OPPORTUNITIES ON LATE-MODEL VEHICLES

New-to-range fuel pumps, injectors and turbochargers and enhanced service support available from Carwood can provide business growth opportunities for workshops on late-model vehicles.

The OE-approved remanufacturer says that significant new-torange introductions, new programmes from Bosch, Garrett and Mitsubishi, and the launch of its online catalogue and ordering platform provides garages with access to quality, yet affordable, parts and services needed to service the very latest vehicles.

In 2022, the company launched more than 1,400 Carwood remanufactured parts across its wide-ranging programme of diesel and petrol fuel injection systems, turbochargers and DPF cleaning for car, light commercial and heavy-duty applications. For fuel, important new-to-range reman units covered late models for Audi A3/Q2, Citroën Relay, Seat Ibiza/Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Crafter/Golf/Polo/Transporter. On the turbo side, highlights included Audi A1/A3/A4, BMW 1/2/3 Series/X1/X2, Citroën C3/C4, Ford C-MAX/Kuga/Transit, Hyundai i30/i40, Kia Ceed/Sportage, Peugeot 208/308/Expert/Partner, Seat Ibiza/Leon, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf/Polo and Volvo V40, with a growing range of hybrid applications, such as BMW 5/7 Series/X3/X4, Hyundai Tucson and Mercedes Benz A Class.

Whilst remanufacturing is still its core business, the company now distributes a full Bosch programme for diesel and GDi, including OE new and eXchange units and repair components – adding more than 3,400 parts to its range. In addition to its existing BorgWarner programme, Carwood became an authorised reseller of both Garrett and Mitsubishi turbochargers.

“Now more than ever, our customers want choice,” explains Quantrell. “With new, exchange and repair solutions from some of the leading OEMs, on top of our own OE-approved remanufactured range, aftermarket companies can access a choice of high-quality, competitively priced solutions, tailored to their customer’s needs. For example, a new OE unit, sometimes the only viable option for the latest generation technology, a more cost- and eco-friendly exchange unit, or the spare parts for an even more economical repair on diesel vehicles.” www.carwood.co.uk

To help its customers identify the right parts, it launched a new online catalogue, available at www.carwoodecat.co.uk , providing access to the latest cataloguing data and product information. Furthermore, Carwood account holders can use the tool to access live stock feeds, pricing and place both next-day and stock orders, 24/7.

Personalised Technical Support

Castrol has launched a new, free-of-charge technical support service, so that workshops and can gain advice and resolve queries with a dedicated team of technical specialists.

It is open to current and prospective Castrol Branded Workshops across the UK, eight hours a day, five days per week at no cost by emailing at UKTechService@castrol.com, or by calling +44 (0)1932 775644.

DON’T CUT CORNERS ON QUALITY TO SAVE MONEY IN THE SHORT TERM

Rising prices across the board has seen a rise in demand for own brands at the supermarket but Autoelectro warns garages of switching to a ‘value’ alternative when it comes to starter motors or alternators.

There are telling signs, according to its UK sales manager, Nick Hood, when a rotating electrics product has been made to a “small budget”. “In an alternator, for example, stator windings can be reduced, which will likely produce the output required when analysed on a test bed; however, because the windings are shorter, apply that to real-world driving conditions in the middle of winter, it’s unlikely to maintain that output over a long drive, when on-board electricals and accessories are in full use.

“Likewise, in the starter motor, the windings can be shortened, while quality can be reduced on the gearing and the bearings too. The combination of these factors, particularly in a winter period when the starter motor is likely to be put under maximum strain, can shorten the life of the part.”

In the short-term the customer may save some money but could well be back in the workshop a few months down the line facing another bill and this is where the importance of quality should be explained to the motorists and is value for money in the long-term.

“At Autoelectro, we have full control over our manufacturing process – from traceability, remanufacturing and testing in-house – so we know that we produce parts that meet or exceed OE specification.” www.autoelectro.co.uk

Get Ready For Motorcycle Season

The Sun MCL1000 heavy-duty Motorcycle Scissor Lift and workbench has been created specifically for use with class I and II motorcycles up to a maximum weight of 1,000kg.

