Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine - November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021

MELISSA SANGSTER: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

THE FUTURE CONNECTED

ABOUT THE COVER Performance and motorsport is in the very DNA of CoolDrive Auto Parts, with the company’s involvement in the fields accelerating in 2021 on multiple fronts.

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Calendar.................................................... 6 New Members........................................... 6 AAAA Report ............................................ 7 News......................................................... 8 Products.................................................. 34 Consumer Law....................................... 102

HR Matters............................................ 103 Shopfront.............................................. 104 Services................................................. 106 Milestones............................................. 107 Performance & Racing........................... 108 4WD...................................................... 110

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KEEPING YOU INFORMED Broadening industry horizons with AAAA Board appointments.............................................. 9 AAAExpo provides ticket to future success......................................................................... 10 Vale: Garry Dumbrell.......................................................................................................... 11 AAAA responds to Future Fuels and Vehicle Strategy......................................................... 12 The diesel shift.................................................................................................................. 16 REDARC launches new certified installer program.............................................................. 19 Capricorn gives record profits back to members................................................................. 21 Pedders customers wins brand-new Volkswagen Amaroks.................................................. 23 RYCO Filters named in Top 10 most innovative companies................................................. 25

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FEATURES Cover Story: CoolDrive goes full throttle ............................................................................ 26 Technofile: Opus IVS overcomes blocked DPF.................................................................... 28 Product R&D: ARB - Raising the bar................................................................................... 30 Member Feature: DENSO - The future connected............................................................... 84 Engine Management & Cooling: Looking after your customers’ engine needs...................... 86 Diesel: All the latest in diesel parts..................................................................................... 94 Trade Talk: Melissa Sangster - All Vehicle Accessories..................................................... 100 Members in Motorsport: Xtreme Clutch – Australian Clutch Services............................... 112

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

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7 – 8 Bastow Place, Mulgrave VIC 3170, Australia Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355 Email: info@aaaa.com.au Website: www.aaaa.com.au

EDITOR Allan Edwards

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PRODUCTION MANAGER Brigid Fraser, Tel 61 3 9505 0121

Official publication of the AAAA

ADVERTISING Tel 61 3 9545 3333

PUBLISHER Cameron McLachlan

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

AAAA NEWS

NEW MEMBERS

CALENDAR 2021-2022 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Indiana Convention Center,Indianapolis, Indiana 9 – 11 December 2021 www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow Automechanika Dubai Dubai World Trade Centre 14 – 16 December 2021 www.automechanika-dubai.ae.messefrankfurt.com Automechanika Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia 15 – 17 March 2022 www.automechanika-kualalumpur.hk.messefrankfurt.com Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo 2022 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 7 – 9 April 2022 www.aftermarketexpo.com.au Taipei AMPA Taipei Nangang Exhibition Hall 1, 1st Floor 20 – 23 April 2022 www.taipeiampa.com.tw Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) 29 June - 1 July 2022 www.automechanika-hcmc.com Automechanika Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main 13 – 17 September 2022 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

Autel 8th Floor, Building B1, Zhiyuan, Xueyuan Road Xili, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518055 China Ph: 0419 663 266 E: coby.guinness@autel.com

Karcher Pty Ltd 385 Ferntree Gully Road MOUNT WAVERLEY VIC 3149 Ph: 0407 522 310 E: mick.askew@au.karcher.com

Autobarn Gregory Hills Unit 3, 2 Holborn Circut GLEDSWOOD HILLS NSW 2557 Ph: 02 4647 4133 E: sales@gregoryhills.autobarn.com.au

Promax Auto 1 Mary Street BLACKBURN VIC 3130 Ph: 03 9894 0366 E: promaxautomelb@outlook.com

Autopro Taree 18 Victoria Street TAREE NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6557 7388 E: sales@taree.autopro.com.au

Starke AMG 1 Matson Court GILLMAN SA 5013 Ph: 08 8241 0888 E: phoward@starke-amg.com

Autopro Wonthaggi 4 Murray Street WONTHAGGI VIC 3995 Ph: 03 5672 3333 E: sales@wonthaggi.autopro.com.au

Taylor Automotive & 4WD 1/ 12 McIntyre Way BOMADERRY NSW 2541 Ph: 0421 872 886 E: taylorauto4wd@outlook.com

Canobolas Diesel 3/ 99 Elsham Avenue ORANGE NSW 2800 E: Service@dieselandturbo.com.au

TJM Caloundra 692 Nicklin Way CURRIMUNDI QLD 4551 Ph: 07 5318 7201 E: dean@tjmcaloundra.com.au

Eurospares Depot 62 Indian Drive KEYSBOROUGH VIC 3173 Ph: 0402 786 789 E: steve@eurospares.com.au

TJM Coffs Coast 3 Tolhurst Place COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 Ph: 1800 856 494 E: parts@mikeblewit.com.au

Fix Auto Northern Beaches 17 Middleton Road CROMER NSW 2099 Ph: 02 9982 6754 E: jasonwalsh@fixauto.com

Ultimate9 Factory A, 28A Kalman Drive BORONIA VIC 3155 Ph: 03 8740 1170 E: peter@ultimate9.co

Hunter Automotive Solutions 1517 Elderslie Road MITCHELLS FLAT NSW 2330 Ph: 0427 721 361 E: jasonhunter1517@gmail.com

Vehikool Automotive Unit 5-6, 93 Research Road POORAKA SA 5095 Ph: 08 8260 6090 E: admin@vehikool.com.au

AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9706 3500

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9566 5444

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

TREASURER Don Cormack (SA) ADRAD Pty Ltd Ph: 08 8243 9888

DIRECTORS Craig Baills (QLD), Highfields Mechanical Ph: 07 4696 7116

Mark Pedder Chairman 6

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

Michael Carnemolla (NSW) 313 Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 02 9713 9476

Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Pty Ltd Ph: 1800 061 729

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

Peter Rogers (VIC) Repco Authorised Service Ph: 0428 896 597

Adam Pay (NSW), mycar Tyre & Auto Service Ph: 02 9680 6500

Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) Fulcrum Suspensions Pty Ltd Ph: 07 3892 9000

AAAA NEWS

DELIVERING SUCCESS THROUGH ADVERSITY Throughout another challenging year, the AAAA Board has worked hard to deliver member support and landmark achievements At our virtual AGM in October, we not only presented the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Annual Report for 2020/21, but also announced the make-up of our Board for 2022.

From supporting our members through the pandemic, to wins in mandatory data sharing, ongoing advocacy and research work, the continuing development of the Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) in Melbourne, the opening of the Adelaide AIC, and all of the excitement around the upcoming Expo – our Board Members have overseen it all and each played their own important part in driving our industry forward despite the obstacles that have been thrown at us.

In 2022, Darren Robinson (Hella Australia Managing Director) and Don Cormack (Adrad Chief Executive Officer) will be staying on, while Mike Carnemolla (313 Automotive Pty Ltd) and Peter Rogers (Repco Authorised Service National Manager) will join the Board. For more about these appointments, please see page 9 of this magazine. I also want to thank and acknowledge Cody Harrison and Michael Werle for their nominations and thank retiring Directors Steve Lewis, John Benson and Sean Buckley for their outstanding service.

The AAAA is the only independent national body representing and supporting the automotive aftermarket industry, with more than 2,600 automotive aftermarket companies relying on the AAAA for direct support, business services and resources. Made up of key stalwarts of our industry who are in tune with the struggles and opportunities of our membership base, I am proud to say our Board has been uniquely positioned to have their collective finger on the pulse of the wide array of issues that matter to our members, ensuring we could work together to ensure these businesses not only survived, but thrived during the recent times.

Firstly, we have continued as the industry’s leading

source of timely, accurate and relevant COVID19 information. Coupled with our Legal and HR hotlines, which have maintained an extremely high level of usage, and our direct support, members have been able to navigate these difficult times knowing we have their back.

The Mandatory Data Sharing fight has been another core focus and without a doubt, the most momentous achievement over the last year and possibly in the AAAA’s history was watching the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme pass the House of Representatives and the Senate, officially becoming law.

While the subjects of mandatory data sharing and the pandemic have gotten plenty of attention, so too have the areas of automotive labour and skills shortages, Gross Vehicle Mass regulations, business licencing improvements, greater consumer awareness of warranty rights plus continued efforts campaigning to the ACCC against misleading logbooks and 10-year conditional warranty offerings, to name just a few.

Action has been taken in all of these areas to move our industry forward, with just one example being the introduction of the industryfirst ‘4WD Accessories Technician Course’ which was championed by our very own 4WD Industry Council, alongside the Kangan Institute.

As we all know, knowledge is power, and so our continually evolving industry-leading market research offering published the AAAA 4WD Industry Research Report alongside our quarterly industry insight dashboards, specific research reports on manufacturing, consumers, telematics, workshops, EVs, customised data solutions, and much more.

And off the back of our research, we continued to update our highly regarded Car Parc Data Tool and free to industry Workshop Health Check.

