVER FEATURE

CENTURY YUASA BATTERIES: HELPING GROW YOUR BATTERY BUSINESS In the competitive world of motor vehicle batteries, one name is often said to be synonymous with innovation, quality and reliability: Century Yuasa Batteries Century Yuasa Batteries is Australia’s oldest and most recognised battery manufacturer with a proud history of designing and manufacturing batteries in Australia since 1928. “Our reputation for quality and innovation has been refined and demonstrated over many decades,” Century Yuasa Batteries Marketing Manager - Automotive, Andrew Bottoms said. “In this time we have developed the manufacturing expertise and technical know-how to develop a range of batteries better suited to Australia’s extreme climate and harsh conditions. “Our philosophy is about more than just supplying market leading products, we are a complete power solutions specialist. We invest heavily in programs and initiatives to help grow your battery business and ensure you are ideally positioned to meet the demands of the changing marketplace.” When it comes to why you should consider partnering with Century Yuasa Batteries, Andrew says there is a host of reasons.

“With more than 600 employees across Australia and New Zealand, 46 distribution centres and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Century Yuasa delivers the very best in stored energy solutions to over 7000 resellers throughout Australia,” Andrew said. In addition, each battery has been especially designed to satisfy the extreme demands of Australia’s climate and conditions.

Innovation and technology “Century Yuasa invests significantly in research, development and our manufacturing facility to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the marketplace and the next generation of vehicles,” Andrew explained. A recent investment of more than $3 million has been spent on our Queensland manufacturing facility, with a further $6 million investment to further enhance our manufacturing and technical facilities by 2020.

Australian Made since 1928

Extensive product range and market leading brands

Originally founded in 1928, Century Yuasa says it has grown to become the undisputed market leader in the Australian Automotive battery market.

As vehicles become increasingly more complex, incorporating advanced electronics and engine management systems, the needs of the marketplace are ever-changing.

Thanks to its investment into research and development, Century Yuasa says it product range continues to meet these changing requirements. “Our product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of technologically advanced products, designed to satisfy the demands of Australia’s changing car parc,” Andrew said. “We pride ourselves on providing our customers with one of the widest selections of products available, which continue to set new standards in performance whilst delivering what motorists really want: longer life and superior performance.” As the Century brand name continues to be the most widely recognised battery brand in the marketplace, it is also further complemented with some of the world’s leading battery brands including Yuasa and GS Yuasa, says Andrew.

Locally placed products and battery specialists Century Yuasa has the largest battery distribution network in Australia with regional agents, metro distribution centres and state offices strategically

COVER FEATURE

located across Australia, ensuring access to locally held products and battery experts.

Online training program Century Yuasa provides its partners with access to a comprehensive online battery training program. Regularly updated with the latest battery technology, the training program ensures your workshop is powered with the most up-todate information and skills when it comes to batteries.

Battery Finder The Century Batteries website includes a leading interactive battery finder, which pulls information from a large vehicle database, and is designed to efficiently respond to the rapidly changing marketplace demands. The battery finder covers all applications, including car, bus, truck, commercial, heavy equipment, motorcycle, powersports and marine, helping you identify the correct battery required for a specific vehicle.

Managed battery testing program Century says its extensive range of battery testing and diagnostic equipment eliminates the guess work when it comes to battery testing. “The equipment can deliver an on the spot diagnosis of the battery’s state of health and this can lead to increased sales through pre-emptive replacement,” Andrew explained.

National recycling program “At Century Yuasa we are committed to environmental sustainability and believe all scrap batteries should be recycled responsibly,” Andrew said. “Our National Battery Recycling Program provides customer credit for all used batteries collected, and is designed to assist with the storage and collection of used batteries.”

Marketing activities Century Yuasa invests significantly in building brand awareness through advertising, sponsorship

and promotions. The latest initiative has seen Century Batteries partner with Supercars to become the official battery of the Supercars and securing naming rights of the Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint. “Through these activities, Century Batteries has remained the most recognised battery brand in the Australian marketplace,” Andrew said. For more information on Century Yuasa’s extensive range of products and to understand how your business could benefit from becoming a stockist, contact your local Century Yuasa representative on 1300 362 287. 19

PRODUCT R&D

FRAM FILTERS: R&D MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Research, testing and analysis is a major priority for Filpro Automotive Filpro Automotive has re-introduced the world renowned FRAM Filters brand to the Australian automotive aftermarket industry. FRAM Filters have been selected by vehicle manufacturers all over the world to ensure premium quality engine oil, air, fuel and cabin filtration. The company says there are several reasons why FRAM Filters quality stands out from other automotive filtration products. Research, testing and analysis to constantly improve the FRAM Filters range of products is a major priority before any filtration product is manufactured to vehicle manufacturer specifications or for the independent automotive aftermarket, it says. Product testing and analysis forms an integral part of FRAM’s quality management system, underpinning the performance of each and every FRAM Filter product. The company’s sophisticated multi-million dollar test machines and rigs are sourced from Europe, Asia and North America. These are commissioned by FRAM engineers to provide advanced testing capabilities that meet and exceed international standards.

It is far from a re-badging process for the FRAM Filters range of premium quality automotive aftermarket products. Rather, FRAM is said to ensure that: • All incoming raw materials are assessed to ensure that they meet the brand’s specifications and quality standards before production; • Each FRAM Filter product is tested for its performance at different stages of production; and • Research and development is conducted to ensure that demanding vehicle manufacturers’ custom requirements are met, and in most cases, exceeded. FRAM also extensively tests its range against the various International Standards Organisation (ISO) and vehicle manufacturer performance standards which include testing for separation efficiency, dirt holding capacity and resistance to fluid flow. Indeed, those behind FRAM Filters explain the filters surpass the following ISO manufacturing standards: • ISO 2949 - Element integrity • ISO 4548-12 - Filtration efficiency • ISO 19438 - Filtration efficiency • ISO 4548-4 - Hydrostatic burst pressure • ISO 4020 - Pressure impulse fatigue • ISO 4548-5 - Hydraulic pulse durability

• ISO 4548-9 - Inlet and Outlet anti-drain back valve • ISO 4548-2 - Element by-pass valve characteristics • ISO 4548-1 - Resistance to flow • ISO 5011 - Dust holding capacity and efficiency FRAM Filter products also undergo rigorous testing in simulated engine operating conditions to ensure product integrity and performance capabilities meet vehicle manufacturer recommended service intervals.

KEY TYPES OF FRAM FILTRATION PRODUCT TESTING: Filtration efficiency (ISO 4548-12 and ISO 19438) – oil and fuel filters This test simulates extreme engine operating

PRODUCT R&D

conditions, such as those required for high performance and competition engines. It determines the filter’s capacity and efficiency at removing contaminants from the oil or fuel.

Element Bubble Test (ISO 2949) – all filters The element bubble test is a measurement of the filter element’s integrity. It tests that the filter media is not damaged, that there is sufficient adhesive in the end caps and that the filter media joins are correct. In addition, this is a quality check to ensure that the element has been manufactured with the correct grade of filter media. When performing the element bubble test, one side of the filter element is pressurised with air while being submerged in a test liquid until the first bubble is released through the element. The corresponding air pressure is then verified with the relevant specification.

Air Cleaner Restriction / Pressure Drop, Dust Holding Capacity & Efficiency (ISO 5011) – air filters Air borne contaminants such as soot and dust are harmful to the combustion process. Without adequate protection, the air flow sensor can be blocked causing havoc to the engine management system. Of course, dust entering the engine will damage the pistons, rings and liners. A blocked air filter affects the service interval of the filter and also has a considerable impact on engine fuel consumption. This test assesses the overall performance of an air filter to establish its efficiency and filter element dust holding capacity. “The dedication to constant testing, research and product development is pivotal to the long term success that the FRAM Filters brand has gained globally over several decades both in the Original Equipment and automotive aftermarket

sectors,” Filpro Automotive Managing Director – Australasia, Roger Lassen, said. “As is always comprehensively proven to be true, nothing transcends quality. “The only way to ensure product integrity and quality is to constantly engage in testing and development in line with the advances made with automotive vehicle engine technology and performance demands. “This is particularly important when it comes to filtration. “When you select FRAM Filters for your customers’ cars, you are selecting world class replacement filtration products that are at the absolute leading edge of innovation, technology, testing and development.” FRAM Filters are available across Australia from SWD (www.swd.com.au) and ADRAD (www.adrad.com.au) For more information, visit FRAM Filters online at www.framfilters.com.au

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. cameron@aaaa.com.au 21

PRODUCTS

NEW FROM ARNOTT Arnott introduces new Premium Coil Spring Conversion Kit for 2004-2009 Jaguar XJ Series Arnott, an industry leader in aftermarket air suspension products, has introduced a new coil spring conversion kit for the 2004-2009 Jaguar XJ Series (X350 and X358 Chassis). This premium Jaguar suspension conversion kit (C-3270) features high performance Eibach front and rear monotube dampers custom-tuned by Arnott to provide the comfort and handling Jaguar owners expect. The conversion kit also features powder coated steel springs made by Eibach in Germany. The Arnott designed kit is pre-assembled in the USA with CNC machined aluminum upper mounts and lower seats and provides an exact fit for easy installation.

NEW SGF POWER-LINE PERFORMANCE COUPLING To suit Ford BA-FG V8 models SGF has released a high performance Flex coupling which it says offers heavier duty performance than the standard OE replacement version. The SGF Power-Line Coupling suits Ford BA-FG V8 models and is designed for vehicles that are generally driven harder than normal. SGF explains the Power-line coupling still provides excellent NVH absorption, whilst transmitting torque and providing improved durability. Features and benefits of SGF Power-line include: • Significant durability and performance over standard replacement option. • Extended acoustic tuning achieved. • Stabilised internal reinforcement package with supporting collars. • Higher torque and cardanic angle.

The SGF Power-line is made in Germany by SGF. Applications are listed in the online catalogue against relevant models. For more information, please contact your SGF distributor or email sales@sgfasiapac.com

POLAR PERFECTION KEY TO QUALITY CAR CARE Autoglym has released a three-step wash and protect treatment The new Polar Series joins the extensive Autoglym product range and features a prewash (first released in 2018) plus two all-new additions: a wash and a final protective coating.

The kit includes Arnott’s patented Electronic Bypass Module (US. Pat. No. 9,329,917) to eliminate suspension related dash panel error messages. The Arnott aftermarket Jaguar conversion kit is also backed by Arnott’s “industry-leading” warranty. Arnott explains it offers aftermarket replacement air suspension compressors, struts, and coil conversion kits designed specifically for the 2004-2009 Jaguar XJ Series (X350 and X358 Chassis), with both Comfort and Sport suspension options; and now also supports the 2011-2018 Jaguar XJ (X351 chassis). The company says it offers an extensive line of affordable, high-quality air suspension replacement products for more than 150 automotive and motorcycle applications. For more information, visit www.arnottindustries.com 24

The three products are all applied with a pressure washer for a near-touchless experience, a perfect finish and with as little time spent as possible. The process starts with a coat of Polar Blast, a rich, thick blanket of pre-cleaning foam which takes a vehicle from ‘caked in mud’ to ‘caked in foam’ in the time it takes to circle the vehicle with the pressure washer. Wait no more than 10 minutes as this snow foam formula gets to work and following a thorough rinse with a pressure washer, you are ready for Step Two. Polar Wash is an all-new, lower-viscosity foam, which Autoglym says possesses a cleaning power that packs a serious punch. Applied with the pressure washer and agitated with a wash mitt or soft sponge, it leaves your car super-glossy and stripped of dirt, without removing any waxes or sealants. Rinse off and watch the water sheet or bead off the surface; dry with a suitable cloth or if using

a protective finishing coat, just move straight on to Step Three. Polar Seal safeguards the work carried out in the first two steps. Applied with a pressure washer and avoiding direct application to the windshield, Polar Seal coats the vehicle with milky beads that form a hydrophobic layer on any surface it contacts. As it’s rinsed, the tight-beading water runs off the vehicle so quickly, there is barely anything left to dry and you are left with a highgloss, streak-free finish. The protective sealants in Polar Seal maintain their integrity for at least a month before recoating is necessary. Autoglym’s car care products, including the new Polar Series, are available from Supercheap Auto, Repco and Autobarn, and other leading automotive specialty stores across Australia. For more information or product test samples, please contact GnG Sales (importers and distributors of Autoglym in Australia) Head of Marketing David Turney on davidt@gngsales.com.au or 0437 607 267.

PRODUCTS

NEW RANGES FROM BURSON AUTO PARTS Burson Auto Parts offers premium quality European parts for European cars Australia’s Burson Auto Parts has introduced two new ranges of Germany’s world leading European vehicle parts specifically for European vehicle repairers. The popular Australian supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment now provides the outstanding quality Hella Pagid disc rotor and brake pad range along with the globally renowned Mann Filter oil, air, fuel and cabin filter range throughout its 181 national store network. Both Hella Pagid and Mann Filter are long term Original Equipment suppliers to Europe’s leading automotive vehicle manufacturers, ensuring that European vehicle specialist repairers in Australia have access to the same quality brake pads, disc

rotors and filtration products that have been selected by these world leading car makers. The importance of using European designed and manufactured parts on European vehicles cannot be understated, says Burson Auto Parts, stating these products have been designed specifically for the performance demands and the driving dynamics of these vehicle makes and models. The new Hella Pagid and Mann Filter product ranges at Burson Auto Parts complement the Australian company’s Sachs range of replacement shock absorbers and struts that are also Original Equipment quality ride control products designed specifically to suit the driving dynamics of European makes and models. “Burson Auto Parts now offers two premium quality European fast moving service product ranges that represent the highest levels of German manufacturing quality and reliability for European vehicle specialists,” Burson Auto Parts General Manager, Merchandise, Peter Cheney, said. “Together with Sachs, the addition of the vast Hella Pagid disc rotor and brake pad range along

with the Mann Filter range ensures that Burson Auto Parts is equipped to quickly and efficiently provide European vehicle specialists with everything that they need.” To find out more about the Hella Pagid, Mann Filter and Sachs ride control product ranges from Burson Auto Parts, contact your local store by calling 1300 BURSON (287 766).

PRODUCTS

ADRAD CONTINUES TO GROW Adrad has been manufacturing radiators and automotive cooling systems in Australia since 1985 Based in Beverley, South Australia, Adrad Radiators says it is the only automotive cooling manufacturer in Australia to have the international quality accreditation ISO9001:2015.

assemblies, with current partnerships to supply Ford Performance Vehicles and Lotus Cars while its expertise extends to any industry that high precision engineering is required.

Further, the wholly Australian owned family company says it is also the only automotive parts company with both manufacturing and distribution networks throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s not just about designing and building a good cooling system for our clients. It’s about creating a great one, then making sure we do even better the next time round,” Adrad Managing Director, Gary Washington, said

The Adrad Group specialises in the manufacture, importation and distribution of radiators, automotive air-conditioning parts and other heat exchange products for aftermarket and original equipment.

The Air Radiators business researches, designs and manufactures innovative heat transfer and air movement solutions in partnership with its customers. As original equipment suppliers for on-highway, off-highway, industrial and process cooling for more than 40 years, Adrad says Air Radiators builds cooling packages that minimise downtime with the techniques used extending serviceability, facilitating field repair, load capability and validation testing, and have been proven in Kenworth and IVECO trucks.

Adrad explains its aftermarket parts offering continues to grow with the product range now including EGR Coolers, Water Pumps, Coolant Overflow Bottles, Spark Plugs, Optibelt belts, Valeo wipers, Hella globes, and FRAM filters. With expertise from heavy duty and industrial cooling to high-performance vehicle cooling, knowledge is transferred throughout the group to deliver the most up to date, effective cooling systems available in Australia. The Adrad Group includes retail-focused Natrad stores, Natrad Trade Online, Harrop Engineering, Air Radiators, Wingfan Australia and Adrad New Zealand. Harrop Engineering, for example, designs and manufactures high performance engine components, performance brake systems, driveline systems and supercharger

Wingfan Australia meanwhile distributes fans designed and manufactured for high performance cooling in an extensive range of applications from transport to industry and construction. Adrad says Wingfan boasts pioneering technology that increases efficiency, reduces noise, reduces emissions, and improves durability. Adrad also supplies a range of high performance alloy radiators, oil coolers, intercoolers, fans and accessories for performance vehicles and

4WD. With special high performance cooling fins and strong construction, Adrad Australian manufactured performance cooling products have been used by winning teams in extreme motorsport events including Supercars and the punishing Dakar Rally. “Our commitment to customers is under-pinned by a comprehensive aftermarket sales support system which offers replacement parts service and nation-wide warranty support,” Adrad Chief Executive Officer, Don Cormack, said. Adrad says its range of automotive heat exchange products are designed, manufactured and selected using this extensive understanding of what makes cooling efficient and durable. It states that as the Adrad Group expands its range, each product is carefully selected to meet the highest Adrad quality standards, backed by the nationally supported Adrad warranty. For more information, visit www.adrad.com.au

DID YOU KNOW? Beaudesert Exhaust manufactures its own extractors for various 4WD vehicles Beaudesert Exhaust says the decision to begin manufacturing its own product was made due to regular issues experienced by not only its own customers but “across the entire 4WD industry.” Those behind the business report that many hours of research and development has enabled Beaudesert Exhaust to create a product that is designed for strength, longevity and performance. “What differs between our product and the alternatives is that Beaudesert Exhaust uses a 2mm walled tube which prevents cracking,” Beaudesert Exhaust Managing Director, Brian Parker, said. “This is particularly important for petrol and LPG vehicles where the extractors can reach extremely high temperatures. “Stress cracking can be caused from collectors 28

not correctly aligning with pipe work. This is a very common occurrence with many alternatives. “To prevent stress cracks Beaudesert Exhaust uses laser cut merge collectors, this ensures a square alignment. Laser cutting has proven to be strong and longer lasting in our extractors. “When this is compared to the more commonly used press collector which is more prone to cracking after crystallisation forms around the pipes. “Beaudesert Exhaust also offers ceramic coating of extractors that helps to keep temperatures down dramatically. For supercharged or LPG equipped vehicles we do recommend ceramic coating to help with the longevity.” Beaudesert Exhaust reports that after many years of production it has received large amounts of

positive feedback on the quality and strength of its extractors. The full Beaudesert Exhaust range is available on www.beauexhausts.com.au and in addition, Beaudesert Exhaust’s fabricating team can replicate samples as required. For more information, please phone the Beaudesert Exhaust team on 07 5541 2767 or send an enquiry through www.beauexhausts.com.au

PRODUCTS

IBS ADVANCED CERAMIC BRAKE PADS Available exclusively from Burson Auto Parts Australian trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment, Burson Auto Parts, provides an exclusive and high quality replacement brake pad range to automotive repairers, brake specialists and service centres nationwide. Burson Auto Parts says the well-established and highly trusted IBS Auto Parts brake products range is well known throughout the Australian automotive aftermarket for its broad range, durability and value for money. In seeking to provide Burson Auto Partsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trade

customers with the best quality replacement brake pad products, the Australian company says it now exclusively offers a premium quality range of IBS Advanced Ceramic Disc Brake Pads. These brake pads from Burson Auto Parts offer quiet operation and greater pad life due to the advanced friction technology of the IBS positive mould design. The IBS Advanced Ceramic brake pad formulation contains both ceramic and copper fibres that dissipate heat, allowing the brake pads to remain stable under a wide range of temperatures. The less abrasive formulation also minimises rotor wear and provides superior dust control. The triple layer advanced shim technology featured in the IBS Advanced Ceramic brake pad range reduces vibration (the main cause of brake pad squeal) by including a specifically formulated nitrile rubber layer, which also allows for exceptional pedal feel. Performing well from cold conditions and boasting a stable friction coefficient up to 500

degrees, Burson Auto Parts highly recommends its exclusive IBS Advanced Ceramic brake pad range for repairers requiring premium brake replacement products at a value price. Burson Auto Parts also offers Australian automotive repairers and re-sellers the entire IBS range of brake system products that includes more than 165 part numbers to suit more than 70 percent of passenger and commercial vehicles currently being driven on Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads. To find out more about IBS Advanced Ceramic Disc Brake Pads or any brake products from the vast IBS range available from Burson Auto Parts, contact your local store by calling 1300 BURSON (287 766).

