Auto Channel 18

ISSUE 18 OCTOBER 2019

THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

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iBodyshop streamlines workflow

over See pag $3600 e 22

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT METAL-BASHING. IBODYSHOP IS A WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT SPEEDS UP THE PAPER-PUSHING PART OF THE REPAIR PROCESS

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etting to grips with the digital world is often seen as a challenge at the shop floor end of the automotive industry, especially in small to medium sized businesses that were set up in the predigital age. However, every now and then along comes something that actually makes life easier; the take-up for the iBodyshop estimating and workflow system for collision repairers suggests this is one of those things.

One of the core strengths of the system is its connectivity to parts catalogues, pricing, and ordering systems such as PartsTrader or OEM

suppliers. It makes estimating fast and accurate, and any changes are captured and kept in the same system.

The system was developed in Australia, and iBodyshop’s Alan Berry says 60 per cent of all insurance claim repairs there are now being managed through the system. In New Zealand, the figure is about a third of all new claims, but, for a system that’s only been available here for three years, that’s an impressive rate of adoption.

That uptake is partly being driven by insurers, who are keen to standardize and integrate systems to minimize double-handling and the potential for errors. Alan says insurers here are now asking for specific developments of the system — because they can see the potential for efficiency for repairers as well as for helping simplify their own processes.

Those time savings will also benefit customers, and help manage repair costs.

The system also benefits both repairers and the insurance companies by building an assessment history, so any changes following discussions with

assessors can be captured and recorded. That’s one of its key strengths — keeping track of, and maintaining the visibility of, many different aspects of individual jobs after estimating — along with the ability to plug all of the relevant inputs into its builtin accounting software, to generate invoices and record payments.

Operators can add notes, or scan in original documents, so all of the records for that job, including the sourcing and ordering of parts, stay attached to the file, and so does delivery of parts and completion of that part of the repair. Completion of each step of the process automatically moves it onto the next stage. The system is vastly more efficient than updating paper records and moving them from tray to tray. iBodyshop becomes the main record for workflow through the workshop.

Making software easy to use is crucial to its successful adoption, and that was clearly a focus for the developers of this system. The main screen features a series of tiles showing the number of jobs

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

ONE STEP PERMANENT

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REPCO & APPCO WORKSHOP FIT-OUTS

We are excited to announce that we can now offer turn-key solutions for complete workshop design and fit-outs.

Turn-key Design, Delivery & Implementation In conjunction with our chosen, industry leading subcontractor, we will work with you to design your workshop.

Whether your project is starting with a new or existing site, we will maximise all available space and provide you with a solution that not only meets your requirements, but exceeds your expectations.

Design Our layout plan will specify locations of all equipment including both above ground and in ground vehicle hoists, wheel service equipment, custom made workbenches, custom built tanks, oil supply lines, compressed air supply, water supply, and oil services.

The layout plan allows you to visualise what form your finished workshop will take. All desired aspects are considered to deliver the optimal result in the space available. We can also supply CAD drawings to provide an even more in-depth perspective of the proposed layout.

Delivery We can transform your existing business with complete fluid storage and transfer solutions for bulk oil storage and dispensing, as well as waste oil solutions. Get away from using 205L drums and allow us to design a solution catered for your business.

Implementation With access to a wide range of quality, internationally recognised brands, Repco can supply and install all necessary Automotive Workshop Equipment, including: • Vehicle Hoists (above-ground & in-ground) • Tyre Changers • Wheel Balancers • Wheel Aligners • Waste Oil Solutions • Oil, Air & Water Lines • Complete Fluid Transfer Solutions • Oil Storage • Custom Workshop Benches • Fume Extraction

Call your local Repco or Appco branch for full details.

0800 472 787

0800 200 100

Contents

From the Ed.

34 iBodyshop streamlines workflow

Cover / 4

Take control of castor and camber

12

Parts Connection distributes millions

14

Deconstructing fault codes

18

They do build ’em like they used to

19

Griffiths Equipment gears up

20

Win a tyre changer

22

Surprising Subaru diagnosis

24

Different strokes for different folks

26

Car news

28

Super tidy RX-3 build

34

The low-down on dirt

38

Product profiles

42

Situations vacant

44

The focus on on our environment, and the need to play our part, continues to grow daily.

Just looking at the amount of information about electric vehicles that comes across my desk, it is clear that manufacturers are now taking the desire for more efficient, lower emission vehicles very seriously.

Of course, we are years away from ‘the flip’ but the success of vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 shows that electric vehicles don’t have to be second cars. The success of Nissan’s electric van in the UK proves they can work in the commercial world, too.

Until recently, all the fully electric vehicles on our roads were second-hand imports.

The 16,000 plug-in vehicles in New Zealand are but a fraction of one per cent of the fleet of around four million, but they account for two per cent of the 80,000 new registrations each year (second-hand and new vehicles). As almost all of the 40,000 vehicles moving out of the fleet are internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in vehicles represent about four per cent of the net gain.

So, the demand is currently tracking ahead of the government’s target of two per cent of the fleet being plug-in vehicles by 2021 — but as achieving that objective means registering another 55,000 electric vehicles, that’s still an ambitious target.

The thing to note here is that the national fleet is still growing by about 40,000 light passenger vehicles a year. The challenge of reducing total emissions just gets bigger, but it does mean growth in the automotive industry and related trades is assured for some time yet.

Ian Parkes, Editor

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CONTINUED FROM COVER at each stage of the process, which gives business owners a high-level view of their business; they can see at a glance where they might need to focus, as well as the ability to drill down into any area needing their attention.

A couple of the neat features show how iBodyshop has been developed in cooperation with workshop operators. It has a module for tracking supplementary items or additions after an initial authorization, and it can track additional work on the job requested by an owner, which might be done at a different labour rate.

Alan Berry says mechanical workshops have seen the potential to use iBodyshop in their businesses, so adding in access to mechanical parts is a key direction for the company.

“We are getting a large number of enquiries from mechanical workshops, particularly from large franchises and dealers,” he says.

A key benefit customers appreciate is the system’s ability to integrate with other systems. Typically, workshop systems have been developed for specific tasks. It has become a burden on workshops that they need to run several different computer systems, which often means having to set up records in each. If add-ons have been developed or systems have been required to talk to each other, it’s generally been quite an effort.

Having just one system for parts ordering, invoicing, and accounting, along with the approval process and invoicing for insurers, is obviously time saving, but it’s the other integrations that impress businesses looking to improve their efficiency. After all, streamlining the back-end process, which costs

time and money, allows more time to focus on doing the repairs that earn money.

“That’s the main difference. This system was designed from day one to work with add-ons. For example, it will work with a people planner, so, if someone is going to be away or is off sick, you know you can only schedule that job when they are in; or, it can work with the loan car system. If you are waiting for something, you know the car will be out for another day.”

In bigger businesses, people with different roles can have access to and input information to different parts of the system, which updates that information for everyone. That broad view of the business, current jobs, and history also makes the system a great tool for reporting on and analyzing the performance of a business.

Another feature of the system is that it is highly searchable. Type anything you remember about a job and it should find it. It’s like Google for your work records. There’s also an alert system that pops up reminders for any task whenever they are needed, and there are video tutorials on how to use different features.

Alan says iBodyshop was developed over seven years, and a design team of more than 10 software engineers continues to refine and redesign the system to make its features more useful and usable. He says the company actively seeks suggestions from customers for new features or tweaks to keep improving it.

For more information or to sign up for a free 30day trial, go to iBodyshop.com.

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EDITOR Ian Parkes, editor@autochannel.co.nz MEDIA SALES Mike White, michael.white@parkside.co.nz ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Renae Fisher AUTO CHANNEL IS PUBLISHED BY

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Greg Vincent, greg.vincent@parkside.co.nz

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

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Simon Holloway, simon.holloway@parkside.co.nz

DATA ANALYST Isobel Woudberg PRINTING Ovato

Easy fit rechargeable strobe A RECHARGEABLE STROBE LIGHT CUTS THE CORD AND ADDS INSTANT SAFETY

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ighting specialist Narva has developed a safety amber strobe beacon that avoids the main problem with traditional temporary beacons.

For occasional users of LED strobe lights, having to run the cord through the window and across the cabin to reach the vehicle’s accessory or lighter socket has been a major hassle. It can trail across the dashboard and distract from instruments, as well as getting in the way.

Narva’s new Sentry Pro amber strobe light cuts out this problem by using rechargeable batteries which, together with LED performance, offers up to five hours of operating life.

The Sentry Pro features 12 high intensity LEDs providing an impressive light output that meets the Society of Automotive Engineers Class 1 requirements under SAE J845.

The new strobe will also stay in position on a roof or metal surface in adverse weather thanks to a strong, non-scratch, magnetised base. It is designed to hold fast in up to 120km/h winds, making it suitable for highway as well as indoor use.

With its heavy-duty, fully sealed (IP65) construction, virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lens, solid state circuitry and no moving parts, the

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Sentry Pro is well suited for heavy duty use including high-flow transport environments from warehouses, docks and railyards to civil construction sites and roadsides.

You can recharge the Sentry Pro on the go, with the included 12V accessory/lighter socket cable, or via an accessory 240V charger. This beacon is backed by a 5-year LED warranty and can be purchased from leading automotive outlets throughout New Zealand.

For more information call Griffiths Equipment on 09 525 4575.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Parkside Media uses due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine, but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, misprints, omissions, or typographical errors. Parkside Media prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warranty and makes no representation to the truth, accuracy, or sufficiency of any description, photograph, or statement. Parkside Media accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Parkside Media reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Parkside Media, the publisher, or editor. All material published, gathered, or created for Auto Channel is copyright 2019 Parkside Media Limited. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops, parts importers and distributors, transmission specialists, automotive recyclers, towing operators, panel beaters and painters, crash repairers, tyre dealers, suspension and underbody repairers, steering specialists, towing operators, auto-electrical repairers, newand used-car dealers, air-conditioning repairers, heavy-machinery dealers, trucking and transport

Light bars add style and functionality LIGHT BARS ARE NOT JUST FOR TOUGH UTES. HELLA’S NEW COMBI LIGHT BAR CAN BE A SUBTLE ADDITION TO SUVS

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ella’s new LED Light Bar 470 is a ‘combi’ that offers switchable close range, long range, or combined outputs in a single, unique item.

It provides potent long-range lighting for off-road conditions, while also supplying great work lighting at any indoor or outdoor destination.

The light bar can be mounted to any ute, fourwheel drive, or SUV, and the low-profile design won’t restrict cooling airflow to radiators, which can be a problem with larger lights. To further enhance the low-profile installation, Hella is offering a bracket that allows the light to be mounted above or below the number plate to suit different vehicles.

The lamp’s light weight of 1000g means less stress on mounting locations.

The light bar’s multi-volt circuitry means it can be used with either 12V or 24V DC systems, while consuming only 36W. Any input between 9 and 33 volts will give optimum brightness. It is built tough, using an innovative heat-shedding polymer housing, and a UV, chemical, and impact-resistant Grilamid lens. The lamp comes with an adjustable mounting system for easy installation and alignment. This sealed combi work light bar is covered by a five-year warranty.

See the full range and find your local Hella distributor at hella.co.nz.

on

Hella good warning system FOCUSED LEDS PAINT ‘NO GO’ LINES AROUND WORKING VEHICLES

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ella’s SL60 warning lamps use ‘Visiotech’ projection technology to project lines on the ground alongside working vehicles such as forklifts or scissor lifts, indicating a safe zone to people working in the same area. They also help with navigating the vehicle, which means they not only help improve safety but can also help avoid accidental damage or delays.

The compact lamps are easily mounted to vehicles and will accept operating voltages from 10 to 80 volts, making them suitable for DC-powered vehicles. The 7-watt lamps come in red or blue line options, they are fully sealed against dust and moisture, and they are covered by Hella’s five-year warranty.

LED LIGHT BAR NUMBER PLATE BRACKETS

Keeping vehicle inspecting organisations on track The sleek and clean number plate bracket has been designed for easy and quick installation.

Depending on your vehicle the light bar can be mounted upright or pendant.

BLACKFERN’S AREA MANAGERS PROVIDE SPECIALIST HELP IN MEETING VEHICLE INSPECTORS’ OBLIGATIONS

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NOTE

A work lamp must be switched independently

of headlamps when mounted on a vehicle. he crackdown of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) on compliance in Warrant of Fitness inspection services has resulted in a significant number of licence suspensions for Ø43 370 Ø14 garages and workshops. That has called into question the safety of the vehicles they inspected. NZTA 120˚ reports in its August 2019 issue of Inspection188 News 101 that it has issued around 30,000 vouchers to vehicle owners nationwide for free vehicle rechecks.

3 370 Blackfern director Roger Castleton says this focus on inspecting organizations (IOs) highlights NUMBER PLATE BRACKET LIGHT BAR 350 the importance of meeting NZTA’s requirements of Part Number 8030 an operational Quality Management System (QMS), Mounting Upright or pendant (Depending on your vehicle) previously known as the Performance Review cket Light Bar 350System (PRS) “For some IOs, this area of the WOF To suit the LED Light Bar 350 Work Lamp Range w Zealand, Australian and European number plates. system is the one perhaps least likely to be focused on in a consistent manner,” he says. “It quickly gets out of hand if good management systems and practices are not maintained within the business.” maintenance of their QMS/PRS paperwork to NZTA Ø43 490 Ø14 Roger says Blackfern’s area managers Christine requirements, including a comprehensive review of Lambie (left, Canterbury) and Fliss Wilson (right, their QMS/PRS manuals, based on NZTA guidelines.

188 120˚ industry Taranaki) both also independently offer a portfolio Both have extensive experience in auto of services to support IOs in the updating and 101 administration. Fliss has worked in the sector for 27

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

370

NUMBER PLATE BRACKET LIGHT BAR 470

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years, and Chris, as she says, “for more years than I can remember”.

