Car news

Real Raptor sound in the wild

If making its ute look big and tough isn’t enough for some, Ford is giving the new Ranger Raptor an active valve exhaust system that will allow owners to make the ute sound all brawny as well — or start nice and quietly when they don’t want to wake the neighbours. “For the next Ranger Raptor we wanted to really make the character of the car come alive, to emphasise the power and define the presence of the vehicle, but not make the car tiring when it didn’t need to be. We spent hundreds of hours tuning and developing the sound of the vehicle and really think we have something that sounds right for the truck,” said Justin Capicchiano, Ford performance and special vehicle engineering manager.

The active valve system on the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 can be controlled by the driver based, on their mood using the ‘exhaust mode’ button, or adjusted automatically to match the drive mode: quiet, normal, sport, or Baja, which offers maximum noise. Ford says that is intended for off-road use only

However, for people who want to experience the Baja exhaust note now, Ford has created a ringtone. It can be downloaded from www.ford.com.au/ showroom/next-gen-ranger-raptor/exhaust-system/.

It takes its name from Ford’s success in the Score International Baja 1000 race. A new generation Ranger Raptor, race-prepped but remaining stock and street legal, finished in first place in the stock mid-size class, then drove back to its home base in Riverside, California.

“This is the Baja 1000, one of the toughest off-road races in the world,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance motorsports. “It’s a key proving ground for Ford Performance and our vehicles to earn the badge of Raptor. This effort has been a global effort for Ford Performance from the beginning, with Ford Australia having done the design and initial development signoff, then shipping it to the States and working with all of our partners to pool all available resources for this common goal. It takes a great truck and it takes great people. We’ve proved that we have both of those on a global level.”

Checklist: Brake system inspection

A CHECKLIST COVERING SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS TO REVIEW WHEN PERFORMING A BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTION

When a customer visits a workshop because their brake service light is on, or they’re hearing noise when the brakes are applied, or feeling vibration, or even smelling a chemical or burning odour when braking, it’s time to inspect the braking system.

While it always pays to listen to a customer, regardless of what the customer may think is wrong with the vehicle, it is vital that you, as a technician, know the importance of performing a full brake system inspection to ensure that you complete the right service for the vehicle and don’t miss anything.

Here’s a handy checklist covering some of the most important areas to review when performing a brake system inspection: 1. Test drive the car. Check for any noises, vibration, or abnormal smells when applying the brakes. 2. Inspect the tyres. Make sure there are no punctures or damage to the tyres or rims that could be causing the symptoms your customer is experiencing. 3. Check the vehicle’s suspension system. Again, this could be the cause of wobbles or vibration that your customer is feeling. 4. Look for leaking, cracked, or damaged hoses. 5. Fluid leaks can cause big problems, so make sure

everything is sealed and in good working order. 6. If needed, replwace any leaking or damaged steel lines. 7. Replace any leaking or damaged calipers.

Use an OE-quality caliper that is new, and not remanufactured. Brakes are not something you want to go cheap on. 8. Check the brake master cylinder for leaks. Leaks can be a common cause for repair. Make sure any replacement master cylinder has the correct

OE-style reservoir connections to prevent leaks, and that they are made of corrosion-resistant materials to ensure a long service life. 9. Test the brake pedal. Make sure movement is smooth and it completely depresses. 10.Inspect rotors and drums for damage. Lowquality rotors can wear unevenly, causing pulsation when the brakes are applied and uneven pad wear. This can lead to more problems. High carbon rotors should always be used to help prevent these issues. 11. Replace brake pads. Pads should be thoroughly examined for wear. Remember, brake pads and brake rotors should always be serviced and replaced at the same time, using OE-quality brake pads. 12.Service wheel bearings if needed. 13.Lubricate caliper slides and shoe pads. 14.Check brake fluid and flush if necessary. Often neglected, old brake fluid can cause problems if it’s not serviced regularly. The fluid should be light in colour. If it’s dark, it’s time to swap it out for fresh brake fluid. 15.Adjust the parking brake, if applicable, on the vehicle. 16.Check and replace any faulty sensors.

Once you’ve completed a thorough review of all braking system components and performed the necessary maintenance, it may be useful to remind your customer of what factors contribute to excessive wear on their braking system: • If wear seems excessive since the last brake service, try to ensure they are not ‘riding the brakes’. • Too much load. Carrying more weight in the vehicle than it is rated for will add to brake wear, as well as increase fuel consumption. • Heavy or aggressive braking, especially at high speeds, will increase wear on the system, not just on the pads and rotors. • Frequent driving in wet or extreme weather can create the need to brake more quickly to prevent slipping or skidding, again placing additional wear on the system.

Remind customers that their braking system is a major safety component in the vehicle, so making sure it is properly maintained is critical to staying safe on the road. By keeping a checklist handy, you can inspect brake systems quickly and accurately, ultimately making the correct repairs and getting the car back on the road as quickly as possible.

Auto Channel Lyndar Nov22.indd 1 15/11/2022 8:40:52 AM

Products The latest automotive products

Eyes front and back ACDelco for marine batteries

The ACDelco range includes Marine Starting (M Series) and High Cycle Marine (HCM) batteries specially designed for marine and recreational vehicles that demand high-cranking power and deep capacity for running electrical equipment. The M series provides higher cold cranking amps and improved vibration resistance than regular automotive batteries. The HCM series features thicker plates and more active plate material for increased performance. For more information, or to become a stockist, call 0800 546 000, or visit rjbatt.co.nz. The full HD 1080P dual dash cam XV22DVR records wide angle 152 degree views through cameras mounted to both front and rear screens to capture the view — or the antics of other drivers. The units turn on automatically and use GPS tracking to log journeys. Footage can be viewed on smartphones via the Xview app. A G-sensor automatically saves footage in the event of an impact, and a hand gesture will also take a snapshot and save recent footage. The unit comes with adhesive mounts, power cables, and a 16GB Micro SD card, which continuously loops recordings over unsaved footage. The XV22DVR dual camera kit is available from Repco. See xviewdrive.com for details on the full range.

Corghi truck and bus tyre changer

The Corghi HD850A automatic tyre changer is designed to handle any type of truck and bus wheel, tubed or tubeless, up to 26 inches in diameter. The unit has been almost entirely reconfigured. The new structure has been designed to increase robustness, while the new hydraulic power unit gives the tyre changer far more strength and speed for work operations. For more information see automaster.co.nz, call 0800 214 604, or email info@automaster.co.nz.

Smooth new NAPA spray

NAPA’s own brand Silicone Lubricant Spray in the distinctive blue can is coming soon. Silicone spray is ideal for lubricating sliding surfaces and it rejuvenates rubber parts. It is odourless, colourless, and leaves no stain. It protects against moisture and will work on most surfaces. NAPA Silicone Spray will be available soon from NAPA Auto Parts, along with other products in the new blue aerosol range — a cleaner and degreaser, specialist brake and parts, carburettor and throttle body, and electrical contact cleaners.

For more information, see page 46.

Clean deep with Sonax MultiStar

Sonax MultiStar is a powerful all-purpose cleaner designed for soaking heavily soiled surfaces. The alkaline-based cleaner acts fast to remove grease, road grime, insects, and dirt. It is safe to use on interior surfaces such as plastics, carpets, textiles, floor mats, and rubber, leaving a clean matt finish. Available in a 10L canister, the concentrated solution must be diluted with ratios from 1:5 to 1:50.

Now available at CoolDrive. For more information, visit cooldrive.co.nz.