PRODUCTS

TRADIEBOT INDUSTRIES’ WORXAR Augmented Reality Software for your workshop Tradiebot is an Australian company that says it is both a pioneer and fast follower of Industry 4.0 Technologies, working with key industry automotive partners, universities and government bodies to showcase the very best of Automotive Innovation. Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content onto the real world through a user’s phone, tablet or AR headset. AR technology is currently making a big impact within industrial applications, enabling technicians of all experience levels to be trained and walked through the latest diagnostic, service and repair procedures in an intuitive way. Tradiebot explains that AR is providing a level of access to digital information like never before as this technology enables the user to view computer-generated images, part information, sensor readings, historical data, manuals, and animations projected directly onto the real objects they are working on and inspecting. The primary benefit is hands-free context relevant information overlaid onto the users’ field-of-view,

all without obscuring the view of what they are working on. This makes the displayed information very intuitive and can assist the user to rapidly diagnose and repair a system. Furthermore, this technology can also be applied to show a technician an “x-ray like” view of an assembly highlighting where parts are, any issues, and how to disassemble or reassemble them. AR is also useful for overlaying technical notices regarding what can and cannot be repaired or modified without compromising the safety and integrity of the vehicle structures or systems. Additionally, for design and development applications, a virtual overlay of design changes can be overlaid onto the real assembly enabling the user to see if the part has the correct geometry or if there’s adequate clearance with adjacent parts in the assembly. Tradiebot says AR can also deliver up-to-date contextually relevant maintenance procedures and operating instructions for equipment directly to the user in the workshop or field. OEM repair and service procedures, training manuals or data

from equipment can be presented to the user on a virtual popup dashboard or overlaid directly onto the real world systems. Similarly, virtual quality control check sheets can prompt the user to verify the status and condition of the job including capturing data and images for quality records. Tradiebot says there will be no more lost time searching for information, as this new technology directs your attention to its exact location and provides real-time digital information. Even for consumer use, AR walkthroughs of changing a tyre or setting car controls provides a new level of access to information and assistance. For more on Tradiebot’s WorxAR, please visit www.tradiebot.com

PRODUCTS

COMPLETE SOLUTIONS FOR THE CHAIN DRIVE New INA Timing Chain KIT from Schaeffler for 1.4-litre TSI engines of the VW Group Schaeffler says chain drives are the future and its Automotive Aftermarket division experts expect a significant increase in the share of chain-driven engines in new vehicles from now until 2030. With more than 100 years of experience in chain drives, the company says it is not only one of the largest original equipment manufacturers, but also supplies the independent spare parts market with a wide-ranging portfolio of repair solutions for chain-driven timing drives. The Aftermarket specialist’s latest portfolio enhancement is a new timing chain KIT under

the INA brand for vehicles of the VW Group (VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda) with 1.4l TSI engines. Since all parts and components in the timing drive must be perfectly matched together for smooth engine operation, with absolute synchronous interlocking, the complete system should always be replaced during repair. “The INA Timing Chain KIT contains more than 20 components – and exactly those parts of the timing drive that are needed for holistic and longlasting repair,” said Maik Evers, the Director Program Management Extended Products for Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket. “Our repair solution saves garage employees valuable time in identifying the necessary spare parts and gives them safety when installing them. “After replacement, they can be sure of an optimal interplay of the individual components in the timing drive, and that follow-up damage will be avoided.” Besides timing chains, sprockets, chain tensioners, slide and guide rails, the repair solution is also delivered with all the necessary gaskets and

mounting parts. In addition, the KIT contains the camshaft phasing unit and special guide pins, which make the work of repair much easier. For optimal lubrication, every INA Timing Chain KIT comes with the chain additive “Chain Protect,” which was developed together with Liqui Moly. Schaeffler says this reduces running-in wear after chain drive replacement by up to 20 percent, and helps to increase the service life of the chain drive. For further information about the INA Timing Chain KIT and the entire portfolio of the Automotive Aftermarket division of Schaeffler visit its online portal REPXPERT (www.repxpert.com.au). For more from Schaeffler, visit www.schaeffler.com.au

PRODUCTS

DURAMATE CONNECTORS From Amphenol The DuraMate AHDP (thermoplastic) and AHDM (metal) connector series are environmentallysealed, multi-pin, circular connectors providing an economical quick-connect bayonet locking system manufactured to withstand the challenges and complexities of harsh environment off-road applications. The DuraMate AHDP connector series are plastic circular connectors for heavy duty applications, utilising high strength impact resistant and lightweight thermoplastic housings. They are available in Size 24 with 11 insert arrangements (7, 9, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35 and 47)

and also in Size 18 with six insert arrangements (2, 6, 8, 14, 20 and 21). The DuraMate AHDM connector series are metal circular connectors for heavy duty applications, utilising high strength impact resistant and lightweight zinc-alloy metal housings. They are available in Size 24 with 11 insert arrangements (7, 9, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35 and 47) and also in Size 18 with four insert arrangements (8, 14, 20 and 21).

Key features and benefits: • Three key-way bayonet design for proper mating of connectors • High density signal and mixed power insert configurations • High current configurations incorporating revolutionary RADSOK contacts • Low insertion force stamped terminals offering improved manufacturing efficiencies • Standard Wide Thread Adapter providing maximum access to rear grommet and improved serviceability

• Environmentally-sealed and engineered rapid and secure mating system to achieve IP67/IP69K protection (in mated condition) from ingress of dust, water, mud and other contaminants while being vibration resistant • Sealing features consisting of durable high temperature silicone providing a barrier from lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids and fossil fuels • Back shells maintain a compression-fit design to resist maximum pull-out forces and facilitate strain-relief for jacketed cable ranges. • A Series standard contact system • Wire entry sealing available in three separate ranges for discrete wire applications • Operating temperature range: -55°C to +125°C For more information, visit www.amphenol.com.au

PRODUCTS

ADRAD FIRST WITH NEW EGR COOLER For Nissan Pathfinder and Navara D40 Adrad says it is renowned for providing the most extensive range of quality aftermarket engine cooling parts in Australia and states it recently was once again ‘first to market,’ offering an aftermarket replacement EGR cooler for popular Nissan Pathfinder R51 and Navara D40 models. Problems with the EGR cooler can result in engine overheating, loss of power, increased fuel consumption and excessive emissions. Continued driving with a failed EGR system can lead to severe engine damage. Adrad explains that like all Adrad EGR coolers, these products have advanced features and are designed to meet or exceed original equipment specifications with direct, bolt-in fitment. Naturally, it says, they are all backed with Adrad’s national warranty and sales support.

GABRIEL SHOCK ABSORBERS’ RANGE GROWS There are also more additions to come Gabriel Shock Absorbers has recently announced a large number of additions to its product range. Some 179 new part numbers have just been released and these will be soon supplemented by an additional 80. To keep up with the growth of European vehicles, most of the new Gabriel shock absorbers and struts are designed for popular European cars and light commercials which includes: • Mercedes Benz Sprinter • Renault Master and Trafic • Iveco Daily and Turbodaily • Citroen Berlingo • Ford Transit • Peugeot Partner • Fiat Ducato

• VW Crafter and Transporter Brandlines Pty Ltd, the local Agents, encourage all auto parts stores, trade outlets and installers to direct enquiries to the nearest Gabriel distributor warehouse which includes AAD, Austral Distributors and Cooldrive. For more from Brandlines, visit www.brandlines.com.au

FLEXIGLASS EXTENDS MERCEDES BENZ X-CLASS OFFERING The FlexiSport Premium Canopy is now available to suit the X-Class

Released in June, this latest aftermarket EGR cooler for Pathfinder and Navara is stocked in Adrad warehouses across Australia for fast delivery wherever they are required. The unit is ready to bolt in and comes complete with the required gaskets. Adrad boasts it has the largest range of aftermarket EGR coolers in Australia and covers passenger, 4x4, light commercial and heavy vehicle applications. Adrad parts are available from all Adrad stockists including engine cooling specialists, Natrad workshops and Adrad Radiator Experts. For assistance locating your nearest supplier, visit www.adradradiators.com.au or call 1800 069 610. 38

Featuring full remote central locking to rear door and side windows, this canopy removes the risk of forgetting to lock up before you leave your vehicle, and adds the convenience of no longer needing to carry an extra set of keys to lock and unlock your canopy. Another nifty feature is the push button opening side windows. With the button hidden behind the vehicle cab and front of the canopy, simply press this small hidden button and the side widow will open up fully under its own head of steam, leaving your hands free. Just like most of the Flexiglass range, the body of this canopy is constructed using fiberglass, meaning a tough built ute canopy, with a smooth colour coded finish. Roof bars come standard with this canopy,

allowing for optional extras like Rhino Racks bars and accessories. Flexiglass says it is the attention to detail along with the market leading knowledge and experience that allows it to offer a seamless transition from a canopy-less vehicle to a canopy integrated vehicle solution. The FlexiSport Premium canopy is available for all recent common dual cab models including Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Holden Colorado, Mazda BT50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara NP300, Volkswagen Amarok, Mercedes-Benz X-Class and Isuzu Dmax. Please contact your nearest Flexiglass branch for more information on 1300 656 599 or visit www.flexiglass.com.au for your nearest reseller.

PRODUCTS

NEW FROM AUTOTECNICA Introducing the Autotecnica Carry Mate Premium Tail Gate Mini Pad and Tail Gate Bike Pad With the ‘pickup truck/ute’ market ever growing, new products suitable to be used for these vehicles are brought in to market each day. Autotecnica says that with its vast knowledge of in-car protection, it knows the requirements for and expectations placed upon products designed to suit these vehicles and that both its tail gate bike pad and tail gate mini pad have already created an impact in the marketplace.

Tail Gate Mini Pad The Autotecnica Tail Gate Mini Pad is suitable

for the tradesman and perfect for light duty carrying. Key features include: • Suitable for most pick-ups/utes • Size: 124cm x 96cm • Protects tailgate from scratches when carrying equipment • Ideal to secure ladders, wood, skis and surf boards to the tailgate • Includes heavy duty foam padded protection pad • Scratch free inner material • Easy to attach to tail gate by quick lock straps • Includes 3.5mt long security strap with ratchet tie down

Tail Gate Bike Pad If you are a professional, adventurer or simply a sport minded off-road or recreational pushbike rider, Autotecnica says it has you covered. The Tail Gate bike pad allows you to transport bikes the easy way without damaging your vehicle, carrying light duty equipment easily and conveniently.

Key features include: • Suitable for most pick-ups • Size: 124cm x 96cm • Protects tailgate from scratches when carrying bikes • Scratch free inner material • Easy to attach to tail gate by quick lock straps • Bikes attach with Velcro straps on padded foam stoppers • Wide roll up rear flap opening suitable for number plate. • Roll up clear flap for rear camera • Two tool pockets enclosed • Carries up to four bikes For more information, visit www.autotecnica.com.au

PRODUCTS

ELECTRIC MOBILITY AND INNOVATION Total launches a “pioneering” line of fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles Total says it is consolidating its position as a key player in electric mobility by launching an innovative line of fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles. Two new product lines are now available to automakers: Total Quartz EV Fluid, for light vehicles, and Total Rubia EV Fluid, for industrial and utility vehicles and electric buses. Total says these products have been developed to meet the specific cooling and lubrication requirements of the various components of these new types of engines and transmissions with high rotation speeds, and the need to control heat exchange in electric batteries, while ensuring that they remain in peak condition throughout their lifetime. Total explains it focused its research and development efforts for these fluids on four main characteristics, required by any electric or hybrid application: • dielectric properties, essential to any usage with electric current • compatibility with new electrification components, helping to prevent the corrosion

of copper coils in electric engines and protect their polymer coatings • a solution for the temperature constraints specific to electric models: rapid calorific evacuation during major accelerations or fast charges, thermal management for batteries, etc. • conventional lubrication services for transmissions to protect their mechanical components, maintain optimal friction properties and ensure vehicle efficiency over time. These products join the other electric mobility solutions Total offers through a variety of concrete applications for charging, storage, and fleet management. “Through extensive research efforts, we are proud to have developed products that align with the new needs of electric mobility,” Total Senior Vice President Lubricants and Specialities, Philippe Charleux, said. “Integrated before the vehicles leave the factories, these high-performance fluids will accompany them throughout their service lives, benefitting all

our customers: parts manufacturers, automakers and end users. “This project illustrates our technical excellence and our ability to anticipate and innovate, which we leverage for a sustainable and performing mobility.” Total explains that this line of fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles, now available from Total Lubricants, is in line with Total’s Climate Strategy and the Group’s ambition to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy products offered to its customers. To learn more about Total Oil Australia, visit www.totaloil.com.au or contact lubricants.au@total.com or (toll free) 1800 TOTAL OIL (1800 868 256).

PRODUCTS

BUBBLE BARRIERS Protecting your Engine from Wet Liner Cavitation Cummins Filtration says it might not be able to stop your engine’s liners vibrating, but it can protect them.

at the liner surface, this continual “hammering” process can chip away at the metal to form deep pits, eventually penetrating the liner and allowing coolant to enter the combustion chamber and oil pan, and exhaust gasses to enter the coolant. The pits generally display as clustered vertical patches corresponding to the piston thrust or antithrust piston strokes which can be made worse by loose fitting liners, engine design and piston movement.

Cummings Filtration explains that wet sleeve cylinder liners are an alternative option to dry pressed cylinder liners and cast block cylinders, designed to make engine overhaul easier and faster, and to extend engine life. They are also said to transfer heat more effectively, because they are in direct contact with the coolant. However, this also makes them vulnerable to the effects of cavitation or pitting if not adequately protected with coolant that incorporates special additives. The pistons in your engine move up and down about 2,000 times a minute, and with that comes significant high frequency vibration in your engine’s wet cylinder liners. This causes the instantaneous formation of tiny vacuum bubbles, followed by an immediate and violent high pressure collapse back against the surface of the liner. Without sufficient cavitation inhibitor protection

Cummings Filtration says Fleetguard coolants can neutralise this often-fatal effect on your engine by creating a protective inhibitor layer on the liner wall. Implosions now take place on this

layer, which spares the liner surface. PGPlus and PGPlatinum are both fully formulated and include additives that establish this protective barrier on wet cylinder liners to defend against cavitation pitting, however they both use different technology to do this. Fleetguard’s PGPlus uses the traditional nitrite/ molybdate combination to establish this protective barrier. Nitrite is a fast-acting, film forming additive that converts the iron oxide surface to a harder and more protective form. It needs to be refortified about once per year though the addition of Fleetguard DCA4 liquid or chemical water filter range to maintain the barrier’s effectiveness. With proper maintenance PGPlus may protect your engine for five years, one million km or 20,000 hours. Fleetguard’s PG Platinum is nitrite free and uses specific long lasting organic carboxylic acid technology to provide corrosion and cavitation protection. These organic carboxylates interact with metal surfaces differently and may provide protection for six years, 1.5 million km or 36,000 hours (life of the engine) without the need to replenish additives with SCAs (Supplemental Coolant Additives). For more information on Fleetguard coolants, check out the Fleetguard Coolant and Chemicals Catalogue at www.fleetguard.com.au and click on ‘Literature’.

WIPERTECH ADDS NEW REFILLS PRODUCT LINE Wipertech has expanded its range and is offering a free sample pack to celebrate Wipertech, Australia’s leading online wiper blade supplier, is offering all AAAA readers a free sample pack of refills, wiper blades and accessories. The Melbourne based business has announced the sample pack to celebrate the launch of its new metal back refill range. Each sample pack includes its new metal-backed 6mm (26” / 650mm) and 8mm (28” / 700mm) refills, washer jet tablets and Multi-Fit or TrueFit Aeroflex wiper blades. Wipertech launched its new range of metal-backed refills after hearing from mechanics, dealerships and workshop owners that despite many new vehicles requiring new beam blade wipers, there was still a demand for the ‘older’ style metalbacked refills. “Whilst our Multi-Fit Aeroflex wiper blade range is still our recommended solution for workshops (with the blades fitting 98 percent of cars), our 44

customers were telling us that they were still using refills during services,” Wipertech Marketing Manager, Sean Bolger, said. “We were hearing that, especially with older cars, an upgrade to beam blade wipers at a higher price point wasn’t necessarily the right fit for their customers. “The message from our customers and the industry was clear, and we acted quickly to design, manufacture and launch our refills. “As with all of our products we’ve ensured these meet the highest possible manufacturing standards. They come with metal backing and are made with the same premium natural rubber embedded with Teflon that we use on our entire range of wiper blades. “With the metal-backed refills added to our range, we’re confident that we are well placed to be the

automotive trade’s go-to destination for all things wipers. Whether you need front wipers, rear wipers (specific or multi-fit), refills, washer tablets or simply advice on fitting or installation, we’re here to help.” Wipertech has been selling online direct to everyday car owners for over 10 years, and recently received its 10,000th five-star online review. Sean suggests choosing to begin by selling direct to the public has been difficult but the direct customer contact feedback has ultimately resulted in “industry leading products and service.” Contact Wipertech for your free sample on 1300 778 502 or sales@wipertech.com.au

PRODUCTS

EQUIPMENT: OWNING THE PROBLEM Equipment represents a significant capital investment yet it is, generally speaking, poorly maintained Two of the most common investments would be a company vehicle and workshop equipment. Interequip explains that most times that’s where the similarities end, even though they are both mechanical machines. “We are all educated to understand how important it is to make time to regularly service our vehicles yet we struggle to find the time to do a few simple checks on our equipment,” Interequip General Manager, Don McEvoy, said. “If we were to look at these two capital investment examples purely from an investment perspective, we could possibly see that if our vehicle were to break down it would be an inconvenience. “However if our equipment were to break down it can very quickly drag the profit out of an entire month’s trade. Most of the responsibility of responding to and repairing our equipment falls to the equipment supplier. However there is a lot more we as business owners/managers can do. “Let’s look at how we, as business owners/

managers and or operators can help to ensure our equipment keeps on keeping on. Let’s acknowledge that our equipment is a significant investment and that we can share some of the problem of its reliability by owning the responsibility of preventative maintenance. “We need to be asking ourselves “what could WE have done to prevent this machine failure from happening?” By working in a proactive way we can significantly reduce our machine down time. This really needs to become a single person’s responsibility so that they own the problem. There needs to be some accountability. Once responsibility has been accepted, machine checks need to be performed habitually.”

“Calibrations (in my opinion) should be done monthly or weekly. Not because a balancer needs it but because your staff need to know how to calibrate your equipment. Most balancer calibrations are designed to be user friendly and simple to perform. Regular calibrations mean greater confidence and machine understanding,” Don said.

Owning the problem

“Your equipment supplier will, more than likely, be very happy to help you to help yourself but it starts with you owning the problem.”

Having a person on the tools, in the shop is the only way to ensure equipment checks are made. This may be checking the tyre changer’s oil level in the pressure regulator/oiler. It may doing the daily hoist pre-operational checks or calibrating the wheel balancer with a visual inspection of the machines.

Interequip says its professional technicians can help you with servicing your equipment. Technicians are available in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. For more information, call 18000EQUIP (1800 037 847) or visit www.interequip.com.au

PRODUCTS

A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP Hella Pagid Brake Systems says it provides a comprehensive brake service solution for European vehicles With a high level of desirability driving the growth in sales of European cars in recent years, the popularity of marques such as Audi, BMW and Volkswagen shows no sign of slowing. European styling flair, brand appeal and high levels of refinement are amongst the reasons why European cars are finding favour with Australian car buyers. However, to meet the demands of their domestic markets, typically European passenger cars are developed to offer different driving dynamics to their American and Asian counterparts too, with steering, chassis, suspension – and braking – all playing a role in shaping the vehicle’s characteristics and the driving experience. When it comes to friction components, European manufacturers favour low-metallic brake friction materials. With a lower metal content, lowmetallic friction compounds offer improved heat dissipation, more consistent braking performance and are kinder to discs than the semi-metallic and non-asbestos organic (NAO) friction formulations used by many Asian and American manufacturers, says Hella Pagid Systems, which states replacing worn brake pads and shoes on European vehicles with anything other than high quality low-metallic friction components can alter the characteristics of the vehicle under braking and result in increased vibration, more noise and longer stopping distances.

Hella Pagid Brake Systems – the result of a joint venture between Hella and TMD Friction – says it provides a comprehensive range of brake pads, brake shoes, discs and drums that are developed and manufactured to the precise specifications of the original part, making them the perfect partner for European vehicles. Its extensive OE programme means many European models roll off production lines equipped with Pagid brake friction and over one million brake pads are manufactured each day at TMD Friction’s European production facilities. Pagid is also trusted by race teams competing at some of the highest levels of motorsport. The Hella Pagid range covers 99 percent of European passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, including all the top selling European models in Australia and New Zealand, such as the VW Amarok, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf, and performance cars such as the Audi R8 and Porsche 911. More than 50 different friction formulations, derived directly from TMD Friction’s OE programme, feature within the Hella Pagid brake pad range to meet the individual requirements and characteristics of the vehicle, ensuring the optimum balance of performance, safety and

comfort. This commitment to ensuring Hella Pagid brake pads meet the OE specification doesn’t stop there, it says, stating that where the OE part has chamfers and slots in the friction surface for improved performance, or noise dampening shims or clips, you’ll find the same features on Hella Pagid brake pads. Hella Pagid brake discs, brake shoes and drums are also said to be manufactured to the same high standards. The brake disc range includes coated discs, which feature a chrome-free GEOMET coating for extended corrosion protection, enhancing the appearance of the disc well into its service life while saving valuable workshop time by removing the need for degreasing before fitment. Uncoated discs are available for pricesensitive customers while a range of high carbon discs are available for high-performance vehicles, and two-piece composite discs are available as a direct replacement for the discs fitted to certain BMW models. Finally, Hella Pagid says a comprehensive range of fitment kits and accessories, covering more than 500 vehicle-specific applications, allows it to offer a one-stop brake service solution. For more information, call 1800 061 729 or email custservice@hella.com

PRODUCTS

REDESIGNED AND REENGINEERED Goss tackles Nissan YD25DDTI EGR Cooler failures with redesigned, reengineered solution Goss says it has seen an increasing number of OE Nissan YD25DDTI EGR Cooler failures which have prompted its engineers to investigate the cause of this issue and develop a solution to manufacture a high quality aftermarket EGR cooler to reduce the risk of failure. In Turbo Diesel engines, exhaust temperatures reach over 650 degrees Celsius. This is too high to be fed directly into the cylinders as this would further increase combustion temperatures and defeat its actual purpose. An EGR Cooler is used to reduce exhaust gas temperatures before they enter the intake and

reduce combustion temperatures. This process is known as EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and is one of the principal methods used to reduce NOX (Nitrogen Oxide) emissions from Diesel engines. The EGR Cooler can help reduce the temperature down to 200 degrees Celsius by transferring the heat via the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooling system. This can also cause issues if the EGR cooler splits or corrodes as seen with this engine, the Nissan YD25. The EGR coolers tend to split or corrode around the flanged areas, each side of the cooling core and can also leak internally. In most cases the coolant evaporates without any signs of leakage. Once pressure tested, Mechanics have noticed a drop in the radiator coolant level and upon start-up also notice steam exiting via the exhaust system. This is due to the engine coolant being drawn through the engine. Goss has re-engineered the EGR cooler and developed a new manufacturing process to produce a product which is less prone to cracking or leakage. It suits Nissan Navara D22 & D40

YD25DDTI Diesel and the Nissan Pathfinder R51 YD25DDTI Diesel. Internal tubes are manufactured from stainless steel for longevity and are TIG welded to laser cut plates isolating the coolant from the exhaust. Goss says this new design cools the exhaust gases more efficiently than the original design. This also helps to prevent a build-up of carbon that would usually diminish the effectiveness of the system. Additional collars have also been added to the flanged areas on the Nissan YD25 EGR cooler to help reduce the risk of external leaks. These units are also supplied with fitment gaskets and brackets. For further information or your nearest Goss stockist, please visit www.goss.com.au

PRODUCTS

NEW NARVA ‘HALO’ RANGE BIG NEW HPD range delivers a unique warning and INTERCOOLER FOR Themarkernewlamp combination LANDCRUISER V8 HPD says owners of the popular V8 70-Series Landcruiser have something to celebrate Australian manufacturer High Performance Diesel has released its Series 2 top-mount intercooler. With a “massive” 700mm x 300mm x 60mm core, the Series 2 delivers vastly improved airflow, supporting performance tuning beyond 200kW. A pair of Davies Craig thermo fans are included in the kit, keeping air flowing across the core. The end tanks and intake elbows are CNC machined from billet aluminium and TIG-welded to the core, which HPD says provides a much more robust unit than the crimped-on end tanks of the OEM cooler, meaning fewer potential leak points down the track.