In the South Island and need help with your WOF QMS/PRS compliance? Phone Chris on 027 442 0899. In the North Island? Call Fliss on 022 151 1243.

New mounts make filter fitment easy RYCO TAKES THE GUESSWORK AND HARD WORK OUT OF FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR AND CRANKCASE FILTER FITMENT

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itting fuel/water separators and crankcase filters to diesel-powered passenger vehicles has become a popular way to add extra engine protection — but installing them can be problematic when using only universal mounting brackets, and dealing with limited engine bay space.

Ryco has ridden to the rescue with the release of Ryco Vehicle Specific Fitment Kits (RVSKs) for a range of popular diesel vehicles. These have been developed for each specific vehicle, with its own particular brackets and hoses for an exact and fuss-free fit.

The RVSKs can mount either or both fuel/water separators and crankcase filters. Ryco says they have been rigorously tested under high temperature, towing, and off-road conditions. It carried out on-road field testing and data logging to measure internal and external engine bay temperatures, fuel line temperatures, and fuel/water separator and crankcase temperatures in choosing the best

locations. The mounting brackets also went through computer simulation and vibration testing to ensure that stiffness and load levels met design targets.

Ryco’s engineering team also used 3D engine bay scanning on several popular diesel-powered 4WDs and SUVs to help select the best locations, taking into account easy access to the filters for replacement or inspection and the fact that some vehicles have second batteries installed.

The RVSKs are built tough. The brackets are made from 3mm laser-cut steel and then powder coated. Abrasion-resistant insulation has been used on all of the PCV and fuel hoses, to ensure they are protected from the elements and piercing.

The result is a twin-filter mounting kit that requires no drilling. Each bracket has been designed for exact fitment into the pre-existing points in each vehicle’s engine bay. The included PCV hoses are purpose-moulded for a precise fit. To further simplify each installation, Ryco has included quick connectors for fuel hoses and illustrated fitting

instructions for each step.

RSVKs are available for the 2011–2018 Ford Ranger PX, Everest, Mazda BT 50 fitted with 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre diesel engines, Toyota Hilux 2005– 2015 KUN 16 and 26 (1KD), and 2007–2018 Toyota Landcruiser VDJ70 Series, (1VD FTV). Kits for the Mitsubishi 2015–2018 Pajero Sport and Triton and 2015–2018 Toyota Hilux and Fortuner GUN (1GD) are due by the end of the year.

The kits are available from Ryco stockists nationally. For more information, see rycofilters.com.au or call 0800 838 222.

haymanreese.co.nz 0800 MY TBAR A CEQUENT NEW ZEALAND BRAND 8

Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Corghi’s 60 years of experience and innovation WHEN IT COMES TO WHEEL-HANDLING TECHNOLOGY, ITALIAN COMPANY CORGHI LEADS THE PACK

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orghi is one of the most respected brands in automotive workshop equipment, but seeing one of its distinctive red tyre machines in a workshop gives little indication of the scale and history of innovation in the brand.

The Corghi catalogue features hundreds of machines, spreading outwards from its focus on wheels. While traditional tyre machines suit the scale of many New Zealand workshops, Corghi’s range includes fully automatic and heavy-duty machines for commercial vehicle wheels, tractor tyres, and larger. Corghi invented the tyre-changing machine, and in recent years has invented leverless and touchless technology machines, allowing technicians to change tyres without ever touching the wheel rim.

The company has won numerous awards for the world’s first diagnostic tyre machine. The Uniformity was the first technology that allowed match-mounting to be carried out directly on the tyre changer, transforming it into a real wheeldiagnosis centre.

With OEM approvals from Ferrari, VW Audi group, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, and more, and tyre makers Bridgestone and Continental, Corghi also produces machines devoted to single tasks in the wheel-handling process for larger scale automotive shops. The range includes wheel lifts, centring lifts, bead breakers, inflation cages, tyre spreaders for repairs inside tyres, and machines that apply sideways and vertical pressure to ensure correct bead seating. The company also offers wheel balancers, lifts and aligners, rolling road test

equipment, analyzing and test equipment, and esoterica such as wheel washers and vulcanizers.

Franchise dealerships can obtain OEM-approved machines in their specific colour scheme and accessories package.

Corghi was founded in Correggio, in the Emilia region of Italy, in 1947, when brothers Erminio and Remo Corghi began building radios and inventing a special hunting lure using a tape recorder.

The company moved on to building TV voltage stabilizers, agricultural machinery, household appliances, and textile equipment.

The automobile boom from 1960 onwards established the main direction for the fast-growing company, which invented and patented the world’s first tyre changer. Most of its equipment is still produced in the vast manufacturing plant where it started. The plant uses robotics extensively, although the majority of the assembly of its intricate machines is carried out by technicians.

Automaster is the main distributor for Corghi in New Zealand, and Automaster’s Gary Cotterell says the company is proud to represent an organization with such a history of quality and innovation.

“Several of the leading manufacturers in this field are Italian, but the absolute leader in the Italian market and a world leader in the wheel service equipment sector is Corghi,” says Gary.

For more information on Corghi or on Automaster’s product range, see automaster.co.nz or call 0800 214 604.

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Not all turbochargers are created equal GARRETT WANTS CUSTOMERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DEALING WITH GARRETT AUTHORISED CENTRES

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urbos are now the default route to extra power for both diesel and petrol engines and as they need replacing, or modifiers add them to standard engines, Garrett wants to protect its patch.

Garrett make turbochargers for most of the leading vehicle manufacturers from Ford to Toyota.

However other manufacturers have come into this market offering replacement units.

Alltech Diesel & Turbocharger’s Lance Anderson says Garrett has carried out product analysis comparing its own turbos with remanufactured turbos using non-original and copy components.

It showed Garrett turbos deliver significantly better whole-life value than lower-cost non-genuine alternatives when taking into account reliability, performance, fuel efficiency and longevity.

Garrett claims some copy turbos failed within hours of installation. To help distance itself from the knock-off market, it launched the concept of Garrett Authorised Centres in the USA, Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

“The only way to get Garett quality is through a Garrett Authorised Centre,” says Lance.

There are currently 18 Garrett Authorised Centres in New Zealand from Whangarei to Invercargill. While Garrett turbochargers have been

made for more than 70 years, it’s actually a new company. In 2018 Honeywell Turbo technologies separated from Honeywell Transport Systems and is now a standalone company called Garrett Advancing Motion.

The New Zealand distributor for Garrett set up the group of quality repairers and sellers that met the Garrett Authorised Centre requirements.

Alltech Diesel & Turbocharger also represents other reputable brands of turbos but Lance says part of becoming a GAC is a requirement to undergo specific training provided by Garrett. It

ensures repairers have the required level of product knowledge, the expertise to diagnose turbo issues, and the ability to answer any technical enquiries.

“The New Zealand automotive trade and vehicle users are lucky enough to have access to certified quality repairers and original equipment suppliers and that peace of mind will pay off in reliable and dependable performance,” says Lance.

“When you order a Garrett turbo you are getting exactly the same product made in the same factory that produced the OEM units,” Lance says.

For more information, contact Alltech Diesel & Turbocharger on 09443 6511, see turbo.co.nz or see garrettturbos.co.nz find your local GAC.

TRW launches brake pads for EVs ELECTRIC BLUE IS THE FIRST AFTERMARKET BRAKE PAD FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

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RW’s revolutionary new brake pad for electric vehicles, Electric Blue, will shortly be available through ZF Aftermarket.

TRW has more than 100 years of experience and launching the world’s first aftermarket brake pad for electric vehicles is the latest example of the brand’s record of innovation. The

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

introduction of EVs, which are much quieter and smoother than internal combustion-engined cars, exposes any noise vibration and harshness in the braking system.

TRW can claim to be the leading braking systems manufacturer in the global aftermarket.

It manufactures original equipment brake pads and discs for the world’s leading car companies, and applies the same quality production to its aftermarket offerings.

The TRW Electric Blue brake pad has been designed, tested and proven to create less noise and vibration.

The brake pad has been made with a new FMG 53 material that produces less NVH than standard material, when supported by noise damping accessories.

Electric Blue also emits less dust into the atmosphere. The combination of the bespoke brake pad material and blue shims sheds up to 45 per cent less particulates as a result of braking.

Copper is one of the materials traditionally added to brake pads to improve NVH performance but Electric Blue pads also score well for sustainability, emitting less copper and other harmful metals, which can pollute waterways.

For more information the TRW Electric Blue brake pads, go to trwaftermarket.com/en/ electric-blue or contact ZF Aftermarket on +61 (0)2 9679 5555.

IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS

ZF Aftermarket brand TRW brings you an unrivalled reputation and expertise in braking, steering and suspension.

We are manufacturers of original parts for more than half the world’s vehicles. Constantly striving to improve and grow our range, we have everything covered to make supply and service stress-free. With more than 100 years of history in manufacturing original equipment, we have the experience to make a real difference to vehicle safety.

Proudly distributed by Repco and Appco, for more information call 0800 472 787 for Repco or 0800 200 100 for Appco

trwaftermarket.com As part of ZF Aftermarket, every TRW part is built to meet the challenge, just like the dedicated people around the world who bring them to you. Backed by a global network of aftermarket experts TRW products set the standards for safety and quality.

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Nolathane makes upper control arms that keep raised 4X4s on track RAISING THE RIDE HEIGHT OF A 4X4? CONSIDER WHAT YOU ARE ALSO DOING TO CASTOR AND CAMBER

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f you want to lift your 4X4 even a subtle amount like five or six centimetres you are going to run straight into issues with steering geometry.

Standard upper control arms are designed to work at around the standard ride height so raising the ride height will see them deflected to one end of their designed travel.

“You will also immediately have issues with caster and camber,” says Nolathane general manager Andrew Nolan.

The vehicle might start to wander and not track straight and true, feel vague through the steering, or you will see the most certain sign of poor wheel alignment: uneven tyre wear. Forcing the upper control arms away from their designed alignment can even cause problems with clearance around the coil over shock unit.

That’s why Nolathane developed its own range of upper control arms for raised vehicles. The new units provide three degrees of castor and camber rectification “which puts you right back in the window” for fine tuning the castor and camber, says Andrew.

Nolathane’s upper control arms are not just about angles. They had to be robust enough to perform at least as well as the OEM parts they replace. But Nolathane went the extra mile.

They are made from heavy duty steel tube and they feature forged ends which contain the bushes. The bushes are a unique Nolathane design which are another upgrade on stock. They feature Nolathane’s proprietary ‘Giiro’ technology which

provides very smooth and easy articulation in the bushes. That is especially useful in 4x4s, where the suspension often travels through a much greater range of movement than in passenger cars.

These Giiro bushes allow free rotation, almost like bearings, allowing the suspension to do all the work at extremes of movement — as well as providing the damping you want in bushings. And they minimise the distortion you get with rubber bushes that allows dirt into the joints, which increases wear.

Andrew says you should not consider raising the ride height of a vehicle without also considering replacing the upper control arms. For more information, check out nolathane.com.au, and to see a couple of short videos on raising a 4X4, see nolathane.com.au/UCA.php. Nolathane products are readily available through stockists Repco, Appco and Cooldrive Autoparts.

WHITELINE CHASSIS CONTROL BUSHINGS WHITELINE engineered “Synthetic Elastomer” bushings feature the quality ride of rubber at lower speeds and at higher speeds react when under cornering, accelerating and braking loads, for CHASSIS CONTROL and improved handling. Backed by a LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY. Ideal for: SERVICING - It provides the reliability, durability, added safety and ride quality characteristics for everyday vehicles and servicing.

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RESTORATION – The neutral (black) appearance for restorers and racers.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

R&J Batteries provides a full range of advanced batteries

R&J Batteries has partnered with specialist battery manufacturers like Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls, which provides the latest in battery technology through its Delkor Batteries range.

Modern vehicles demand more accessory power and an increase in the use of ‘stop/start’ technology and regenerative charging also puts greater demands on automotive batteries, says Warrik.

Delkor AGM and EFB batteries are specifically designed for use in stop/start and advanced vehicle systems. They will last up to three times longer than a standard automotive battery when fitted to these systems and deliver superior performance, even in

the most demanding conditions. Delkor AGM and EFB batteries are built stronger for higher starting power and reliable performance using a superior ‘Powerframe Grid’ technology.

AGM Delkor batteries are fully sealed and nonspillable so they can be mounted anywhere, in any orientation. And they are extremely resistant to vibration. They are a premium choice for highend and advanced fuel-efficient vehicles with high electrical demands.

R&J Batteries are exclusive distributors of Delkor in New Zealand and Australia. For more information on the range contact 09 636 5980 or see rjbatt.co.nz.

SPECIALIST BATTERY SUPPLIER R&J BATTERIES PARTNERS WITH THE WORLD’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS

R

&J Batteries continues to grow on this side of the Tasman, expanding into the South Island to provide more immediate contact and support to South Island customers.

“R&J Batteries is still new and growing in New Zealand but we have a head start, building on the 24 years of experience gained by our Australian team in partnering with specialist battery manufacturers,” says New Zealand general manager Warrik Skulve.

“We can be confident in the quality, and the performance record of these products, so that our New Zealand team can now deliver the same proven solutions for our customers.”

THE POWER IS YOURS For the 13th year running since 2006, Delkor® Batteries have been the Winner of the prestigious Korean Standard Quality Excellence Index (KS-QEI) Award.

•

Reliable performance

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Patented PowerFrame™ technology

Proven 66% more durable than standard grids

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Up to 3X cycle life in AGM automotive batteries

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EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY R&J BATTERIES IN NEW ZEALAND

 09 636 5980

 www.rjbatt.co.nz

 RJBatteries

Parts Connection rewards Capricorn members with 2 million points NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST BONUS POINTS OFFER PAID OUT TO SEVEN CAPRICORN MEMBERS. THREE MORE TO WIN

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FEBRUARY - Ellerslie Automotive in Ellerslie - Craig and Paula with Jonty (Capricorn) Pam (PC)

ong time Capricorn preferred supplier Parts Connection has been giving back to Capricorn members throughout 2019 with the biggest Capricorn Bonus Reward Point giveaway ever seen in New Zealand.

