46% of those, who do not currently own a EV or hybrid would consider buying one in the next five years, a survey has suggested.
Trico’s competition enabling garages and motor factors to win a power bank has been extended until the end of July.
Top Technician 2017 reached the final last week, and all eyes now turn towards Top Tech Live, where the winner will be announced in September.
Phil Curry speaks to the MD of BTN Turbo about the promise of 100% OE, reports on the OLED rear light cluster form Osram and jumps on a box at 3M...
Even apparently simple problems require thorough investigation if you want to diagnose faults right the first time
Two months from now will bring my tenure in the motor industry to 49 years. I would like to think I have evolved, kept up with technology, enabling me to provide a professional service, enjoying customer respect and integrity. My focus has been the technical challenges, while my son David manages the commercial responsibilities.
"Electronic Lego" is a phrase that was introduced to me by an engineering manager when I worked for the diagnostic company Crypton around 25 years ago. In the late 1980s the Company had developed engine tuning machines which moved away from bespoke central processing units (the so called Big Box tuners) to a PC based system. The elements of the PC based system could not just be bought and fitted together (like lego) and be expected to work. The PC components and peripherals had to be carefully selected, including the compatibility of their drivers and software to ensure a robust PC based diagnostic machine could be created. Over the past 10 years or so motor vehicles have moved away from their previous Lego like construction, where replacement parts were free to be plugged in and replaced at will. The change was due partly to the modern vehicle being constructed as a rolling network of computers and partly to the advent of the factory fitted immobiliser, where transponder keys and the relationship between vehicle computers became prevalent.
We began this journey last issue, so to recap: We need solid reasoning skills to carry out effective diagnostics; persistently good decision making doesn't happen by chance. Possibly out of convenience these skills are often underestimated and undervalued by people, both in and out of the trade. We must raise awareness of the discipline and precision of thought necessary for logical and critical thinking: so we can be better rewarded for our efforts; and to make sure they are consistently and properly applied.
Reasoning, arguments and hypotheses
We covered some fundamentals in my last article: we explain our reasoning using arguments, which contain statements supporting a conclusion; one type of argument, a deductive argument, should guarantee the truth of its conclusion (if it is sound); however, we need to use critical-thinking to check this, by making sure i) there are no other possible conclusions (which makes it a valid argument) and ii) the supporting statements are true.
Diagnostics is all about decisions. And what is a decision? It is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration. Therefore, efficient and effective diagnostics is about drawing the right conclusions at the right time. How do we do that? Amongst other things, by making sure our logical and critical thinking skills are up to scratch. This series of articles aims to help us with that by looking at the principles of human reasoning.
I gave this topic some considerable thought before choosing to discuss not just a selection of tools we use, but also some tools we have designed and modified.
Many people try to clean their oil system by flushing it with oil. While this is better than doing nothing you donÂ’t get a proper clean.
76% of car owners reject the idea of a car's first MOT taking place at four years old according to research published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The survey examined driver attitudes to the proposed 4-1-1 MOT being considered by the Department for Transport (DfT).
TRICO has uploaded a number of step-by-step wiper blade fitting videos to their YouTube channel.
Motorists who commit serious speeding offences face much higher fines from today (24 April) following the introduction of new guidelines by the Sentencing Council.
Brembo has released an infographic outlining the challenges of braking at Shanghai as part of Formula Brembo, the new online game that challenges mechanicsÂ’ and techniciansÂ’ knowledge of F1.
Servicesure Autocentres, the garage programme of The Parts Alliance, is aiming to become a household name, and has taken its first throw via a sponsorship deal with UK number one and world number two darts player Peter "Snakebite" Wright.
A1 Motorstores has added Motorworld to its factor network, doubling the number of locations it offers.
When it comes to replacing brake parts, having a cleaning solution that you can rely on is essential. Pagid Brake Cleaner is developed alongside the highest quality OE derived brake parts. It is quick to act and able to deal with the toughest stains or deposits.
This protective sleeve from Laser Tools will prevent cuts from sharp metal or glass fragments when fitting windscreens and door glass and will also save you from burning yourself on hot engines and exhausts. The sleeve is made from Kevlar which is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis, it features the additional protection of a thick, strong leather panel.
The first stage online test for Top Techncian 2014 is now closed and judges are now in the process of marking the assessments in order to find the highest-scoring 24.
Following completion of the initial Top Technician 2014 online test, the two dozen highest scoring entrants have been announced and will go forward to the quarter final stage of the competition. Hailing from as far apart as Orkney in Scotland and Truro in Cornwall, they will now face a stricter online test of their fault-fixing knowledge to determine which of them will be among the twelve technicians to attend the half day practical semi-finals at the Delphi training centre in Warwick on April 4. In alphabetical order, the quarter finalists are:
The service sticker which is supplied with all Contitech timing belts and belt kits enables you to note the mileage reading and change date of the belt and other components which were also replaced. The improved sticker is made of a foil material which protects against soiling and premature fading.
The 2014 cables catalogue is available from First Line, which claims to be the largest supplier of replacement cables for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The tome contains more than 700 new references, including over 2,000 brake cables, 364 clutch cables (many self-adjusting) in addition to 90 accelerator and 57 speedo cables. Schematic drawings and technical data are provided for each part number.
There are over 285 part numbers in Blue Print's range of ABS sensors, covering more than 1,145 applications. New references include the Honda Civic 1992>2001, Nissan Micra K13 1.2i 2010> and the Toyota RAV4 2005>. The firm offers itself up as a 'complete solution for Asian and American vehicle parts' and supplies more than 27,000 part numbers, covering 165 product groups, all of which are supported by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Exol Lubricants' new generation, fully synthetic, multigrade engine oil, Optima LSG 5W-30, has been upgraded to a more advanced additive package to now include all Mercedes-Benz diesel cars fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter.
A CV braking programme has been added to complement Comline's existing portfolio of Allied Nippon products, which includes water pumps, passenger car and LCV braking products, clutch kits and wiper blades. The heavy duty range has 160 references for the European truck, trailer and bus parc and comprises discs and pads. Additional accessory kits for CV and LCV pads will be added this year. Further CV ranges may include filters.
Alex is a familiar face in the industry. Prior to joining Aftermarket he ran a number of magazines in the industry including Garage & Bodyshop Professional and Automotive Industry Magazine as well as BODY Magazine, covering the crash repair sector. He has been a regular contributor to a wide range of other sector titles over the years as well.