In an Australian first, Narva has launched its unique new range of ‘Halo’ LED warning lights, providing the versatility of a self-contained warning light and an ADR-approved marker light in the one product. The ‘Halo’ range combines a bright, eye-catching Class 1 SAE-approved amber warning light function in the centre courtesy of six high power LEDs, while an outer marker ring that’s available in a choice of amber, red or clear illumination, provides options to use the Halo as front, side or rear markers. With the choice of multi-unit synchronisation in simultaneous or alternating flash patterns and featuring a fully weatherproof (to IP65) and vibration-resistant design, the Halo model line-up is well suited for use on a variety of vehicles and applications. As well as providing great functionality and light output, the 12/24V multi voltage ‘Halo’ range

also benefits from a modern, compact and streamlined design (only 19mm high), while custom bezels in black, white or chrome finish allow more seamless integration into the vehicle to which they’re fitted. The range also enjoys a modest peak current draw of only 1.35A at 12 volts and is available in Red (Part No. 85220AR), White (Part No. 85220AW) and Amber (Part No. 85220AA). Narva’s new LED ‘Halo’ warning lights are backed by a five-year LED warranty and can be purchased from leading automotive and transport outlets throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.narva.com.au

SAY GOODBYE Cummins Filtration says you can say goodbye to “troublesome” in-tank AdBlue filters for good Like all HPD products, the new intercooler is designed, developed and manufactured in Australia. During testing on HPD’s dyno, HPD says the Series 2 intercooler delivered air to the engine 20°C cooler than the stock unit, and even with higher turbo boost pressures, air temperatures from the HPD cooler did not exceed 30°C. As drivers seek greater performance improvements from their engines, the OEM intercooler becomes the limiting factor, as warmer air is less dense, with less oxygen for combustion. Along with reduced performance and economy, higher operating temperatures reduce engine longevity and reliability. This HPD kit allows for high performance, improved efficiency and longevity for driving pleasure and peace of mind, says HPD. The kit comes complete with everything needed for a straightforward bolt-in installation, including high-quality silicone piping, load-rated German clamps, twin thermo fans and wiring harness, and all fasteners. No cutting is required to fit the HPD intercooler, which will fit under the pre2015 bonnet, as well as the taller bonnet on later models. For more information, visit www.hpdiesel.com.au 52

As EPA Emissions Standards continue to increase, an optimally functioning Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) system has never been more important. SCR systems exist to convert harmful NOx gases into harmless water and nitrogen, significantly reducing the environmental impact of diesel exhaust gases. This chemical reaction is triggered by injecting Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), or AdBlue, a solution of deionized water and high-grade urea, into the system. But just like any fluid in an engine system, contaminants in DEF can cause the system to malfunction and accelerate wear of its sensitive components, such as injector nozzles and doser pumps. Effective and reliable filtration is therefore required to filter the DEF and prolong the service life of the entire SCR unit. Recently Fleetguard introduced a new inline urea filter and installation kit, designed to prevent maintenance downtime and increase productivity. Cummins Filtration says the news comes as much needed relief from difficult to access and troublesome in-tank filters. The inline filter, which is fitted outside of the DEF

tank, has five times the capacity of traditional intank AdBlue filters, and takes around a third of the time to change, increasing service intervals and reducing downtime for your engine. Further, the mount is said to be robust and durable, and the element has been designed with an easy to use twist on, twist off feature, minimising the likelihood of contaminants falling in during changeover. Cummins Filtration says Fleetguard’s new inline AdBlue filter is highly efficient: 98 percent at 40-micron particle size. This reportedly ensures maximum protection of the SCR system, including the DEF doser pump, which is prone to suffer from contamination failures, particularly in dusty environments. Fleetguard’s inline AdBlue filter is compatible with all AdBlue/DEF applications. The replacement element is part number UF108, the element with filter head is UF109 and the installation kit is UK177 and includes element, head, hose and fittings. For more information, visit www.fleetguard.com.au or call Cummins Filtration on 1800 032 037.

PRODUCTS

GEARWRENCH’S WYNN’S MULTISERVE FROM ITW AAMTECH ELECTRONIC professional and multifunctional unit TORQUE WRENCH This makes cleaning automotive systems easy WITH ANGLE Helping to make the mechanic’s life easier The new GearWrench electronic torque wrench allows mechanics to precisely tighten fasteners to the correct torque and angle as specified by the manufacturer. It also beeps, blinks and vibrates to alert the user that the torque setting has been met or is getting close to being met. Setting units of measure on the GearWrench electronic torque wrench is as easy as pushing the “Uni” button. Five units of measurement are available: Nm, in./lbs., ft./lbs., Kgfm, and Kgfcm. Once the unit of measure is selected, the user holds down the up or down arrow until they reach the amount of torque desired.

Once the torque setting is entered, the LED display will show “0.00” and the user is ready to torque the fastener/s. As the user nears the desired torque setting, a red LED will begin to blink and an audible beep will begin. The closer you get to the setting, the more frequent the LED will blink and the audible beep will get faster. When 100 percent of the torque setting is reached, the beep will become constant, and the LED will be solid red. In addition, the handle will vibrate. Ten torque setting presets are available for frequently repeated applications. Other key features include: • Three function modes: peak torque, angle and peak angle • Accurate in clockwise direction +/-2 percent and +/-3 percent in a counter-clockwise direction, from 20 percent to 100 percent of full scale • Angle Accuracy (+/-1 percent of Reading) + (+/-1 degree @ angular velocity >10 degree/ sec <180 degree/sec) + (+/-1 degree of test fixture) • Meets or exceeds ASME B107.300 • Oil and solvent resistant • 15 degree flex head for improved access • Available in 3/8” and 1/2” drive • 3/8” 10-100ft/lbs • 1/2” 25-250 ft/lbs For more information visit www.gearwrench.com.au 56

Wynn’s MultiSERVE is an independent 12V multifunctional operating apparatus which effectively cleans the fuel system, air intake, turbo and DPF of a vehicle. The machine can be used for diesel and petrol engines during engine running and without disassembly of parts. Key features include: • Operates without disassembly of fuel system components • Easy to connect and easy handling • Contains four cleaning programs: Fuel System Treatment, Air Intake Treatment, Turbo Treatment and DPF Treatment • Operates via the vehicle’s battery (12V) • Cleaning solution for fuel systems: injectors, intake valve and combustion chamber • Cleans air Intake, manifold and valves • Effective cleaning of diesel turbocharges without dismantling • Solution for extremely clogged DPFs without dismantling

• When the treatment is completed, the apparatus automatically stops and an alarm is activated • The machine can be switched off at any time during the treatment. • Completely closed tank, avoids escaping of cleaning liquid vapours • Provided with complete set of adapters for European market. This unit can be connected to all petrol injection systems (carburettor, K-, KE-, L-, LE-, LH-, Monojetronic, Motronic, Renix, direct injection and so on) and diesel engines (prechamber and direct injection, common rail, injection-pump unit). It is suitable for passenger cars and trucks, marine and stationary engines. For more information, visit www.aamtech.com.au

THE G-SERIES RANGE FROM GARRETT ADVANCING MOTION Said to be the most powerful small frame turbocharger on the market Introducing performance out of a package you never thought possible: this clean sheet product is tailored to meet the demands of hard core racing enthusiasts while providing industry leading power capability in a small package, says Garrett Advancing Motion. The G-Series G25-550 and the G25-660 turbochargers are compatible with 1.4-litre to three-litre engine displacements, are capable of producing up to 550 and 660 horsepower each and can be used in a twin turbo configuration with reverse rotation available for both of the G25 series range. G Series 25 turbochargers are smaller and outflow all comparable products on the market, says Garrett Advancing Motion, which explains new compressor and turbine aero combined with high temperature resistant materials allowed its engineers to push the limits of performance. The company says a new name designates a new generation of industry leading technology and innovation, stating that understanding the

name of the G25-550 and G25-660 is simple: ‘G’ designates 81 years of Garrett heritage; ‘25’ classifies the size of the frame, and the remaining three digits identify the max horsepower rating of the turbocharger (for example, 550). Garrett Advancing Motion says its turbocharger technology is the preferred choice for leading original equipment manufacturers including Audi, BMW, GM, Daimler Chrysler, Mercedes, DDC, Fiat, Ford, International Truck Co, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, and Volkswagen. Top race teams in Formula 1, CART, World Rally, American Le-Mans, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula Drift, Global Time Attack, and Pikes Peak also reportedly rely on its turbo technology to keep them on the podium. For more information, visit www.garrettmotion.com

PRODUCTS

SEALING THE DEAL EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE SENSORS Preventing fluid leakages in industrial components Conventional solid-gaskets present limitations in the prevention of fluid leakage between metal flange surfaces. Conventional compression gaskets can over time lose their ability to maintain the required deformation to seal. This gasket relaxation and creep results in a gasket that can no longer provide an effective seal and becomes prone to leakage. Manufacturers can mitigate these issues by using a liquid gasket. This means that it is always available, even for old or obsolete equipment. The new member of Henkelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Loctite gasketing solution range is the Loctite 518 Sealant Pen. Loctite 518 is a anaerobic flange sealant, which means that it cures in the absence of air and with metal to metal contact. It is designed to create a form-in-place (FIP) gasket between metal flanges that are bolted together.

The Premier Auto Trade Emission range includes more than 110 Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors

The purpose of the exhaust-gas temperature (EGT) sensor is to monitor the exhaust-gas temperature at various locations in the exhaust system, something it does using an electrical voltage signal. The number of EGT sensors in a vehicle will vary depending on the systems used. They are used in both diesel and petrol engines, naturally aspirated and turbocharged, as described below.

Diesel engines The function varies slightly for Diesel engines. The temperature of the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is monitored, not so much for heat overload but to establish that the temperature required for regeneration (self-cleaning) of the DPF has been achieved.

to the ECU without setting or delaying a diagnostic trouble code. This may cause the DPF to regenerate outside of its permitted temperature range.

Also used for control and protection from overheating of SCR (selective catalyst reduction) or LNT (lean NOx trap) and other NOx Absorbers.

In many cases, a DPF has been incorrectly diagnosed as a fault where it has been caused by a faulty EGT sensor.

Certain EGR systems are now equipped with temperature sensors for EGR Diagnosis (OBD) which are Compact and have lower Maximum temperature measurement. (400Deg C).

NTC sensors are generally designed with two wires bonded to a ceramic cell. Over time, an open circuit may be created and resulting in a fault code being logged. This is generally a straight forward fix and repair.

Petrol Engines

This enables sealing between two metal surfaces as if there were no gasket present, with the liquid sealant filling the microscopic voids existing between the mating surfaces. The Loctite 518 pen can adapt to flange surface irregularities and gaps of up to 0.125mm. The liquid sealant allows metal-to-metal bonding ensuring bolt tension throughout the life of the assembly and eliminating the need for retorquing. Further, the Loctite 518 pen can be applied to both horizontal and vertical flange surfaces. Importantly, says those behind the product, the Loctite 518 pen helps manufacturers cut costs. Firstly, it reduces inventory costs, as there is no longer any need for a large inventory of solid-cut gaskets. It also helps on those older machines where the gaskets are hard to get or are no longer available. Secondly, it also reduces process costs by minimising any waste or excess on application by using a convenient roller. For more information, visit www.inenco.com.au 58

Used primarily to protect the turbo charger and catalytic converter from thermal overload (overheating), the PCM will alter timing, fuel mixtures and boost pressure to lower the temperatures (results in loss of power). Also used for control and protection from overheating of NOx reduction systems.

Other causes of failure and test procedure

Typical EGT sensor locations

Bending the sensor wires excessively can also cause failure. In this case the sensor is to be refitted at the correct angle to prevent stretching and over bending.

The diagram shows typical locations in a VW Jetta, Golf and Audi A3. Other models may have many more sensors downstream for more monitoring.

Another cause of sensor failure can be physical damage. These sensors may be damaged during exhaust replacement procedures and its recommended they are to be replaced simultaneously with any DPF or other major exhaust component fitted with an EGT sensor.

Identifying the EGT sensor that requires testing and/or replacing can be a little confusing when the vehicle Is fitted with multiple units. The OBD 11 diagnostic system uses a listing similar to the O2 sensor identification.

Severe vibration may also cause internal component or wire connection damage, as may excessive prolonged temperature (over 900 Deg) which may cause Thermistor element failure. Contamination from oil, antifreeze and poorquality fuel can also cause sensor failure.

Effects on vehicle when sensor fails

The Premier Auto Trade Emission range

Over time a sensor can drift out of tolerance limits causing over fuelling issues during Regeneration, due to the process being prolonged.

The Premier Auto Trade Emission range includes more than 110 Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors (EGT), covering over one million vehicle applications in Australia and NZ.

Both Positive (PIC) and negative (NTC) temperature coefficient sensors are used to monitor the exhaust temperature. PTC sensors may continue to relay misinformation

For more information visit www.premierautotrade.com.au

PRODUCTS

RACING INSPIRED CLUTCH UPGRADES For Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ Xtreme Clutch performance upgrades are designed for a wide variety of street and motorsport applications around the world. After developing one of the first performance clutch upgrades available to suit the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, Xtreme Clutch is now offering a 240mm racing inspired kit for these vehicles with even further improvements in torque capacity and performance. Xtreme Clutch, which is a division of Australian Clutch Services, says it has developed a wide range of kits utilising its 240mm racing inspired pressure plate. “We have been utilising this style of pressure plate for several years for vehicles such as the Ford Focus RS and the Renault Megane RS,” Xtreme Clutch Mechanical Engineer, Stewart Furze, said. “This style of kit offers exceptional torque capacity and is designed to provide these significant performance gains in a lightweight package.” The 240mm conversion kits are available with a sprung organic or sprung ceramic friction disc depending on the intended primary use of the vehicle. The sprung organic kit offers an impressive 600Nm torque capacity whilst the ceramic kit offers a 910Nm torque capacity.

The kits are available now and include a replacement thrust bearing, flywheel bolts, pressure plate bolts, pilot bearing and clutch alignment tool along with the heavy-duty pressure plate, performance chromoly flywheel and friction disc. “We try to offer everything the installer may require with our kits,” Stewart said.

“These kits are an ideal single plate upgrade solution for vehicles used in many different applications,” Stewart said.

“This helps to ensure the best efficiency for the installer and also ensures all of the components that might need replacement whilst the transmission is out of the vehicle are available.”

“The design offers excellent pedal feel and they are commonly used in highly modified street vehicles with the organic friction disc option.”

For more information on the Xtreme Clutch range of performance products, please contact Xtreme Clutch on 1800 CLUTCH or email sales@xtremeclutch.com.au

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

2019 AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET INNOVATION AWARDS AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - Accessories The competition for the AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - Accessories award was exceptionally close with nine entries in total from eight AAAA members. In this issue, we take a look at the entrants who vied for this award including the winning HSP 4x4 Accessories Tail Lock.

HSP 4x4 Accessories, Tail Lock – WINNER HSP 4x4 Accessories says the HSP Tail Lock is a revolutionary product allowing you to sync your tailgate with your existing vehicle remote. The unit works by engaging and disengaging your existing handle when your vehicle locks and unlocks. The Tail lock offers multiple advances over a traditional lock, is easier to install as it is non-intrusive and uses factory mounting points and wiring is a breeze as it is plug and play. The Tail Lock is also not susceptible to damage, as when the handle is disengaged, pulling on it harder has no bearing on the unit. HSP 4x4 Accessories says that as a singular or as an add on product, the Tail lock is remarkable in its ability to fully integrate to a factory remote, provide peace of mind to the user and keep valuables safe in the tub. For more information, visit www.hsputelids.com.au

Airbag Man, Wireless Digital Airbag Pressure Monitoring Gauge Airbag Man says its new Wireless Airbag pressure gauge offers new levels of simplicity and features for Airbag Suspension pressure monitoring. A plug and play installation removes the wiring and airline plumbing required in existing systems. The 12v power outlet type monitor connection also removes any display mounting requirement. The system connectivity allows removal and storage of the display as required, with a quick plug-in to check Airbag pressures as needed. The pressure gauge actively monitors the pressures of two airbags independently, updating these as required, while minimising battery draw from the remote mounted pressure sensors. The monitor allows user saveable High and Low pressure alarms, coinciding with Airbag Man’s specific Airbag Suspension systems operation pressure advice and ensuring easy pressure awareness from all operators. For more information, visit www.airbagman.com.au

Car Immobiliser Solutions, BOLT Padlock The BOLT Padlock doesn’t come with a key; rather, it mechanically ‘learns’ your existing car key the first time you use it. Now you can have your vehicle accessory locks (padlocks, hitch locks, cable coil locks and canopy t-handles) securely matched to your existing car key. Don’t waste time fumbling with a big bunch of keys – the same key that turns your ignition can now turn all of your vehicle locks with BOLT. The unique, patented mechanism mechanically ‘learns’ your existing key the first time you turn your key into it – no other key will work it. The BOLT locks are designed to work in almost any environment, and give you peace of mind with convenience. The locks have a limited lifetime warranty, and are guaranteed for the life of the vehicle. For more information visit: www.lsc.com.au/Products/Locks/Automotive-Motorcycle-Bikes/BOLT-Locks

FitMyCar, Bedrock Floor Liners When FitMyCar realised there was a gap in the Australian market for floor liners it looked internationally for a supplier sourced solution, but says it found availability was an issue for right-hand cars, as was sub-par protection when existing designs were put to the test. As a result, FitMyCar made the decision to enter the market itself under a newly formed brand, named Bedrock, to utilise its existing manufacturing and product design experience from years of making cargo liners and carpet floor mats. It meant FitMyCar could take the existing concept of a durable rubber or similar floor mat and adapt it to the true needs of the customer which were identified as being: protection, durability, value and aesthetics. For more information visit www.fitmycar.com.au

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS Motospecs, Drivetech 4x4 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System The Drivetech 4x4 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an exciting new real-time tyre monitoring system that provides peace of mind to the 4WDer as they can constantly check on one of their biggest ongoing investments, their tyres. The Drivetech 4x4 TPMS has a solar-powered LCD display and four waterproof external sensors for DIY installation. It is also the first system in Australia which can be upgraded to six, eight and 10 sensors, including two spare tyres, without a booster, which is great for RVs. The Drivetech 4x4 TPMS helps drivers stay safe via visual and audible alerts in the case of tyre air leakage, high tyre temperature, and low or high tyre pressures. Installation of the Drivetech 4x4 TPMS is as simple as screwing the caps on, putting the solar panel on top of the unit and the unit onto the dash. For more information, visit www.drivetech4x4.com.au

Pro Quip International, Pro Quip 15L Plastic Fuel Can The new Pro Quip 15L Plastic Fuel Can is lighter and shorter than the 20L version, and is made in the same style and look as the rest of the Pro Quip Fast Pour Range, making it easily recognisable as a Pro Quip Quality Product. The can retains the 20L ‘footprint’ and girth dimensions but is shorter and naturally lighter than a 20L Can, whilst maintaining the same shape and key accessory features that Pro Quip says have served the company well for almost 20 years. The reduced height makes it perfect for many applications such as in 4WDs where space is often limited and Pro Quip says it will fit all cradle-style 20L Jerry Can Holders that are commonly found mounted on trailers, vans and off-road setups. For more information, visit www.proquip.com.au

Pro Quip International, Can Caddy Transport Tray and Stabiliser Pro Quip’s Can Caddy Transport Tray and Stabiliser accommodates the 4L, 5L and 10L Plastic Fuel Can sizes, as well as the 5L and 10L Metal Jerry Can sizes available in the Pro Quip Range. Pro Quip says the increased ‘footprint’ provided offers unmatched stability for the safer transport of your Pro Quip Fuel Can. Whilst permanent fixing is recommended, the design accommodates the use of Velcro ‘loop’ for carpets, double-sided tape for flat areas, non-slip matting for ute trays or similar and four mounting holes for semi-permanent mounting screws or bolts. The design also includes cut-aways on both sides for the use of a strap. Also included is a cylindrical cavity for the storage of pourers or funnels, ensuring everything is contained within the non-leaking, sealed section of the Can Caddy tray. For more information, visit www.proquip.com.au

Redarc Electronics, Tow-Pro Elite V3 Electric Trailer Brake Controller The third generation of Redarc’s Tow-Pro brake controller continues to set the benchmark in trailer brake control technology, says Redarc. A change to the shape, length, size and depth of the remote head allows for easier installation and ensures the remote head will fit into thicker and curved dashes. It maintains the simple operation it is renowned for and industry-leading selectable modes of braking: ‘Proportional’ for highways and sealed roads and ‘User-controlled’ for off-road driving. Like previous generations, the Elite features proportional braking technology built from a patented algorithm, while the dash mounted remote head has been independently tested to meet stringent ADR21 safety standards. Tow-Pro Elite V3 continues to be suitable for 12 and 24V vehicle electrical systems as well as electric and electric/hydraulic trailers with no user input required to select the mode. For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au

Yakima, Yakima AceO’Spades The Yakima AceO’Spades attaches to a vehicle’s roof rack or platform and stores long-handled equipment safely, securely and conveniently. It securely holds handles up to 30-55mm in diameter and is ideal for tools with straight shafts (shovels), “D” handle (spades), and oval handles (axes), as well as sporting equipment (paddles or oars). Its unique “pop and drop” mechanism means you can simply pop open the handcuff-inspired holders and drop your tool/oar in. It is also lockable with “Same Key System” (SKS) locks. Inside each holder, the mechanism has rubber pads with cross-directional ribs that stop the carried item from sliding out or twisting and these rubber pads also provide cushioning and protection for carried loads. The AceO’Spades works with the Yakima LockNLoad roof rack crossbars, Platform and most competitor roof rack systems that feature an accessory T-slot. For more information, visit www.yakima.com.au For more information about the Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards, please visit www.aftermarketawards.com.au 63

MEMBER FEATURE

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE Right from its earliest beginnings, the founders of DENSO knew that its biggest and most important assets were people: both those who work for the company and those who rely on its systems Even at its earliest stage, DENSO’s management inherently knew that success relied heavily upon the skills of its people, product development and modern facilities.

began assembling a range of thermal products, expanding to include radiators, condensers, meter clusters, caravan air-conditioning and a/c tubing.