At the same time, our Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) continues to support members and the

wider industry in a practical sense, the Melbourne headquarters are growing from strength to strength and the launch of the Adelaide facility marks another important milestone, while we are working hard in preparation for welcoming the industry back together in April 2022 for the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, co-located with the Collison Repair Expo.

All of this and more has been made possible thanks to the passion, dedication and hard work of our Board Members, and together with our Chairman, Mark Pedder, I would like to thank them for their insight and unwavering contributions to our fantastic industry through these challenging times.

Of course, all of these achievements over the last year wouldn’t have been possible without the support, feedback and encouragement of our valued members. Our members are the driving force of motivation behind our ability to serve, protect and promote the interests of the industry, so, thank you.

The aftermarket industry has already proven its resilience time and time again throughout the pandemic. With light at the end of the tunnel in Australia’s pandemic crisis, we firmly believe this period of adversity will provide the catalyst to a bright future.

The AAAA looks forward to being part of this new chapter right alongside you.

Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

TUNE WINS TOP GONG CHANGE IS COMING RAPID The business was recognised recently at the Whether we like it and whether we’re ready for it, our industry is on the verge of a permanent change

This change is being led by the switch to David Fraser electric vehicles Group CEO, (EV). EVs are Capricorn Society Ltd going to forever alter the way our businesses look, the equipment we need to operate, and the training our people need to do their jobs.

According to a recent major analysis of the automotive aftermarket for light vehicles by McKinsey, EVs will make up between 18 and 26 percent of the global car parc by 2030.

It’s easy to dismiss that figure, after all, we’re probably talking about less than a quarter of the market, and it’s a global figure. But it’s the indicators from the manufacturers that matter.

They’re providing the pipeline of vehicles that will eventually emerge onto the aftermarket, and many of them are all-in on electric.

There’s still plenty of opportunity for businesses to make money servicing the vehicles of the future. EVs will still need tyres, suspension systems and wiper blades, but the next generation of businesses will need less conventional drive train parts, and more expertise with HV and LV batteries.

The services we charge for, what we charge and the way we charge might change, even though customer service costs are projected to stay the same.

It might all still seem a long way off, but as business owners we need to have one eye on the horizon now, to make sure we make the right investments for the future.

If you’re interested in how Capricorn can help you build a stronger, next generation business, visit www.capricorn.coop to arrange a visit from your local Capricorn representative.

Yours cooperatively, David Fraser Group CEO, Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop 8

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards

Automotive aftermarket repair franchise Rapid Tune has been awarded the Franchise Council of Australia’s Australian Established Franchisor of the Year award.

Rapid Tune was honoured at the FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards, which celebrated some of the nation’s best and brightest in business.

The automotive services company took out the prestigious top award over finalists Chicken Treat, CouriersPlease, Pirtek Fluid Systems and RAMS Home Loans.

“We’re so rapt to have won the award,” Rapid Tune Chief Executive Officer, Mark Rippon, said while highlighting the brand’s growth and the “bravery and tenacity” of small business owners in Australia during COVID. “Their ability to adjust and adapt was absolutely incredible and it made me proud to be an Australian businessperson.

“That goes for the whole team at Rapid Tune as well, who really put in a strong effort and pulled together.”

“In one of the most difficult economic environments ever experienced by Australian

business, the resilience, adaptability and determination that has been demonstrated by all Awards finalists and winners is truly outstanding,” Franchise Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mary Aldred, said.

“We congratulate them for their persistence and achievements during an extraordinarily challenging time and commend each and every hard-working franchisee and franchisor across Australia for their vital contributions to employment, the economy and communities across the nation.”

To learn more about Rapid Tune, go to www.rapidtune.com.au For more about the Awards, go to www.franchise.org.au

SPECIAL EXPO ACCOMMODATION PRICING NOW AVAILABLE The 2022 Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collison Repair Expo is now less than five months away

Now is the time to secure accommodation for the 7-9 April 2022 event.

You can learn more about the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo at www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au and the Collision Repair Expo at www.collisionrepair.com.au Adding to the need to book your accommodation fast is the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is currently scheduled to take place across the same weekend.

This is an exciting development, because more visitors from the automotive trade will be drawn to Melbourne to attend these two great events in one weekend.

Of course, the only challenge will be that accommodation options are sure to sell out quickly, and likely at inflated prices.

Fortunately, the AAAA says it has made it easier for exhibitors and sponsors by negotiating extremely competitive pricing for a number of hotels.

To take advantage of the offers and save time and effort looking into accommodation yourself, go to the ‘registration’ menu of the show websites for further details.

For further accommodation enquiries, please contact michelle@aaaa.com.au

NEWS

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH OUR POLITICAL FOOTPRINT? There are 163 workshops per federal electorate, servicing about 336 households and about 734 vehicles For our sector in auto service and repair workshops alone – in every federal electorate on any given day we are providing services to thousands of voters – that equates nationally to about 40,000 households at a cost of nearly $12 million per day.

These numbers matter because they represent our ‘political footprint’ which provides every Member of Parliament seeking re-election, a window into our value.

Our voice is important both as employing businesses, but even more so because we are a constituent-facing service provider – we are speaking with voters every day and they trust us; our trust score is the envy of every politician at 78 percent.

During our last interaction on a government level, where we asked MPs to engage with our industry, I think everyone was surprised at the high volume of official visits to workshops we got. This highlights

that we should never underplay our importance, after all we have a good story to tell. It is so obvious on reflection – of course an MP wants to know the local businesses and they want to hear what’s of concern and how they can help.

We have learnt that an MP engagement strategy works. Our recent calculation of how many workshops an MP represents in federal parliament is a reminder to us that we have considerable political muscle which we can exercise when we want to be effective, and when we have a common unified message to convey.

Why is our influence with government important?

Well, we know our next big issues are about gearing up for EVs and addressing our workforce shortages. When we have a consistent message for how we want government to react to these issues, it will be time to start the process of reengaging with local MPs again. It worked last

Lesley Yates, AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy info@aaaa.com.au time for mandatory data sharing because we all reached out at the same time, we had the same visit template, and everyone stayed on message explaining what was broken and what we wanted as a solution.

The challenge for us at this point in time is to put in the hard work on what we want government to do in response to our current issues and design a solution we can promote, and they can get on board.

The lesson is that we have the footprint, and we know how to use it.

BROADENING INDUSTRY HORIZONS WITH AAAA BOARD APPOINTMENTS The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association is pleased to welcome new directors to the AAAA Board As the national, independent association representing the aftermarket, the role of the AAAA’s Board is critical in further strengthening the Association’s ability to support, develop and future-proof the aftermarket industry.

A group of industry leaders nominated for the four available 2022 Board positions. After a fantastic voter turnout, the new positions were formally announced at the 41st AAAA Annual General Meeting on the 25th of October.

The successful candidates elected for a three year term were Mike Carnemolla, the Director at 313 Automotive Pty Ltd; Peter Rogers, the National Manager at Repco Authorised Service; Darren Robinson, the Managing Director at Hella Australia; and Don Cormack, Chief Executive Officer of Adrad.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such a repertoire of industry talent offer their services for the betterment of our industry,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.

“I wish to congratulate Darren and Don on their re-election to the Board, and provide a warm welcome to Mike Carnemolla and Peter Rogers.

“AAAA Board positions are highly sought after and attract strong candidates.

“With only four Board positions available, unfortunately, some candidates were not successful this year. I want to thank and acknowledge Cody Harrison and Michael Werle for their nominations and thank retiring Directors Steve Lewis, John Benson and Sean Buckley for their outstanding service on the Board.”

“With the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind us, I look forward to pursuing a new chapter for the automotive aftermarket with the AAAA Board.

“Along with Mark Pedder, our Chairman, I’d like to thank the entire AAAA Board for their insight and unwavering contribution to our fantastic industry through these challenging times.

“The AAAA is well placed to continue its role in

Mike Carnemolla

Peter Rogers

ensuring the growth of the industry and providing clear value to our members.”

The full list of AAAA Board Members and positions are available at www.aaaa.com.au/about-us/ board-of-directors The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association is the only independent national body representing and supporting the automotive aftermarket industry.

AAAA member are manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment and providers of service, repair and vehicle modification.

To learn more about the AAAA, please visit www.aaaa.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

AAAEXPO PROVIDES TICKET TO FUTURE SUCCESS The future of automotive is already here

In a rapidly shifting marketplace, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAAExpo) is striving to provide workshop owners with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for the future of their businesses.

As the Expo continues to evolve, the launch of a number of exciting new developments are set to build further value for participants – one major new initiative is the launch of the Workshop of the Future Pavilion.

Across 225 square metres, this Pavilion will bring together the very latest information and practical tips from subject matter experts with state-of-theart equipment and technology for the benefit of attendees of both the AAAExpo and the co-located Collision Repair Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre across April 7-9, 2022.

“The theme for this year’s show is ‘the future is here’ and that is what we truly believe – the future is here now,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.