Each month from February through to November 2019 this year Parts Connection has put up two million Capricorn Bonus Reward Points worth $20,000 for customers.

All Capricorn members had to do was buy new or used vehicle parts through Parts Connection, which represents a network of 16 dismantlers, to go in the draw.

Parts Connection marketing manager Pam McNickle says with such a large number of Bonus Reward Points up from grabs the promotion is proving very popular among Capricorn members.

“It’s been great to see the winners so far have come from a widespread geographical area,” she says.

Pam says August winners Instant Autos were so pleased to win they travelled over to Nelson for the Capricorn roadshow to accept their prize among South Island Capricorn team members at the roadshow.

“With three more $20,000 prizes to go Capricorn members are beating down the doors to get in the upcoming draws,” says Pam. For more information on Parts Connection, see partsconnection.co.nz or call 0800 70 70 40.

MARCH - Gary Prohm Automotive, in Mt Roskill Gary Prohm with Pam McNickle (Parts Connection)

MAY - DM Auto Services in Tauranga - Dion Mair, Pam McNickle (Parts Connection) and BoP Capricorn rep Michael Stocks

JULY - Takanini Auto Service Centre in Takanini Jonty Cooper (Capricorn) with Hamish Paton

APRIL - JVR Automotive in Te Awamutu - Johannes Van Rensburg with Mark Waller (Capricorn

JUNE - Rototuna WOF & Automotive Centre in Hamilton - Rose King and Pam McNickle (Parts Connection)

AUGUST - Instant Autos in Blenheim - Duncan Knox (Capricorn) Karlos Wrennall (PC) Joanne Martin andColin Martin with their daughter, Pam (PC) and Jonathon Treymane (Capricorn)

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Batteries built tough for New Zealand’s off road conditions

0800 93 93 93 | centurybatteries.co.nz

CB123-2711

Century’s SUV, 4x4 & Light Commercial batteries are designed and built tough using robust internal components and advanced manufacturing processes to withstand the challenges of New Zealand’s extreme conditions.

15

The lesser known brands behind European aftermarket parts THEY MIGHT BE RESPECTED MANUFACTURERS BUT THE AFTERMARKET PART MAKERS FOR EUROPEAN BRANDS RARELY GET THEIR NAMES IN LIGHTS

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ome parts and aftermarket manufacturers are almost as well known as the main carmakers, while others are barely recognised.

One of New Zealand’s largest aftermarket parts distributors, Bapcor, supplies thousands of aftermarket items through its trade-focused BNT and Autolign branch networks. Whether those manufacturers’ brand names make it into advertising or promotional material depends on a number of factors.

Some parts manufacturers, like Brembo brakes for example, are well known and their brand strength is an asset in marketing those products.

However, the sheer number of products and parts suppliers in some product areas such as suspension parts makes other types of promotion more effective. Product manager Kris Taunt says that reasoning is even stronger in New Zealand where the car parc is so diverse.

However, he was happy to take this chance to highlight two of BNT’s suppliers who specialise in manufacturing aftermarket steering and suspension parts for European cars. BNT has dealt with CTE for about 20 years and Sidem for about 15.

CTE, or Chassis Technology Europe, is a Taiwanese manufacturer of suspension control arms and bushes rack ends, tie rod ends and some braking kits. They might be better known to some as CCYS, their brand name for parts for Asian cars. Their products for European cars, and some American models like Teslas, are branded CTE. The company says each new item they produce goes

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

through one million cycles in a fatigue test.

As you would expect, Belgium-based Sidem has extensive coverage of European cars, offering steering related products including ball joints, tie rods and tie rod ends, sway bars, rack gaiters, track control arms and bushes.

Sidem has been in business for more than 80 year. It is one of the oldest manufacturers of chassis parts and now the leading manufacturer in its field. It has opened new factories in Hungary and Romania, and has developed and patented products which offer improvements over OEM parts.

“They offer a good range, good quality and good prices, which are all the things you want from a supplier,” says Kris.

Both CTE and Sidem are getting a rare outing this month as BNT is featuring its product offering for European vehicles. Some of the better known brands it is promoting include Brembo brake parts, Varta batteries and Fuchs oils. Other parts include Clutchpro clutches, Bendix Euro brake pad kits, Dayco timing kits and water pumps, Ultratorque alternators and starters, Hengst filters — and CTE and Sidem steering and suspension parts.

For more information on BNT’s product range for European cars and for store locations, see bntnz.co.nz.

Deconstructing the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) AUTODATA EXPLAINS THERE IS MORE TO TROUBLE CODES THAN MEETS THE EYE

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echnicians use diagnostic trouble codes, better known as DTCs, to identify problems associated with vehicles in components hidden from the naked eye. They make it less of a guessing game to isolate the fault and help reduce the risk of unnecessary, expensive, and frustrating parts swapping.

But there’s more to a fault code than just a number. In this technical guide, Autodata shows that knowing how the DTC is constructed allows the technician to read the clues in the number itself, giving them a better understanding of where to find the fault on the vehicle.

Through computerisation and improved vehicle technology, as soon as a fault is detected, DTCs are stored in the memory of an on-board module. If the fault is critical or emission related, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated.

CONNECT THE SCAN TOOL Connecting diagnostic equipment— a scan tool — to the 16-pin data link connector (DLC), a technician can extract DTC information as well as observing real-time statistics, such as engine and vehicle speed.

These DTCs, generated by the on-board modules, can provide vital information in pinpointing the fault. However, to fully diagnose the problem with a vehicle, knowledge of how the DTC is constructed can assist in localising where and what issues exist.

The regulatory bodies responsible for approving and standardising DTCs throughout the motor industry are the society of automotive engineers (SAE) and the International organisation for standardisation, more commonly referred to as ISO. Since late 1995, both bodies have been working closely with vehicle manufacturers to create standards and protocols for on-board diagnostics (OBD). With the introduction of OBD-II in 1996, all occurrences of the standard DTC configuration begin with a letter. So, by partitioning the vehicle into four groups (B-Body, C-Chassis, P-Powertrain, U-User network) a letter is assigned to denote which of the four groups the DTC is referring to. For instance, a DTC of P0117 shows the powertrain group of the vehicle was interrogated to acquire the DTC.

READING THE NUMBERS

THE NUMBERS AT THE END

Once the group to inspect has become obvious, To further facilitate the fault-finding process, the the DTC second character identifiable by either a conventional 5-character DTC could have another 0, 1, 2 or 3, will reveal whether it is a manufacturer two characters at the end. These extra two characters controlled or SAE/ISO controlled DTC (please see are available with multiple possibilities to indicate the attached table). failure type consequently, a DTC of P0117 with an SAE and ISO DTCs are universal and have been additional 07, implies a mechanical failure. adopted by most manufacturers that follow the Improved knowledge in how the DTC is constructed OBD-II agreement. However, as vehicles contain can give the technician a better understanding of how system differences in design and strategy, provisions to deal with the fault on the vehicle. are in place allowing manufacturers to use additional With any diagnosis, components should not DTCs when a SAE/ISO controlled DTC is not suitable. be replaced with DTC references alone. The Based on the earlier example P0117 DTC, it is vehicle wiring diagram should be consulted and apparent the fault stems from the powertrain and surrounding components must be taken into it is a SAE/ISO controlled DTC. Further exploration consideration before any part is replaced. into the third character of the DTC will make clear The most important thing to remember is DTCs which area requires inspection. By dividing the are not the answer to the problem, they are merely vehicle systems into categories and numbering a starting point to finding the problem. them 0 - 9, it is evident the components monitored Autodata’s built-in DTC module allows users to by the engine management system, in this case, quickly search thousands of codes and return OE the engine coolant temperature sensor, requires results, as well as additional common issues and fixes investigating if P0117 DTC is put into practice. related to those codes. This is further enriched by the Finally, the DTC’s fourth and fifth characters DTCs being constantly expanded from the generic will uncover the remaining information of the fault SAE/ISO DTC definitions to the manufacturer specific composition. There are numerous variables. They DTC definitions – continuing to give workshops the can represent the number of a cylinder or bank, if most useful and accurate information. the fault is intermittent or permanent, low or high For more information see autodata-group.com. input signal, or even short or open circuit.

Using the same DTC of P0117, the fourth and fifth characters suggest a low input and if all DTC exam ple: P the previous information is consolidated, 011707 this shows the fault is situated in the First D T C chara powertrain, it is a SAE/ISO controlled DTC, cter Body (B) stored in the engine management system The b comfoody groups rt an with a low input signal from the engine Chass s u pplem and assista y faults re is (C) lated entary nce. F T re h e s coolant temperature sensor. traint or examp to the occu chass le is s p

P

suspe ystem :a a nsion groups an (SRS), ir conditio nt safety, system y fault n clima (P) T te con ing (AC), of the s with th he po trol sy v e e b h w rakes icle. ertrain User stem. tr a , n s n teerin smiss etwork Secon (U) ion an groups an g and T d y d h fa e d ults a DTC c ri us ssocia hartween er network vetrain. ted w on-bo g acter ith th Body ard m roups any e eng (B) DT odule issues ine, C s. w it h Chass data tr B0xxx is ansfe (C) DT S r A C beE contr olled /ISO C0 Powe code xxx rtrain B1xxx contr - SAE/ISO DTC (P) olled turer - manufac U ser ne P0xxx code contr - C1 tw olled xxx contr - SAE/ISO B2xxx (U) D ork turer - manufac olled TC U0xxx contr - P code turer - manufac olled 1xxx contr - C2 contr SAE/ISO olled xxx turer manufac B3xxx olled turer - manufac contr - U code contr - P contr - SAE/ISO olled 1xxx olled 2xxx olled C tu 3 code xxx - S SAE/IS rer co manufacc o n A n O trolle trolle E contr d cod d U2xxx olled /ISO e P30xx code turer - manufac manu x - P33xxx contr fa o lled U3xxx Third contr cturer olled contr - SAE/ISO chara DTC P34xx olled cter code x - P3 9xxx 1 E SAE/IS ngine O con mana 2 A tr o g ll e e ment ir/Fue d cod system e l syste 3 Ig m (in nition jector system 4 E m a lf unctio /Misfi missio re n) n con 5 V trol sy ehicle stem speed 6 O a nd idle n-boa rd mo contr 7 T dules ol sys ransm tem ission 8 T ransm ission 9 re serve Fourt d 0 re h Fifth & serve d chara DTC The fo cters if the urth and fi Additi or op fault is inte fth charac en cir te DTC c onal cuit. rmittent o rs could re ha r perm p acter ranent, resent a n 00 s um No fa low o ilure ty r high ber of a c 01 y pe info input Gene signa linder or b rmati ral ele l, or e a 07 o n c trical ven s nk, Mech fa hort ilure anica 08 l failu Data re bus sig 0A nal/m Gene essag ral ele e failu 2A ctrica Signa re l failu l stuc re 2 3A k in ran Signa g e l has 49 to o man Intern y puls al ele 4A es ctron Incorr ic fail ect co ure A3 mpon Syste e nt ins m volt talled age h igh Powe rtrain

0

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Quality shows through time CENTURY EQUIPMENT SAYS THEY DO MAKE EM LIKE IT USED TO

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entury Equipment set out to find the oldest Heshbon lift and the oldest Sice tyre machine in New Zealand.

Century’s general manager, Todd Jenkins, launched the search in August. He says the names of both Heshbon, the Korean lift manufacturer, and Sice, the Italian tyre machine maker, are bywords for quality. He knew examples of their wares installed decades ago would still be working today.

“We specialize in well-established quality brands, so we were not surprised to find the very first Heshbon lift sold is still in use 20 years later,” says Todd.

Century Equipment took over distribution of Sice tyre machines in 2018, but Todd knew there would be many older machines still working out there.

The search turned up a tyre machine installed in October 1994 that is still in use — and these machines don’t get an easy life.

Todd believes you can’t argue with that kind of

quality, telling us, “There are a lot of new names in the market now but with no history what can you say about quality or support? We’ve been in the equipment industry for 20 years, so we know what we are talking about.

“We are proud to be a 100 per cent New Zealand and family owned business. We have been around a long time; we know our products, and how to provide quality backup and support. That means our products will still be around and supported for a long time in the future.” Century Equipment offered prizes for the oldest Heshbon and Sice gear.

A Drill Doctor 750X drill bit sharpener worth $465 + GST went to Rob and Mike at Auto Air Manawatu, where the first Heshbon lift in New Zealand is still in operation, and to Hauraki Plains Motors, Ngatea, for the Sice tyre changer that has clocked up a quarter century of service.

Runner-up prizes of Drill Doctor 360X drill bit sharpeners, RRP $229 + GST, went to Dave and Paul

from Stokes Valley Auto Repairs, for another 1999 Heshbon HL-26K, and Advantage Tyres, Pukekohe, for a Sice S680 balancer from 2002.

Todd says that, if taking a look at your old equipment prompts you to think about upgrading it, now is a good time to do it. Century Equipment is offering interest-free terms over three months, and lease options and finance are available through Capricorn.