DENSO, previously Nippondenso, was established in Kariya, Japan in 1949 primarily as a manufacturer of starters, generators and radiators, which were supplied to the Toyota Motor Co.

Due to the decline of local automotive manufacturing, DENSO Australia’s facility ceased production operations and in late 2017 the company’s focus shifted towards the growth of local aftermarket product sales and expanding its Australian based global R & D Engineering.

The philosophy that all associates should be encouraged to participate in the betterment of the company through collaboration and creative thinking lead to the establishment of DENSO’s first technical training center and its role in sharing knowledge, refining associate aptitude and mastering its machinery. With the growth of DENSO’s technical prowess came innovation, and in the mid-1950s the company began to expand its business fields beyond the production of electrical components – establishing a competitive edge in the ability to develop and deliver seamless systems instead of single products. Hard work and persistence paid off and in 1961 DENSO was awarded the Deming Prize for quality control, laying the foundations for the concept and culture of ‘Quality First’. With this newfound confidence, came new goals and the company looked beyond its shores towards global expansion. To meet the growing needs of regional car manufacturers NipponDENSO Australia was soon established – DENSO’s first manufacturing plant outside of Japan. In 1972 the company

As such, DENSO Australia continues a legacy dating back to the company’s founding, to embrace change without fear, to confront and overcome every challenge with a view to the future and to continue to create new products and technologies. Today, DENSO Australia boasts an ever-expanding range of mobility related technologies, including: • • • • • • • •

Starter motors and alternators, Automotive air conditioning, Bus air conditioning, Diesel products, Engine cooling, Engine sensors, Ignition products, Portable air conditioning.

Globally, DENSO has grown from its electrical beginnings into a corporation of 211 group companies in 35 countries and regions and says it is proud to have a global workforce of more than 170,000 employees.

As a trusted Tier One supplier to the world’s automobile manufacturers, DENSO explains its original equipment technologies are present in almost all vehicles around the globe. To support this, DENSO offers the service and repair industry an extensive range of aftermarket components all with the same OE-standard quality and reliability. Available locally through its authorised distributor network and the company’s approved partners (a full listing of which can be found by visiting www. denso.com.au), the company says all of the parts it sells are guaranteed by DENSO’s warranty and are made to the organisation’s “unsurpassed quality.” Further, this comprehensive warranty is supported by the full support of its Australia-wide service network. From common rail systems that dramatically improve diesel engine performance to night view technology that detects pedestrians – DENSO states its plethora of world-first advances are due to the following three qualities:

MEMBER FEATURE

Refined manufacturing processes

BUILDING SOMETHING UNIQUE

Innovative products and components can only be realised if they can be manufactured. DENSO claims its technicians and engineers painstakingly refine every detail of its manufacturing systems to enable the creation of the best technologies and products.

After 45 years of operation in Australia, DENSO says the decision to close local manufacturing in 2017 was one of its biggest and most difficult. However, this gave it the opportunity to reimagine and re-focus DENSO Australia’s mission. By reforming the company as a sales and an R&D division, it claims it was able to build something truly unique. “It gave us the ability to redeploy assets and knowledge into exciting new business areas, and to take a lead in many advanced R&D programs that DENSO is undertaking globally,” DENSO Australia Chief Executive Officer, Gavan Keenan, explained. DENSO believes that the advantage of its products over its competitors is simple – quality! “That quality is the cumulative result of decades of experience, manufacturing prowess, a highly skilled workforce, thousands of hours of research, development and engineering, strict testing and the foresight of our people – who today are working on the technologies we will need to drive our future,” Gavan said. The automobile industry is undergoing its biggest

Meticulous quality control DENSO focuses on safety because cars carry people. DENSO was one of the first parts manufacturers to build its own test courses to evaluate its products, ensuring that people could confidently drive cars using DENSO-made components. The company says its local advanced test facilities are comparable with those of major carmakers and include chambers for high/low temperature testing, sunlight replication, a wide range of system diagnostics and noise and vibration chambers that simulate the diverse conditions drivers encounter every day.

Its people DENSO employees come from a variety of backgrounds, and the company says it views this diversity as one of its strengths.

transformation in a century as a result of rapid evolution of technology. In this period of change, DENSO explains its main goal is working to meet the future mobility needs of society in four major areas of technology: • Electric vehicles, • Advanced safety/autonomous vehicles, • Connectivity, • Factory automation/agriculture. DENSO states its future plan is to continue to create value by using its technology and experience to drive further progress in new mobility-related fields, by contributing to the advancement of manufacturing through its factory automation business, and by applying DENSO technology to the agriculture industry. From its foundation, DENSO has always believed in the benefits of collaboration – combining its expertise and knowledge with organisations from seemingly unrelated fields with different points of view which not only serve to broaden its horizons and scope, but enable it to develop new and exciting concepts for the company’s future needs. It is no surprise to hear that DENSO Australia is passionate about the Australian automotive industry. “Our local R & D Engineering group strives to develop technological solutions to meet the challenges we face in this unique Australian environment,” Gavan said. “Our sales and service teams are dedicated to the needs of our local customers, ensuring that they not only receive the best products and service for their business on a daily basis, but are also represented in DENSO’s global vision.” DENSO is a proud member of the AAAA, which enables the company to remain abreast of industry changes, challenges and successes as a whole. “We honour Australia’s proud past and support its strong future,” Gavan concluded. For more from DENSO, visit www.denso.com.au 65

BATTERIES & CHARGING

SMART CHARGING TECHNOLOGY: POWERING THE ELECTRONIC REVOLUTION The massive groundswell of technological advancement in the automobile requires new thinking about powering and charging vehicle electrics. In this article, AutoMate Training explores Smart Battery Charging Technology: why we need it and how it works In the same way that the steam engine defined 19th century mobility, and the internal combustion engine set the technological tempo of the 20th, the incredible advancement of computer systems unquestionably sits at the core of all innovation this side of the second millennium. Software, advanced sensors and sheer processing power have replaced – to a large extent – hard mechanical ingenuity at the bleeding edge of technological progress. And perhaps nowhere is this phenomenon more acute than in the crucible of automotivity, where key symbolic pursuits – autonomy, electrification and connectivity – are driving an astonishing pace of development, limited only by the bounds of computing power and the confines of human imagination. Yes, for automakers, gone is the old “anvil industry” approach to change. Instead, a new, highly-demanding and tech-savvy customer base is turning the market into a white-hot nexus point of innovation, where the latest in mobile, navigation, safety and entertainment technologies co-mingle in spectacular fashion. Consider not just the depth, but richness, of technological content in even the most conventional vehicles on the market. Downsized, highly-efficient turbo engines are now ubiquitous, increasingly augmented by mild-hybrid drive, with cylinder shut-down on-demand and start-stop technology for maximum efficiency. Advanced, computer-controlled automatic transmissions, with nine and even 10 speeds, occupy 90 percent of the market. Bluetooth connectivity is merely now a basic right – full connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is far more like it, along with digital dashboards, in-built 4G hotspots and of course, the requisite app to keep you and your vehicle connected omni tempore. Then there’s the on-board safety net. Where merely 20 years ago Electronic Stability Control was only just broaching the mainstream, today’s vehicles find themselves festooned with active safety systems to such a degree, even modest vehicles are now verging on the realm of semi-autonomy. Think standard Autonomous Emergency Braking, radar cruise, lane keep assist and hands-free parking tech – and you’ve barely scratched the surface. Clearly, then, this profound richening of technological content across the car parc is a 66

boon for consumers. But for automakers, the task of filtering these systems into their line-ups presents a major challenge. Quite apart from the cost of innovating, developing, testing and executing autonomous safety systems, in-car entertainment software iterations and the like, this broad variety of digitally-connected technology is also seriously demanding from an engineering point of view. In an industry where weight-saving is paramount thanks to strident emissions standards, the burden of equipment can wreak havoc on the scales. It also requires, don’t forget, intense durability testing to ensure the longevity of fragile electronics in even the harshest terrain. And then there’s the sheer load placed on the vehicle’s electrical system. While many vehicles continue to run 12V systems with lead-flooded batteries, going forward, lithium batteries will undoubtedly be popularised as manufacturers look to support ever greater loads with smaller, lighter cells. We’re also seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of vehicles fitted with secondary, 48V electrical systems, designed to support a powerhungry gamut of technologies like mild-hybrid drive, e-turbocharging, active suspension and so on. Already, cars as commonplace as the Hyundai Tuscon and Mercedes-Benz C200 feature these 48V sub-systems as standard, and we can expect a glut of followers to hit the market in the next 12-24 months. From a service and maintenance perspective, this rapid development presents a number of vital challenges, particularly in the area of charging.

Indeed, in the same way the term “smart phone” has come to replace “mobile phone”, the phrase “smart charger” is increasingly prevalent in the automotive aftermarket. And small wonder – compared to an old-style, linear charger, “smart chargers” offer a new level of control, monitoring and functionality for technicians, betterequipping them to deal with complex vehicle electrical systems and technology. As we know, in its most basic form in a leadflooded battery, charging is intended to regenerate the active materials from lead sulphate formed during the discharging process, known as ‘sulphating’. In the process of a battery discharge, sulphate ions from the electrolyte react with the lead electrodes to form lead sulphate. Upon recharging, these compounds dissolve with the sulphate ions returning to the electrolyte. Older-style, constant-current charging maintains a pre-selected current until a specific voltage has been obtained at the battery. Without careful monitoring and control of the charger, however, overcharging and overheating in the battery can occur, causing long term damage or immediate battery failure. In short, this traditional technology is now outdated, so it’s not recommended for use on today’s batteries. On the other hand, “smart chargers” have

BATTERIES & CHARGING

the ability to communicate with the battery during the charging process, allowing them to regulate the pace and strength of the charge in accordance with the prevailing battery level, temperature and so on. They achieve this most commonly by operating in a series of stages – so while each type of battery chemistry needs to be dealt with in a slightly different way, they can all be charged, maintained and rejuvenated by a smart battery charger. To understand how, it’s crucial to explore the different phases of the smart charging process. To start the charge, a high frequency voltage pulse assists in the regeneration of a deeply discharged battery. This method of pulse charging can also help reduce the excessive sulphate crystals that may have formed on the battery plates during its discharged state. Next, the soft start phase tests if the battery can actually accept a charge. This step prevents charging proceeding when the battery has an internal fault, something that wouldn’t happen with a regular, linear-style charger. Once it’s confirmed the battery can accept a charge, the main charging stage commences. It’s during this phase that the charger operates at its maximum output, current and voltage, until the battery reaches 80 percent of its capacity

After this bulk charging stage, smart chargers will automatically begin to reduce their current output as the battery approaches maximum capacity, whilst still maintaining the required voltage. Only when a pre-determined current level is reached will the next stage commence. The next step is for the charger to test if the battery can hold a sustainable charge, in what’s known as the Analyse phase. It’s at this point that the charger will determine whether the battery is in good condition - and those that cannot hold pre-determined charge may need to be replaced. Most chargers also allow you to select an extra program known as Recondition. During this phase, the voltage increases to create a controlled gassing in the battery. Gassing mixes the battery acid and gives back energy to the battery; making this a critical step for batteries that require rejuvenation. Additionally, smart chargers also feature float phases, which maintain the battery voltage at maximum level by providing a constant voltage charge, while a “pulse phase” is designed to monitor the battery voltage and give a pulse occasionally to keep the battery topped up. Finally, a “pulse maintenance mode” allows batteries to naturally self-discharge to a certain level, before being fully charged again. Not only

does this avoid the risk of overcharging but, as the battery is being cycled as it would in a vehicle, the lifespan of the battery is extended considerably. Understanding these phases is a crucial part of any exploration of smart charging technology, and speaks to the increasing complexity of oncesimple processes relating to automotive service, maintenance and repair. For the automotive technician, then, the natural consequence is the need to stay up to date and trained with ongoing technical learning. Automate says that as the world’s leading provider of online automotive training, it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your knowledge current, on everything from the fundamentals to the most advanced vehicle systems. AutoMate’s library of short, sharp training videos contains more than 400 modules, built around the ever-changing demands of today’s vehicles and technology. One particular area of focus in the library is automotive electrics, because AutoMate believes understanding and mastering this topic is crucial for technicians to remain competitive in the aftermarket. For more information and to start a free trial of AutoMate today, visit www.automatetraining.com

BATTERIES & CHARGING

BEAT THE FLAT BATTERY BLUES With the ANBI Switch Negative Battery Terminal Isolator There’s nothing more frustrating than a flat battery. Those behind the ANBI Switch Negative Battery Terminal Isolator says installing one of its isolators is a cost effective solution to ensure your customers are always ready for their next adventure. Designed and manufactured in Australia to international automotive specifications, the ANBI Switch is said to be robust, easy to fit and perfect for cars, trucks, 4WDs, agricultural and industrial equipment, caravans and motorhomes. The ANBI Battery Switch eliminates drainage of stored power by isolating the battery. Installation is quick and easy and can be completed in less than 15 minutes. “From the outset the goal was to develop an engagement system that would provide enough contact surface area to deliver the conductivity required for the battery to be fully operational when engaged and ensure that the battery was completely isolated when disengaged,” said Theo Brown, designer and general manager of Digital Pulse Systems and the inventor of the ANBI Switch. “While this might sound like a simple task, many battery isolator switches fail to deliver on either one, or both, of these critical areas. The result of which can cause heat and corrosion issues, which seriously reduce switch life, or failure to fully isolate the battery, the sole purpose of a battery isolator switch. “To avoid these issues, the ANBI Switch’s patented design incorporates a sliding bronze panel to overlap a fixed bronze panel within the switch housing by 3mm, to affect conductivity for the battery to be fully operational. This provides for 57.06 sq. mm of contact.” To isolate the battery the sliding panel is withdrawn to a 6mm stop. This provides a 3mm gap between the two contacts, thus eliminating

contact that provides the isolation (as shown in figure one). Prior to launch the ANBI Switch was subjected to a rigorous testing regime to ensure it was fit for purpose as detailed below: • Accelerated Life Test – this test of 500 cycles is directly related to the expected application of the ANBI Switch, recognising that if it is deployed once a week (extreme), it represents a durable product life well beyond 10 years. • Resistivity Testing – the aim of resistivity testing is to quantify the change in temperature of the switch conductor during a start-up cycle of a vehicle. The ANBI Switch was installed onto the earth terminal of the battery and a self-adhesive patch thermocouple attached to the sliding brass contact. An additional thermocouple was positioned within close proximity to the assembly to measure ambient temperature. The vehicle was put through 10 start-up cycles with a data acquisition system logging the temperature at 2Hz. The results proved that the ANBI Switch maintained its ohms resistance specification while in use. • Vibration Testing – the aim of vibration testing is to determine if there is a loss of contact of the switch conductors during normal driving conditions for a vehicle intended for off-road usage. The ANBI Switch was mounted to a shaker test bed in an orientation representing normal installation. The earth lead was orientated at 90° to the axis of the switch and constrained at its free end in a manner representing its intended installation. The switch was closed throughout testing. A DC power supply providing 5V was connected to the switch and an oscilloscope sampling at 1000Hz was used to record the signal through the switch contacts. Vibration testing was conducted as per DEF STAN 00-35 Test M1 A.3.1 in all three orthogonal axes. The

results were impressive as no loss of signal was observed during testing. In addition, no damage or loosening of any parts was observed at the completion of testing.

International Automotive Quality Standards Digital Pulse Systems says production samples were then tested against the stringent parameters required to secure International Automotive Quality Standards, TS16949 and ISO14001 with the ANBI Switch exceeding the criteria for both and secured compliance. Based on the test results and to protect their intellectual property, the team at Digital Pulse Systems applied for and secured Patents in Australia, India, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and the United States of America. Once the engineering team completed their final evaluation, the ANBI Switch was put into full production in preparation for launch. Using the same patented engagement system design, the ANBI Switch is available in a range of application specific kits to suit a wide variety of vehicles including cars, boats, trucks, caravans and camper trailers, jet skis, ride-on-mowers, boats, motorcycles, Japanese post batteries and agricultural equipment. While most battery isolators require fitting by an auto-electrician due to the requirement of crimping and rewiring during installation, Digital Pulse Systems says the development of these application specific kits, of which all contain a unique combination of fitting components, allow customers to quickly and easily fit the ANBI Battery Isolator to their vehicle with the most basic of tools. It says that even for the most inexperienced DIYer, installation will be completed in under 15mins. For more information, visit www.anbiswitch.com.au or call 1800 290 812 for trade enquiries.

BATTERIES & CHARGING

BURSON AUTO PARTS: YOUR MOTORGEAR BATTERY DESTINATION Burson Auto Parts exclusively offers every Motorgear automotive battery with a 24 month warranty Australia’s Burson Auto Parts offers its exclusive Motorgear range of fully sealed and maintenance free automotive batteries to automotive repairers nationwide.

free replacement battery range the leading choice when it comes to price, quality, prompt availability, application coverage and importantly, for end customer peace of mind.

With an impressive application range covering more than 65 percent of vehicle makes and models in the Australian car parc, Burson Auto Parts says each of its stores stocks enough Motorgear automotive batteries so workshops like yours don’t have to.

“There has been a traditional belief that to sell batteries, automotive workshops needed to have a rack in the workshop with the top half a dozen batteries ready to go, consuming valuable business floor space and adding to business operating costs,” Burson Auto Parts General Manager - Merchandise, Peter Cheney, said.

With Motorgear maintenance free batteries delivered to workshops promptly as and when required, there is no need for valuable workshop floor space to be taken up, or for business expenses to be incurred by having “in house” bulk battery stocks. Burson Auto Parts says it exclusively offers every Motorgear automotive battery with a trusty 24 month warranty, making this maintenance

“We are saying to repairers that this method is outdated due to the complexity of the car parc these days when Burson can provide a cost effective ‘Just in Time’ solution due to our broad store ranges with prompt delivery.

have the vast majority of workshop replacement battery requirements covered.

“Add to this the Motorgear Batteries 24 month warranty and the maintenance free, fully sealed design, along with excellent value pricing and we

To find out more about the exclusive Motorgear battery range from Burson Auto Parts, contact your local store by calling 1300 BURSON (287 766).

“Repairers have access to quality replacement battery products as and when needed, rather than stocking random part numbers in house.”

BATTERIES & CHARGING

NOCO GENIUS BOOST Ultra-portable, lightweight and compact lithium jump starters NOCO says its Genius Boost line of jump starters have been engineered to significantly outperform traditional lead-acid technology. The “ultra-portable, lightweight and compact lithium jump starters” can safely jump start a flat battery in seconds, up to 20 times on a single charge. Designed for cars, boats, motorcycles, SUVs, trucks, ATVs, and more, NOCO says all six models are mistake-proof, featuring spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection— making them safe for anyone to use. Boost features a built-in high-output LED flashlight with seven light modes, including SOS and emergency strobe. It also doubles as a USB battery pack for recharging personal devices on the go as the built in 2.1A USB out port can power all of your USB devices such as smartphones, GoPro cameras, wireless headphones, and more. NOCO Genius Smart Battery Chargers are portable, automatic multi-purpose chargers for 6-volt, 12-volt, and 24-volt batteries. Charge and maintain a wide variety of vehicles including cars, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks, and more. These switch-mode battery chargers were built on a high-frequency

and high-efficiency platform, which converts energy 30,000 times faster than traditional automotive battery chargers. NOCO explains that Genius Chargers constantly monitor battery activity so you never have to worry about overcharging your battery and it only begins charging when needed. It says NOCO Genius chargers allow for continuous operation without user intervention and present “zero risks” of overcharging your battery. In comparison, NOCO says other brands require a separate battery charger for 12V, 16V, 24V, AGM batteries, 6V, cold conditions, lithium-ion batteries, and for battery desulfation while with its versatile multi-purpose battery chargers, as your needs and vehicles change, your charger won’t. With a simple push of a button, you’ll have the power to switch between various charging modes within one, complete battery charger. Like the Genius Boost jump starters, they are said to be “UltraSafe” with spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. Established in 1914, NOCO designs and creates premium consumer battery chargers, jump starters, and a wide range of related battery products and accessories. For more information, visit www.no.co

DELKOR WINS 13TH CONSECUTIVE QUALITY EXCELLENCE AWARD R&J Batteries is the sole distributor of Delkor Batteries throughout Australia and New Zealand Delkor Batteries says its world-renowned quality and reliability has been affirmed recently as it won its 13th consecutive Korean Standard – Quality Excellence Index award, the top award for quality from the Korean Standards Associations. Outperforming all competition in the automotive battery category, Delkor Batteries was awarded number one for highest performance, durability and consistent quality rating. In addition to its outstanding quality, Delkor Batteries says it is globally recognised for technology innovation, with its batteries “remaining at the forefront of battery technology for decades.” Delkor batteries are built with patented PowerFrame technology and are said to offer up to 66 percent more durability and more corrosion resistance than traditional grids. They are also reported to feature superior cranking power and up to 70 percent better electrical flow while being manufactured using 20 percent less energy. R&J Batteries is the sole distributor of Delkor Batteries throughout Australia and New Zealand. Proudly supplying Delkor batteries for the past 20 years, R&J Batteries says the two companies work together to understand market dynamics, consumer demands and technology needs to find power solutions for vehicles across Australia and New Zealand, including passenger vehicles, 70

heavy and light trucks, utility vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts, lawn, garden and marine applications. R&J Batteries says it is proudly the largest independently and wholly Australian owned battery importer and distributor across Australia and New Zealand and has been at the forefront of battery technology for almost 25 years. Since 2014 Delkor has been a part of Johnson Controls Power Solutions which claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive batteries. Earlier this year, Johnson Controls Power Solutions became Clarios, a new company in its own right. With more than 16,000 employees, 56 facilities worldwide and 130 years of expertise, Clarios remains a world leader in energy storage solutions and says it is still dedicated to providing the Australian market with advanced battery technology. For more information, visit www.rjbatt.com.au

BATTERIES & CHARGING

OZCHARGE TO THE RESCUE Reduce vehicle downtime with the OzCharge Rescue Mate Onboard Jump Starter (RM800i) OzCharge says its Rescue Mate Onboard Jump Starter is the perfect way to avoid the most common cause for vehicles becoming stranded: dead or weak batteries. The Rescue Mate is a permanently mounted power reserve, is completely isolated from the vehicle’s electrical system and cannot be drained flat by any of the vehicle’s accessories. The Rescue Mate’s power can only be utilised for starting. With one press of a button, you are back on your way. OzCharge says this makes the Rescue Mate the number one safety product to consider for

your new or current vehicle. It is maintenance free, offers 800 Amps of starting power and can start up to 8.0L petrol and 5.0L diesel engines. It integrates the jump-start procedure in a way that both looks and functions like a feature standard from factory. Simply engage the dash mounted jump-start button and the RM800i is now delivering the required power to start the vehicle. Once the Rescue Mate is installed, the vehicle’s alternator automatically maintains the Rescue Mate while the motor is running so that it’s always kept at full charge. In fact, within just minutes of the engine running, the RM800i is fully charged, having been charged up via the vehicle’s alternator in two to three minutes. Once fully charged, the RM800i completely isolates itself from the starting battery and is now ready to jumpstart when required, holding full charge for four to six months without the vehicle being operated. This automatic recharging process via the alternator removes responsibility from drivers to

manually recharge the jump starter (as required with portable jumper-packs). The Rescue Mate also removes the danger and confusion associated with jump-starting. There are no jumper leads, no sparks and no mechanical knowledge required. There is no requirement to connect clamps and no exposed power or sparks – simply press the LED start button and you’re back on your way. The OzCharge Rescue Mate has a two-year warranty and is available from all specialist 4X4 outlets and auto electricians. For more information, call 03 9482 2203, email info@ozcharge.com.au or visit www.ozcharge.com.au

BATTERIES & CHARGING

KEEP BATTERIES IN CHECK THIS WINTER With the CTEK PRO25S The performance and lifespan of lead-acid batteries are seriously affected when exposed to temperature extremes – whether cold, or perhaps more surprisingly hot.