“The vehicles being sold in showrooms and those which have been on the road for the last couple of years are going to change the game across both mechanical and collision repair for a whole range of reasons, as we are seeing technology moving ahead at break-neck speed.

“All of these vehicles need to be maintained and repaired for their useful life in every city and town in Australia so there is a whole new set of requirements for skill sets and tooling and equipment.

“As such, there is a need for collision repairers and mechanical repairers to make decisions in the next few years about how they are going to move forward, as you won’t be able to be all things to all people anymore.

“So, what we are trying to do is target key technology areas; bringing in subject matter experts to provide impartial information about

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

what is going to be required in their businesses, and the information they need to make educated decisions on what they want to specialise in, how they want to evolve, and what they need to make that happen.”

The Pavilion will be fully enclosed with a layout replicating a futuristic workshop with four key zones covering Workshop Management Systems; EV/Alternative Fuel Repair Techniques and Workshop Equipment; ADAS Calibration Equipment; and Diagnostics and Tooling including J2534 Pass Through Technology.

“Importantly, we are seeking to ensure that everything we demonstrate at the Pavilion is pragmatic – we are not talking about a Jetsons like scene of flying cars, we are focusing on what is happening here and now and what workshops are going to need to take advantage of these developments moving forward,” Stuart said.

“We will have these four areas of focus, we will have equipment on display, and we will be bringing in subject matter experts to bring it all together – with all experts set to offer education not tied to one particular brand or product.

“This will all be delivered free of charge to an audience using a tiered seating set-up, so the audience is able to easily take in the presentations in comfort. Attendees will be able to ask questions, and can come back through the Pavilion at various times across the three days to enjoy presentations on the different areas.

“This approach is a bit of a game changer for our Expo. It has always been about showcasing the very best companies and their equipment, which we will of course continue to deliver, but I think the difference here is that we are really focusing on what our research tells us are the areas that workshops specifically want better understand, and we will deliver this in a very objective environment.”

The Workshop of the Future Pavilion is just one initiative at the Expo that seeks to bring educational opportunities onto the show floor.

“Traditionally we have had seminars and demonstrations and other activities happening in seminar rooms upstairs. Based on feedback from show participants we will now be bringing these activities down onto the show floor – we will have not only the Pavilion, but also two seminar stages to host presentations and demonstrations for both AAAExpo and CRExpo attendees on the hour, as well as celebrity appearances and more,” Stuart explained.

The AAAA owns and operates the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and the Collision Repair Expo, the industry’s major biannual trade show.

Taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Expo is the nation’s only comprehensive exhibition for Australia’s $25B aftermarket industry, bringing together the industry’s best and brightest while showcasing hundreds of the country’s leading companies, all under one roof.

For more information, visit www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au

NEWS

VALE: GARRY DUMBRELL

Automotive aftermarket industry stalwart passes away after accident at home Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine was saddened to hear of the recent passing of industry stalwart, Garry Dumbrell.

Garry, a former Treasurer, Vice President and longtime supporter of the AAAA, passed away following an accident at home in October at the age of 64.

He started Allbrells Northcote in October 1977 with $5,000 and within eight years built Allbrells to 21 stores, having bought Dynamic Auto from Repco in the meantime.

Around 1982 Garry took over the family’s Wynn’s Victorian distributorship.

He was the first person in Australia to sell Wynn’s Mark 5 power flush machine, a product which changed the way additives were sold in Australia.

In the early ‘80s Garry was a founding member of an independent buying group, which later became the Autobarn co-operative society and is today the successful Autobarn franchise business.

He was involved in many different businesses during the 1990s including the development of the successful Bodytech car care range which was later bought by K&H and was the Eagle One products Australian and New Zealand distributor.

Venturing into the car dealership market, he was a successful Nissan dealership owner in Berwick, Victoria and also became the national importer of the Top Cap Paint aerosol range of products, which was hugely successful in a very competitive market.

The Dumbrell family sold the majority of the Automotive Brands group to Metcash Limited in 2012.

He was inducted into the AAAA Hall of Fame in 2013 where he gave a stirring speech, humbly saying that he had got far more out of the industry than he put into it.

“Everything in my life came from this room; I mean everything I have done, every house I’ve bought… has all come from this room,” he told the assembled industry members at the gala dinner of the AAAA Awards.

He was a genuine man who rarely had a bad word to say about anyone. He was a very clever

businessman and a fierce competitor, who had a simple philosophy for life.

“If you concentrate on money, you never have any.

If you wake up and work for money, guess what, you’re going to get none. You should wake up and have fun,” he said.

“And never meet your competitor… You never meet your competitor because you might like him.”

In the 2000s, Garry battled and defeated cancer.

The Dumbrell family released the following statement to Speedcafe.com “We thank everyone for their messages and their thoughts over the last 48 hours. Garry would have been touched by all of the positive and kind words that have been said about him.”

AAAM and the AAAA, its staff and members, extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to Garry’s family, including his son Paul, who is a former AAAA Board member, and has had business success in the aftermarket industry himself, which included a stint as CEO of Automotive Brands.

ZF OCEANIA LAUNCHES TECH EXPERTS CAMPAIGN ZF Oceania is focusing on the faces within its business in its upcoming campaign Initially featuring 10 local ZF product and technical experts, including SACHS Product Expert Craig Lowndes, the campaign highlights the industry know-how and experience of the local ZF team in Oceania.

“The new Tech Experts campaign has been established to share our knowledge with the industry and to give customers and workshops complete confidence in the ZF business,” ZF Oceania Managing Director, Mark Lowe, said.

“The Tech Experts captured within the campaign are some of the most experienced and qualified professionals within the industry. They each specialise in different areas of the ZF business, each with their own relevant experience and qualifications.

“Together, they have more than 100 years of hands-on product and technical know-how with ZF and our brands [LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, TRW and WABCO] – plus their prior experience of course.

“Whilst initially featuring just 10 members of the

team, we look forward to profiling more experts from all levels of the local ZF business as the campaign progresses.”

A key component of the campaign launch is a series of videos filmed by Craig Lowndes and ZF Oceania Business Development Managers Steve Borg and Daniel Kroon, representing the SACHS, TRW and LEMFÖRDER brands respectively.

A mixture of highlight clips getting to know each expert, along with deep-dive technical tips, the videos will be uploaded to ZF Oceania’s social media channels and housed on a soon-to-launch dedicated website.

“These videos serve to put a face to the brands, to further demonstrate our expertise within the industry. Each of the experts filmed in the first phase – Craig, Steve and Daniel – are intimately familiar with each brand, using the products themselves on a regular basis,” Mark said.

“The launch of the Tech Experts campaign also coincides with the opening up of various states

and territories after a challenging year and we are incredibly pleased to be able to have field staff back out on the road again, providing support to customers, where it’s needed.”

Further complementing the Tech Experts campaign is a new advertising campaign on Triple M radio focusing on TRW being “True Braking Experts with over 100 years’ experience and a local car parc coverage of up to 96 percent, with the TRW brand leading the way in braking.”

For more information, visit www.zf.com/au or call 1800 ZF SALES (1800 93 72537).

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

AAAA RESPONDS TO FUTURE FUELS AND VEHICLE STRATEGY The Federal Government has outlined its Electric Vehicle policy The policy is designed to encourage the market to move towards EV uptake without introducing the financial incentives seen in some other countries.

“We will do this by creating the right environment for industry co-investment in technology development.

The AAAA welcomes the strategy, which is in line with its call for a strategic approach to the transition to EVs.

“Just as Australians have taken their own decision to embrace roof-top solar at the highest rate in the world, when new vehicle technologies are cost competitive Australians will embrace them too.”

The first national Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy is backed by an expanded $250 million Future Fuels Fund investment, including $178 million in new funding.

The technology-led Strategy will see the Government work with industry to enhance consumer choice, create jobs and reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector.

The expanded Future Fuels Fund will focus on four areas, public electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure; heavy and longdistance vehicle technologies; commercial fleets; and household smart charging Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy delivers on the Government’s recently released Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides an Australian way to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“Our Plan promised technology not taxes, choices not mandates, and driving down the cost of new technologies, and that’s exactly what this Strategy delivers to Australians,” the Prime Minister said.

“Australians love their family sedan, farmers rely on their trusted ute and our economy counts on trucks and trains to deliver goods from coast to coast.

“We will not be forcing Australians out of the car they want to drive or penalising those who can least afford it through bans or taxes. Instead, the Strategy will work to drive down the cost of low and zero emission vehicles, and enhance consumer choice.

AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, said the AAAA is pleased to see the emphasis being placed on expanding recharging infrastructure and is looking forward to consulting with all levels of government about strategies to enable AAAA members to access the specialist knowledge and training required to repair and maintain EVs. “The Federal Government is of the view that when EVs are affordable, Australians will embrace them,” Lesley said.