For more information, call 04 567 1405 or see centurydistributors.co.nz.

www.centurydistributors.co.nz 04 567 1405 - Find us on Facebook

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$17,999 + gst -Automatic Data Entry -Automatic Wheel Positioning -Hidden Weight Feature -Auto Balancing Mode Select -LED Worklight + Laser Line -Free Width Sonar worth $799

-Completely Contactless To Rim -Ergonomic Control Layout -Operate Controls From 1 Place -Centre Mount Clamping -Integrated Bead Breaking -Tool Angle Adjustment -Quick, Efficient, No Rim Damage -Optional Wheel Lifter

-Side-Swivel Post -Patented Head Design (3) -Full Plastic Rim Protectors -2 Speed Turntable -GP version avaliable -PT50E Help Arm only $1000 + gst with S45 B or BGP -Optional Bead Blaster Total Mechanical’s Jarrod Rogers scrubs up

Designed and built in Italy for professional high demand workshops since 1964

19

New premises power up Griffiths Equipment ALL NEW PREMISES GIVES GRIFFITHS EQUIPMENT THE CHANCE TO RAMP UP WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION TECH

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fter a hectic few weeks moving into new premises, Griffiths Equipment general manager Peter Griffiths explained the company had outgrown their Olive Rd, Penrose, Auckland premises. But he also wanted to take advantage of the opportunities in going for a new build.

“We did look at existing buildings but, in the end, decided on a new build so we could have input into the final design, especially from a safety point of view.

“We were able to have a shape and space exactly to the dimensions we required to futureproof the business. It also gave us the ability to create a space where all team members wanted to spend their days. It has a café-like lunchroom with an outdoor courtyard, a four-zone sound system, and sit/stand desks.

“Everything is completely new. New racking, new fork hoists, new conveyor system, new office furniture etc. And the building is completely networked back to a purpose-built server room, with two extended comms cabinets in the distribution centre.”

The new premises in Bell Ave, Mt Wellington, have lifted the building’s covered footprint from

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

2221 square metres to 7843 square metres.

The team welcomed the chance to design the layout in the distribution centre to be more efficient, decreasing the walking time and increasing output. “We also now have a fully lit, undercover canopy, so we are not reliant on good weather when we are devanning containers and loading and unloading trucks.

“The distribution centre is running a completely new warehouse management system (WMS) which integrates with our own ERP (enterprise resource planning) system. The WMS will be able to integrate with the ERPs of other GUD companies that may move in.”

The new building takes advantages in warehouse technology too. It has a VNA (very narrow aisle) area with a drive by wire fork hoists system. They steer themselves, and the team can pick items from a greater height. The new conveyor also speeds up consolidation of orders in the packing area.

Peter says all staff are enjoying the change, the freedom from the constraints imposed by the old building and having the headroom to grow the business.

www.jbweld.com www.jbweld.com

For more information on Griffiths Equipment and its product range, see griffithsequipment.co.nz, or call 09 525 4575.

Better in every way WORKSHOPS LOOKING TO RAISE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE — AND IMPROVE STAFF SAFETY — HAVE AN OBVIOUS MOVE

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praying solvents or using solvent-soaked rags to remove grease and grime, or washing parts in a solvent bath, is a dirty job. It’s such a basic task, the idea it could be done away with entirely is quite revolutionary.

CRC’s Steve Colson says the introduction of the Smartwasher is literally that: revolutionary.

“It’s a no brainer,” says Steve. The Smartwasher system replaces the traditional solvent bath. It feels different to use, says Steve, because instead of dissolving grease with a volatile chemical, it uses special detergent and warm water to dislodge dirt and grease. “It’s much safer to use,” says Steve. But it’s the next part that’s revolutionary. The washwater flows down through a filter into a tank containing bacteria that literally eat the dirt and grease. The tank has a heater to keep the wash water at around 40 degrees, because that is the temperature the bacteria are most active. An electric pump moves the cleaning solution from a storage tank to a basin where parts are cleaned. The basin collects the cleaning solution and it flows back into the storage tank. The Smartwasher uses a pH neutral, nonhazardous, non-flammable water-based cleaning solution charged with 15 types of microbes that literally eat grease and oils, converting them to

CO2 and water. This is the same technology used in wastewater treatment plants. Microbes have been successfully used in petroleum and chemical plants, refineries, food processing plants, marine barges, truck washes, wood treating plants and ground water remediation. This bioremediation process is also used to help clean up oil spills such as the Deep Water Horizon disaster. Maintenance can be as simple as replacing a filter mat once a month.

The mat traps particulates as small as 50 microns to keep the tank free of debris. The new mats also add fresh bacteria. Replacing the used mats

amounts to about 3.3kg of inert solid waste a year, compared with having to dispose of roughly 377kg of hazardous waste — and pay hefty disposal fees — for solvents changed every six weeks. And it means you don’t have to buy or store fresh solvents. Steve says in the past customers were often people who had become sensitive to washer solvents but now proactive safety is more of a motivation — for staff and for the environment.“We’ve even put branding on some workshops that want to show their customers they are dealing with waste responsibly,” Steve says. But is a ‘bioremediating parts washer’ as effective as a solvent bath? Steve says they are just as effective, sometimes better. The’ OzzyJuice’ detergent type cleaner has been reformulated and improved several times over the years. For more information, see www.crcsmartwasher.co.nz, contact colsons@crc.co.nz, or call 021 747 606.

WORK SMARTER. NOT HARDER. SAFETY • PREVENTION • SUSTAINABILITY

PROTECT YOURSELF & THE ENVIRONMENT WITH SMARTWASHER® PH NEUTRAL - NON-TOXIC - NON-FLAMMABLE - BIOREMEDIATING PARTS WASHING SYSTEM THAT WORKS!

EXCEPTIONAL CLEANING

SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY

LOWER COST

The SmartWasher Bioremediating parts washing system is specially formulated to quickly cut through oil, grease, burn-on carbon, and diesel exhaust fluid. SmartWasher increases automotive technicians’ productivity due to the reduction of time spent cleaning. The CRC SmartWasher® Bioremediating Parts Washing System is both self-cleaning and environmentally friendly.

The pH neutral cleaner called OzzyJuice is used to effectively clean parts, removing grease and grime while the naturally occurring process of bioremediation is used to turn those potentially hazardous contaminants into a harmless by-product of carbon dioxide and water. Simply put, the OzzyJuice cleans the part while the bioremediation process cleans the fluid.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SMARTWASHER RANGE AT WWW.CRCSMARTWASHER.CO.NZ

PH 09 272 2700

customerservices@crc.co.nz

WWW.CRC.CO.NZ

/CRCNZ

@crcindustriesnz

/CRC Industries

Bendix launches new aerosol range BENDIX LAUNCHES A RANGE OF AEROSOL CLEANERS FOR THE TRADE, CAR ENTHUSIASTS AND HOUSEHOLDS

B

endix Brake and Parts Cleaner is the cleaner in a can designed to rapidly remove brake fluids, oils, dust, dirt, grease and other contaminants from brake linings, disc pads, drums, clutch plates ,rotors and dozens more uses — but it also stops brake squeal and can be applied without dismantling the brakes. The Degrease aerosol is formulated to remove heavy grease from car and small engines, concrete floors, driveways and workshop surfaces.

The new Shine aerosol is the easiest way to shine your tyres, mud flaps and bumpers. This new product from Bendix shines but also helps prevents

providing the ideal protection for plastic, vinyl and rubber, sliding tracks, locks, fishing equipment, chain and moving belts in automotive, marine, household plus a host of general applications.

For more information, call +61 3 5327 0211, email brakeadvicecentre@bendix.com.au or go to bendix.com.au.

dirt from settling on the surfaces.

The Multi-Use Penetrating and Lubricating aerosol is a heavy duty water dispersant which lubricates, protects and helps start wet engines and stop squeaks.

The Smooth White Lithium Grease aerosol is an all-purpose lubricant to protect surfaces from abrading or scratching other surfaces and is ideal for lubricating wheel bearings under all service conditions, CV joints, hinges, door catches plus many more uses around the home and garden shed.

Bendix Silicone aerosol also has multiple uses

Narva offers factory style switches MAINTAINING THE FACTORY FINISH WITH AFTERMARKET ELECTRICS

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ar owners and fleet operators in New Zealand can now achieve a factory finish when they install new electrical items in their vehicles through the launch of a new range of OE-style push button switches from Narva.

The new switches are designed to fit into the spare switch spaces on a vehicle dashboard and match the look of the other switches.

The OE push button switches are available for 30 different vehicle models from popular manufacturers including Toyota, Holden, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Win an Automaster tyre changer NOT ONLY IS THIS A GOOD VALUE TYRE CHANGER, IT COULD BE YOURS, FREE!

A

uto Channel is partnering with Automaster to offer this brand new tyre changer, worth more than $3000, free to an Auto Channel reader.

How? Just look up autochannel.co.nz, enter your business email address, choose your industry category, and you will go into the draw to win this brand spanking tyre changer!

And remember, your odds of winning this competition have got to be the best of almost any competition you could enter this year. It’s not open to anyone and everyone. It’s an exclusive offer, only open to the automotive trade in New Zealand, and to the readers of this magazine.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

It’s a great prize. The Automaster 202 IT is ideal for mechanical workshops that do their own tyre work, but it is robust enough for small tyre shops.

Its stainless steel bead-breaking cylinder delivers 3000kg of punch. The heavy duty shafts and a four-jaw turntable have the power to handle the toughest tyres on 10-inch to 22-inch diameter rims. The pneumatic tilting post, once set, returns to exact same position for each tyre and the locking system automatically gives vertical and horizontal clearance from the rim. It also comes with with plastic jaw protectors and head inserts for damage-free handling of delicate alloy rims You can also add optional helper arms to assist with low-profile performance tyres and, for even more power, you can choose the high-torque three-phase, two-speed motor that also gives you a two-speed turntable. The machine has a built-in pedal-controlled inflation system that includes a fast inflating air blaster to help with those flat stacked tyres.

The AM202IT comes complete with a Japanese-made water trap and oiler, quality

The switches feature laser etched LED symbols with backlit blue illumination. They are designed and labelled to switch light bars, driving lights, aux lights, roof lights, beacon, as well as blank for other uses.

All switches include a flying lead, while ‘snap-in’ fitment also makes for easy installation.

The switches are rated at 10A at 12V and are solidly made. They are avalable from leading automotive outlets throughout New Zealand.

For more information call Griffiths Equipment on 09 525 4575.

bucket of tyre lube and lube brush, a heavy duty tyre lever and a one-year warranty. RRP is $3195 + GST. For more information, contact Automaster on 0800 214 604, email info@automaster.co.nz or see automaster.co.nz.

AUTO ENTER AT CHAN NEL.C O.NZ

Slumping Suby DIAGNOSING FAULTS ISN’T ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD EVEN WITH SOPHISTICATED TOOLS

T

raining organisation and tools supplier AECS principal Herbert Leijen shares this description of a baffling and ultimately bizarre technical problem and how it was solved.

VEHICLE 2005 Subaru Legacy EJ25, 2.5Ltr Petrol (non turbo).

PROBLEM PRESENTED A Subaru was passed onto our customer from another workshop that was totally gutless. On the road, it simply would not rev past 4000 rpm no matter how hard you tried but, at rest, in neutral, or when carrying out a stall test you could rev it up to the red line no problem at all. The first workshop

had already guessed at new plugs, fuel pump and fuel filter. These were all replaced producing no change to the fault.

The workshop carried out a full scan with a Launch AUSCAN2 scan tool which showed no fault codes in any of the systems. During testing they found that with 100 per cent throttle input from the pedal and with a vacuum gauge connected to the manifold there was still vacuum in the intake manifold. This shouldn’t be the case at full throttle so he re-checked the live data on the Launch and found that when driving down the road with his foot hard down on the accelerator pedal, the throttle was only actually 20 per cent open!

He informed the customer of his findings and they agreed to fit a new throttle body.

A new throttle body was fitted but the car was still the same. So we still needed to find the real fault.

When driving at full throttle from a stand-still, the accelerator sensor output went straight to 3.56 volts and stayed there. The throttle angle sensor, however, started at 3.94 volts then almost instantly dropped to 1.1V (20 per cent throttle angle) while the accelerator sensor angle stayed at 100 per cent..

TECHNICAL SUPPORT HELP The engine management did not have any fault codes, so the AECS technical support team wanted to see the behaviour of the accelerator pedal position sensor in detail. A scope recording was requested. Note: If the output is without any errors (fault codes), look at the input first (see Fig 1.).

The ATS scope recording shows the two traces being the same and no change when the fault occurred (throttle backing off).

OUTPUT Better look at the output and see if the throttle backs off.(see Fig 2.).

The two throttle position sensors both moved evenly when the throttle was opened by the ECU to wide open. A short while later with the throttle backed off, both traces kept on moving evenly (one opposed to the other) to nearly closed.

This shows that it was the ECU actually backing the throttle off, not a throttle body fault. So why was the throttle body replaced by the previous garage?

ECU BACKED-OFF It was clear that the ECU was instructed to back off the throttle, but why?

The automatic transmission can cause the throttle to back off when a gear change is required, or when the ESP (Electronic Stability) detects extreme wheel speed differences or illogical G forces or other illogical circumstances.

The diagnostician decided to disconnect the G-force sensor, which made no difference. He proceeded by disconnecting the ABS computer, which was easier than disconnecting all wheel speed sensors. The car drove perfectly!

LIVE DATA Let’s first record wheel speeds vs G-force using the scan tool and see what we get (see Fig 3.).

The diagnostician posted on the AECS technical support forum a live data recording of the four wheel speeds and the G-force sensor when the car accelerated and was backed off by the ECU. The above image is a screen shot of the live data recording using the AUSCAN2.

Fig 1. ATS 500XM scope recording of dual trace APS.

WHEEL SPEED Zooming in it is clear that the 4-wheel speeds are equal all on the straight stretch of road. Obviously it wasn’t one sensor suddenly putting out a bad signal or a drop out making the ESP pull back power.

G-FORCE A bit harder to understand and to analyse is the G-force, however zooming in and carefully analysing, showed nothing untoward except in the beginning where the car drives off the yard.

NEW ABS? The technician came to the conclusion that the ABS computer must be at fault, if all inputs were correct and the ABS was still sending the command to ‘back off’ the engine to the ECU, it must be that the ABS computer that was at fault. Right?