Did you know that the heat and the hot summer weather is actually the start of many winter battery problems? The battery can get damaged by high temperatures in summer and heat generated under the hood.

CTEK offers the following fast facts on battery maintenance: • As temperatures drop, a lead acid battery loses capacity. This is due to the chemical reaction process within the battery slowing down, leading to reduced power output. • Because low temperature affects the chemical reaction, this means even when the vehicle is running, the battery’s ability to accept charge drops and doesn’t charge as quickly. • As the sun goes away and the colder weather starts, vehicle owners are more likely to use their cars for some shorter journeys that they might have walked over the summer. During these journeys the battery will not receive sufficient charge, which over time will result in a decreased state of charge and sulphation. • One in three vehicles entering the workshop has a battery that requires attention.

During the summer however, the warmth in the surrounding air can help the battery function well, so any drop in condition isn’t picked up. It’s not until the cold weather strikes, or the vehicle goes in for a service, that a problem is identified.

“These facts demonstrate the importance of battery management in the workshop, however big or small the job, and whatever the time of year,” CTEK Director of Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Robert Briggs said.

After a long Australian summer, battery management during servicing in the winter months is essential to ensure that vehicles don’t fall victim to costly battery failures in the workshop. Despite the advances in battery technology and ECU controlled charging to help cope with modern vehicle demands, battery related faults remain one of the number one reasons for battery failure.

“We strongly recommend that technicians hook vehicle batteries up to a battery charger or support unit, such as our new PRO25S unit, as soon as it enters the workshop to protect against costly battery failure.” CTEK says the PRO25S is an innovative, versatile and highly efficient 25A battery charger and power supply which has been developed around the needs of the automotive professional. Combining power and advanced technology with safety, and the portability and flexibility to work with any 12V vehicle battery including lithium-ion (LiFePO4), CTEK says the PRO25S is the perfect solution to support the battery during diagnostic and fault-finding work. “Don’t let the warmer summer months lull you into a false sense of security. Battery charging and support is important no matter the time of year,” Robert said. For more information, visit www.ctek.com.au

BATTERIES & CHARGING

REDARC INTRODUCES AC BATTERY DON’T LEAVE YOUR CUSTOMERS CHARGERS ACCESSORIES RANGE The three new accessories complement STRANDED Redarc’s SmartChargers range Proactive battery testing can help secure extra sales through pre-emptive battery replacement Cold conditions increase friction around engine components and an increase in oil viscosity creates higher demands on the engine that requires additional cranking power to start. To add more stress, a fully charged battery at 25oC has approximately 100 percent of its power to crank the engine while at 0oC the battery’s ability to deliver the same amount of power is reduced by around 35 percent. Power available from battery

Temperature oC

Power required to crank engine

100 percent

27o

100 percent

65 percent

0o -18o

155 percent

40 percent

210 percent

The combination of operating conditions, an increase in engine tolerances and a decrease in available CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is a big factor behind an increase in battery failures over the colder months. Research has proven the more batteries you test, the more you sell. This is particularly pertinent when we consider that approximately 700,000 battery sales are lost each year to road clubs.

Over 70 percent of these vehicles would have been in a service bay or retail outlet within the last six months and it should be considered that one in every twenty batteries identified with a ‘chance of failure’ leads to a battery sale. Century Yuasa says battery testing using one of its handheld testers provides an accurate on the spot test result in minutes; helping identify suspect batteries, highlighting problems, and helping your customers avoid the financial and emotional costs associated with a flat or faulty battery. For more information, contact 1300 362 287 or visit www.centurybatteries.com.au 76

Redarc has introduced a range of accessories for use with its co-branded 12V SmartCharge AC Battery Chargers by DEFA, launched in late 2018. The accessories can be used with the SmartCharge range of AC to DC battery chargers designed to automatically charge and maintain most 12V automotive and auxiliary batteries including Lithium (LiFePO4). Since their release, the SmartCharge range has become popular with users in a wide range of applications such as cars, boats, motorbikes, scooters, lawnmowers and just about anything else with a small battery that isn’t used on a regular basis. With the introduction of the range of accessories to complement the SmartChargers, recharging batteries has never been easier thanks to a new 12V Charging Kit and two 12V Charging Cables, says Redarc. The 12V Charging Kit (#SBC12ACC1-4) is a charging cable with ring terminals that includes a socket for permanent mounting to a battery, ultimately saving the user the hassle of accessing the battery in hard to reach locations. The cable can also charge and power electrical devices like mobile phones, sound systems and fridges via its socket. The 12V Charging Cable with Ring Terminals (#SBC12ACC1-5) allows the user to permanently mount the ring terminals on a battery. It is ideally used on applications such as motorbikes, ATVs, scooters, jet-skis and lawn mowers. The 12V Charging Cable with Clamps (#SBC12ACC1-6) allows the user to permanently mount cables to a battery and is ideal for monitoring and charging batteries in showroom vehicles, fleets and other vehicles that remain unused for long periods of time. All three accessories feature a battery status indicator, which shows the battery charge level in real time via a coloured status indicator. The battery indicator shows the charge status of the battery via a red, yellow or green light. The advantage of these accessory cables is that they can be permanently mounted to a battery, ultimately simplifying the charging process. To charge, simply take the cover off the battery status indicator and connect directly to your SmartCharger and press the ‘ON’ button. Redarc Managing Director, Anthony Kittel, said

that by offering a range of accessories for the SmartCharge AC battery range customers now have even more choice when selecting a suitable charging solution whatever their application. “The feedback we have been receiving from our customers who are using a SmartCharge has been overwhelmingly positive, they have been impressed with their style, sophistication and how easy they make recharging. As a result, we are introducing this range of accessories to make the charging process even easier,” Anthony said. “With the Charging Kit and Charging Cables, you won’t need to find your way to the battery in order to connect it to the SmartCharge as they offer a permanent mounting solution.” The Redarc range of AC SmartCharge Battery Chargers by DEFA is available in four variants: four, six, eight and 10amps. The four and six amps units are suited for applications with a smaller battery including bikes, scooters and lawnmowers, whereas the eight and 10A variants are suited for bigger batteries used in cars, caravans, campers and RVs. The main advantage of the SmartCharge range is that they recognise the type of battery it is connected to and adjusts their charging process to suit the battery’s charge status, size and ambient temperature conditions. They also have a clear display which shows the status of charge and battery charge level. Redarc has partnered with Norwegian manufacturer DEFA, with both companies sharing similar values and focusing on continuous improvement, innovation and most importantly providing customers with great products of the highest quality. The SmartCharge range of AC Battery Chargers and their accessories are covered by a five-year warranty. For more information on the range, visit www.redarc.com.au/ac-battery-chargers

SERVICING

WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY With the Macnaught BOP20 Battery Operated Pump for 20L drums Whilst dated vehicle technology required less fluid consumables it is becoming more apparent modern vehicles require more specialised fluids, if not in the engine then in some other parts of the vehicle. The proliferation of motor vehicle fluids has added more stress to managers and technicians to store and effectively use these multiple fluids in their workshops. Service Managers from the largest dealers to proprietors of the smallest service workshops are always seeking ways to streamline their processes and as such are working with suppliers by embracing new innovations in both service techniques and tools. Macnaught says one area of the modern workshop which is falling behind the trend is the dispensing of fluids from 20 litre drums. The current regime of labour intensive manual pumping is still quite the norm despite the fact these 20 litre containers have become more ubiquitous as vehicle requirements have become more specialised.

Macnaught says its new BOP20 Battery Operated Pump for 20L drums enables automotive workshops to work more efficiently. The clever use of patent pending technology, combined with innovative design and intuitive operation provides a product that not only solves the problem of fatiguing manual pumps, but also reduces the likelihood of spills and provides an expandable platform of oil handling efficiencies for the business. The BOP20 is a combination of two separate components: the removable Powerhead and the in-drum Pump Stem. These two separate items have been designed to work together with the Powerhead providing power to the multiple BOP20 Pump Stems in any given workshop. The result is a closed system to eliminate oil contamination. For more information, visit www.macnaught.com/bop20 78

MAHA SCISSOR LIFTS Offering German precision and accuracy MAHA says its more than 50 years of experience, particularly in regard to its close cooperation with all of the major German OEM factory/dealerships as well as testing organisations involved in vehicle inspection and reputable vehicle manufacturers regarding wheel alignment, has allowed it to become a market leader. As a productive manufacturer, MAHA says it stands for high-tech vehicle inspections and workshop fitting, supplying the entire range from test benches and vehicle lifts to various inspection devices for cars, utility vehicles, motorbikes and special-purpose vehicles. MAHA is pleased to offer to the market its DUO CM 4200kgs/5000kgs/5500kgs Scissor lifts. This full-length Scissor Lift for inground or above ground installation comes with a twoyear warranty and is suitable for vehicles up to 5500kgs in weight. “This lift is extremely accurate but also exceptionally robust and has been designed with a high vehicle throughput and optimum service life in mind,” MAHA Automotive Managing Director, Mick Lauster, said. “It is the most durable and precise wheel alignment lift on the market with a unique tilting option for lowered vehicles. “It is also extremely accurate, within less than 1mm variance back left to front right always showing on the LCD display and exceptionally durable as proven by their use around the world for highly demanding vehicle inspection applications. We know of lifts that have been lifting seven days per week every ten minutes for more than 18 years and are still going strong. “Made in Germany with local factory support, these lifts offer high lateral stability and bending strength and are excellently suited to applications where precision wheel alignment is key. “Also of interest are the maintenancefree integrated displacement measurement encoder (‘linear-absolute measuring system’) which is protected within the lifting cylinders and eliminates the need for light barriers for synchronisation monitoring, and electric switches for lift height detection.

“There is also a high level of safety offered, thanks to immediate switch-off in case of (onesided) collision with an obstacle at a minimum height difference and an emergency off function in the case of power failure.”

Other key features and benefits include: • Single Piece runways with <1mm Accuracy showing via LCD Level Display • Can be supplied with Daimler MKS Mounts to suit various OEM 3D Alignment Systems • Specialised Alignment Locks for precise 3D measurements during alignments at all heights • Modular Wheel Alignment kit allows turntables to be placed hard up against slip plates or front of lift • Unique runway tilt option for lowered vehicles on 4200kgs DUO CM • Runways equipped with pre-integrated guide rail for axle lift option • Latches and cylinder racks as extra safety feature • Cables and hydraulic hoses installed safely within scissor pipes • Low drive-on of 240mm height for simple use with optional extended ramps • A unique elevated lifting height in excess of 2m makes repair works and access easier • LCD Screen on control panel to show exact runway heights by 1mm • Stops automatically upon rising to desired lifting height with custom programmable breakpoint • Robust membrane keyboard for high volume use • Hydraulic Slanted runways available for easy drive-on and drive-off • Optional dual latch for chassis alignment as a means of added stability within the scissor arm • Standard lifting/lowering time 40 seconds to 2075mm • Reduced lifting/lowering time available of 20/20seconds or 12/12seconds optional For more information, visit www.maha.com.au

SERVICING

NEW FROM ALEMLUBE The company has introduced new ranges of workshop lube equipment and LED work lights Alemlube EL Series Lube Equipment Responding to changing needs and trends in the marketplace, Alemlube says it has added a limited range of lower priced Workshop Lube Equipment to its already extensive product range. Alemlube that says when you consider one’s anticipated usage of the piece of equipment in question, the environment that the pump, reel or meter will be operating in and their budget, not everyone or every company needs and/or can justify top tier products. Being aware of the need for change is one thing

but Alemlube says it has responded, using “its worldwide range of contacts to source equipment that ticks the quality, durability and longevity boxes as well as the good value for money box from China’s Number One lubrication equipment manufacturer.” With spare parts readily available around the country, Alemlube explains its own factory trained technicians are available to provide after sales service support. The seven new products in the range are said to be ideal for intermittent and seasonal use, such as in council workshops, independent automotive workshops, the workshops of familyowned farmers and graziers, high performance car enthusiast’s workshops and even quarries. If you’re looking for a cost effective solution to your lubricant delivery and metering and greasing requirements, Alemlube says its EL Series range of Workshop Lube Equipment is “quickly becoming the option of choice.”

Alemlube LED Work Lights Alemlube has also introduced a new range of “state of the art” LED work lights. Designed and manufactured utilising the latest technological advances in light emission, Alemlube says each work light is robust, reliable, smart looking and feels great in the hand while perfectly illuminating your area of application.

The range includes a convenient pocket work light, several slimline work lights, a bendable work light and a flood light, providing superior illumination for many applications in the workshop, factories, manufacturing plants, around the home and for outdoor use. The pocket, slimline and bendable work lights are particularly valuable for providing assistance when undertaking close inspection work under and around vehicles and for other applications requiring well-lit detailed inspection and difficult to reach spaces. The convenience of strong magnets built into these LED work lights is a real bonus and further enhances their ease of use, versatility and dependence, says Alemlube. Further, Alemlube says the already feature packed range’s high moisture intrusion and impact resistance guarantee a long and trouble free service life for each of these work lights when used as intended. For information on all Alemlube products ranges, visit www.alemlube.com.au

HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS HELP THEMSELVES Customers often put off much needed servicing or repairs due to a lack of funds With Openpay, you can help your customers to access the service and repairs they need through flexible interest-free payment plans. Openpay even has a specialist automotive arm, allowing customers more time to pay while ensuring their car is safe and well maintained. For everything from services to tyres, brakes, new parts, protection products, dash cams, parking sensors, extended warranties and more, Openpay says it can help. “Our research shows that many customers are opting to avoid recommended repairs because of financial strain, with almost 80 percent of survey respondents stating they had been unprepared for a car service bill. Almost 60 percent stated they had not upgraded their tyres due to cost, even when recommended to do so to make their car safe,” Openpay’s Head of Automotive, Eric Weitzman, said.

“At the same time, more than 90 percent of those surveyed stated that a buy-now, pay-later payment solution would improve their satisfaction with their service. “We are seeing Auto Service centres using Openpay enjoying an almost threefold increase in their average transaction value of a typical service repair order when Openpay was used in the transaction. “Our customers are using Openpay as an upselling tool, a customer retention tool and are offering a payment plan rather a discount. More importantly, they are helping their customer get a safer car back on the road in a more affordable way. “Customers can be signed up to Openpay at the point of sale or they can download the Openpay app to their phones. Regardless, the process is seamless, paperless and the merchant gets paid on the next business day.”

Openpay can be used to fund just about any major service or repair. Customers must have a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card account and an Australian drivers licence or passport. Customer fees are said to be relatively small and transparent when compared to a credit card. For more information, visit www.openpay.com.au or email eric@openpay.com.au

SERVICING

PENRITE LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF INTAKE CLEANERS The new Penrite P26 Foaming Intake Cleaners are available now Penrite has long been a staple of the automotive workshop scene, and its latest product introduction further bolsters its commitment to the trade market. Falling into Penrite’s “renowned” P26 Aerosol product range, the newly released P26 Petrol and Diesel Foaming Intake Cleaners provide workshops and mechanics an additional solution to resolve common vehicle engine and performance related issues. Whilst vehicle technology has developed tremendously over the past decade, the introduction of forced induction and engine start-stop features have increased potential for carbon buildup within the intake tract of modern vehicles. Diesel engines are also far more susceptible, with blockages of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system becoming common place on short commutes and during city driving. Typically, to correct intake system deposits, removal of the manifold and EGR system was necessary. Penrite has developed the P26 range of foaming cleaners to effectively remove carbon buildup, varnish and sludge from intake valves, intake manifold, throttle body and EGR system without disassembly of the engine. What differentiates the Penrite intake cleaner is the high foaming ability of the product, which expands inside the intake system to effectively reach areas that other traditional intake cleaners cannot. The aerosols are designed for use in all passenger vehicles, light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, motorcycles, industrial machines and stationary engines. “The foaming intake cleaners are the next evolution of the P26 range, and both products are individually optimised to provide tested and proven performance,” Penrite Oil Marketing Manager, David Kirby, said. Penrite states the P26 Petrol Foaming Intake Cleaner corrects problems such as poor fuel economy, rough idling and engine pinging while reducing emissions and improving compression ratio. Comparatively, the P26 Diesel Foaming Intake Cleaner reduces preignition and engine smoke, removes carbon deposits and revitalises engine performance in direct and common-rail diesels. Penrite says the petrol and diesel aerosols have been specially formulated based on the engine type. The petrol variant is supplied in a 240mL pack, while the diesel version is offered in a 130mL pack. Both aerosols are LPG propelled, removing the need for harmful CFC gasses. Penrite are also quick to point out that both the Petrol and Diesel variants of these foaming intake cleaners are safe for all vehicle types. In addition, the aerosols won’t harm catalytic converters, oxygen (O2) sensors and Diesel Particular Filters (DPFs). “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the results truly speak for themselves,” David said. To find out more, speak to your Penrite rep, call Penrite on 1300 736 748 or visit www.penriteoil.com.au 81

SERVICING

QUALITY FILTERS From Unique Auto Parts Quality filters are a necessity when it comes to the smooth running and general lifespan of modern engines and Unique Auto Parts says no service is complete without them. Unique Auto Parts says it only stocks the best of the best when it comes to filters, including TJ filters. The company says TJ Filters has always been a reputable name and while the brand itself has been around for over 40 years, it has recently been given a new lease on life by Quinton Hazell (QH), a brand which is imported and distributed in Australia by Unique Auto Parts. The humble filters role has become much more important of late and the need for more specificallyengineered designs is crucial. The QH range of filters are manufactured to ISO16949 and ISO 90001OE quality standards and are designed to provide optimum efficiency and engine protection while maximising engine performance, explains Unique Auto Parts. The QH range includes oil, air, fuel and cabin filters; all of which are stocked by Unique Auto Parts.

QH offers both main types of oil filters: spin on (canister) and Eco (cartridge). Eco filters comply with the latest environmental standards set by the European Union and are a great replacement for vehicles both old and new that require new OE filters. When it comes to cabin filers, QH offers both standard and carbon (pollen) filters and wherever possible QH reportedly includes carbon variants of its standard OE filters as these versions block out much smaller particles. Similarly, QH air filters are designed to remove the smallest of particles using a combination of coarse, intermediate and fine layers. The QH range of fuel filters are said to offer top engine protection, designed with precise connections and heat resistant casings. In addition to filters, Unique Auto Parts says it really is a one stop shop for all of your service needs including high quality Carlube oils which are designed specifically for European makes, a complete range of brake components and other essentials including Bosch wipers and spark plugs.

If you are after more than just service parts, Unique Auto Parts also stocks a complete range of ‘non service’ replacement parts, including but not limited to steering and suspension components, electrical and ignition systems as well as SKF timing belt kits, water pumps and driveshafts. With three fully stocked warehouses in Melbourne, one in Queensland located centrally between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and a new branch in the Perth suburb of Beckenham, Unique Auto Parts says it is well situated to provide quick and reliable delivery with freight dispatched Australiawide daily using “the fastest and most efficient couriers.” To be connected to your nearest branch, call 1300 864 864 or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au for more information.

SERVICING

LED CANBUS COMPATIBLE REPLACEMENT GLOBES Complete with a 10 Year Warranty Automotive globe failure is not only frustrating, but can also cause costly vehicle downtime, extra costs with authorities and be dangerous to other road users. LED Autolamps says it has addressed these issues by offering a range of high-powered LED replacement globes. The range makes available a heavy-duty qualitybuilt product, that offers a long operational duty cycle of 50,000 continuous hours. They also feature CANbus compatibility which helps to avoid computer error messages when fitting LEDs to newer style vehicles. LED Autolamps says it has also built in reverse polarity and over voltage protection into the design for peace of mind and that all of this has enabled it to back up the range with an “incredible” 10 Year extended warranty. LED Autolamps’ latest range of high-powered replacement globes feature four different fitment types. First are intensely bright festoons with SV8.5-8 base and 31mm, 36mm, 39mm and 41mm lengths available. These replacement lamps output 150 to 180 effective lumens by using only three SMD LEDs giving a super wide 180-degree field of view.