“A large part of affordability is the repair, service and maintenance of EVs and we want governments to work with us to support automotive repairers to be ready to support in-service EVs. “The Prime Minister talks about choice and not forcing consumers into only one option. We agree, consumer should have choice and that includes the ability to chose who repairs and maintains their EV at competitive and affordable rates.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Strategy is about helping motorists embrace the increasing range of technologies available to keep them moving in an informed and fair way.

“The Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy sets out the Government’s technology-led approach to reducing transport emissions while ensuring Australians can drive their preferred type of vehicle – be that petrol, diesel, hydrogen or electric powered,” Minister Taylor said.

“Our technology-led approach is already helping

to enhance consumer and industry confidence. In the last eight months there has been a 20 percent increase in the number of low emissions vehicle models available in Australia.

“We are continuing to invest in the right infrastructure, while ensuring both those in the cities and regions can access this $250 million Fund.

“Like we saw with our world-leading rooftop solar uptake, we know that when new technologies reach price parity, Australians rapidly adopt them.

We will take these lessons from solar integration into our reform work to ensure our grid is ‘EV ready’ to keep the lights on and bills affordable for everyone.

“Voluntary adoption of electric vehicles is the right pathway for reducing transport emissions over the long term. Stringent standards, bans or regressive taxes will limit choice and increase the upfront costs of cars for Australians.”

In a press release, the Government said it will also take the lead on reforms through Energy Ministers to ensure the electricity grid is ready for an increase in electric vehicles.

It says these reforms will help to keep the grid reliable and affordable, along with avoiding the estimated $224 million in electricity network upgrades needed by 2030. Without this action, these costs would be passed on to all electricity consumers, even those who do not choose to buy an electric vehicle.

In addition, the Government will continue to work closely with the states and territories to address barriers to low emission vehicle uptake in their jurisdictions, ensuring consumers have access to reliable, easy-to-understand information on low emission vehicles to enable informed choices.

For more information, visit www.industry.gov.au/data-andpublications/future-fuels-and-vehicles-strategy

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NEWS

SAM CELEBRATES 40 YEARS WITH TERRAIN TAMER Sam Castellano has been a part of the Terrain Tamer team for four decades In this day and age, it’s an extremely rare achievement to have worked with the same company for twenty years, let alone forty, but that is exactly what Terrain Tamer has recently celebrated with Business Development Manager, Sam Castellano.

Sam started out his career as a rep for a competitor, but Don Kyatt Group Managing Director Frank Hutchinson recognised Sam’s talents and hired him as a Parts Interpreter in Melbourne in 1981.

It was just under a year later when he and his wife Lynn packed up a truck and headed to Adelaide, tasked with opening the company’s first interstate branch.

What was meant to be only a short 12-month tenure soon turned into a permanent move and Sam remained the Branch Manager in Adelaide for over 30 years, during which time he would spend many long months on the road, tasked with finding business in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Often gone for up to three months at a time, Sam would cross the Nullarbor to southern Western Australia before heading straight up to the top, east to Darwin and back down the centre to home, visiting customers and heading down any number of unexplored tracks if he heard of a 4WD business that he hadn’t visited before.

These trips not only proved instrumental to the continued growth of his branch in Adelaide, but also to the company’s expansion, opening branches in Perth in 1992, Alice Springs in 2004 and Darwin in 2008.

With their children now grown up, Sam and Lynn relished in the idea of change, so when the role of Manager at Terrain Tamer’s European warehouse in France became available in 2014, Sam was quick to put his hand up and started his next adventure with the company on the other side of the world.

He spent four years in the position before handing over the reins to his Assistant Manager and returning to Australia.

Two years ago, Sam took on the role of Branch Manager of the original Moorabbin branch and, with his developing team, has achieved some incredible results.

New branding, a rebuild of the branch’s showroom and offices, new storage facilities, new online systems and introducing several delivery drivers has allowed the 50-year-old branch to bring a modern approach to the loyal customer base of South East Victoria.

Sam is the longest serving current member of staff

besides Managing Director Frank Hutchinson, however of the company’s 150 current staff members, 25 have served for over 25 years, passing down their training, values and knowledge from the early years of the company to the next generation of Managers.

When asked what has kept him with Terrain Tamer for so long, Sam puts it plainly.

“Sure, I could’ve moved on over the years, but I love the people and I love the company. It’s as simple as that,” Sam said.

“I love the way the company has changed. There’s something happening all the time, it’s never stayed still, and that means I don’t either.”

To learn more about Don Kyatt, visit www.donkyatt.com.au

FROM TYRE FITTER TO TYRE LEADER Heath Barclay to lead Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand from 2022 Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand will see a management change in 2022 with the appointment of Heath Barclay as Managing Director from January.

Heath currently holds the role of Sales Director at Bridgestone Australia, having held numerous positions in both New Zealand and Australia originally as a part-time tyre fitter at his local Firestone store in Dannevirke while finishing high school.

In 1994, he joined full time as the store’s manager and attracted the attention of Bridgestone NZ (then Firestone) and was offered a Management Cadet role in 1996. Within Bridgestone NZ, Heath went on to climb through the ranks, working in roles within marketing, consumer business and general management. In 2013 he relocated to Australia as the Group General Manager of Retail and Marketing, then serving as Associate Director Sales and Marketing and as a new member of the board, before becoming Sales Director in 2017.

As Bridgestone continues its evolution towards its global mid-to-long-term business strategy announced in 2020, Heath is enthusiastic to lead the company through what will be a significant era.

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“Last year the global strategy for Bridgestone 3.0 was announced, and since then we have been laying the foundations to execute this strategy, and I’m honoured to be presented with the opportunity and responsibility of leading Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand through this period,” Heath said.

“It’s no secret that I’m passionate about this company having spent half my life working for Bridgestone. As a business, we have significant plans, and we have a great team to bring them to life and realise our mid-long-term strategy.”

Incumbent Managing Director, Stephen Roche, will retire at the end of the year following a threeand-a-half-year tenure at the tyre company. His time in the role saw the acquisition and integration of Lube Mobile into the Bridgestone business, the launch of the global strategy and steering the business through the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Stephen Roche, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand’s future looks bright, and Heath is the ideal candidate to see the business through the next phase of its evolution towards a mobility solutions provider.

“Stephen Roche played a significant role in laying the foundations for Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand’s future over the past few years and personally, I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely. He’s left big shoes to fill, and I’m looking forward to this challenge,” Heath said.

For more from Bridgestone, visit www.bridgestone.com.au

Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand is part of the Bridgestone China and Asia Pacific (BSCAP) region structure, and Heath will report to COO Asia Pacific, Agustin Pedroni, in the Managing Director role.

NEWS

CELEBRATING A 25-YEAR TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP Burson Auto Parts and Markinson have been partners for a quarter of a century In celebrating Burson Auto Parts’ 50th Anniversary, the Australian company is paying tribute to the many long term supplier partnerships that have helped it become the nation’s preferred trade supplier of automotive parts, tools, equipment and accessories.

One of the most enduring Burson Auto Parts alliances can be found with the company’s business software solutions provider and innovator, Markinson.

Over the past 25 years, this company has accompanied Burson Auto Parts into the digital age through its industry leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) based integrated business software solutions.

Burson Auto Parts says Markinson’s world class MomentumPro warehousing and inventory management software system first replaced the cumbersome manual processes in April 1996.

This was the start of the complete digital transformation of the Burson Auto Parts business and with it came several initial challenges.

“The co-operation that we have always received from the Markinson team over the years has been a stand out factor of our long term alliance with

the company,” Burson Auto Parts National Trade Sales Manager, Mario Baric, said.

“It wasn’t easy to make this transformation, but we worked together to ensure that our warehousing and inventory control software systems were perfectly integrated across our business from the stores to the sales reps on the road and everything in between.”

The improvements in efficiency across the entire Burson Auto Parts business, particularly in stock ordering, customer service and inventory control across the company’s several warehouses, represented major leaps forward through the constantly developed, improved and customised Mopro (MomentumProERP) system.

Updated versions of this system continue to power the back-end of Burson Auto Parts’ trade sales and warehousing operations to service more than 200 stores and nearly 30,000 loyal trade customers to this day.

Markinson’s Application Programming Interface (API) has also provided vital functionality for Burson’s EZYParts online parts ordering system to leverage the intelligence within MomentumPro ERP. The API has also enabled Burson to implement

several integrations streamlining a number of key business processes. Working together with Markinson, the MomentumPro API has undergone constant improvement to support these capabilities.

The most recent major endeavour for the Markinson and Burson Auto Parts business involves the warehousing integration software currently being used in the enormous new BAPCOR Distribution Centre in Melbourne which is currently in the process of replacing several smaller Burson Auto Parts (and other BAPCOR owned companies) warehouses.

This has seen a major level of enhanced inventory control software development and integration from Markinson.