Fig 2. ATS scope recording of throttle position sensors.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

BINGO The technician inspected the taillights and, incredibly, found one bulb blown! Surely history was not going to repeat itself here? Yes it was: a new bulb was fitted, tested and a road test swiftly followed. The fault was now gone, and the car drove perfectly.

That was one hell of an expensive light bulb!

Quite frankly, I have not often diagnosed broken lights remotely.

CONCLUSION Fig 3. Launch AUSCAN2 recording.

Not so fast tiger! Back in 2004, our technical support was getting a multitude of weird cases and it reminded us of a particular Nissan with broken light bulbs. Long story short, the Nissan’s broken brake light bulbs pulled the ABS ECU down to earth through the broken filaments. This car would accelerate fine to 70km/h and then back off.

Out of sheer curiosity we asked the technician to check the stop and taillights of the Subaru. In the meantime, calls were made to the owner to keep them informed of the progress. The owner now dropped into the conversation that the ABS module had already been replaced by the previous garage.

Don’t you just love it when that happens?

What is to be concluded from this staggering case?

I can see in so many ways how this became difficult for each technician involved. When have you ever needed taillights on to diagnose a vehicle during the daytime? It is true that newer cars with body control modules that switch the lights on and off make things easier for us.They will detect a lower current when one light bulb is out, and fault codes will alert us that a light or associated system might be inoperable. Many older cars do not even have ESP so this would not even be a consideration. But never, ever, skip the basics.

At AECS technical support we do our very best to assist our customers with quality support to get to a conclusion quickly and efficiently. In the end, it was our own experience that got this problem sorted.

Still an ATS scope, a Launch scan tool and an experienced technician, made this job a success.

Swapnostics is not a skill you should seek to employ.

Two more notes: AECS now has the latest Launch Pad V! What a powerhouse! Expensive but absolutely awesome. And a caution: There is a renamed Launch tool actively being sold which is actually a 4-year-old model (Pro3 version 1), which is 4 generations old. I heard that this tool is being sold for a little over $6000. AECS sold that tool in 2015 for $3500.

For more information, see aecs.net, email: info@aecs.net or call 06 8749 077.

Broken tail/brake light bulb.

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The combustion engine ain’t dead yet!

W

ith all this talk about automotive manufacturers making a shift away from combustion engines that burn fossil juice toward an electric fleet future, you might be lulled by the media into thinking that the combustion engines days are numbered. This could not be further from the truth if the five concepts we're taking a look at here are anything to go by. In a quest to produce a more fuel efficient combustion engine, these five concepts are pushing the boundaries with radical new concepts, from variable compression ratios, to compression ignition, and completely new engine designs like the New Zealand developed Duke Axial engine. The combustion engine ain't dead yet!

1 Five stroke We’ll kick things off with something you will likely see in production in the very near future. It’s a take on the conventional four-valve engine, except that it allows an additional combustion cycle. So, instead of the spent exhaust gases exiting post combustion, they are sent into another combustion chamber and compressed for a second time before being exhausted. This second combustion chamber is twice the bore of the first and is common between two fired high compression chambers. This effectively increases the expansion ratio of the engine without the side effects you’d get with an impossibly long stroke.

2 Duke axial engine Developed right here in New Zealand, the Duke axial engine looks like something that belongs in the front of a WWI fighter. Ditching the traditional crankshaft, the cylinders are parallel to the main shaft, with the combustion forces acting on a reciprocator that oscillates around the main shaft in a wave-like motion. Similar to the rotary design, the cylinders slide past both and intake and exhaust port. A spark plug deletes the need for a valve train. Each cylinder completes three power strokes per revolution! All this adds up to one very lightweight, compact, and powerful engine.

4 Gasoline compression engine Getting diesel-like mileage from a petrol engine is the dream of many manufacturers, and who knew achieving it would be so damn simple?

Using compression ignition like a diesel, this 2.7 three-cylinder engine uses opposing pistons in each cylinder to compress the air/fuel mix until it ignites, driving two crankshafts joined by one larger gear drive. The first production version is set to hit the market in the US,powering the F-series Ford trucks and offering 270hp and 480ft·lb.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

3 VC turbo Just released by Infinity, VC stands for variable compression ratio — yes, you read that right. Essentially, the stroke of the piston is adjusted to effect compression from 8.5:1, when you’re hard up it, to 14.1:1 during idle and high cruising. How? Instead of the rod connecting directly to the crank, it connects via a bell crank, which centres on the crank. The other end is connected to another cam-like shaft, which is elliptical and controlled by an actuator. The engine also uses a mix of both conventional and direct injection.

5 Liquid piston engine Here’s one for the rotor-heads out there. It takes the traditional Wankel rotary engine to the next level. An eccentric shaft is driven by an ovalshaped rotor that spins inside a housing. The rotor actually carries the air/fuel mix through the combustion cycle, allowing the engine to have a constant volume — unlike a conventional engine, which has constant pressure. Maintaining constant volume in the combustion allows for a higher compression temperature and better atomization of the mix. In short, it’s a far more efficient combustion.

27

Car news

Sleeping policemen proliferate THE UK IS HOME TO 42,000 SPEED HUMPS — UP FIVE PER CENT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

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hese numbers come from a Citroën investigation into Britain’s traffic calming coverage while developing its famous hydraulic suspension and ‘advanced comfort’ front seats.

The Citroën study shows speed humps, or ‘sleeping police persons’, are now are calming traffic on more than 14,000 roads. Investment in speed bumps has seen a five per cent increase since 2015, with more than 42,000 individual bumps recorded by county and borough councils across the country.

Citroën also found there were a further 12,000 traffic calming measures such as speed tables, ramps, and width restrictions.

Toyota backs hydrogenfuelled vehicles HYDROGEN WILL SIT ALONGSIDE OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN A LOWER-CARBON FUTURE, ACCORDING TO TOYOTA

A

s part of the move to decarbonize the world’s transport fleet, Toyota is planning to slash average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for each vehicle by 90 per cent by 2050, in comparison with 2010 levels. To do so, Toyota is spreading its effort across several low-emitting vehicle technologies, including self-charging hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

Toyota believes HEVs, BEVs, PHEVs, FCEVs, and biofuels will all be required to varying degrees as different fuels are better suited to different transport needs. It is investing in its own manufacturing plant and joint ventures to speed up the development and production of batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, and fully expects to be selling 30,000 FCEVs a year globally — the total is currently 3000 — in the not too distant future.

Toyota Motor Corporation is a steering member

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request to more than 400 councils across the UK. Not all councils keep a central figure for the total number of traffic installations on the roads for which they are responsible.

Speed humps were first introduced in the UK in 1983, under The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations, but their origins date back to the early 1900s in New Jersey, USA, where they were installed to prevent speeding.

Road safety experts say traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are one of the key reasons why the number of deaths on UK roads — especially

for pedestrians, cyclists, and children — has fallen by 80 per cent since fatalities peaked in 1941.

Souad Wrixen, Citroën UK’s marketing director, said: “At Citroën, we are committed to providing our customers with the best journey experience possible, no matter what the road surface. Speed bumps and other traffic calming measures have their place on UK roads, helping to improve road safety and reduce fatalities. When approached at the correct speed and with care, our Citroën Advanced Comfort programme will ensure that humps and speed tables can be navigated more comfortably, avoiding the sharp jolts often experienced by road users.”

of the Hydrogen Council, which is clear about the task ahead: to limit global temperature rise to two degrees, the equivalent of 160 million low-emission vehicles, 80 million zero-emission vehicles, and 80 million plug-in hybrids will need to be on the world’s roads by 2030.

Toyota New Zealand chief executive Alistair Davis says, “Reaching this ambitious target will require a wide range of technologies. At Toyota, we believe that to bet on a single technology to solve the challenge of decarbonizing transport is too risky.

What if the hoped-for advances do not materialize or production lines fail to meet demand?

“Technological developments tend not to take place at the expense of one another. The development of BEVs and FCEVs is likely to be synergetic: both technologies rely on electric power trains, and benefit from improvements in these components,” he says.

The Hydrogen Council estimates that hydrogen will power more than 400 million cars, 15 to 20 million trucks, and around 5 million buses by 2050, which will constitute, on average, 20 to 25 per cent of their respective transportation segments.

Since hydrogen plays a strong role in heavier and long-range segments, that 20 to 25 per cent share of

the total fleet could contribute more than one-third of the total CO2 abatement required for the road transportation sector in the two-degree scenario.

“Hydrogen is an indispensable resource to achieve the much-needed transition to low carbon energy use, as it can be used to store and transport renewable energy to power transportation. The sooner we get the hydrogen economy going, the better,” said Alistair.

Toyota has a range of hydrogen-powered vehicles already for sale in selected markets. Sales of the Toyota Sora FCEV bus began in 2018, and Toyota expects to introduce 100 Sora buses within the Tokyo metropolitan area ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

Find out more:

Research confirms what we already know NEARLY 2.7 MILLION UK DRIVERS HAD A COLLISION OR VEERED OFF ROAD WHEN DISTRACTED BY MOBILE PHONES

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ew research reveals that over 2.7 million drivers have had a collision or veered off the road in the last two years because they were distracted by their mobile phones.

The new study for Kwik Fit, the UK’s largest automotive servicing and repair company, found that of these drivers, just over one million had collided with another car while their attention was diverted from the road. A further 4% of motorists, some 1.8 million drivers, have been involved in a collision in the last two years because another driver was distracted by their phone.

Despite the danger and the fact that the use of phones without a handsfree set is illegal a quarter of motorists (24%) admit to reading texts when driving, while one in five (20%) confess to sending them.

Texting is just one of the distractions from phones.

The most common reasons people give for using their phone at some point while driving are to take a call on speaker (44%), make a call on speaker (41%)

and use the GPS or satnav (40%).

Kwik Fit found that men are more likely to use their mobile for any reason while driving than women. Male drivers are 45% more likely than female motorists to have read a text while behind the wheel (28.2% vs 19.5%). This difference in attitude is highly likely to be a factor in the numbers of drivers who have had a crash – 1.7million men have had a collision or veered off the road in the last two years while distracted by their mobile, compared to 970,000 women.

The study also highlighted the danger younger drivers are putting themselves in, as well as other road users. Kwik Fit found that an astonishing 18% of drivers aged 18-34 admitted to having had a collision or veering off the road while distracted by their phone, compared with 0% for drivers aged 55 or over. Drivers aged 18-34 are six times as likely to have read a text while driving, and almost 13 times more likely to have sent one than those 55 and over.

Official statistics show that in 2017 there were 773 casualties; including 43 deaths and 135 serious injuries, in collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was a contributory factor.

The figures show that the number of people killed or seriously injured has risen steadily since 2011, however alarmingly the rate of enforcement has dropped by more than two-thirds since then.

Two years ago, motorists caught using a handheld phone have faced a punishment of six points on their licence and a £200 fine – a doubling of the previous penalty.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “IAM RoadSmart strongly welcomed the House of Commons Transport Committee report as it fully confirms what we have known for some time – multi tasking is a myth and any form of smartphone use at the wheel is distracting.

Hyundai develops wearable robot exoskeleton for overhead work EXOSKELETON IS LIGHTER, CHEAPER AND DESTINED FOR PRODUCTION

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yundai Motor Group has developed a new vest exoskeleton (Vex), a wearable robot created to assist industrial workers working overhead for long periods.

The Vex reduces fatigue by imitating the movement of human joints to boost load support and mobility.

At 2.5kg, the Vex weighs 22-42 per cent less than competing products. The user places their arms through the shoulder straps of the vest, then fastens the chest and waist buckles. The back section can adjust in length by up to 18 cm. The degree of force assistance can be adjusted over six levels up to as much as 5.5 kgf.

“Vex gives workers greater load support, mobility, and adaptability when operating in overhead environments,” says DongJin Hyun, head of robotics at Hyundai Motor Group. “Workers will also appreciate how light Vex is to wear and work with.”

The Vex is targeted at production-line workers whose job is primarily overhead, such as those bolting the underside of vehicles, fitting brake tubes, and attaching exhausts in assembly plants.

A trial in two Hyundai Motor Group plants in the

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

US was successful and Hyundai is considering implementing Vex in plants around the world. It is expected to go into commercial production in December.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the wearable robotics industry is growing 14 per cent annually and accelerating. By 2021, approximately 630,000 commercial robots will be sold worldwide.

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Has Continental invented the tyre of the future?

THE SMART TYRE THAT PUMPS ITSELF UP

T

hanks to some clever engineering and of course, electronic smarts, Continental’s new tyre can monitor its own health and adjust pressure on the fly.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, and tyre wear, tyre pressure is a big deal. According to recent studies, a tyre underinflated by 7.5 psi can decrease in fuel economy 2.8 per cent. Other research suggests 25% of cars on the road have improperly inflated tyres.

To increase fuel efficiency Continental's new tyre monitors several critical parameters including tread depth, tyre integrity, and tyre pressure. Continental calls this technology suite C.A.R.E. which stands for Connected, Autonomous, Reliable, Electrified. This complex system allows Continental's tyre to report critical data as well as monitor tyre pressure to keep it within the correct parameters.

To regulate tyre pressure Continental uses a centrifugal pump built into the wheel. This pump uses the spinning force of the wheel to increase the tyre air pressure and keep the tyre within the proper inflation spec. Continental believes this new connected tyre technology will allow for more efficient vehicles leading to an appreciable drop in CO2 emissions.

A tyre like this will allow companies to manage fleets of autonomous vehicles which don’t have ‘drivers’ to monitor the health of tyres. It can also help boost a car’s performance. It can rapidly adapt the tyre pressures to various driving situations. This changes the tyre from an out of control variable to dynamically monitored part of the driving experience.

It’s not an incredibly far-fetched next step in tyre development. With a more connected and controllable tyre, we’re sure to see some more impressive applications in both efficiency and performance.