They also run at a very low current draw of only 0.14A @ 12 volts and are available in a voltage range of 12-14.5 Volts. Festoons are commonly used to light interior, glove box and boot or trunk light compartments. The T10 and T15s with a wedge fit, both have an intense 360-degree beam angle of clean white light in a voltage range of 12-24 Volts. The smaller T10 has 10 SMD LEDs, outputting an impressive 200 effective lumens. The larger T15 houses 15 SMD LEDs giving a massive 570 effective lumens of light output. T10 and T15 globes are mainly used in park light, reverse function and license plate lamp applications. Next is the rear function lighting. The T20 wedge fit lamps are available in three colours, Amber/ Indicator outputting 380 effective lumens, Reverse/white at 570 effective lumens and StopTail/Red offering 380 effective lumens high power 125 effective lumens low power. All come standard with a voltage range of 12-24 Volts and have 18 high powered SMD LEDs with an intense 360-degree field of view. Completing the range, they also have the old

school bayonet style fitting lamps. Suiting the BA15S and BAU15S for the Amber/Indicator, BAY 15D for the Stop/Tail and BA15S for Reverse. All offer the same high-powered lumen output and 360-degrees of illumination as the T20s mentioned before. Supplied in a retail blister with globe type lumen comparison chart on the back and comprehensive details about each globe inside the packaging. These lamps are made to last and outperform all others in its class. They will be the perfect addition to your vehicle or retail merchandiser display. Available to order now. For further information, visit www.ledautolamps.com for your local distributor or call 03 9466 7075.

MERCEDES-BENZ SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL Mercedes-Benz have set a cycle limit to this product to allow the vehicle’s owner to have their SBC control unit repaired or replaced before complete failure The Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system is fitted to many Mercedes-Benz vehicles ranging from 2001-2011. This includes W211 E-Class and R230 SL Class. This type of Electro-hydraulic brake system provides the brakes with a brake fluid supply from the hydraulic high-pressure reservoir, which is sufficient for several braking events. A piston pump driven by an electric motor supplies a controlled brake fluid pressure between 140 and 180 Bar in the gas diaphragm reservoir (Accumulator). There are many of advantages of this system which include: • Improved metering of required brake pressure – each wheel can be precisely controlled • Improved Brake Assist function – monitors release of accelerator pedal • Maximum pressure available immediately – pre-filling of system (overcomes play) • No pedal vibration during ABS operation – eliminates driver distraction during critical moments • Dry braking function – via rain sensing wipers 84

Mercedes-Benz set a cycle limit or lifespan to the SBC Hydraulic pump fitted to W211 and R230 series vehicles. The SBC / ABS module counts braking cycles and after approximately 300,000 cycles, an error message appears. This has been set as a precaution to allow the vehicle’s owner to have their SBC control unit repaired or replaced before complete failure. It is noted that some companies only reset the counter, which is completely unsafe. When your vehicle’s SBC pump motor fails you will lose all braking or have reduced braking power and lose all power assist. This also means only the Front Brake callipers operate under Emergency operation. Some of the error messages displayed in the vehicles instrument cluster are: • STOP VEHICLE • REDUCED BRAKING POWER – VISIT WORKSHOP • Brake defective, STOP VEHICLE! • SBC Control module failure • Logs Fault code C249F “Operating time of component A713 is exceeded” or “Service threshold reached”

Injectronics says it will fully rebuild your vehicle’s SBC / ABS Hydraulic Pump Motor and reset the C249F fault code. Injectronics also supplies a brand-new Bosch Accumulator with the repair. This must be fitted upon return of repaired unit following correct workshop procedure. Further, it says it also carries a number of complete replacement units if the customer’s fault is not listed and their unit is unrepairable. For more information, visit www.injectronics.com.au and search ABSRESETREP.

SERVICING

THE JOB’S ALWAYS PASS-THRU PROGRAMMING BEEN THE SAME… CHALLENGES Now you finally have the right tool, says those behind the QuickJack The QuickJack portable car hoist system is said to revolutionise the way you get your car in the air. With the QuickJack under your car, there is reportedly no more struggling with ramps and jacks – you can be maintenance ready “in mere seconds.” The QuickJack is made from the same materials you’ll find in a professional shop or garage but you can take the it with you almost anywhere – toss it in the trunk or backseat when you’re on the move, and stow it away in a corner when you’re not. After initial one-time assembly, setting up your QuickJack is a snap – just drop it on the floor and connect the power, then position the light-weight jack frames and rubber blocks beneath the vehicle and that’s it, just press the up button and go.

Further, those behind the QuickJack say you don’t need jack stands, ever – donate them to charity, or keep them around for memory’s sake it says, stating that the QuickJack’s self-locking safety bars are safer, easier and more effective than jack stands. In addition, its makers say the QuickJack is overengineered to multiple safety factors beyond the rated lift capacity. The QuickJack is a rugged portable car lift that collapses to a low three-inch profile, so it fits where other car jacks don’t. Because the QuickJack is void of any cross members, it provides greater undercar access and can be installed at a width that best suits the vehicle. This car jack can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button, which makes QuickJack efficient and fun to use. For more information, contact 1300 694 363 or visit www.quickjack.com.au 86

In this article, Senior Technical Service Trainer for Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd – Automotive Aftermarket, Darren Todd, discusses some of the common challenges of Pass-Thru programming

Above: Ford gateway ECU

Pass-Thru programming is the process of updating a vehicle’s ECU (integrated with OBDII socket) software via an interface tool, often referred to as a VCI (Vehicle Below: Rear view of gateway Communication Interface). (vehicle side) The VCI tool is connected to the vehicle’s OBDII connector to allow access to the vehicle’s communication network(s). This method is in accordance with the SAE standard known as J2535, officially introduced into the US in 2004, Europe in 2009 and Australia in 2013. Performing Pass-Thru programming relies on having access to OE software, usually via a ’portal’ with associated registration and costs. Access to this software (and other workshop relevant data) is a hot topic that has been discussed in Australia previously and is fortunately strongly lobbied by organisations such as the AAAA and their ‘Choice of Repairer’ campaign. Access to vehicle information and data is a top priority. However, manufacturers are starting to ‘lock out’ aftermarket scan tools from accessing vehicle networks via the OBDII connector. Traditionally, OBDII connectors are linked to a ‘gateway’ ECU. This ECU distributes messages between the multiple vehicle networks and the OBDII connector. There is a direct physical connection between the OBDII connector and the vehicle networks (for example: CAN network of the powertrain). As vehicle technology develops, manufacturers are becoming more concerned with vehicle ‘hacking’ and the implications of malicious (and even unintentional) software interference. It does not take much to imagine what could go wrong if systems such as lane keep assist, automated emergency braking or even autonomous driving were compromised. Most manufacturers are now using the ‘gateway’ ECU to isolate the OBDII connector from the rest of the vehicle, effectively creating a firewall akin to the firewall on your home PC. New vehicles from Ford Motor Company, for example, are equipped with updated gateway ECUs which physically isolate the vehicle’s networks from the OBDII connector. Any vehicle information or data accessed via the OBDII connector, must pass through the gateway ECU microprocessor. With a lack of physical connection and the addition of software security, accessing vehicle information other than basic legislated diagnostics, is prohibited. Complex ‘seed and key’ security is implemented within the gateway ECU so only authorised devices can transmit carefully screened messages to the vehicle.

So how does this affect you in the workshop? For OE level diagnostics, cooperation is required from the manufacturer to bypass the security firewall. Without this there will only be basic OBDII fault data for emissions related systems. Measuring CAN network resistances can only be performed on the vehicle-side of the gateway ECU connector i.e. it is not possible to measure the resistance between pin 6 and 14 of the OBDII connector (60 Ohms) to check wiring integrity. In case of gateway ECU replacement, there is no way to discern the type of gateway ECU installed in a vehicle with a visual inspection; they are physically identical. Refer to the part number to ensure that the correct part is fitted. To successfully diagnose, service and repair vehicles in the workshop, the “Choice of Repairer” campaign is an essential part of moving forward. If you would like to learn more about the history, required equipment and real world applications of Pass-Thru programming, Bosch offers a comprehensive evening training session. For more information on Bosch Automotive Technical Training courses, including all 12 course descriptions, dates, times and locations, please email automotive.training@au.bosch.com

SERVICING

A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION Using Diesel Help Australia’s Eliminator to diagnose fault codes triggered by faults in the fuel supply Diesel Help Australia says its Eliminator product, demonstrated in its training courses, is helping hundreds to reduce unnecessary time and incorrect diagnosing. “I’ve recently returned from our first international export trip to New Zealand. We’ve begun exporting our training courses, over the phone diagnostic assistance and now our diesel diagnostic equipment,” Diesel Help Australia Director, Clinton Brett, said.

to the pump or first remove the intermediate pipe for testing off the vehicle. For the feed from your Eliminator, the QR fitting you are going to use is Part No 989F-8/OD. Our website displays the translation for our own part number system.”

“Since the release of the PX1 Ford Ranger in 2012, I have been involved in countless diagnostics of this popular dual cab diesel in both Australia and New Zealand. On several occasions I have assisted with the connection of our popular Eliminator to both the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 2.2 and 3.2L engines, but not until this recent trip to New Zealand had I performed the operation myself. “I was given a brand new 2019 Ford ranger. I was confident because I have access to all the fittings for this and many other modern diesel fuel systems – without the correct fittings you may struggle to ensure the pipes are free of air. The pipes I am referring to are quick release fittings that transfer fuel from point A to Point B. In this case we are running from the separate fuel supply to the quick release fittings on the vehicle.”

Install QR fitting 989F-8/OD

Then connect clear hose and install blank end 949M-8/OD into exposed pipe (one with blue clip) before removing the return located at the fuel return from the pump and the injectors. This will be your return to your Eliminator. Next, install Part No 789-8/OD and clear hose to the return outlet and return of the Eliminator. To avoid contamination and air entering via the return, make sure you install the correct size blanking plug H2 7.89 (available in the Optimus Primer).

OP Kit Clinton explains the first step was to locate the fitting on the pump. “To reduce time during training and being fully aware the intermediate connecting pipe would not be a problem, I opted to adapt to the intermediate pipe and not directly to the pump,” Clinton said. “In an actual diagnostic test, I would go directly

To avoid spillage from the in-tank supply pump, Diesel Help Australia recommends you blank the vehicle’s feed pipe. Install Part No 949M-8/OD to the female fitting you have removed and then use a blanking plug with a hose clamp to cap the open end off.

Finally, prime the air out before starting the engine and keep the revs up to remove air. You can now begin the elimination process of the lowpressure fuel supply and take the car for a test drive down the road. For more information on Diesel Help’s training courses, over the phone diesel help or access to kits and individual fittings from Diesel Help Australia, visit www.dieselhelp.com.au 87

SERVICING

A NEW DIMENSION Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) diagnostics Some of the most challenging and timeconsuming issues to diagnose on a vehicle continue to be noise, vibration and harshness problems. These symptoms are subjective as each driver has a different level of what may be an acceptable amount sensed whilst driving and prove difficult to pinpoint, even for the most experienced technician. Those behind the Pico Diagnostics NVH software says it provides the capability to tie the vibration detected to a source in a more objective way which is much easier than using traditional methods, for example, driveline, propshaft, tyre and wheel, engine and engine accessories. Once the valuable data has been collected via a test drive, it can then be analysed in great detail and compared to previous captures (prior to adjustment) or against other vehicles. Often what is perceived by the customer to be a “problem vibration” can, in fact, be a characteristic of the vehicle or model. Now you can present and compare objective data with test results from other similar vehicles to reassure your customer that everything is normal. Below are just a few of the typical scenarios experienced where a Pico NVH kit could save you time and money: • Cabin vibrations at speed, for example, caused by misaligned prop shaft, poor engine or exhaust mounts

• Engine vibrations throughout the entire RPM range • Clutch shudder or vibration • Transmission and bearing whine • Auxiliary drive noise • Brake shudder • Steering vibrations • Fast balancing of driveline Sound is simply a vibration that is transmitted through the air and is heard when it reaches a person’s ear. Although the perfect hearing range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, most of us are more like 100 Hz to 15 kHz at best. Vibrations are usually felt at frequencies below 200 Hz, and in the overlapping frequency range vibrations can be both felt and heard. In order to deal with this frequency range effectively, the PicoDiagnostics NVH kit contains both high resolution microphones (for sound), and highly sensitive accelerometers (for even low levels of vibrations). The detailed software provides a real-time diagnosis for the technician, in the form of either: a bar graph, line graph, frequency chart, 3D frequency chart, RPM order, road speed view or a time domain view. After repairs are made the technician can prove the fix with the PicoScope NVH software and present the results of the repair to the customer in a most professional manner. The PicoDiagnostics NVH kit makes use of

the PicoScope Automotive oscilloscopes and are available from Mount Auto Equip Services in a number of configurations. Mount Auto Equip Services says you can be sure that your investment in the PicoDiagnostics NVH kit will benefit your business without the need for further spending and says, “if you already have a Pico Automotive oscilloscope, you are halfway there.” For more information on the PicoScope and NVH kit, visit www.autoequipment.com.au or contact Mount Auto Equip Services on 02 9905 8055 or email sales@maeservices.com.au

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY BENDIX CATALOGUE APP RELEASED Bendix says the app sets a new standard in replacement parts identification Bendix has released a new generation App that it says is proving to be highly valuable to the mechanic, saving time, workflow and money through innovative technology. In partnership with App development company, Elegant Media, Bendix says it has delivered a ground-breaking App which it says “can be deemed the most significant advancement in the selection of correct replacement vehicle brake parts;” enabling the mechanic to easily identify what type of brakes a vehicle requires simply by scanning the vehicle’s registration plate or VIN number. “The Bendix App is a wonderful example of how software technology can assist people in the workplace to undertake a job with access to accurate information in real time,” Elegant Media Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Anushka Bandara, said. 88

From Bendix’s view point the new App development has been the successful outcome of two technically advanced companies coming together. Bendix says the App was originally built with basic functionality by Elegant Media and then jointly developed to an advanced stage into one of the industry’s leading software products. “We are really delighted with the new App as there is nothing like it in the market and we know it is going to make life easier for a lot of people in our industry selecting the right parts for the job quickly and efficiently,” Bendix National Marketing Manager, Ian Bott, said. “For everyone involved in fitting new brakes to cars, 4WDs, SUVs, buses and trucks it will speed up the workflow on the floor of the workshop and ensure the correct products are ordered. supplied and fitted every time.”

The App is available for download free of charge at Google Play and the Apple Store and can then be successfully used by mechanics, brake fitters and spare parts counter staff simply by scanning the vehicle’s registration plate, VIN number or another product code. The App will then take the user directly to the Bendix brake parts required. For more information, visit www.bendix.com.au

FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS

PREPARING FOR A QUANTUM LEAP In this article, AutoMate’s Harrison Boudakin reports on how next generation computer processing technology will unlock a new world of automotive and mobility innovations Back in 1975, when Dr Gordon Moore famously predicted that the power of computers would double every two years, few would have believed just how prescient the founder and first CEO of Intel would turn out to be. Yet nearly 50 years later, it’s almost too easy to underestimate the vast scale of change wrought on our world not only by the silicon chip, but also by the computers they power. Without them, of course, you wouldn’t be reading this article. More importantly, modern aeroplanes wouldn’t be able to fly, and your mobile phone would be nothing more than a useless sheet of glass. Money would effectively cease to exist; society as we know would simply collapse. And, worst of all, you wouldn’t be able to start your car. One could argue, then, that nothing has done more to shape the last 50 years of human existence than the micro-processing might of computer technology. But as silicon chips grow smaller and yet more powerful every year, we’re now beginning to approach something of a technological watershed once again. Soon, scientists tell us, the transistors in printed circuits will become so miniscule – perhaps barely a few atoms across – that they will begin exhibiting quantum characteristics. As they do, we’ll be introduced to a world of computing power so immense, it will re-revolutionise the

boundaries of computation and data analysis, and in doing so, change the world once more.

bring more connected, increasingly electrified and eventually autonomous vehicles to market.

In simple terms, quantum computing allows scientists to bypass one of the most fundamental limitations in current chip design – that is, that today’s digital computers are designed to evaluate each data input individually, one after the other, until all the calculations are complete. In effect, this caps their capacity to process very large masses of data at the same time, which presents a monumental roadblock in an age where Big Data sits at the heart of every endeavour from social media to the driverless car.

Both OEMs and their arch-nemeses – the edgy, disruptive start-ups – recognise the extraordinary potential in this technology, and each – in their different ways – are doing much to explore what competitive edge they can gain. Bosch, for instance, only recently purchased a stake in Zapata Computing, a Harvard University enterprise which aims to be the world leader in quantum algorithms. Bosch estimates that the demand for quantum-based software could tip into the billions in less than a decade.

And it’s this shift towards the Big Data paradigm that’s spurring the popularisation of quantum technology across all innovation and technology sectors. Not least the automotive space, which stands to benefit greatly from the possibilities of the quantum dimension, as engineers race to

So what specifically does quantum help the automotive industry achieve? Well, to begin with, it most certainly advances the engineering abilities of OEMs significantly. A quantum chip can be used to compute the best way to design an engine block to minimise weight. Alternatively, it can be

FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS

deployed to calculate the most effective neural network design for a hybrid powertrain – the point is, where efficiency and tolerance limitations may previously have been reached using today’s digital processing technology, quantum smashes open the boundaries of progress once more. Then there’s the opportunity to expedite battery development for electric vehicles. The Volkswagen Group’s Principal Scientist, Florian Neukart, believes that advanced computers powered by quantum chips could help the company design batteries up to 40 percent more energy dense than today. Such an advance would unlock billions of dollars of potential revenue for any battery manufacturer, given how dramatically demand for cells will increase over the next decade and beyond. But more immediately, it is the realm of vehicle data analysis which presents the biggest chance

for quantum reform. Already, companies such as D-Wave, in conjunction with Volkswagen, are using quantum processing to revolutionise traffic management and the mass movement of vehicles along particular routes. In 2017, the two companies collected traffic data from thousands of taxis in the Beijing metropolis, using quantumpowered software to precisely-calculate the most efficient route for 418 vehicles travelling to Beijing’s airport. The study proved engineers could solve real-world traffic problems by converting them into mathematical algorithms for quantum mapping. Those results represent the tip of an innovation iceberg. It’s not inconceivable that the same technology could one day be used to eliminate all traffic management infrastructure, including traffic lights, enabling the roll-out of truly autonomous vehicles. Doing so would open up an extraordinary vista of opportunity to reduce or even eliminate

the traffic jams that currently plague most – if not all – of the world’s great cities. Indeed, the Volkswagen Group are such passionate “true believers” in the quantum cause, that they’ve just recently filed a series of ground-breaking patents in the US, for a variety of related applications. In one such patent, VW imagines a kind of urban “air traffic control” system, which they refer to as quantum routing. Far from being an abstract harbinger of a distant future, it’s highly likely that VW would be able to monetise this bleeding-edge concept, particularly across the Asian regions, where cities are already dramatically more connected and technicallyenabled than many Western centers. But where does this leave the automotive aftermarket; or, more pertinently, what immediate effects will aftermarket professionals feel as a result of quantum processing? Well, it’s most likely we’ll soon see enhanced preventative maintenance and vehicle management software, where cars – be they privately, publically or fleet owned – will be monitored by quantum-powered software to better predict wear patterns and usage rates, to map out more efficient servicing plans and maintenance intervals to reduce vehicle down-time. Beyond that, of course, we can expect ever-more powerful on-board diagnostics technology, which will further improve our ability to interpret and respond to vehicle faults. In a nutshell, then, it is easy to see why quantum really is one of the next great automotive watersheds – one of those great turning points which helps turn the revolutionary ideas of today, into the better realities of tomorrow. Written by Harrison Boudakin for AutoMate Training, an industry leading provider of online, on-demand digital training. Visit www.automatetraining.com for a free 14-day trial. 91

TRADE TALK

RETURNING TO HIS ROOTS

While exploring his passion for media and marketing, Peter Rogers fell into a job at auto parts supplier Repco at just 17 years of age. Some 35 years later, his career came full circle when he was appointed to head up Repco Authorised Service (RAS) earlier this year AAAA Board Member Peter Rogers couldn’t help becoming involved in the automotive industry after growing up in Christies Beach in the Southern Suburbs of Adelaide. “It was more like a village than a suburb when I was a lad, but the area grew exponentially during the 60s and 70s, largely around the automotive manufacturing base that was established in the nearby areas,” Peter explains. But cars were far from his mind when he was a youngster. “I have fond memories of my days on the beach, fishing, surfing, snorkeling and generally just hanging out,” he says. However, from an early age, he knew he wanted to be involved in the communications field. “Right from the start of high school, I had my sights set on media or marketing communications, but as it turned out I took a very winding path to get there,” Peter recalls. “I fell into my automotive career at age 17. Our family had moved to the city fringe and I began looking for some part-time work to earn pocket money during the school holidays. I ended up landing a gig as a ‘bike boy’ at Repco’s Adelaide head-office which, back then, was located right within the CBD. “As the name suggested, I rode around town delivering and collecting mail and packages. Soon after starting, I was offered a spot in Repco’s Management Cadet Program and what was intended to be a summer casual job, turned into the next 17 years working in various roles throughout the Repco business.” But his earlier hunger for the marketing and media industries was still burning inside of him. “During the late eighties I rekindled my earlier ambitions and enrolled into a night college,

studying for a Marketing degree,” Peter explains. While cars weren’t his first passion, he did have an early involvement with them as a youngster. “My Dad was a motor mechanic and I still feel very nostalgic amongst the smells and sounds of a workshop, but to be honest I never had any ambition to become a tech,” Peter admits. “It was really just coincidence that I ended up in automotive, but not surprisingly I have always maintained a strong affinity for the industry and, in particular, the local independent mechanic.” Peter also gained experience in retail as a casual at department store Myers. “Before we left Christies, I worked as a Saturday casual sales assistant in the record department at a local Myer department store. I fibbed about my age to get the job, as you had to be 15 to be considered. It was obviously a very different approach to HR due diligence back then!” Peter laughs. Peter has worked either directly for, or as a service provider to, Repco for much of his adult life, whilst a few career twists have provided variety along his journey. “I left the Repco business in the early nineties for a short sabbatical in Europe and when I returned, I went back to Repco for a while, then I worked as a regional sales and marketing manager for Checkpoint for three years before again moving back to Repco,” he says. “The second half of the 90s saw a period of change in the Repco business, and in 1999 I left again, this time to launch my own Marketing Services agency, specialising in the Automotive Aftermarket. The business grew quickly, largely around my industry contacts and the emerging Repco Auto Repair program (as it was called back then) and to this day, my association with Repco Authorised Service has been a passion of mine,” Peter says.