It is designed for workshops that specialise in motorcycles, from the smallest scooters to the largest touring and performance bikes.

The MCL1000 has an adjustable wheel-clamping system to safely fasten motorcycles to the lift and driving on and rolling off is made simple by a low, angled ramp. It also has front and back hinged plates that make it possible to remove for wheel maintenance and removal.

The MCL1000 joins the existing Sun Motorcycle MOT Testing Bay and Sun Headlight Beam Tester.

CHECK OUT NEW BRAKING REFERENCES ON-THE-GO

TMD Friction UK’s braking brand Textar delivered 167 new references throughout 2022 offering wider vehicle parc coverage – of these, 61 were newly developed brake pads, with 42 ABS sensors, 36 brake discs, 18 wear leads, six accessories and four new brake fluid products.

In the Textar range of brake pads, new additions include part 2258601 fitting Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, EQC, and GLC models, part 2614501 for DS 3 Crossback and Peugeot 2008 cars, and 2626801 for Volkswagen vans including California T6, Transporter and Multivan models.

New additions to the brake disc range offer fitment across 25 different vehicle manufacturers, including new disc 92326805 fitting BMW 2 Coupe, 3 Series and 4 Series cars, 92327403 for Ford Puma models, and 92300505 for Jaguar F-PACE, XE, XF and XF Sportbrake, and Range Rover Velar models.

As well as the new parts, it also introduced a new range of Textar low-viscosity (LV) DOT4 brake fluid, now available in 250ml, 500ml, one litre and five litre quantities.

Technicians can find out more about the latest products online via the Textar Brakebook online catalogue (https://textar.com/ en/brakebook/). Customers can also use the Textar Brakebook app to view its product range on-the-go.

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TOOLS & TIPS

Get Accurate Estimates

A new add-on product for ALLDATA Repair is now available that provides quick access to OEM labour times that correspond to repair information – both mechanical and body – as well as maintenance procedures for a specific vehicle.

“Our customers have been asking for a resource that delivers trusted OEM labour rates alongside the repair and collision information in ALLDATA Repair,” said Karol Englert, Managing Director for ALLDATA Europe. “ALLDATA Labour Times does that and more. It also enables garages to plan technicians’ schedules and allocate resources for maximum efficiency.”

The labour times are provided by TecAlliance.

KEEPING ONE OF THE NATION’S FAVOURITE SUVS ON THE ROAD

As of December 2022, over 511,000 Qashqai’s are estimated to be on Britain’s roads, constituting more than 1.5% of the UK car parc and has claimed the crown as the nation’s best-selling new car several times. Consequently, Klarius Products has developed a range of replacement exhausts for the model and produces original equipment supply exhausts for the Nissan Value Advantage range in Europe.

It supplies exhausts to fit petrol and diesel 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 Qashqai models from 2006 to 2022, all available with a 2-year standard warranty and a ‘Fit First Time’ guarantee.

“We test exhausts in-house on vehicles of correct make, model and production year. Where applicable, we get products type-approved with the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and the TÜV. This means an OEM quality replacement offering miles of happy motoring,” adds Doug Bentley, Head of Research and Development. www.klarius.eu

New Year Range Expansion

BM Catalysts has expanded its product range with 24 new references, introducing 14 new DPFs – seven of which are Premium silicon carbide (SiC) references for higher thermal and strength endurance – three catalytic converters, five new front pipes and two pressure pipes.

The new references cover 158 different vehicle fitments. Three of the products are also Euro 6 compliant. www.bmcatalysts.com

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF AUTOTECHNICIAN MAGAZINE…

The digital April issue of autotechnician will focus on air con, DPF & engine cleaning, and Diagnostics.

If you would like to share your views on the products and equipment you use in these areas, email Nicola@autotechnician.co.uk. We'd also love to hear from you if you have recently upgraded your workshop, been impressed by some technical training or would like to have your business and technicians recognised!