EV charging stations overtake petrol stations ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF FUELLING OVERTAKEN IN JUST OVER A DECADE

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here are now almost 1000 more public places to charge electric cars than there are forecourts to pump petrol in the UK — 9300 electric vehicle (EV) charging locations compared to 8400 fuel stations. The crossover happened more than a year before Nissan’s 2016 prediction of August 2020 — a result of the accelerating adoption of EVs amongst UK motorists.

In less than a century since Britain’s first fuel station opened in November 1919 at Aldermaston in Berkshire, the number of forecourts has peaked, declined, and now been overtaken by charging stations designed for battery, not combustion, powered cars.

Almost 80 per cent of UK petrol stations have closed since 1970, whilst the number of electric vehicle charging locations has increased from a few hundred in 2011 — when the Nissan Leaf went

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

on sale — to more than 9000 in August 2019. More than 1600 of these provide ‘rapid charging’, and can recharge a typical EV battery to around 80 per cent in under an hour.

The table, right, chards the number of EV charging locations and fuel stations in the UK.

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Boosted Restraint A MASTERCLASS IN RX RESTOMOD FROM THE FIVE-TIME CHAMP WORDS: MARCUS GIBSON PHOTOS: STRONG STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

I

t was the late 80’s, and the mighty pushrod ruled the streets of every town in New Zealand on Friday and Saturday nights. ‘Rice rockets’ were treated as second-class automobiles, not worth the steel that their bodies were stamped from.

As Brett Dyson recalls it, “If you owned a rotary, you were a nobody; they were classed in the same category as Escort Sports — if you owned one, you were a boy racer. It was a V8 time back then. Hence all those stories about these things being trashed.”

However, those brave enough to shun the crowds and try the little pocket rockets from the East were let in on a little secret: these things had all the ingredients for a fun thrasher — light weight, nimbleness, and power that would often leave the unassuming V8 owner red-faced in your rear view. However, it wasn’t until the next generation of petrolheads that the tide really started turning towards the East.

Brett admits that he sat firmly on the V8 side of the fence, and keeps one foot in each camp today. It was his mate who indoctrinated him into the rotary way, beginning in the late ’80s, when he purchased an RX-2 sedan with a stage-two ported 12A. Brett remembers that car being a ton of fun, but it still wasn’t enough to win him over. That didn’t happen until a few years later, with his brother’s second build — a 13B RX-3.

Eventually, that coupe was upgraded to a Kiwi-RE-built Series 6 (S6) stage-two 13B, with a T04Z and MazdaSpeed limited-slip diff (LSD) with 3.9 ratio. It was then, while he was strapped in the passenger seat, that the little light bulb inside his brain went off.

“I nearly shat myself, but it was through that build process that I started to get a little love for the Mazda, as you do,” he explains.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

For Brett, Mazda ownership was now imminent.

Around this time, as they were building Brett’s brother’s RX-3, another turbocharged RX-3 coupe was being flung around on the gravel while a cameraman from the then-infant NZ Performance Car snapped away. An article dubbed The Three Amigos, penned by the infamous Ketzal ‘Mr High Octane’ Sterling, featured a pair of RX-2s and a turbocharged RX-3 coupe up to no good on some country roads; it was the coupe that caught Brett’s eye. Back in ’98, turbo-swapped Mazda RXs were few and far between on these shores. If you think such conversions are wild now, throw in some ’90s lag technology, and you had a completely different

animal — as demonstrated in the feature by the coupe’s owner Craig. As was typical of the ’90s builds, it featured a Wolf 3D computer, laggy T04 turbo, and an extra pair of GReddy 800cc injectors squirting into the stock manifold.

Eventually, the red coupe would fall into Brett’s hands in pretty much the same spec as it was featured eight years earlier, and, fortunately, it had survived the years of questionable modifications that so many of its siblings fell victim to. The body and interior, both in great original condition, displayed perfectly the restomod style that all Brett’s builds subscribe to. By Brett’s own account, the car was as crazy as it was portrayed back in Issue No. 24.

DRIVER PROFILE “It had the nine-inch in it at that time. It was wild; it would wheelspin in the dry all the way through fifth gear — it was an absolute handful.”

Taming its wild side would become the first focus of the project. The front got a combination of adjustable Koni Special Ds with camber/castor plates, custom springs, an alloy anti-dive kit, and Wilwood brakes. The rear received the same Koni shocks, a custom sway bar, a few extra leaf springs — lowered, of course — and a swag of Nolathane bushes. This combined with the upgraded nineinch diff taken from Brett’s brother’s RX-3, which was built by Pac Performance Racing with Moser aluminium carrier, Positrac LSD (4.56:1), and billet 31-spline axles, effectively ending the days of spinning the tyres all the way through fifth.

“That’s a good thing,” explains Brett. “It now puts 95 to 100 per cent of the power down. It does not wheelspin; it’s a really good package that is fun to drive. To have a spot in the garage, it has to put a smile on your face when you drive it, and you have to remember why you enjoy it. The RX-3 certinaly earns its parking space” With its new-found underpinnings, that oncewild power output now seemed tame. It was time to search for a little more power and get a little more modern technology under the bonnet.

Calling on good friend and rotary guru Alec Bell of Kiwi-RE, Brett had the complete S5-based engine package removed to make way for a S6 13B–based combo. The new engine received Alec’s full cut bridgeported plates, dowel kit, Rotormaster 3mm seals, a MazdaSpeed oil pump, and the typical balancing, etc along with Alec’s little tweaks. Boost comes via a Garrett GT42 turbo sitting on a KiwiRE manifold, while the cooling is a complete Pac Performance bolt-in package.

DRIVER/OWNER: Brett Dyson AGE: Older by the day LOCATION: Auckland OCCUPATION: Real Estate agent BUILD TIME: 1.5 years LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP: 15 years THANKS: My brother Andrew for all his help, good mate Alec Bell, and my wife Susan for all her support and allowing me to spend plenty of time in the garage

HEART ENGINE: Mazda 13B (S6), 1300cc, two-rotor turbocharged BLOCK: Kiwi-RE-built, full cut bridgeported plates, Rotormaster 3mm apex seals, dowelled block, balanced and blueprinted, MazdaSpeed oil pump INTAKE: S6 intake, Pac Performance elbow, HKS Super Power Flow filter, Pac Performance intercooler EXHAUST: Three-inch mandrel-bent system, Rotorflow pre-silencer, Rotorflow muffler TURBO: Garrett GT42, Kiwi-RE manifold WASTEGATE: 50mm Turbosmart Pro-Gate BOV: Turbosmart Raceport FUEL: Aeromotive A1000 main pump, Holley Red lift pump, Malpassi fuel regulator, billet fuel rails, Injector Dynamics 1000cc primary injectors, 2000cc Injector Dynamics secondary injectors, twolitre surge tank, Aeromotive fuel filters, custom HPCcoated fuel-system mount, braided lines throughout IGNITION: Bosch coils, MSD leads ECU: MicroTech LT10S COOLING: Pac Performance alloy RX-3 radiator, Pac Performance oil cooler EXTRA: Gilmer belt drive, alloy catch-can, custom super-hard Nolathane engine mounts, modified RX-3 breast plate

EXTERIOR PAINT: Rosso Corsa red ENHANCEMENTS: 10A Savanna teacup tail lights, 10A Savanna bonnet flutes, RX-3 SP rear guard badges, 12A Savanna lip, 12A Savanna front bumper, 12A Savanna front indicators, 12A Savanna park lights

INTERIOR SEATS: Factory STEERING WHEEL: MOMO INSTRUMENTATION: VDO oil-pressure gauge, Turbosmart e-Boost 2 ICE: Alpine head unit, Alpine Type R component speakers, Earthquake 6x9s, four-way 100W amp

SHOES WHEELS: (F) 18x7-inch Simmons FR17, (R) 18x8.5-inch Simmons FR17 TYRES: Bridgestone Potenza

DRIVELINE GEARBOX: Toyota Supra R154, five-speed CLUTCH: Pac Performance single-plate FLYWHEEL: Custom lightweight Kiwi-RE chromoly DIFF: Pac Performance narrowed Ford nine-inch housing, Moser aluminium carrier, Positrac LSD (4.56:1), billet 31-spline axles

PERFORMANCE POWER: 300kW BOOST: 12 psi FUEL: 98 pump gas TUNER: Alec Bell w

SUPPORT STRUTS: (F) Koni Special D shocks, custom springs, (R) Koni Special D shocks, stiffened and lowered leaf springs with extra leaves BRAKES: (F) Wilwood four-pot calipers, Wilwood drilled and slotted rotors, (R) VN Commodore rotors, VN Commodore calipers EXTRA: Aluminium anti-dive and bump-stop kit, adjustable camber and castor plates, custom sway bar, Nolathane bushes, rear sway bar

35

As the coupe was always built to be a driver, all-out power was never the quest; rather, a good amount of usable motivation in form of 300kW dialled in with only 12psi of boost — figures that are not earth-shattering but more than enough to put the shits up ya when called for, and Brett says that the full throttle pedal is used on a regular basis.

True to Brett’s favoured restomod style, the rest of the Mazda remains for the most part as the factory prescribed. The interior is factory, with the only custom touches being the MOMO wheel and leather boots for the handbrake and gear stick. That’s not to say that hours upon hours have not been poured into correcting imperfections.

Externally, the coupe features a mix of both 10A and 12A model trim, with a few nods to the most unicorn of all RX-3 models: the SP, a US-marketonly offering — although Brett stopped short of the SP ’70s graphics, bulding his own take using the US model tail lights and rear quarter badging; “To me the SP stands for Sport Model, something to stand out above the pack.”

The paint brings a little Italian influence, with the factory Salvia Red having been replaced with the not-too-dissimilar Rosso Corsa hue borne by so many famous racing icons.

This vehicle is a lesson in perfection through restraint, and has earned Brett some serious hardware, despite his assurance that “It’s no show car.” When you consider that it’s won Best RX-3 at the 4&Rotary Nationals not once, not twice, but five years running, from 2015 until now, you wonder what level of detail and perfection it would bear had Brett built an all-out show car.

For now, the coupe is getting used for its intended purpose: being driven any chance Brett gets. Brett admits that he “probably drives it a little

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

too hard, but that’s what it’s all about”. It’s likely that Brett will retire it from the Nationals for now — but, don’t think it’s safe to enter your own RX-3 yet, as a full engine bay overhaul might just be in

the back of his mind, a project earmarked for the near future. If this does happen, it will have to be something pretty special to knock the five-time champ from its perch.

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Hard particulates damage diesel engines THE MORE SOPHISTICATED THE ENGINE, THE BIGGER THE PROBLEM FROM DIRTY FUEL

Pipelines: Most pipelines are not new, and certainly not in pristine condition. Corrosion inhibitors are added at most refineries to help protect pipelines, but rust and other hard particulate is nevertheless picked up by the fuel that flows through them.

Barges and rail cars: How often are they drained and scrubbed out? What was in the last load? Where did it come from? How much of it was still in the

I

n this technical article, Kiwi Cylinder Heads’ Wayne

tank when your load was picked up? How long was

McMeekan explains how and why dirty fuel is such

it in transit? Is the tank hermetically sealed? There

a threat to diesel engines, and especially to engines

are lots of opportunities for contaminants to make

working built to fine tolerances: Dirty fuel will cause premature parts failure in

their way into the fuel.

Terminal tanks: Terminal tanks usually see a high

equipment of any age. Because of the extremely

rate of turnover, so there is not much time for the fuel

high pressures, this damage is even more

to pick-up contamination from outside ingress. Has

pronounced in newer equipment with high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel systems. Hard particulate, or "dirt" is made up of a wide variety of materials found at job sites — coal, iron, salt, etc — and generated by fuel tanks and lines (rust, corrosion) and inside engines (soot and wear particles).

the tank ever received a "bad load" from a pipeline or a barge? Has larger dirt had a chance to settle on the bottom of the tank? How often has it been cleaned out? Was it just filled? Did the bottom get churned up in the process? How full was the tank when your fuel was loaded into the delivery truck? There are many variables that can affect fuel cleanliness.

Delivery trucks: All the same issues that apply to

DAMAGE CAUSED BY HARD PARTICULATE

stationary tanks also apply to tanker trucks, except

Hard particulate causes problems with moving

that truck tanks never get a chance to settle. In

parts in the fuel system. This can lead to starting

addition, have you ever considered how much dirt

problems, poor engine performance, idling issues

gets into that tanker while it is delivering fuel to a

and, potentially, complete engine failure.

customer, potentially a customer in an extremely

The spray pattern generated by the HPCR

dusty environment? As fuel flows out, air is sucked in

injector is critical for proper combustion and overall

to displace it. Is there anything protecting the inside

fuel system performance. It must be extremely

of the tank from all the dust in the air? Generally not.

precise in terms of quantity, distribution and

Venting is typically completely unprotected.

timing. Ball seat valves are sealed with balls that

Storage tanks: Onsite bulk storage tanks typically

are only 1mm in diameter. A good seal is absolutely

see less rapid turn-over than terminal tanks. In

necessary for proper injection. Damage from

addition to those issues, yard and jobsite tanks can

erosive wear, such as shown below, will cause

also develop serious problems with other sources of

over fueling, leading to decreased fuel efficiency,

contamination, such as the ingress of dirt and water,

increased wear and damage.

condensation, rust, corrosion, microbial growth,

Pump performance can also be compromised by scoring and abrasive wear. These issues are magnified by the tighter tolerances and extreme

glycerin fall-out and additive instability. Time and temperature become big factors affecting fuel quality.

Dispensing process: How far does your diesel

pressures in HPCR pumps. In these circumstances,

need to travel between the bulk tank and the

it is the smallest particles (1-5 microns in size)

dispenser? The more pipe it runs though, the

that causes the most damage, virtually sandblasting part surfaces.