For more from Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au

CRASH-REDUCING BRAKE TECHNOLOGY TO BE A NEW STANDARD Life-saving vehicle safety technology now mandated for light vehicles

The Australian Government has mandated Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) systems for new passenger and light-goods vehicles.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Kevin Hogan, said this vital step is part of the Government’s commitment to improving road safety through strong investment and national leadership to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries occurring on our roads.

“Vehicle technology has an important role to play in reducing road trauma, which is why we have introduced new standards that mean AEB systems must be installed in all new light vehicles,” Mr Hogan said.

“There will be a progressive roll out of the new standards, which will start to apply from March 2023 – giving manufacturers the time needed to effectively make the transition.

“AEB systems detect likely forward collisions with another vehicle or pedestrian, provide the driver with a warning and if the driver does not respond, apply the brakes automatically.

“To date, many systems have been unable to

detect pedestrians. These new national road vehicle standards would require light vehicle AEB systems to detect likely forward collisions with both vehicles and pedestrians to help keep some of our most vulnerable road users safe as well.”

Implementing these new national road vehicle standards is estimated to save 581 lives, and prevent 20,433 serious and 73,340 minor injuries over 35 years.

As well as saving lives, the new standards are expected to return a net benefit of nearly $1.09 billion to the Australian economy, after considering all implementation costs.

AEB systems capable of detecting collisions with other vehicles must be installed from 1 March 2023 for all new models of vehicles, and 1 March 2025 for all other new vehicles.

AEB systems capable of detecting collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians must be installed from 1 August 2024 for all new models of vehicles, and 1 August 2026 for all other new vehicles.

The final Regulation Impact Statement, new Australian Design Rules and Explanatory Statements are available at www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021L01518 and www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021L01519 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

THREE NEW BRANCHES FOR ADRAD The company continues to expand

Following significant growth in both its customer base and the variety and volume of auto parts it supplies, Adrad has invested in additional office and warehouse facilities around Australia.

Servicing Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Adrad has opened an impressive new branch at 27 Quinlan Road, Epping.

It says this branch provides faster delivery of parts to customers in the local area. The large Dandenong branch will continue to service the southern metro and Victorian regional areas.

Adrad’s Townsville branch has moved to a larger dedicated facility at 10-12 Auscan Crescent, Garbutt. The extra space provides room for carrying more stock and allows for future growth.

Delivery runs from Townsville now operate twice daily.

THE DIESEL SHIFT

ACA Research takes a look at the latest fuel type market share statistics There are more than 18 million passenger and light commercial vehicles registered in Australia, and as of 2021, around 14.5m of them (or around 80 percent) are powered by petrol.

Looking at the data, we can however see that petrol has become less dominant over the past five years (although maybe not in the way that people might expect).

Whilst much has been said about the future shift to carbon neutral power trains, looking at the Australian car parc shows us that the largest shift has been from petrol to diesel.

In fact, diesel’s share of the car parc has increased by around 60 percent – from 17 percent before 2016 to be the fuel of choice for more than one in four vehicles sold over the past five years.

Source: TecAlliance VIO Data – May 2021

Queensland has also gained a new Gold Coast branch at 26 Expo Court, Ashmore. Adrad has retained its Molendinar premises (which has on-site radiator manufacturing facilities) and brought Ashmore on board to assist managing the extra volume of parts and deliveries.

As the company continues to expand, there will be more Adrad branches added to its extensive national distribution network.

With such a long-held reputation as Australia’s largest radiator manufacturer and supplier, Adrad says many workshops are surprised at the diversity of automotive repair and service parts now available from Adrad.

While the company does have thousands of radiators available, its ever-expanding range extends well beyond engine cooling products.

For more information, call Adrad customer service on 1800 882 043 or Natrad Trade Online on 1800 628 723.

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We know Australian consumer vehicle preferences have changed significantly over the past five to ten years, so much of this will have been driven by the shift towards SUVs and Utes.

There are however clear decisions that have been made by different manufacturers as to the extent to which they go down this path or not.

Breaking the data out by the country of origin of the different manufacturers, we can clearly see this reflected in how their vehicles are distributed: • Australia (ie. Holden, Ford): Looking first at newer vehicles, 44 percent are dieselpowered, with the Ford Ranger and the Holden Colorado combining to make up 228,095 of these (~80 percent of the AU diesel parc). In comparison, diesels make up just 15 percent of the Australian car parc from pre-2016.

• South Korea (ie. Hyundai, Kia): Despite having a strong SUV line-up, neither brand has placed much emphasis on diesel, with petrol vehicles making up more than 90 percent of the newer vehicles on road. Key here is that their range doesn’t include a ute (and based on current information won’t for a while yet), so this appears unlikely to change in the near future.

• Japan (ie. Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, etc): They are arguably the most important

to consider, given Japanese brands make up more than half of the vehicles on Australian roads. Around 18 percent of their older vehicles use diesel, but this has increased to almost 30 percent of those registered since then.

Looking at individual manufacturers here, this is again driven by specific models – Isuzu Ute grew share significantly in more recent years, while Mitsubishi (Triton and Pajero), Nissan (Navara), and Toyota (Hilux, LandCruiser and Prado) have also made a strong push to diesel in their light commercial vehicles.

The surprising counterpoint to the growth of diesel, is that hybrid has gone backwards in terms of share of vehicles.

While we are talking smaller volumes, they’ve gone from 0.57 percent of older vehicles to just 0.39 percent of those since 2016.

In context though, we can see that this is somewhat misleading, with hybrids becoming more broadly popular, and selling extremely strongly over the past 12 -18 months.

This is evident when we look at the model line-up, with the top options historically sitting with the Japanese manufacturers (ie. Toyota Camry/Prius, various Lexus models, and the Honda Civic).

More recently, these brands are still very well represented (for example, Toyota Corolla, Camry, RAV4, etc), but we can also see them playing a greater role at the premium end of the market (ie. MB, BMW, Audi) as these brands progress on their journey to electrification.

Ultimately, this again comes back to a question of now vs the future. In the here and now, we need to remain focused on the growing proportion of diesel vehicles emerging from manufacturer warranties. Hybrid and electric vehicles will continue their growth, but this remains a longerterm consideration.

This column was prepared for AAA Magazine by ACA Research, the AAAA’s partner in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to AAAA members each quarter.

For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au

NEWS

REDARC LAUNCHES NEW CERTIFIED INSTALLER PROGRAM The program is set to provide customers with peace of mind REDARC says it is excited to announce the introduction of its new REDNetwork program.

The REDNetwork is a national network of auto electrical focused trade businesses who have been certified by REDARC, to install REDARC products.

As an expert in its field, REDARC says it felt it was a natural next step to formalise existing relationships with expert auto electricians who offer a wide range of services in the market.

Further to this, COVID-19 has seen a rise in consumers holidaying in their own backyard and resultant spend on vehicles to make these adventures possible.

It says now more than ever is the perfect time for a service where customers are pointed in the direction of a business who can source and fit product all under the one roof.

At its core, the program is membership based, whereby businesses pay an annual fee and in return receive a range of benefits including but not limited to customer referrals, product training and extended warranty.

“Our pillars of success have been formed by continuous innovation, a passion for learning and a team-based culture shaped by collaboration and quality,” Anthony said.

“At the core of everything we do is the customer.

We are committed to achieving 100 percent customer satisfaction through service excellence and continuous improvement.

“It is for this reason that we have established the REDNetwork across Australia and New Zealand.”

REDARC’s Technical Support Team and website receive thousands of calls and visits each month from customers eager to learn more about the products and, in many cases, have them installed.

These referrals and enquiries are now able to be passed along to the network, saving the customer time, and providing them with the trust and confidence that REDARC are introducing them to a certified business.

A year-long trial of the program has been running in the Adelaide market with several businesses, and REDARC says the outcomes have been extremely positive.

The ethos of the REDNetwork is to respect the individuality and ownership of member businesses and provide a “REDARC Team” environment that encourages collaboration and customer service excellence.

“The Tech Support Team have and do send many customers our way. The referred customers usually start their sentence with, ‘REDARC recommended you…’ and so the trust is already there,” said Tim Byrne, the owner of Belair Road Auto which has been one of the members involved.

REDARC’s Managing Director, Anthony Kittel, believes the initiative offers a real point of difference in the market and says it is unique coming from a manufacturer.

The REDNetwork program will be phased in over the coming years and aims to be offered in as many regions as possible throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“This is just the beginning of the journey. This program has been a long time in the making and we want to make sure, as it rolls out, it represents a positive experience for all involved,” REDARC Partnerships Manager and Manager of the REDNetwork program, David Evans, said.

“Members of the REDNetwork will be easily identifiable with branded signage, so all the customer needs to do is look for the logo and know the member business will take care of the rest.”

Customers can get in touch with their nearest REDNetwork member by visiting www.redarc.com.au/finder or calling 1300REDARC. Businesses looking for further information on the program or to register their interest in becoming a member are encouraged to send an email to rednetwork@redarc.com.au For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au/rednetwork

FAMILY BUSINESSES ARE A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Auto One says 70 percent of Australian businesses are being run by families Many people believe mixing personal and business lives together when running a business is often a recipe for disaster.