Peter Rogers “I recently returned back to Repco (again!) this time to head up the RAS program as National Manager and it certainly feels like I was destined to do this role at some point in my life. “I am confident that this recent return to Repco will be the most enjoyable one. Everything is pointing to a golden era under the current management team and I’m inspired by the fact that GPC are passionate automotive people and the trade is very much in their DNA. There is a palpable momentum and culture shift underway and I’m really excited by what is unfolding.” Peter’s advice to any youngster starting in the industry today is to be proud and confident and to invest in knowledge. “Be proud that the automotive industry remains a substantially important contributor to our nation’s economy, despite the demise of vehicle manufacturing. Be confident, knowing that a growing car parc and exciting developments in vehicle technology presents some amazing opportunities for anyone who is prepared to invest in knowledge,” Peter enthuses. While playing a big part in his career, automotive hasn’t been the only thing in Peter’s life. “Up until the last few years, my downtime has been spent renovating 1920s period houses but my wife has made it very clear that we have moved on from that. My life away from work is now centered on the kids and their sports and hobbies,” he explains. Obviously, his wife, Mary and their three children play an important role in his life. “I have derived great satisfaction from our various business activities, none of which would have been possible without the incredible support of my wife, Mary, who selflessly runs the household and holds down a part-time job whilst I have focused on my professional career. We have two boys from Mary’s previous marriage and a 15-year-old daughter. I have enormous pride in the way our family is finding their own way in the world and the special relationship our boys have with their younger sister is a real joy to me,” Peter says.

TRADE TALK

REPCO AUTHORISED SERVICE (RAS)

Peter Rogers has a strong connection with Repco’s Authorised Service division and is excited by its future First launched back in 1993 as Repco Auto Repair, RAS was set up with the intent of assisting independent workshops to attract new customers and grow their business revenue and, by consequence, for Repco to gain additional parts sales in the process. “I was deeply involved in a review of the RAR program in 2004, which ultimately rebranded and recalibrated the program to a multi-tier structure that also put more focus on business development and resources. The relaunch also saw the early iterations of our online and digital marketing strategy,” Peter says. “It’s fair to say it’s been an amazing journey that has certainly helped our members grow and develop beyond even their own expectations. It is quite a buzz to watch members achieve sometimes spectacular profit growth and to see the impact this has on their lives and families. “It doesn’t always work out – and there are many reasons why some members don’t scale the dizzying heights – but by and large our most successful members consistently tell us that ‘we are where we are because of RAS and we are forever thankful for that.’ Our member success translates into growth for Repco, with RAS now firmly one of the cornerstone components of our trade business.” As a business support program, the main emphasis for RAS is assisting its member workshops to develop better systems of operation and helping them to connect with their local community. “As far as consumer focus is concerned, we unashamedly target families in the ‘burbs. They rely heavily on their cars and they have budget pressures brought on by a mortgage and kids. They’re not looking for cheap; they’re looking for dependability and genuine value and we believe that we deliver both in spades,” he says. Peter is not afraid to admit that RAS is taking on the car manufacturers head on. “We are mindful of the OEMs’ desire to further develop advanced customer connectivity and this presents a risk to the independent aftermarket, which is why we aim to provide resources and platforms that allow our members to compete on a level playing field,” he said. “Our localised consumer communications aim to position RAS as quality workshops, which provide the personal attention and technical know-how for which independents are renowned, whilst also offering the reassurance of a recognised and wellrespected Brand.” According to Peter, Repco having the vision to develop RAR in the first place was an

inspired business decision, but he believes the appointment of Peter Webb as the initial National Manager was a masterstroke by the management of the day. “He was the perfect choice for the role and the success of the program has been founded upon Peter’s ability to inspire a diverse group of business owners to pursue a common goal,” Peter explains. He is also convinced that RAS is on the right road to the future. “We have a unique position with RAS, insofar as our member workshops are truly independent, but they also enjoy advantages that are usually only available to OEMs or large corporates,” he says. “RAS has a strong brand, great support and, importantly, the GPC business provides us with scale to tackle some really big issues as we move to a more digitally connected society. But without a doubt, I view the quality of our people within the membership as a key competitive advantage. “We are incredibly fortunate to have some of Australia’s most motivated and savvy workshop owners, who are hungry for success in their own business and for RAS as a whole. Their ability to deliver outstanding customer service to the car owner makes for a marketer’s dream.” He believes the biggest challenge for RAS mirrors that of the automotive aftermarket industry as a whole. “The obvious challenge continues to be access to service and repair data and we are incredibly appreciative of the AAAA team for their relentless commitment to the Choice of Repairer campaign,” Peter says. “The ongoing technician shortage also continues to be a concern and most trades are suffering a similar plight. “I also think online price transparency and booking intermediaries will present some challenges in the near term. Time will tell whether there is actually any consumer benefit in booking intermediaries, but one thing we can be certain of is that there is likely to be some level of disruption to contend with. “However it plays out, history suggests that the Independent Service and Repair sector are remarkably resilient and I am supremely confident that the aftermarket will ultimately adjust to the landscape and will continue to be profitable and successful.” Peter’s biggest ambition for the future of RAS is to further strengthen its IT capabilities.

“My predecessor, Nick Costa, did a great job in setting up some sound structures and the RAS support team is an incredibly passionate group of people, so I am really fortunate to be taking over a program that is in really good shape,” Peter says. “My immediate goal is to build on our existing IT and digital capabilities and give our member workshops confidence to invest in their future and enable them to compete with the OEMs and continue to offer consumers a genuine choice for service and repair.” For more on Repco Authorised Service, visit www.repcoservice.com 93

IN THE WORKSHOP

OSCILLOSCOPES: THE X-RAY MACHINE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER’S CAR In this article, ARCA’s Mike Smith reviews recent oscilloscope training conducted for workshops As part of Autocare 2018 held in Sydney last year, one of the presentations conducted by Rod Maher of The Automotive Technician (TAT) focused on Pressure Waveforms viewed using an oscilloscope with a pressure transducer.

All of the mainland course were filled to the brim with eager workshops and I sincerely thank them for their support, feedback and the faith they have shown in coming along to this new training offering.

As part of this presentation, Rod demonstrated the accuracy and time saving potential of using these tools. After seeing the interest garnered from attendees at this presentation, I spoke with TAT and the AAAA team following Autocare about the potential roll-out of Oscilloscope training throughout Australia for AAAA members.

You don’t just have to take my word for it either. Nigel Bishop and Craig Baills are just two training participants who say they found great value from the training.

It was thought that such training would be of great benefit to all of the progressive workshops out there who realise the value of cutting edge training, especially as a look overseas shows that oscilloscopes are mandatory dealer equipment for at least 20 OEMs. After some discussion, it was decided that Rod would be joined by Brendan Sorenson of TAT to create a course package and present it in two courses – one introductory course and one advanced course – with the AAAA providing administration support while I managed the rollout around the country in consultation with all of the teams involved. I am pleased to report that the first edition of this training was rolled out recently in Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth with training in Darwin to be held this month.

“I found this training to be exceptionally valuable, if you are willing to put in the time to get to learn the different ways the Oscilloscope can be used and how to interpret the scan data, it will really pay dividends in the amount of time saved in the future when dealing with tricky issues,” AAAA Membership Development Manager/4WD Industry Council Convenor, Nigel Bishop, said. “Understanding the versatility of the tool, the variety of ways it can be utilised, and the depth of scan information that it can capture was a real eye-opener, particularly for someone with only basic mechanical knowledge. The most fascinating thing for me, was how this ‘old’ piece of technology could be used for an increasingly wide variety of modern diagnostic inquiries. “In the training I attended half of the room already owned an oscilloscope but rarely used it, and I think all of these businesses would have walked away motivated to blow the dust off the box and start spending time capturing data,

analysing and learning. The other half of the room hopefully saw what opportunities could open up for their business by investing in the tool and now have sparked their interest in this area of technical diagnostic service. “There is no doubt that this type of training is extremely important, as it fills a needs gap outside of the existing training modules, but also because it opens up new opportunities for technicians to expand the services their business offers. “There is clearly a demand from industry for new training opportunities, as evidenced by the sellout attendance, not to mention the waiting list. Since the event, I am continually being asked by members who could not attend, when we are holding the next one – the industry is hungry for skills development opportunities like this.” Highfields Mechanical Director Craig Baills echoes Nigel’s sentiment regarding the importance of this kind of training. “We took seven of our staff to both the Thursday night course and the Saturday all-day course. Thursday’s introductory course gave them a basic understanding and knowledge of the oscilloscope and then on Saturday they had the opportunity to implement what they learnt on the Thursday,” Craig explained. “As an industry we are coming into an era of a whole new skillset that technician’s need to be successful and so if we are not getting access to and doing this kind of training, not necessarily around the oscilloscope but around any kind of technical training, we are going to fall behind very quickly. “Training on everything oscilloscopes to scan tools to hybrids to anything that helps cover off the new systems in today’s market is vitally important in my book. “The oscilloscope training in particular was very valuable to my guys as it is one tool that helps us

IN THE WORKSHOP a process of elimination, he successfully found a faulty hydraulic engine mount. In Sydney, I was pleased to hear that the workshops have decided to form local area groups and get together once a month with their scopes to either look at a problem vehicle or simply practice upskilling and comparing techniques. This is a great idea and I encourage more workshops to introduce this networking approach in their local areas. I would like to thank all the workshops and the Kangan Institute which hosted the training as well as Dale Durden and his team at Capricorn for their support, it is very much appreciated.

More training to come

test, measure and diagnose everything else that is relative to the new technology we are seeing and I was pleased to see that they could come away from the training and start using the scope in the workshop the very next day. “I was also pleased with the way the training was delivered – it is in-depth training, but is delivered in a way that is accessible and easily understood. It was interactive, had plenty of time for discussion, and delivered in a way that was easy for the technicians to relate to.” It wasn’t just workshops and their technicians attending the training either, with some lecturers from our training institutions also attending the courses to update their skills to pass their knowledge onto our future workforce. It has been said to me on more than one occasion we’ve got one of those sitting in a box – this training gives people the confidence to unpack and use the scope and its accessories.

We saw a number of real world applications and case studies discussed as part of the training. For instance, the training included Cam/crank correlation to see if there are timing issues and at the Perth Training, held at First Class Autos, a Mercedes was towed in due to timing chain stretch issues. Another workshop had turned the “Check Engine Light” off on more than one occasion for a Cam/crank correlation code and the timing chain jumped a few teeth and bent all the valves, resulting in an engine change. This could have been accurately diagnosed in around 15 minutes with a oscilloscope and prevented a catastrophic failure. Also as part of the training, PWM pulse width modulation devices and how to test them was explained. The NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) kit was also mentioned as Maurice from Brisbane had used this to diagnose a vibration fault with a vehicle that had been to a dealership and two other workshops. Using the Waveform Library and

With the demand we have received, we have decided to roll out a second round of this training and we will be scheduling this training for a Friday and Saturday to make it more accessible for people in the regions. We will also be developing more scope training for the different accessories (such as NVH and so on) as well as CAN diagnostics and J2534 which have also been asked for. In closing, in our opinion you need an oscilloscope as much as you need a scanner (or two) – the scanner will point you in the right direction and the scope will confirm the fault. At least one scope manufacturer releases their software at no charge so you can download and train with it in demo mode – if you wish to look into this, please visit www.picoauto.com/ downloads If you have any ideas for cutting edge training that’s not being provided by other training providers I also encourage you to please let us know.

In this series of articles, Automotive Repairers Council of Australia (ARCA) convener, Mike Smith, will take a look at issues that will affect automotive repairer workshops and topics of interest to the sector including occasional profiles of mechanics and other key personnel. msmith@aaaa.com.au 95

BUSINESS SERVICES

AUTO PARTS DELIVERIES: IMPORTANT TRENDS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND “Auto parts companies need to understand the difference between hype and reality when it comes to transport and logistics trends” This is what Walter Scremin, who heads up national delivery transport firm Ontime Delivery Solutions, says. On hype, he says it may be too early to start considering autonomous vehicles or drone deliveries, but states there are other paths to greater efficiency. “Trends which are relevant to auto parts companies mainly involve smarter use of technology. But there are some perennial delivery transport issues which auto parts companies also need to consider, such as understanding how much their delivery transport is really costing them and how they can become more efficient,” Walter said. Digitisation is becoming more influential, covering everything from common telematics technology which tracks delivery drivers and deliveries, or sophisticated global systems incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT). A major trend is toward more measurement and analysis in a bid to improve performance. “It’s always been important to measure performance regularly, but the volume of data available has increased. This can potentially overwhelm, so it’s best to focus on a few items which most impact your fleet,” Walter said before stating that measurement extends

beyond data and includes other issues like fleet responsiveness. “Delivery fleets are often hampered by deeper structural issues, which have little to do with data or technology. For example, fleets have problems if they are inflexible, unable to respond at short notice, if they struggle to replace absentees, or if they resort to using couriers as a stop-gap,” Walter said. “Getting the balance right with how you use and engage your fleet resources is the most important step. This allows you to maintain efficiency through tracking and monitoring.” Further, Walter says as technology races ahead, there is a risk in over-spending and overcommitting to something with only a marginal pay-off. “At Ontime Delivery Solutions we have worked with several parts companies on their fleet tracking, which has had a relatively modest cost but a positive impact on performance. For your investment in digitisation to really work, you need good systems and processes in place already. And you need a commitment to put in the daily effort required to get the most from the technology,” Walter said. Tracking technology allows auto parts companies to plan delivery routes, prevent drivers from

doubling-up, and achieve more deliveries with the same resources. The same technology can use geo-fencing to alert when drivers go ‘off-route’ or have an unexpected or prolonged stop. Another key trend, which ties in with digitisation, is more frequent communication with customers. Walter says this reflects growing expectations among customers generally. Walter notes businesses have to be prepared that sometimes the return on investment is not immediately apparent. “Technology’s many benefits are often found beyond the bottom line: customer service may not immediately show up as a ROI yet may foster greater customer loyalty,” Walter said. “Technology should improve delivery times but also lead to increased professionalism, and more accuracy in delivering items in full, undamaged and on time. Tracking technology may also protect your business from accusations of misplaced parcels. These may all take time to track as measurable ROI.” For more from Ontime Delivery Solutions, visit www.ontimegroup.com.au

CONSIGNMENT INVENTORY It’s all very well to introduce a new product line to your customers, but what if those products fail to sell? And if you’re a manufacturer, how can you get a business to stock your new product line when those products don’t have a track record in the market? Jiwa says that in many such situations, the solution is consignment inventory. In its simplest terms, consignment inventory is inventory that is owned by the vendor but is retained as stock by the business. Only when that stock is sold to the customer does the business purchase it from the vendor. When it’s working right, consignment inventory operates as a win-win partnership between the vendor and the business. The consignment inventory model is best suited to situations where new and unproven products are being rolled out, where proven products are 96

being introduced into new sales channels, and other scenarios where customer demand cannot be determined prior to rollout. The key to making such an arrangement work is to formally lay down the ground rules before any stock gets moved. A consignment agreement should clearly set out how inventory will be tracked and paid for. Typically, the retailer will pay for their stock as each item gets sold. In the majority of scenarios the biggest beneficiary of this arrangement is the business, which doesn’t have to risk tied-up capital or product obsolescence. However, a common shortcoming for both the vendor and the business is the potential for problems in accounting and the end-to-end management of the consignment process. This can

be a particular problem because many businesses’ accounting and inventory management systems have not been designed to cater for stock on consignment, with increased labour costs and double handling amongst the biggest dangers. If you want your consignment inventory model to work, Jiwa says your best bet is the Jiwa 7 ERP solution, which has been developed with consignment inventory in mind and “can go far in limiting the risks associated with this business process.” For a discussion on how Jiwa might work for your business, please contact David Fisk on 0452 215 492.

THREE PERCENT WAGE INCREASE ANNOUNCED The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced a three percent increase to minimum wages The increase will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2019.

Who does the increase apply to? The increase only applies to employees that get their pay rates from the national minimum wage, a modern award or in some cases a registered agreement.

Award Free Employees The new national minimum wage will be $740.80 per week or $19.49 per hour. The national minimum wage applies to employees who aren’t covered by a modern award or registered agreement.

Award Covered Employees Most employees are covered by a modern award. Modern award rates will increase by three percent. Employer Assist have updated pay scale summaries which will be made available to AAAA members. If an employee is already paid above the modern award, employers may be able to absorb the increase. However, employers will need to ensure that the employee’s wage is at least equal to or better off overall compared to the employee’s minimum entitlements under the modern award. AAAA members can contact Employer Assist for assistance with these calculations.

Enterprise Agreements If a registered agreement applies to the workplace, employers will need to ensure the minimum base rates in the agreement remain at least equal to the modern award rates. If not, the agreement rates will need to be increased to match the new modern award rates.

What do I need to do? Contact Employer Assist for updated pay scale summaries and start reviewing your employee’s current pay rates and prepare for the increase. Now is a perfect time for employers to roll out new employment contracts or review and update existing employment contracts.

Employment contracts Employment contracts are essential to any business and employers should use them as a tool to protect the interests of the business and to properly manage staff. Without employment contracts, businesses expose themselves to unnecessary and avoidable risks. For example, an employment contract usually lists the business’ expectations and standards of performance of an employee. If the employer is unhappy with the level of performance by the employee, the grounds for termination will be easier to substantiate. However, if the employee is unaware of these expectations and standards of performance, the employer may be at risk of an unfair dismissal claim.

A review of all employee contracts should be conducted to ensure that: 1. they have a contract; 2. there are no updates required to the contract; 3. they contain the following information: • job title and position description; • duties and responsibilities of the parties; • pay details; • National Employment Standards; • leave entitlements including procedure for taking leave; • flexible working arrangements available; • rights and obligations of the parties; • duration of employment (if applicable); • probationary period; • benefits offered – overtime, bonuses, severance pay etc.; • confidentiality, non-solicitation and restraint of trade clauses; • payment in lieu of notice; • reasons and grounds for termination; • notice periods; • any relevant industrial instrument, modern awards, national employment standards or statutory obligations; and • redundancy. Employer Assist can provide assistance with drafting employment contracts which are tailored to the individual workplace or amending and updating existing contracts. Please contact Employer Assist to avoid exposing the business to any unnecessary risks.

AAAA Member Benefits AAAA members can contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au for information and advice on the wage increase, employment contracts or if you require any assistance with your business. 97

CONSUMER LAW

COULD CONSUMER GUARANTEES APPLY TO YOUR BUSINESS’ PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES? It is often considered that the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) consumer guarantees relating to goods and services are not available to purchases made by a business – however this is not necessarily the case Goods and services purchased by businesses may be subject to the consumer guarantees. Meaning that if a business purchases goods or services and an issue subsequently arises with the good or service, then the business may be in a position to benefit from the consumer guarantees.

When will the consumer guarantees apply to business purchases? A business will be able to rely on the consumer guarantees if: • it applies and has not been met by the supplier of the goods or services; and • the business has made the purchase of the good or service as a consumer.

When will a business be a consumer? The definition of consumer is not restricted to private individuals, it extends to purchases of goods or services by businesses. A business may be able to rely on the consumer guarantee provisions if they fall within the definition of ‘consumer’. Generally, a business will be considered to have made a purchase as a consumer if any of the following applies to the purchase of goods or services: • The amount payable is $40,000 or less; or • It is of a kind ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption; or • In the case of vehicles or trailers, the vehicle or trailer is acquired primarily for use in the transport of goods on public roads; and they are not purchased for either of the following: • re-supply; or • using them up or transforming them in trade or commerce in the course of the process of production or manufacture, or in the course of repairing or treating other goods or fixtures on land.

Goods or services of $40,000 or less If a business purchases the goods or services for $40,000 or less, and the purchase is not used for re-supply or in the process of production or manufacture, or the repair or treatment of goods or fixtures on land, then the business may rely on the consumer guarantees. Otherwise, the consumer guarantees may still be relied on if one of the other two conditions are met. If goods or services are provided as a mixed supply (that is goods or services are purchased 98

with other property or services), and a specified price was not given to the particular good or service, then the price is established as follows: • the price at which they could have been purchased for from the supplier; or • if they could not be purchased separately from the supplier, then the lowest price they could have been purchased from another supplier; or • if neither of the above apply, then the price of the value.

For personal, domestic or household use or consumption A business may rely on consumer guarantees if the goods or services are ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption regardless of the price of the good or service. Whether the they are purchased for such a purpose is dependent on the item purchased. The main question is whether the good or service is ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption. This may be a simple assessment for the purchase of particular items, such as a type of car. For example, a business can rely on the consumer guarantees where the business has purchased a car that is of a type ordinarily purchased for personal use, provided the car is not used for resupply or in the process of production or manufacture, or the repair or treatment of goods or fixtures on land. However, other items maybe more difficult to specify as ordinarily acquired for personal domestic or household use or consumption. In Bunnings Group Ltd v Laminex Group Ltd (2006) FCA 682, the Federal Court of Australia considered the word ‘ordinarily’ means ‘commonly’ or ‘regularly’ rather than ‘predominantly’. Other considerations to determine whether the item is ordinarily purchased for personal, domestic or household use or consumption includes the design, marketing, pricing and potential uses for the good or service.

Trailers and vehicles for transport of goods on public roads The purpose for which the vehicle or trailer was purchased is subjective, it relies on the reason the vehicle or trailer was purchased by the business and does not rely on consideration of the nature of the goods. If the business purchased the

vehicle or trailer to use primarily for the transport of goods on public roads the vehicle or trailer will likely be a consumer good and the consumer guarantees will be applicable.

The consumer guarantees If it is established a business purchased goods or services as a consumer the consumer guarantees are applicable to the purchase.

Consumer guarantees may be limited but not excluded A supplier of goods or services may not exclude the consumer guarantees. If a contract entered into contains a clause purporting to exclude the consumer guarantees the supplier will be unable to rely on the clause. Meaning that where the business can establish that it purchased a consumer good or service the consumer guarantees will be applicable despite a contractual clause purporting to exclude them. However, a supplier may be able to limit their liability under the consumer guarantee to the extent permitted under the ACL. A supplier may limit their liability in respect of goods to the repair or replacement of the goods (or the cost of repair of replacement). In relation to services the supplier may limit liability to the re-supply of the services (or the cost of another person resupplying the services).