ALLOWABLE LEVELS OF HARD PARTICULATE

more potential there is for contamination. Are your dispenser nozzles kept clean? Are they ever dropped on the ground? Then what? What about the vehicles' fuel tank inlets, are they clean? Think about the extremely tight tolerances in your fuel

In some parts of the world, 10,000 gallons (38,000

system, and then take another look at housekeeping

liters) of typical diesel contains 700 grams of hard

issues. You will see them through new eyes.

particulate. This is 1000 times more than the 0.7

Onboard fuel tanks: Contamination continues

grams per 38,000 liters cleanliness requirements of

even after the fuel is in the equipment. What has

high pressure common rail fuel systems. In reality,

that tank seen in the past? Has it been left stagnant

there is no safe level of hard particulate. Injector

for long periods? What kind of protection is

manufacturers are very clear that damage caused by

there on the equipment's air intake vents? Heavy

hard particulate reaching the engine is not a factory

equipment does hard, dirty work.

defect, but rather the result of dirty diesel that is not

Engines: Unfortunately, even if the fuel in your

fit for use in HPCR fuel systems. At the end of the

tank could be perfect, additional contamination is

day, the end user is responsible for the fuel he or

generated by the fuel system itself. Wear particles

she puts into his their equipment.

are created by mechanical friction. High heat and extreme pressure generated inside the modern

HOW DOES DIRT GET INTO FUEL?

engine, lead to coking and the creation of carbon

Dust and dirt are all around us, especially on job

produced particulate is returned to the fuel tank

sites. Diesel fuel is fairly clean when it leaves the

along with the unburned diesel.

refinery, but becomes contaminated each time it is transferred or stored.

products at the injector. Much of this internally

For more information, or a new cylinder head, contact Kiwi Cylinder Heads on 0800 549 429 or see cylinderheads.co.nz.

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

KEEPING IT REAL SINCE ‘83

1 9 9 9 N I S S A N S K Y L I N E G T- R 1968 CHEV CAMARO 1 9 6 8 J A G U A R E -T Y P E

P H ON E U S N OW F OR A N O B L I G AT I O N-F R EE Q U OT E O N 0 8 0 0 4 5 6 254 OR C H EC K OU T O U R WEB S I T E W W W.C L A S S I CCOV E R .CO.NZ

SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY Suppliers of quality ENGINE PARTS engine parts

Ford Ranger / Mazda BT50 5 Cylinder 3.2 Common Rail Diesel New Replacement Cylinder Heads Kiwi Cylinder Heads are proud to announce the release of the new aftermarket cylinder heads for the Ford Ranger/ Mazda BT50 3.2L, 5 cylinder Common Rail Diesel Engine. 2011- onwards.

Paint stripping and rust removal on car bodies, chassis, and, car parts for over 10 years Steel, wood and aluminium stripped back to original condition fast We thoroughly remove paint, filler, varnish, rust and corrosion to give your restorations the best start

0800 549 429 / info@kch.co.nz 0800 549 429 / info@kch.co.nz

www.cylinderheads.co.nz www.cylinderheads.co.nz

Ph: 09 828 6618 / kwikstrip.co.nz 183 McLeod Rd, Te Atatu, Auckland 39

Auto-electrical supplier grows with the group AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIES GROUP HAS GROWN HAND IN HAND WITH BLACKFERN

W

ellington-based Automotive Supplies Group (ASG) is Blackfern’s auto-electrical wholesale supplier. The initials AS also belong to one of the foundation brands of the New Zealand company’s range, AS-PL, which started out as Auto Starter in Poland in 1994.

AS-PL, based in Gdansk, specializes in replacement alternators, starters, and parts. It manufactures 17,000 products, with 250,000 parts numbers, and supplies to 70 countries around the world.

ASG owner, Blair Rosson, began supplying friends and acquaintances in the auto-electrics business in 2010, then, in 2013, he became the official distributor for AS-PL in New Zealand, adding Auto Dagger testing tools the following year.

Even though supplying replacements was a key

part of ASG’s business, Blair didn’t like the wastage in the New Zealand and started remanufacturing alternators and starters in 2016. That same year, ASG became a founder member of Blackfern, and that really kick-started the company’s growth.

Blair says that, in the following years, ASG had to triple its warehouse space. Last year, the company’s list of starters and alternator SKUs surpassed 700, the number of alternator clutch pulley SKUs passed 300, and ignition parts were added to the catalogue.

“We have exceeded our growth projection, and again this year we have purchased extra warehouse storage. We are now offering over 6000 different part numbers and, based on our experience and confidence in the products we sell, we have increased our warranty on all AS products to two years,” he tells us.

First call for cleaning GDI engines NEW DIRECT-INJECTION ENGINE CLEANER CLEANS UP CARBON

L

ucas Oil has launched a Deep Clean GDI spray for direct injection petrol engines. Carbon build-up can rob engines of power and fuel economy. This is even more of a problem in modern engines built to close tolerances and designed to run to set parameters.

Pulling down an engine to clean out ports, valves, turbos, or even build-up inside cylinders, is

1st Auto Parts on the move NEW PREMISES MOVES BUSINESS CLOSER TO THE ACTION

1

st Auto Parts is gearing up to move its business from central Auckland to more expansive digs in Airport Oaks, Auckland.

The company has already taken possession of the new premises at 45 Rennie Drive and expects to complete the move away from the Dominion Road, Mt Eden, base it has occupied for more than 40 years in November. For most of those years, the company was known as Segedins.

Director Shane Johnson says getting into Auckland city is getting harder and harder for

40

Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

expensive, so an effective cleaner can be gold to mechanics and owners alike, saving hours of work and expense.

Lucas Oil’s technical director, Greg Hewgill, said the company had seen reports of deposits building up

customers. The new location is closer to its customer base, mostly located outside the central city, and to motorway connections.

A new light rail line is also planned for Dominion Road. That construction project would only make traffic problems worse, so 1st Auto Parts decided to

in under 10,000km, which prompted the development of Deep Clean GDI. Tests indicate the product’s solvent and fuel detergent blend can reduce carbon deposits by 50 per cent, when used as directed.

The product is simple to use. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter, start up the engine, and spray the contents beyond the mass air flow sensor. Do not coat the sensor.

Lucas Oil products are available from leading automotive parts outlets nationwide. For more information, see lucasoil.com/gdi.

make the move now.

“We are also going to have more room and that will literally give us room to grow,” says Shane.

For more information on 1st Auto Parts, see 1stparts.co.nz or call 09 638 6439.

OE REPLACEMENT

PERFORMANCE

4WD

COMMERCIAL

AGRICULTURAL

.. .. .. ..

Designed to remedy and prevent problems associated with the harmful carbon deposits that rob your engine of performance and fuel economy.

Direct Injection and Port Fuel Injection Tune-up Concentrated solvent and fuel detergent blend Cleans air intake, turbos and supports emissions systems Removes up to half of all valve deposits after one use Reduces carbon buildup Restores horsepower and torque Improves hard starts and rough idle Effective in treating standard Port Fuel Injected (PFI) engines

STEP 1.

Start vehicle and bring to operating temperature.

While the engine is on, pop hood and remove air filter cover, setting filter element aside.

STEP 3.

If the engine stutters, throttle the accelerator, maintaining engine speed below 3000 rpm. Continue until the can is empty. Let run for five minutes longer, revving the engine occasionally, but below 3,000 rpm.

STEP 4.

Shut engine off and reassemble the air cleaner.

Restart vehicle and drive for 15 minutes, preferably at highway speeds. Lucas Deep Clean™ GDI will continue to clean during this time.

www.lucasoil.com/gdi/

Take charge of your batteries Most vehicle alternators are not designed to fully charge an auxiliary battery, an insufficient charge rate will, at best, shorten NEW the life and performance of the auxiliary battery but may result in the battery being flat when least expected.

The REDARC BCDC in-vehicle battery charger AMP will ensure the auxiliary battery will achieve MO EL D and maintain an optimal charge regardless of its type or size.

50

BCDC In-vehicle Battery Chargers Feature an in-built MPPT solar regulator Charge from solar and alternator simultaneously with ‘Green Power Priority’ Works with standard and variable voltage alternators Charges all major lead acid batteries and includes a lithium charging profile Works with 12 and 24 volt alternators, available in 25, 40 and 50 amp models

redarcelectronics.co.nz For more information visit your nearest auto-electrician or 4WD specialty store

5840-181010

• • • • •

Products

The latest automotive products

Space for waste

Always have the right balls

Choosing a 90L waste oil drainer means fewer trips to empty it and longer periods of uninterrupted work.

This waste oil drainer comes with a wheel-mounted tank. It is suitable for gravity draining of engine, gearbox, and differential oil from all motor vehicles on a lift or over a pit. The 15-litre bowl is mounted on a swivel joint on a height adjustable central support.

To empty the unit, simply attach an airline. Contact EMCO on 07 850 5240 for further information, or email sales@emco.co.nz.

The Convert-a-Ball hitch system saves time finding tools and wrenching effort when towing different trailers.

The system, which uses three interchangeable balls (1 7/8”, 50 mm and 2 5/16”) with a choice of shanks meet the national standard SAE-J684-E for ball hitches. The 1” chromed or stainless shanks for 1 7/8” 2” and 2 5/16” balls are rated up to 3500kg. The 3/4” chromed shank for 1 7/8” and 2” balls is rated up to 1700kg and the ¾” stainless steel shank is rated up to 2000kg. All come with high shear strength stainless steel slide pins with holes drilled for cotter pins. RRP from $99.95 including GST. Contact 0800 698227 for more information.

The 2-Post super symmetric advantage Steiner’s new LT245CF 4.5 tonne 2 Post is a new directdrive lift with ‘super symmetric’ arms. This allows the front arms to be directly positioned to the lifting point without having to shuffle the vehicle back and forth as with many competing lifts. Height is adjustable from 4231mm to 4431mm overall. Optional features include an LED light kit and single phase motor. Comes with Treadway Equipped’s 100-day, 100% guarantee for $5320.00 + GST delivered and installed. Find out more at treadwayequipped.co.nz or call 0800 653 246.

Move to Launch Pad V Launch Pad V is the next generation in premium and professional diagnostic equipment. This full-function scan tool, re-engineered from the inside out, has a new user interface and best-in-class intelligent features. The new OBD Smart Box can be used on both 12-volt and 24-volt vehicles. Integrated technologies and unified protocols include accurate real-time data (CAN FD) and vehicle module reprogramming in cars and commercial vehicles.

Price: $7295 + GST. To find out more, call AECS on 06 874 9077 or see aecs.net.

Bushings for all SuperPro offers around three times as many product lines as its nearest competitors in polyurethane suspension bushes and handling components. From old to new, replacement to performance, SuperPro has New Zealand’s diverse vehicle fleet covered.

BNT and Autolign stock a wide range in their nationwide branch network. For more information, visit superpro.com.au.

Great for beating about the bush

Cleaning car parts with biology SmartWasher bioremediating parts washers are self-cleaning and environmentally friendly. The selected bacteria in the filter mat literally eat the oil and grease washed into the tank, reducing waste disposal from hundreds of kilogrammes of hazardous liquid annually to just a few kilogrammes of inert solid waste.

The SmartWasher’s unique OzzyJuice fluid, heated to a comfortable 42 degrees, breaks the bonds between parts and dirt, meaning it can also remove some deposits even solvents can’t shift. For more information, see crcsmartwasher.co.nz.

42

Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Developed using industry-leading design features, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and robust internal components, Century’s range of Ultra Hi Performance 4WD batteries are ideal for off-road conditions. They provide the superior vibration resistance, extra reserve capacity, and starting power needed to keep 4WD enthusiasts off the beaten track for longer. To find out more about Century’s 4WD batteries, visit centurybatteries.co.nz or call 0800 93 93 93.

Get an extra hand, or arm — free Century Distributors is doing a special price on the mid-range Century 330HA — the model with the helper arm, which really comes into its own with low-profile tyres. It has a large 26-inch turntable, a powerful bead breaker for cars and light commercial vehicles, and a bead blaster.

It’s normally $4295 + GST, but this month’s special is $3999 + GST delivered. See centurydistributors.co.nz, or call 04 567 1405.

Earth — vibration killer Dr Artex sound deadening products are worldrenowned. The latest version of their vibration dampening range is known as Earth. The gold 2.6mm (heavy) version is recommended for floors and firewalls, but is also proving popular in doors and around speakers. It comprises a self-adhesive glue layer, an outer pressed aluminum foil layer, and an inner layer of composite butyl polymer which doesn’t have the odor associated with bitumenbased products.

Earth is available from leading automotive audio stores throughout New Zealand.

Move wheels fast and safely Corghi’s Partner 70 wheel lifter will demount, move, and mount the wheels of cars, SUVs, and vans weighing up to 70kg fast while minimizing the risk of strain or injury.

It’s the only lifter without support forks protruding forward on the ground, which means it can be used around any type of lift or hoist — even those with a base and with parts fixed to the ground.

RRP $2950 + GST. See automaster.co.nz for more information, or call 0800 214 604.

Light when and where you need it Hella’s tough and reliable LED inspection lamps are designed with the workshop in mind. Solid construction combined with high output LEDs that provide a bright and even spread of natural light make these a favourite tool in any workplace. Available in a range of sizes and styles to suit all jobs. See the full range and find your local Hella distributor at hella.co.nz.

Penrite gets it right Penrite Oil makes it easy to meet oil requirements that preserve vehicle warranties. Penrite has developed Enviro+ C3 5W-30 to meet over 300,000 vehicle manufacturer requirements. Enviro+ C3 5W-30 is a fully synthetic SAE Mid SAPS engine oil that meets European ACEA C3 and ACEA C2 specifications as well as API SN. It may also be used where fuel economy, and long life grades such as ACEA A5/B5 are needed, and where petrol grades API SN, API SM or API SL and ILSAC grades GF-4 or GF-5 fuel economy specifications are required. Available in pack sizes from 1 litre to 205 litres including in the innovative and environmentally friendly Enviro-Box. See penriteoil.co.nz or call 0800 533 698.