However, Auto One says the data proves that myth wrong stating that in fact, successful family businesses make up about 70 percent of all businesses in Australia1.

The research says that many of these Australian family businesses are run by passionate and determined father and child teams, with 89 percent reportedly run by the men in the family2.

Auto One, an automotive aftermarket business, has many family-owned franchisees within the company and says it is proud of its thriving father and son duos who pursue their passion for all things ‘Auto.’

Auto One Midland is one of those stores whose family bond fuels their success and makes their business stronger. Jeff and his son Chris continue to nurture their automotive passion as a team.

“My father started the business 30 years ago and I came on board 20 years ago. I have grown up around my parents in the auto industry, so it was a natural progression for me to want to join them,” Chris said.

“That being said. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing but when the roads were rough it made our bond and business even stronger.

“My dad is my idol. We both have different motivations for work. He works harder than anyone I know to provide for the family, and I work my arse off so mum, and dad don’t have to work as hard.

“We work hard for each other which is why Auto One Midland is so successful.”

For more information, go to www.autoone.com.au 1 2

https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/resources/family-business https://www.familybusiness.org.au/documents/item/253

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NEWS

PARKLAND MAZDA WINS A TINNIE FOR SUMMER By making Burson Auto Parts their battery destination Burson Auto Parts has enhanced the summer ahead for one lucky trade customer who purchased the Australian company’s premium quality OnMech and TechCHG batteries during May and June 2021.

This promotion provided Burson Auto Parts trade customers with the chance to win a Quintrex 370 Explorer Outback fishing boat, powered by a Mercury 15 Horsepower Four-Stroke MLH Outboard Engine and completed with a quality Dunbier Nipper 9000L Trailer. The total value of this fantastic and very enjoyable prize was over $10,000.

Burson Auto Parts says its battery range covers 100 percent of the Australian vehicle car parc through premium quality brands including ONmech, TECHCHG, Century and VARTA. This specific trade promotion involved the Burson

Auto Parts exclusive range of ONmech and TechCHG batteries with trade customers earning an entry into the draw for purchases of any mix of ten batteries from these two high quality ranges during May and June 2021.

Burson Auto Parts is delighted to announce that Parkland Mazda (WA) was the lucky winner, receiving a brand new tinnie, trailer and engine, ensuring a great summer of fishing and recreational fun.

“It is always good when we can offer our customers a prize that represents a lot of fun, especially with summer almost here,” Burson Auto Parts Product Manager, Rhys Brown, said. “This also served to promote the quality, reliability and value for money that our exclusive ONMech and TechCHG battery ranges offer even for the most demanding idle start/stop vehicle engine applications.”

From basic flooded batteries to advanced battery technologies such as AGM and EFB including OE options, Burson Auto Parts says it provides the right battery solution underpinned by exceptional service.

For stand-alone, multi-site or national automotive workshops, Burson Auto Parts says 1,800 team members are at the ready through more than 200 nationwide Burson Auto Parts locations, to provide advice and organise the prompt delivery of your battery orders using a fleet of 800 vehicles.

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

MYCAR AND AUSMV PARTNER UP mycar is now the exclusive service and warranty provider for AusMV Australia mycar Tyre and Auto has announced a new partnership with AusMV, a distributor of remanufactured Dodge vehicles, Ford and RAM Pickup Trucks in Australia.

The partnership sees a rapid expansion for AusMV customers to access service and warranty support through more than 270 mycar stores across Australia.

“This is an exciting time for mycar. Our expansion over the last two years has continued to accelerate,” mycar Managing Director, Adam Pay, said.

“Thanks to our dedication to enhance the customer experience and focus on reaching more customers, we are able to build strong partnerships with businesses like AusMV. “This partnership means mycar is now the preferred service provider for a wide range of existing makes/models and looks forward to partnering as they introduce new vehicles across Australia. “mycar is a business focused on the future, ensuring we can continue to deliver the best service to our customers.

“We are preparing for the next generation of vehicles and investing in growing our already 270 store footprint throughout the country, to support the increased demand from Australians.”

The partnership with mycar will reportedly give AusMV customers the most extensive service and warranty network in Australia, coinciding with AusMV’s newly launched five-year 160,000km warranty and Five Year Rhodium Roadside Service Program for all AusMV remanufactured vehicles.

“We researched many potential partners for

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our customer’s service and warranty needs, but none offered the expertise and expansive broad locations like mycar,” AusMV Managing Director, Eddie Kocwa, said.

“Our company prides itself on putting the customer first and mycar does exactly that, they put their customers first and provide great service at affordable prices.” mycar has over 270 locations across Australia ready to assist customers with a full range of automotive services including scheduled servicing, logbook services, tyres, brakes, suspension, batteries and general mechanical repairs.

To find your nearest mycar store, visit www.mycar.com.au

NEWS

CAPRICORN GIVES RECORD PROFITS BACK TO MEMBERS Capricorn says it is Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative While most organisations charge membership fees, Capricorn is doing things very differently, paying its Members a record $71 million in FY21.

This included the recent announcement of a $15 million Trade Volume Rebate, distributed in proportion to Members’ use of their Capricorn trade accounts.

The massive lump-sum payment represents a direct return of profits in what was another successful year for the cooperative.

Capricorn says what makes the Trade Volume Rebate even more remarkable is that it is the fourth consecutive year that it has been paid; showing that “regardless of any global challenges, it’s more profitable to trade as a Capricorn Member.”

Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, said the record returns were a testament to the strength of the cooperative.

“This time last year I was talking about how being part of a cooperative can help our Members persevere through the pandemic,” David said.

“A year later we’re still all living with COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings, but another year of record returns makes it absolutely clear just how much better off you are as a Capricorn Member.

“With more than 2,700 new Members joining us in the last year alone, I am confident these returns will continue to grow along with Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn.”

Capricorn Members also received an additional $38.5m throughout the year in reward points.

The Capricorn Rewards program returns 1.5 points on almost every dollar spent through a Capricorn trade account, with every 100 points equal to $1.

Capricorn says this makes Capricorn Rewards one of the most generous rewards programs in Australasia. Members can choose to use their points to effectively discount their business expenses or redeem them for a range of merchandise and gift cards.

As shareholders of the cooperative, Capricorn Members also received a total of $17.5 million via a very healthy seven percent fully franked dividend (representing a 10 percent return inclusive of tax benefits).

Finally, eligible Members with risk protection provided through Capricorn Mutual shared in a $6 million “Loyalty Rebate.”

This first-time rebate rewarded Members who

have been with the industry-focused alternative to traditional insurance for three or more years.

Capricorn explains that combined, these returns equate to thousands of dollars back in the pocket of the average Member – all for doing nothing more than choosing to trade through Capricorn’s network of Preferred Suppliers who offer instant trade credit and can provide almost every product and service an automotive business would need.

For more information on how you can benefit and apply for Capricorn membership, visit capricorn.coop/join

ANCAP BESTOWS NEW 5 STAR RATINGS Safer and greener choices with Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge Australasia’s independent voice on vehicle safety, ANCAP, has recently issued 5 Star ANCAP safety ratings for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicle, and two new alternative-powered variants of the Volvo XC40 – the T5 Recharge PHEV and T8 Recharge EV. The traditionally-powered Hyundai Tucson has also been awarded a 5 Star rating.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 provides the full complement of active and passive safety features and technologies to enable it to score the top star rating to the latest ANCAP criteria.

High scores were achieved in the full width frontal test, which features two smaller-statured female crash test dummies; the side impact test, which simulates the effects of a T-bone intersection crash; and the oblique pole test, which evaluates the risk of head injury to the driver should the vehicle run off the road and strike a tree or pole.

The design of the IONIQ 5 was also assessed for its ability to not only protect its occupants in a crash, but also the occupants of other vehicles it may come into contact with. Pleasingly, the IONIQ 5 presented an impressively low risk to the ‘crash

partner’ vehicle with a minimal 0.22 point penalty applied – the best score ANCAP has observed in this assessment area since vehicle compatibility scoring was introduced in 2020.

The newly-released plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and pure electric variants of the Volvo XC40 carry through the same 5 Star ANCAP safety rating as awarded to its petrol and diesel model mates rated

by ANCAP in 2018. This rating extension follows additional testing undertaken on the alternativepowered T5 Recharge and T8 Recharge variants to ensure equivalent levels of safety performance.

“To ensure safety is not compromised for consumers wanting to buy an alternative-powered vehicle, for battery and hybrid electric vehicles we conduct additional checks to make sure they don’t pose unique risks such as battery rupture or electrical hazards to the occupants or first responders,” Carla said.

“This gives consumers peace-of-mind and assists fleet buyers in meeting their safety and environmental targets.”

The Hyundai Tucson also achieved a 5 Star ANCAP safety rating following its release into the

Australian and New Zealand markets earlier this year. Similar levels of safety performance to that of the IONIQ 5 were seen with the Tucson.