AAAA Member Benefits Industry Legal Group provides advice to members on consumer law matters. If you have any questions relating to the above case, please contact Industry Legal Group on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au

INSIDE INVENTORY

LOSE YOUR INVENTORY INHIBITIONS Just imagine Inventory Planning that really stretches the boundaries – now that could be weird! Picture planners dreaming of fanciful demand projections; the fantasy of 100 percent service levels without any consideration for inventory excesses; being addicted to supplier rebates and oblivious to the dangers of cheap product with high Minimum Order Quantities. Surely adopting a rigorous and disciplined approach is a far better choice. But perhaps there are times when being a bit weird might be a good idea – maybe there are situations when a different line should be taken, as long as the potential harm doesn’t get out of hand.

Orthodox to wait Before we start looking at the world a bit differently, let’s position a challenge we commonly face with forecasting aftermarket parts. Typically demand volumes are low: often only one or two a month, and those couple of parts could be required on any day within the month, apart from weekends and holidays. So, if you have seen absolutely no demand in the first two weeks of a month, you could easily still see one or two units being required in the balance of the month. For this reason, we normally only include the demand for a month into the forecasting calculations once each month has finished. It would be very dangerous, for example, to suggest that no demand in the first two weeks meant no demand for the balance of the month – that sort of assumption could easily reduce the expectation of demand and the expected variability.

More ups than downs One of the constants in the aftermarket is demand variability. Even the most popular products can exhibit very high variability – we do however have

choices in how we interpret that variability and how to react to it. For example, you might have been selling up to four each month over the last couple of years and often nothing, one or perhaps two, but half-way through the current month you have sold eight. What do you do? It is likely to put pressure on your stock levels. Do you just beef up the safety stock, responding to the greater variability with increased protection, or do you interpret the extra sales as foretelling an uptick in demand and therefore not only should you order more safety stock but perhaps more cycle stock too? Do you even need to get onto the supplier and expedite purchase orders that have already been placed? Rather than reacting on a whim, it might be a good idea to understand the situation a bit better. How is the product selling from other warehouses? If they are all fairly consistent, then perhaps eight in one month really is an outlier and you do not want to over-react. Have recent forecasts been under what has been experienced? Who bought the eight? One customer? As stock orders? Is the product early in its life? If it is and you do make decisions to substantially raise your safety stock levels, then you probably have plenty of time to recover from a bad decision if you get it wrong. At the very least, you should be alerted to the need to ask these sorts of questions, but maybe biasing the system to take more inventory risk on your behalf might be a better approach, particularly with tens of thousands of SKUs. Maybe there are times to be more risqué; allowing your forecasting and planning to be biased on the upside. Often you will hear of the need for unbiased estimators and the like, but we need to remember that there may be times when it is better to be

biased with inputs so as to produce better outputs. You can treat ups more generously than downs and it might be a lot better for example to more readily raise forecasts and their variability rather than lower them, especially if the product is popular, early in its life and you stand to achieve stronger returns and a better market position. Sure there are risks, but maybe the improved profits are worth it.

Making rewards with less risks If you are biasing your system to pursue better results, such as more growth, then it is important to ensure you can test and monitor the risks you take. Can you model the potential results before you decide to adopt more risk?

A better high Let’s assume you have decided to responsibly err on the upside so you adopt upswings in demand more readily than downturns. You have a heightened sense of opportunity and a lesser predisposition to be pessimistic – assuming you favour ups over downs, then what effect might that have? Well, if you can detect early in the month that demand is on the up then you can perhaps get a couple of weeks ahead of the game. If you are normally looking at supplier lead times of 100 days, then detecting a demand upswing 15-20 days earlier might be very helpful in helping avoid a stock out in several months – look at the gross margin you might capture as opposed to the extra few months you might need to carry stock.

A better balance A lot of inventory management is about balancing the rewards against the risks. Are you able to adopt a different posture in different situations? Does your planning system help you easily identify when you’re probably OK to take a bit more risk? Will it alert you when you need to more carefully weigh up and minimise the risks? Can you be confident that more often than not that it will make the right choices for you? Haven’t thought much about these questions? Well maybe live a little more on the edge – you might just be surprised at the results you can achieve; you can make better choices.

For further information consult www.horizoninventory.com.au or email info@horizoninventory.com.au 99

PRTC

BURSON AUTO PARTS BACK WITH TCM The company has signed on for a third thunderous season with the popular racing category Burson Auto Parts has joined forces with one of this country’s most popular motor racing series, the Touring Car Masters (TCM), for the third consecutive season in 2019. The TCM championship brings back the muscle cars of yesteryear at major motorsport events around the country. Founded in 2007, TCM is more a ‘retro’ series than pure historic racing, combining old-school cars with lots of horsepower and minimal grip with modern components. Cars like the Holden Torana A9X, AMC Javelin, Ford Mustang Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Falcon GTHO appeal both to older fans who grew up with the machinery and a new generation of fans who can experience the way the sport once was. Meanwhile, a combination of racing legends and talented drivers go head to head into racing battles, creating thrilling racing at every turn.

The Burson Auto Parts logo is visible on the front and rear number plate positions of all TCM cars along with other placements throughout the TCM championship. According to Burson Auto Parts General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Anthony Hughes, aligning this major Australian automotive aftermarket company with such a well-known and respected motor racing series represents an excellent opportunity. “The Touring Car Masters is renowned for the quality of the cars, the skill of its drivers and the exciting racing that finds many of these priceless machines being raced as hard as they will go at events all over the country. The appeal that this retro racing series has within the automotive trade and with car enthusiasts is remarkable. We are glad to be back with the TCM series for a third season in 2019,” Anthony said.

Burson Auto Parts’ involvement is also a great fit for the TCM Series according to Category Manager, Tony Hunter. “Touring Car Masters appeals to a huge range of motor racing fans, both old and new,” Tony said. “Our exciting style of racing, accessible drivers and incredible cars ensure that we put on a great show all around Australia. We are delighted to have Australia’s preferred trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment onboard with us for a third season in 2019.” The TCM Series is part of a multi-tiered Burson Auto Parts motorsport based marketing program for 2019 that includes several exciting motor racing platforms, including co-sponsorship of three major Supercar rounds, the Phillip Island Classic/VHRR Historic Racing Series and sponsorship of grass roots level motorsport through the CAMS Future Star Awards and the Australian Formula 4 Championship. For more from Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au For more information about the TCM series, visit www.touringcarmasters.com.au

DAYCO DAVE RACES TO ANOTHER BATHURST CLASS VICTORY This is the sixth Bathurst endurance race Class victory for David Dayco sponsored Australian racing driver David Russell paired with his father Geoff Russell to dominate Class B of the 2019 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour race held at Mount Panorama recently. The father and son combination competed within the outright top three for the majority of the six hour race in their Sherrin Rentals BMW 135i E82, finishing fourth outright and well ahead of several more powerful Class A entrants. David set the Class B pole position starting from fourth on the grid and remained unchallenged for the Class B lead and victory for the entire race, six laps ahead of their closest Class B competitors. A pit lane penalty was a minor setback from what was a perfect driving performance from David and his Bathurst veteran father Geoff. David remained in third overall during the races in the closing stages, but late race turbo boost issues saw him get overtaken by the far more powerful Class A HSV Commodore R8 driven by Nathan Callaghan. 100

This is the sixth Bathurst endurance race Class victory for David, who competed in this event to keep his Bathurst race mileage sharp ahead of the Supercar endurance races later in the year, while also being able to enjoy a strong racing experience with his father, who is a former Speedway and Sports Sedan Champion who also raced to a top six finish in the 1984 Bathurst 1000 with Rusty French. “We had a great time out there, our strategy was perfect and the car did not miss a beat until the closing stages, but even then it got us across the finish line in the overall top four and completely unchallenged for the Class B win throughout, so it was a good race for us,” David said. “The team prepared the car perfectly and handled all of our stops very well. I’m pleased to add another Bathurst Class victory and outright top five to my tally, we raced hard all day and nothing is more rewarding than a strong result at the Mountain – no matter what you are driving.”

“It was great to share this experience with my son, we had a very good race and a well prepared race car,” Geoff said. “While we really wanted that third place, a Class B car only has so much power and we got hunted down by a much faster car towards the end. We came here intending to win the Class B honours – and we dominated it, in qualifying and in the race, and to claim 4th overall was pretty special as well.” For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com.au

PRTC

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION DOWN UNDER Adrian Wilson’s BMW M4: from a daily driver to a genuine racing car Australia has not only spectacular racetracks, but also one of the most fascinating touring car series in the world in the Supercars as well as an extremely vital amateur motorsport scene.

to a performance cure. A high-performance brake system ensures adequate deceleration of the fast BMW – at racing car level. Adrian didn’t compromise on the suspension either.

One of the protagonists of this scene says Bilstein, is Adrian Wilson. As so often happens, for Adrian everything started with occasional track days and some sports driver training. Since then, his former daily driver, a BMW M4 F82, has undergone a process of optimisation that can certainly be described as radical. When Adrian is on the road on the Australian circuits, his BMW looks more like a GT4 racing car that has little in common with conventional track tools.

Bilstein says Adrian trusts in its racetrack and motorsport experience and as such, had a Bilstein Clubsport two-way suspension with adapted valving installed.

At the front, the deep front lip and the side blades stand out, at the rear the rear wing in XXXL format. Of course, the engine was also subjected

“I love my Bilstein set-up as it is completely custom and has been designed and developed by Bilstein and developed by Andre from Sydney Shock Absorbers and was installed by the team at Heasman Steering,” Adrian said.

three years ago, Adrian has been able to gain a lot of racing track experience since then. And because both material and talent “are perfect,” Bilstein explains that Adrian decided this year to take the next step in his still young motorsport career.

Adrian profits from the quite good racetrack density around his hometown, Sydney.

“I am really excited to be racing in the ‘ProdSports’ series this year which will be a step up for me. It is a brilliant category with eight rounds, a mix of local and interstate rounds including one hour enduros at Bathurst, Philip Island, Winton and Sydney Motorsport Park, plus shorter 30 min sprint races at Wakefield and Sydney Motorsport Park.”

“I am local to Sydney Motorsport Park, Wakefield and Pheasants Nest Marulan and not too far from Winton. My favourite is Bathurst – of course,” Adrian says, while noting he would also like to get to know the racetracks around Europe, stating “I am super keen to visit Nurburgring and Spa, that‘s on my bucket list in the next year or two.”

The step into semi-professional motorsport also brings new challenges for Adrian. Because Australia is big, the BMW driver now has to tackle well over 1,000 kilometres to travel to some of the racetracks of the ProdSports series, which is of course nothing compared to the 16,000 kilometres to the Nürburgring.

Infected with the motorsport virus only about

For more from Bilstein, visit www.bilstein.com.au

“It’s honestly incredible how much difference a quality set-up makes to circuit driving. And how the minute adjustments in the shocks, when guided and advised correctly by the pros, makes the difference.”

STREETFIGHTER NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH CAPRICORN All StreetFighter products are developed and engineered in-house at KPM Motorsport KPM Motorsport – a performance automotive workshop specialising in performance upgrades and packages for vehicles such as Mustang GT, Camaro 2SS, FG X Falcon, and VF V8 Commodore models – develops and manufactures its own range of performance products under the brand name StreetFighter. Recently becoming a Capricorn supplier, KPM now has its full StreetFighter range of products available to trade customers through Capricorn. This includes premium quality exhaust systems, fuel system components, fuel injectors and other vehicle specific componentry. KPM also specialises in high performance vehicle upgrade packages including superchargers, camshaft options and custom tuning. KPM Motorsport explains it develops and engineers most of its componentry in-house, with all products designed to an OEM quality fit and finish. KPM also provides servicing for new model

and performance vehicles at its workshop while also specialising in fuel injector testing and manufacturing. Those behind the business say this has led to KPM becoming one of the leading manufacturers in Australia of high flow fuel injectors and specialised fuel system setups for performance applications. Capricorn members can purchase all StreetFighter performance products and KPM fuel system products at trade pricing on their Capricorn accounts. “This means they can have the products they want now and pay later. With technical support available for all Capricorn members, they can have total peace-of-mind with their purchase,” KPM Motorsport Marketing Manager, Fergus Brown, said. “Capricorn members can also benefit from the quickest dispatch times on their orders as there is no waiting for payments to be processed.” KPM Motorsport develops and manufactures

all products at its Adelaide based premises, distributing and providing tuning support to customers and workshops Australia wide. It has been involved in multiple motorsport events over the years and has also built multiple vehicles to be tested by MOTOR magazine, including the top four out of five fastest Australian road legal vehicles to be tested by the publication. For more information, contact KPM Motorsport on orders@kpmmotorsport.com.au or 08 8299 9998. 101

4WD

HSP SILVERBACK RANGE LAUNCHED HSP says it is the perfect alternative to a traditional soft tonneau cover The HSP SilverBack Range is a brand-new line of hard lids from HSP, designed for the user that wants a multipurpose cover offering outstanding security, visual aesthetics and load carrying capability at a cost-effective price. HSP says the SilverBack range boasts a long list of features and options at almost half the price of a standard hard lid.

Key features and benefits: • Cross Bar Compatible – the Silverback hard lid is compatible with cross bars meaning you can now maximise your vehicle’s carrying ability by carrying both in and on top of the tub. • No Visible Locks – the HSP Silverback lid has no visible locks on the exterior. This allows for a slimmer sleeker look and creates a challenge for any unwanted intruders trying to break in • Tailgate Fully operational when Lid is closed – due to the specialised design of the Silverback Lid, the unit allows the tailgate to be fully

operational even when the lid is in a closed position. This gives access to the tub without having to also open the hard lid. • Weather Protection – the Silverback lid is guarded by an enclosed thick compression seal which gives fantastic protection against water. Further enhanced by its design which directs water to flow off the lid. • Pin Release System – standard with all HSP hard lids, the Silverback lid has a pin system removal on the hinges. This coupled with quick release struts allows the whole unit to be removed in less than 60 seconds. • Interior and Exterior Finishes – both the Silverback and Premium Model hard lids have marine grade carpet lining standard, giving fantastic insulation in the tub as well as providing a much more visually appealing finish. The HSP Silverback Hard lid comes

standard in a Matte Black finish. Paint options are also available. • Designed and Manufactured in Australia for Australians – the Silverback Hard lid is not only 100 percent manufactured in Australia, but HSP also sources most materials locally. For more information, visit www.hsputelids.com

TJM RELEASES NEW BRAND CATALOGUE You can now find information about TJM and its wide range of products in its all-new brand catalogue TJM has been equipping four-wheel drives with premium quality 4x4 accessories for more than 45 years. TJM’s product range includes fabricated bull bars and additional vehicle protection, snorkels, suspension, winches, recovery equipment, diff locks, air compressors, camping gear and more. With almost 70 stores Australia-wide, TJM says it is your one-stop-shop for all adventures off the beaten track. The new TJM brand catalogue is available digitally to all Club TJM members, while print versions of the catalogue are available in-store. Inside this new publication is information on the full suite of TJM products, as well as a behind-the-curtain look at the company’s research and development and a breakdown of what goes into making a LandCruiser 79 Series a true Outback photography truck. To get your free digital copy of this all-encompassing TJM guide, head to tjm.com.au and sign up to Club TJM. 102

4WD

NEW ERA FOR TRITON ARB releases products for new MR Triton Upon release, ARB says the new-look MR Triton received mixed reviews across a number of social channels and media outlets. It explains the updated front end design was different to anything else on the market with unique lines, fog light and parking sensor placement and designing an ARB Summit bull bar was going to present some challenges for ARB’s team of engineers. A prototype Summit bull bar has now been created and fitted to the MR Triton. ARB’s design team reports it worked hard on reconfiguring elements of the bull bar to suit the new vehicle shape, without compromising the functionality of the vehicle’s safety features and still maintaining the overall style of the Summit bull bar.

“The redesign of the front end instantly posed some challenges with distinctive lines and varying parking sensor placement on some models,” ARB Brand Marketing Manager, Mark Berger, said. “We are pleased to have released a Summit bull bar that integrates into the MR Triton while offering increased protection to the vehicle and passengers.” Production for the Summit bull bar will begin in July 2019. Carry-over products from the previous model include Old Man Emu suspension, front and rear Air Lockers, Classic, Classic Plus and Ascent canopies, drawers, ute liner, UVP, RHS recovery point and side steps. Development continues on rear step tow bars, side rails and Tailgate Assist to complete the range of accessories offered for the MR Triton. For more information, visit www.arb.com.au

NEW 4X4 PRO-FORGE UPPER CONTROL ARMS To suit the Ford Ranger, Everest and Mazda BT-50 Ironman 4x4 has released new high strength forged alloy control arms to optimise wheel alignment and increase clearance with raised height suspension. Ironman 4x4 says it has perfected the design to be used between standard and 3” raised suspension* and the wheel alignment settings have been calibrated to centre around a 50mm raised ride height, allowing greater adjustability. Ultimate strength is reportedly achieved thanks to a drop forged method of construction which hammers the arm into shape using a precise die. During this process, the grain structure of the alloy is aligned with the new shape and any imperfections are removed; resulting in a much stronger and more durable product than a cast, machined or fabricated arm, says Ironman 4x4. Low maintenance components which follow the OEM philosophy ensure durability is not compromised while the bushes and ball joint are replaceable with OEM compatible or Genuine components. All fixtures including provision for sensor wire are integrated within the arm and 6082 T6 alloy with silver anodized protection reportedly avoids corrosion even in the harshest environments around the world. For more information, visit www.ironman4x4.com * Further suspension modification required for lifts greater than 50mm 103

4WD

GOTREADS Recovering traction since 1975 GoTreads were designed in 1975 around one word – simple. It stores in small places and it can be put into position in a matter of seconds – no tools, no assembly, no attaching to the tyre required; you can even park on top of them for vehicle levellers. The smooth finish of GoTreads allows mud and snow to shake off for easy cleaning.

GoTreads – available from A247 – are made of flexible, high strength, high impact polypropylene copolymer with special additives to give this durable plastic even greater toughness while weighing only 2.6kgs (and it floats). For convenient storage, GoTreads folds to an overall length of twelve inches. Compared to other traction devices on the market such as Maxtrax and Tred Pro, those behind GoTreads say they take up little space and can be kept in any handy location, such as under the vehicle’s seat. GoTreads are made in Kansas in the United States and cost less than $200 a pair, they are extremely affordable when compared to the cost of an average tow truck- recover, says those behind the product. GoTreads are guaranteed for life and in the unlikely event one breaks, A247 says it will replace it for free.

How to use Go Treads • Step one: turn off the vehicle and put it in gear. With the tool fully unfolded, lay it out in line with the tyres that are stuck. • Step two: with the smooth surface of the short section down, push it between the tyre and the rut. • Step three: once properly positioned, very slowly accelerate. This allows the tyre to pull the GoTreads into the rut. • Step four: now that the tyre is on a solid gripping surface, you can drive out and to a safe location. For more information, visit www.a247.com.au/product-category/go-treads 104

4WD SUSPENSION LIFT KITS From Climax Suspension Climax Suspension says it has been specialising in high quality 4WD suspension lift kits for many years, supplying the automotive trade market a solution for their customers. It is very difficult to find the correct suspension kit that offers ride quality, a sensible height and long lasting performance, but Climax Suspension says it continuously delivers. “Climax Suspension systems fit the vehicles that they are intended for and come with all necessary components to do the job right,” Climax Suspensions Manager, Dino Legovich, said. “Once a 4WD is fitted with a suspension kit at Climax Suspension, the vehicle height is recorded before and after. This ensures that when you buy from Climax you get consistency every time, so when you offer a 40mm lift kit that is what you get. “Another important feature of Climax Suspension kits is the range of load carrying rates for your customers: most 4WD utes have four or five options in leaf spring rates that cater for the recreational or 4WD enthusiast, the tradesman and touring customers.”

“All Climax Suspension kits come complete with all the essential components you need, and in most cases suit medium duty right up to a constant load GVM rate.” As a major distributor of Koni and Bilstein shock absorbers, Climax Suspension has incorporated these “world class” shock absorbers into all of its premium suspension kits. “Climax Suspension uses only King coil springs and sources its leaf springs, U-bolts, Shackles and Pins from the best manufacturers to once again ensure quality and consistency. If quality is what your customers want, then a Climax suspension kit is what they are after,” Dino said. For more information, contact Climax Suspension on 02 4966 8668.

THE ‘WEIGHT’ IS OVER Light-weight frontal protection available now from ECB for the all-new Toyota RAV 4 East Coast Bullbars has released a range of frontal protection products which it says are the smart choice when it comes to enhancing the look and safety of your Toyota RAV 4. It says every ECB Bullbar and Nudge Bar is designed, tested and manufactured right here in Australia and that it uses only the highest quality Alloy which enables ECB to build you a “Lighter, Stronger, Better” product. All ECB products are available in a variety of finishes including ECB’s signature mirror polished finish and a chip resistant powder coat range. The all new Toyota RAV4 can be fitted with ECB’s Big Tube Bar, adding less than 39 kg to your vehicle. To achieve this all ECB products are manufactured from a Hi-Tensile alloy that allows you to add frontal protection to almost any vehicle including Australia’s largest selling category, the small and medium SUV. The company says ECB Alloy is the best option when adding frontal protection to your vehicle, stating that adding extra weight on any vehicle is the enemy and an average steel Bullbar will

add approximately 85kg to the front of your vehicle while an ECB Big Tube Bar will add less than half of this weight while offering maximum protection to your RAV4. Less weight over the front wheels also means less tyre wear, less fuel costs, and less weight over the front axle and steering components, it says. Every ECB frontal protection product is reported to be ADR compliant and Air Bag compatible, with ECB stating it is so confident in the quality and strength of its products that it offers an exclusive “Lifetime Warranty.” ECB carries more than 900 Bullbars and Nudge Bars in stock and can have them ready for shipping in as little as four days. Whether it’s for your fleet of vehicles, work Ute or ‘Mums Taxi,’ ECB says it has the right solution for your vehicle. For more information, visit www.ecb.com.au