Remove iron safely Meguiar’s D1801 Detailer Wheel & Paint Iron Decon gel is designed to remove embedded iron particles from painted body panels, wheels and painted brake components safely and effectively. It also removes road grime, grease and dirt.

Rapid colour changes indicate that it’s working. It’s also pH balanced, making it safe to use in a body shop environment and on all wheels and painted brake components. Available in 3.78L container. Contact the Smits Group on 0800 227 422 for more information, or see smitsgroup.co.nz.

Redarc release cool BCDC mounting brackets

Launch PRO HD Launch PRO HD is where intelligent software meets real-world solutions for the heavy diesel workshop.

It is an all-rounder for truck, bus, and machinery diagnostics. Launch PRO HD is a fully comprehensive HD scan tool with wide software coverage, accurate test data, and unparalleled diagnostic functions.

Connects to: DPF, EBS, ABS, shift, engine, and SCR systems. Special functions include component replacement, cylinder compression test, injector cutout test, and DPF regeneration.

Price: $4253 + GST. To find out more, call AECS on 06 874 9077 or see aecs.net.

Redarc Electronics has launched a range of vehiclespecific mounting brackets for its award-winning BCDC in-vehicle DC-DC chargers. The six mounts for seven 4WD models will locate the chargers in cooling airflow and away from hot spots in the engine bay. They are made from 304 stainless steel and come complete with fasteners and instructions for three Landcruiser, two Hilux, and D-Max and Colorado models. RRP is $89.25. For more information, see redarcelectronics.co.nz/brackets.

Fast and friendly 3D Corghi The Corghi Linear 3D Aligner is fast, user-friendly, precise, reliable and affordable.

It has a 2-camera system and user friendly software which includes a selectable tutor that follows the operator step-by-step and shows how to proceed. The next generation cameras with high resolution HiQ lenses means there is no need for regular calibration.

The camera movement kit allows the operator to work from pit level or at over two metres by pressing a key on the keyboard. RRP is $18,750 + GST. For more information, see automaster.co.nz or call 0800 214 604.

43

Situations vacant AUTOMOTIVE PARTS SALES/COUNTER STAFF

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN NEW ZEALAND’S WIDER AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR TITLE – ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER | NEW LYNN

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS - ENTRY LEVEL

Auckland City, Auckland Full time, Permanent Senior

Auckland City, Auckland Full time, Permanent 1st Auto Parts Limited is looking for an enthusiastic parts junior.

We are based in Mt Eden, but moving to Airport Oaks in December. You must have an interest in the automotive industry and be a team player. This role could suit a school leaver, or someone wanting to start their career in the automotive industry.

Parts/Sales Counter Staff We are looking for a new automotive parts person to join our friendly team. We are based in Mt Eden, but moving to Airport Oaks in December.

General duties would include: - Inwards and outwards goods - Customer services - General labour and assistance when needed.

If you are looking for a change and have experience in the automotive industry specializing in hot rods, V8s and performance cars you may be the person we are looking for.

You need to have an excellent command of the English language, have great customer service skills, and a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

Please note you must have a clean and current driver’s license and the right to work in New Zealand.

No experience is needed as training will be given but you must have an interest in the automotive industry and a passion for performance vehicles. Please note, you must have a clean and current driver’s licence and the right to work in New Zealand.

If this sounds like you please send your CV and a covering letter to careers@1stparts.co.nz.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

If this sounds like you, please send a covering letter and CV to careers@1stparts.co.nz.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

MECHANIC / AUTOMOTIVE MACHINIST Do you know somebody looking for a change within the Automotive Industry? We have positions available within our company for an: • Automotive Machinist • Automotive Mechanic

Majority of our work is with American vehicles and if you are passionate about performance vehicles, this is a great opportunity to learn and further your career.

Training will be given to the successful applicants.

Experience with V8 Performance Engines and American vehicles would be an advantage with the opportunity to grow within the company.

Please send your CV to: waer@xtra.co.nz or contact Eric or Daniel on 09 838 7536

West Auckland Engine Reconditioners is an iconic Automotive and Engine building workshop, well known within the Performance Industry.

AECS is a leading training and equipment provider for the NZ and AU automotive market. We deliver modern automotive diagnostic systems with a very high level of technology in both our training and equipment to the automotive industry.

Our Training AECS Training delivers face to face technical training to automotive workshops and their employees. We train at multiple locations throughout New Zealand & Australia.

The Opportunity The role will have a dual role focus. The primary focus will be as our Technical Trainer, the position involves travel and working diligently to deliver AECS training seminars. You’ll inspire our trainees to work towards being the best in the industry, provide input on training curriculum and co-ordinate activities that support the training department and its team.

The secondary focus (when you’re not training) will be proactively working with our customers providing automotive and equipment technical support, either through our technical forums, visits, email and phone. Our customers are considered family and we make sure they have the best support and aftercare on our equipment and assisting with problematic vehicles.

Preferred skills: • Experience and ability to work in a fast-paced, growth environment.

• Competent with Microsoft Office suite.

• Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.

• Superior analytical, evaluative, and problemsolving ability.

• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, listening and communication skills.

• Strong planning, organisation and time management skills.

• Ability to coordinate multiple activities.

• High level of professionalism and integrity; good judgment.

• Superior work ethic and high energy level.

If you are highly motivated with a passion for the automotive industry, and inspiring others to be their best, this would be the role for you.

The Contact If you have read all the way through and you believe you’d make a great fit for our team, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@aecs. net.

Please note: You don’t need a previous teaching/ training qualification. We will train the right person.

We place value on electronic qualifications, industry experience, being a good human to those around you and having the right attitude.

AECS is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, age, colour, religion, national or social origin, marital status, disability, relationship preference, veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.

The Candidate Required skills: • Minimum 5 years’ automotive industry experience (diagnostics); or previous experience in a technical training role.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• A passion for sharing knowledge and information.

• Professional appearance and presentation.

• Willingness to travel as required.

OE REPLACEMENT

44

Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

PERFORMANCE

4WD

The Provisions We will supply you with: A Laptop, company credit card and vehicle (for training and support only).

Remuneration will be salary with performancelinked incentives. Further conversation around salary will be discussed in the interview.

To do the job well it is important that you have: • A full clean New Zealand Drivers Licence.

• New Zealand Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

COMMERCIAL

AGRICULTURAL

AUTO CHANNEL COMPANY

Supplier Directory

YOUR GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING AUTOMOTIVE TRADE SUPPLIERS

: , E S, ER , , , / ES LS N , W AK S: IT : S ES DS S: IDE : RS, RS G: NDS T: PO IE Y K BL SO RCO NG , BR NE ES AN N R N A , D , E: BOX UIL E I L I AS S, S O I T : ITTI LES E RS PAI NTE E CS IS O O IV : RS G R R ,A L C B M R S E B K I B I S S R Y R T E E M , B E L E A U A E G I H A S , L O EN P RI AL E E AC K R S, F MA M T, ES RV EA RE G & A RS IS H R YP NS PE, CAR CE RTS RIV UI CT ECI PP AT S, IES ST R OC S REP IPE TY YRE SU SE L, G INE IN IN AS RA SU AN H & TS, SH AC PA P, D SU ERN TOR ER EQ ELE , SP NT CO S, P AR N OL LUS EF SM , SP TION IR ICA NG OL EENHIP , W NT S & T, T CON , N S T T N P P T , O S E R I C A S A T , E A S C O TS L M C CO S, F O N S, P R , E CO CR , C RS ME EEL EN S, ES IO JO G N KE NC R RT , AL DI BAT O T TO IO LIE RE S SH OIS OO UIP RE ECT DS N, IR B SH ICA ER NS LL RIN CE E, LB AR A /W PA FFS , RA TS, DS N RR FI WH CEM PA TU AU RAT UPP OR M RM INT VI EAS BU RK , H D T EQ RK BR EAN PE BA BEA EL HEA SIO IN REE MI M E ER R A DI TS EN C S R S O S R A O , O , O L U , N R E L , , , N S EN N P T RF , P W SC SS STO W TIC HA ICE SE , G UID TO ER PEN W S, L S, C ST DY INT SU DS ES G O RE ING IN S S S, RV D A U AF PE UP RE BO PA AU ND US G E IN ON P RO SH IL FL , S IN GL C S EM NC NO OL SE O O RA ASIV AR MP OM LI IE BU IO ES W T A O E Y G T O D C L R B CO A T C R AU BA DI AU D AB

CONTACT

0800 472 787 0800 200 100 0800 445 889 0800 333 125 aecs.net or 06 874 9077 bntnz.co.nz or 09 414 3200 hcb.co.nz or 0800 422 228 precisionequipment.co.nz or 0800 246 478

ADVERT jasoceania.co.nz or 0800 527 335 dieseldistributors.co.nz or 09 265 0622 09 836 6673 autolign.co.nz or 09 574 2288 tatp.co.nz or 0800 268 266 smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422 smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422 griffithsequipment.co.nz or 09 525 4575 parts@1stautoparts.co.nz or 09 638 6439 mountshop.co.nz or 0508 866 686 bmw.co.nz or 0508 269 727 cyb.co.nz or 09 978 6666 0800 465 855 0800 549 429 automaster.co.nz or 0800 214 604 centurydistributors.co.nz patchrubber.co.nz or 0508 837 248 dtm.co.nz or 0800 621 233 penriteoil.co.nz or 0800 533 698 nzmotoroils.com or 0800 942 645 0800 383 566 06 306 8446 or blackfern.coop redarcelectronics.co.nz 0800 757 333 or fenixautoparts.co.nz

crc.co.nz or 09 272 2700

rjbatt.co.nz or 09 636 5980 treadwayequipped.co.nz or 0800 436 436

The Auto Channel supplier directory is your easy reference for sourcing a range of automotive products and services. This directory is a paid service for businesses who supply to the New Zealand automotive trade.

To secure your inclusion contact Mark Everleigh on 09 222 1729 or mark.everleigh@parkside.co.nz.

45

Cooldrive New Zealand is fastest growing region NEW ZEALAND TEAM NAMED TOP PERFORMER IN ANNUAL BRANCH OF THE YEAR AWARDS

C

ooldrive New Zealand has been recognised at Cooldrive Auto Parts’ annual Branch of the Year Awards, being named the Top Performing Region for 2019.

The JW (John) Blanchard Region of the Year award was presented to General Manager of Cooldrive New Zealand, Aaron Carr, by the award’s namesake, Cooldrive CEO John Blanchard.

Cooldrive introduced the Region of the Year award last year, to recognise outstanding performance by regions across Australasia. The New Zealand region was recognised for its phenomenal growth over the past 12 months.

“The team in New Zealand headed by Aaron Carr has done a stellar job growing both the business and the company’s profile there, and creating opportunities to increase our presence in the market,”John Blanchard said.

Cooldrive began operations in New Zealand in 2016 with a single branch in Albany, Auckland.

“It is a fantastic honour to have been named Region of the Year, particularly considering how young our region actually is,”said Aaron Carr, Cooldrive New Zealand general manager.

“The New Zealand team has worked incredibly hard over the past year and this win is due to their passion and commitment to the company, along with the support of our customers “We now have three branches and staff numbers have increased significantly, from eight originally, to now numbering 20 to support our current and future customer base.

He said highlights over the past 12 months included the opening of a Christchurch branch and moving the Albany branch to a larger warehouse.

“We have also seen incredible growth within the auto electrical sector recently and are proud to be a corporate member of the NZAE group.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on our core ranges of starters, alternators, electrical accessories, air-conditioning, EFI and cooling, and through the support of Cooldrive head office and the product team, will continually introduce new ranges, with Petronas Oil and Nolathane suspension products being recent examples.

“We also have significant branch expansions plans in place for the next three-to-five years.”

The Cooldrive Branch of the Year Awards, sponsored by Redarc, were held at Rydges Norwest in Sydney attended by over 100 guests. For more information on Cooldrive Auto Parts, please visit www.cooldrive.co.nz.

Automotive workshops Parts importers and distributors Transmission specialists Automotive recyclers Towing operators Panel beaters and painters Crash repairers Caption: Left to right: Jesse Ahrens, Cooldrive Christchurch branch manager; Ces Moyes, CoolDrive Albany ranch manager; Aaron Carr, general manager CoolDrive NZ; and Peter Connelly, CoolDrive NZ national sales manager

ENGINE COMPONENTS AND DRIVE SYSTEMS SUPPLIER DAYCO ADDS TIMING CHAIN KITS TO ITS PRODUCT RANGE

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Auto Channel Issue #18 October 2019

Tyre dealers Suspension and underbody repairers Steering specialists Towing operators Auto-electrical repairers

New timing kit options from Dayco his new range, designed for popular Asian and European vehicles in New Zealand and Australia is built on Dayco’s expertise in toothed belt power transmission systems.

The kits include the chain, hydraulic tensioner, sprockets and guides are included with every kit. Dayco says the kits benefit from ‘synergistic design’ in that the parts are designed to work with each other.

Reliability is proven on test benches and in vehicle fleet testing. They feature high strength steel, precision machined tensioners to ensure reduced internal clearances for optimum control and management of the timing chain tension.

The plastic guide utilise glass fibres for additional strength. High strength moulding steel or sintered

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors:

steel manufactured gears are heat-treated to harden the tooth surfaces.

To find out more about the new Dayco Timing Chain Kit range see dayco.com.au, call Dayco Australia customer service on 03 9794 4466 or contact your Dayco distributor.

New- and used-car dealers Air conditioning repairers Heavy machinery dealers Trucking and transport

Auto Channel Issue No. 19 distributed 1 November

Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz Advertising: Mike White michael.white@parkside.co.nz All other enquiries to: autochannel.co.nz Auto Channel is produced by Parkside Media, publishers of NZ’s three biggest-selling automotive magazines NZ Performance Car, New Zealand Classic Car, and NZV8.

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