Higher variants of the Tucson offer a child presence detection (CPD) system which provides the driver with an audible alert if movement is detected in the second row seats after the ignition has been turned off and the car locked.

CPD systems will begin to be formally assessed by ANCAP and contribute to a vehicle’s overall safety rating from 2023.

Full details can be viewed at www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings NOTE: Public health requirements and state-based lockdowns have impacted ANCAP’s test program during 2021 resulting in delays to the conduct of testing and publication of ANCAP safety ratings for a number of vehicle models.

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

PEDDERS CUSTOMERS WINS BRAND-NEW VOLKSWAGEN AMAROKS Trade and retail promotions see Pedders customers win big The first major prize draw of the 2021 Pedders Work and Play Tradies Ute Giveaway Trade Promotion has taken place.

The draw selected the winner of the Work Volkswagen Amarok V6 Highline TDI580 ute – one of two brand-new Amaroks in the prize pool.

J. Rechnitzer from UltraTune Mascot, a Trade Customer of Pedders Mascot, is the lucky winner of the brand-new Atlas Grey Amarok, which has been decked out with aftermarket accessories to make it the ultimate tradie work ute.

The ute has been fitted with a Pedders TrakRyder two-inch lift kit and brake upgrade and also features a rear canopy with dual-lift side windows, twin Titan Trays and accessories by Rola Roof Racks, a Hayman Reese X-Bar Towbar with brake controller, an ECB nudge bar, plus ten slabs of Monster Energy cans.

The Pedders team designed this ute with work-use in mind, stating that it is ideal for carrying tools with easy access via the dual lift side window canopy, while the twin Rola roof racks make carrying ladders and long items a breeze.

The Pedders TrakRyder lift kit and brake upgrade also ensures the owner can carry heavy parts and equipment in the rear without compromising braking and suspension control.

There is still one more Volkswagen Amarok V6 Highline TDI580 ute up for grabs in the Pedders Work and Play Tradies Ute giveaway.

The second Atlas Grey Amarok has been designed for play with Adventure in mind and features a rear sports bar and tray roll cover, Titan Trays and Accessories by Rola Roof Racks, a Hayman Reese X-Bar Towbar with brake controller, plus a full ECB Bullbar and the same Pedders lift kit and brake upgrade as the Work ute.

It is easy to enter to win – every $100 spent by trade customers equals one entry into the draw.

Plus there are minor prize draws every month, including Total Tools and G’Day Parks vouchers, Monster Energy slabs and Erebus Pedders Racing model cars. The winner of the Play Amarok Ute will be drawn on December 3.

In other news, Pedders and the Caravan Industry Association of Australia recently announced the winners of its X-Treme Camping Combo retail promotion for 2021.

The lucky winner, Scott from the North Melbourne region, was over the moon to win a major prize of a brand-new Volkswagen Amarok and $6,000 worth of Dometic camping gear.

For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au

GUD HOLDINGS EXTENDS INTO NEW GEOGRAPHIES It has acquired Vision X Group

GUD Holdings Limited (GUD) has entered into an agreement to acquire the Vision X Group, from the company’s US and Korean founders.

Founded in 1997, Vision X has product development and production facilities in Korea and China, as well as marketing, sales, product development and warehouse facilities in the USA. The acquisition is an important pillar in one of GUD’s longer term portfolio aspirations of becoming a global leader in niche automotive lighting and will sit within the Brown and Watson International (BWI) business.

“Vision X are market leaders in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of LED automotive lighting,” GUD Holdings Ltd Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Whickman, said.

“With over 1200 products and more than 500 trademarks, design and utility patents, we are buying a well-established, well-run business that performs strongly in the automotive, motorcycle, mining, marine, general industrial, and fire and emergency vehicles.

“We are delighted that the established leadership team will remain with the business and, because of its significant alignment to Brown and Watson International (BWI), the integrated Vision X business will be led by George Davies, CEO of BWI. “Vision X is well positioned for future growth both organically and via the introduction of BWI’s existing product range and marketing expertise.”

“Vision X has enduring partnerships across multiple geographies,” George Davies said.

“In addition to the current strong performance, we look forward to leveraging the synergies that this acquisition presents for both the existing BWI businesses, and for Vision X.

GUD Holdings Ltd Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Whickman

“Likewise, we look forward to the Vision X team becoming a part of our team.”

November 2021 with an expected completion payment of US$52.8 million, subject to customary cash and working capital adjustments.

Vision X delivered EBITA of US$8.8 million in calendar year 2020 and is currently on track to achieve double digit EBITA growth in calendar year 2021.

With the upfront payment, and subsequent earn out payments up to a maximum of $US18.6m based on achievement of EBITA milestones, the total potential consideration is US$71.4 million.

The transaction is expected to complete on 30

For more from GUD Holdings, visit www.gud.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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NEWS

WIN YOUR PIECE OF AUTOMECHANIKA HO CHI MINH CITY 2022 THE AUTO COMMUNITY BATHURST HISTORY BONDS With extensive all-year-round networking services Repco has a unique prize up for grabs

As the major sponsor of the Repco Bathurst 1000, Repco says it is ‘Bringin’ the Bathurst’ to workshops around Australia.

Repco is looking for its most passionate and ‘Bathurstified’ trade customers and says the 12 workshops ‘Bringin’ the Bathurst’ the most, will win a money-can’t-buy piece of Bathurst history – a trophy made out of an actual Supercar part.

Repco trade customers wanting to ensure they are in the running for this unique prize should go to www.repcotrade.com.au where they will find further details and can enter by showing how they are ‘Bringin’ the Bathurst.’

The 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 is set to be the biggest ever, running over six days at Mount Panorama as the final event of the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship.

The Bathurst Regional Council, Repco, Supercars and ARG have joined forces to combine Australasia’s leading categories for what will be the biggest motorsport event ever staged in Australia, running between Tuesday November 30 and Sunday December 5.

This year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 will be the first Great Race to be staged in December and will also have its latest starting time ever, commencing at 12.15pm AEDT on the Sunday.

For more information, visit www.repco.com.au 24

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

There has become a growing demand for open channels of communication amongst local and overseas players, especially in the past two years due to restricted market movement.

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022 event organisers says the event supports this industry development through activities that seamlessly bond a wider auto community before, during and after the show.

These include value-added in-person and online offerings like the revamped business matching service (Match Up), pre-show events and a series of business and networking fringe events.

Integrating the “Exhibition, Workshops and Entertainment” into the show, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022 is set to become more activity-driven than ever before as it aligns with the country’s fast pace of development through a highly condensed programme and newly-created networking activities.

Players from across the globe are encouraged to engage in dynamic and valuable interactions amongst participants in the local automotive community to gain a deeper insight into prospects in the Passenger vehicle, Commercial vehicle, Motorcycle and Automotive manufacturing and automation segments.

In the lead up to the show, several activities are set to maintain market enthusiasm. For example, Match Up, an advanced business matching service, is an all-year-round programme that bridges global players with local businesses and helps nurture potential sales leads without time and geographical constraints.

The service utilises a database of over 600,000 buyer and supplier resources across the full supply chain from Automechanika shows in Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.

Based on each participant’s special needs and requirements, a dedicated team links suppliers with potential buyers in 150 countries and regions from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America.

Participants can sign up for the fully operational service by filling out the online application at www.automechanika-hcmc.com/businessmatching-reg In addition, the show will soon unveil a dedicated video channel featuring playful content, acting as an online guide for the local and international automotive communities to understand different auto cultures and related topics.

On top of Match Up and the video channel, a series of onsite business events and entertainment from the show’s AutoFest@HCMCity will be live from 29 June to 1 July 2022, including the following.

Business events: • Automechanika Connected Exchange – a conference that allows industry experts, government agencies and key trade associations to discuss the direction of the global and Vietnamese automotive industry.

• (New) Smart Factory and Industry 4.0 Conference – aims to explore recent trends and opportunities in Vietnam’s automotive manufacturing and automation industry, the use of robotics, smart factories and many more.

AutoFest@HCMCity: • (New) Auto Service and Maintenance: Festival and Workshop – a series offering onsite repair services for drive-in vehicles, as well as practical demonstrations to highlight the importance of vehicle repair and maintenance in Vietnam’s growing auto market.

• (New) Auto City Marketplace – features an additional exhibition area that allows small order purchases amongst automotive retailers, workshops and end-users. This close contact will transmit instant feedback across the mini supply chain for a deeper understanding of supply and demand requirements.

• Drift and Stunt shows.

• Auto NITZ Party – a fun networking event that features live music performances from famous local DJs. Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Chan Chao International Co Ltd and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam.

For updates, please visit www.automechanika-hcmc.com

NEWS

RYCO FILTERS NAMED IN TOP 10 MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES This is the third straight year the company has been recognised in this way RYCO Filters has again been honoured to be recognised as one of Australia and New Zealand’s Most Innovative Companies.

The prestigious annual list, published by The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine, is based on a rigorous assessment process managed

by Australia’s leading innovation consultancy, Inventium, in conjunction with a panel of industry expert judges.

RYCO says it was honoured to be ranked second on this year’s Manufacturing and Consumer Goods list, with over 700 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand in this year’s awards.

The assessment measures a top innovation implemented in the past two years. Specifically, the judges look at how valuable the problem is that the innovation is solving, the quality and uniqueness of the solution being provided, and the level of impact that the innovation is having in the market.

Inventium also assess internal elements such as innovation culture, strategy, resources and process, which demonstrate a sustainable and repeatable approach to innovation.

RYCO Filters says it is thrilled to be recognised in second place this year for its innovation with Cabin Air Filters.

The RYCO MicroShield N99 Cabin Air Filters are a medical-grade face mask for a vehicle’s cabin.

In a world-first, RYCO explains that MicroShield N99 brings ‘medical-grade’ air filtration to vehicles, protecting the health and safety of occupants from hazardous pollution, allergens, bacteria, and viruses with a fine-particle filter suitable for most of Australia’s and New Zealand vehicles.

The MicroShield N99 Filter filters outside air before it can enter the vehicle cabin and occupants’ airways, replacing existing largeparticle dust filters with a unique integrated fine-particle filter comprising an anti-viral and bacterial pre-filter to eliminate biological agents; an activated carbon barrier to remove chemicals and odours; a electrostatically-charged nano-fibre filter to capture fine particles; and a 360° air-tight seal to prevent air bypassing the filter.

professional or DIY service following simple instructions with no specialty tools required.

“I’m extremely proud of RYCO’s second placing on this year’s list,” RYCO Executive General Manager, Stuart Chandler, said.

“The continued outstanding and innovative work being carried out within the entire RYCO Business, in particular identifying and successfully solving one of the most interesting problems faced by car owners.

Occupants experience an enhanced air quality with improved health and safety benefits. The N99 filter performance removes 99.7 percent @0.3micron, viral and bacterial particles that can enter deep into the lungs and customers have praised the noticeably reduced odour driving experience.

“The development of a product that is not only easy for the automotive service trade to install but to deliver a world first product that enhances the health and safety of consumers when driving their vehicles in these tough COVID times and beyond, is certainly cementing RYCO as the leader in filtration solutions.”

The MicroShield N99 Cabin Air Filter range is suitable for most vehicle applications in Australia and New Zealand with the initial range covering more than 10 million vehicles.

For more about the RYCO MicroShield N99 Cabin Air Filter, please visit www.rycofilters.com.au/N99-MicroShield

MicroShield is easily fitted during a regular

COOLDRIVE NAMES TOP BRANCHES FOR 2021 CoolDrive Auto Parts has recognised outstanding performance at its annual Branch Managers Conference Held virtually for the second year, the 2021 Conference provided an opportunity for key CoolDrive personnel including the leadership team, branch managers, regional managers and product team managers to catch up and share recent experiences and knowledge.

“All of our branches achieved impressive results during 2021, despite tough operating conditions with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and it was fantastic for everyone to be able to catch up – albeit virtually,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer, John Blanchard, said.

“The conference provided a perfect platform to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of this year, and also discuss our plans for the future growth of CoolDrive.

“We launched the CoolDrive Branch of the Year awards in 2015 to recognise and reward our top performers, and it’s incredibly pleasing to see how our teams come together to work with one another while also celebrating each other’s victories.

“This is also reflective in the new CoolDrive values which we have recently introduced company-wide – We Work Together, Show You Care, Embrace Change, Act Fairly and Aim to Inspire.

“At its core, CoolDrive is a family business and we want these values implemented at every level of the business to build and nourish our culture, while also recognising excellence when it comes to servicing our customer base.”

Measured on a number of performance criteria, the CoolDrive Branch of the Year awards are split into revenue turnover and regional categories, with the awards themselves named after key company founders and personnel.

The winner of the WJ (John Senior) Blanchard Branch of the Year award for turnover over $5 million was CoolDrive’s Sydney branch, with Victoria’s Hallam branch the runner-up for the second year in a row.

Winner of the SL (Shirley) Blanchard Branch of

the Year award for turnover under $5 million was Queensland’s Brendale branch, with second place going to Tasmania’s Launceston branch.

The top-performing region was New South Wales/ Australian Capital Territory, which received the JW (John) Blanchard Award for Region of the Year.

CoolDrive Auto Parts says it is Australasia’s largest family-owned automotive parts distributor.

For more information, please visit www.cooldrive.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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COVER STORY

COOLDRIVE GOES FULL THROTTLE

Performance and motorsport is in the very DNA of CoolDrive Auto Parts The Australian family owned and operated company’s involvement in the fields of performance and motorsport has been accelerating in 2021 on multiple fronts.

Racer Industries recognises the passion our customers evidently have for motorsport, with this opportunity allowing us to support the industry via an entirely new avenue.

With the market-leading supplier Racer Industries joining the CoolDrive fold, the addition of new performance-focused product lines, and the creation of the Blanchard Racing Team (BRT) and CoolDrive Racing in the Supercars Championship, the business has quickly developed a highperformance edge.

“We hope to become the industry benchmark with our levels of customer and technical support, our ever-growing product range containing world-class brands, as well as our investment in knowledge and people.

Racer Industries joins CoolDrive At the forefront of the push into the performance and motorsport space has been the addition of Racer Industries to CoolDrive Auto Parts, which sees the racing-focused brand’s inventory available through CoolDrive’s online platform, iShop, plus the nationwide network of CoolDrive branches.

“CoolDrive has been expanding its performance product offering in recent years, and this move allows us to significantly expand our performance product range, while adding the racing specific offering to complement it,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Managing Director, John Blanchard, said.

“It’s a natural progression; our investment in

“The motorsport community is very loyal, and just like CoolDrive, it is effectively one big family, so we look forward to supporting them more and more.”

A long-time identity within motorsport circles, Ryan McLeod has been the driving force behind Racer Industry’s growth, and is excited about the future.

“Using CoolDrive’s extensive and renowned national trade and distribution network, we will be able to offer all trade customers direct access to our range of racing products. This is an industry first in Australia and is big news for our customers and suppliers,” Ryan said.

“We see huge potential for Racer in the coming years, especially in the trade industry where CoolDrive is so well known to provide a service on a national level not many others can replicate.”

CoolDrive Business Development Manager – Performance, Mathew Nilsson.

The Racer Industries product range covers the entire gamut of motor racing parts and components, from leading brands including Aerocatch, Sparco, Racetech, Joes, Racelogic, Bosch Motorsport, Lifeline, Longacre, Tilton, Premier Fuel, Schroth and Teknofibra, to name a few.

The offering includes race seats, fire systems, helmets, suits, gloves, simulators, steering wheels, gauges, fittings, radio systems, engine management and specialist Hyundai Excel race car systems.

A particular highlight is the legendary range of Sparco apparel and accessories, with the Martini Racing and ‘Fast & Furious’ collections available now, and the hotly anticipated 2022 line-up soon to launch.

As a function of the partnership, CoolDrive has also taken over the distribution of Project Mu high-end braking products to further enhance its comprehensive brakes program, which currently includes other well-known brands, including Bremtec, Brembo, Bosch, Fremax and Akebono.

CoolDrive is also handling the supply of categoryspecific items, including the control wheels, fire systems and fuel cells for the Supercars category, where Racer Industries is the sole appointed supplier.

Complemented via retail sales to the general public

by Racer Industries from its base in South-East Queensland and online via www.racerindustries. com.au, the product offering caters to everyone from track day enthusiasts to performance workshops, extending to the professional tiers of the sport.

In addition to the current locations at Acacia Ridge and Gold Coast, CoolDrive is also planning a significant expansion to the footprint of Racer Industries with additional showrooms set to open

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

COVER STORY Its portfolio starts with the Jaylec Black Series range of high-performance alternators designed for vehicles with a higher demand in output compared to original equipment, and goes right through to being the exclusive distributor of US Radiators cooling systems that are a direct fit for popular classic Australian, American, muscle, truck and street rod machines.

Koyorad high-performance radiators and oil coolers are joined by the Hulk 4x4 brake and exhaust upgrade ranges, Brembo and Stolz brake enhancement kits, XS Injectors, Mantic and 4Terrain Ultimate Clutches, amongst many.

Specialist lines also carried include racing-spec Castrol items such as SRF brake fluid, Syntrax axle lubricants, and Edge Supercar engine oil, as well as a suite of PETRONAS Syntium Racer lubricants, and the Proflow range of products.

More than a sponsor in 2022, along with bolstering the stock levels of all Racer products.

Performance leadership expands Motorsport industry veteran Mathew Nilsson has also recently joined the CoolDrive family as its Business Development Manager – Performance, a role that will assist in the company’s continued growth in the sector.

“Having Mat’s wealth of experience working with renowned motorsport teams further bolsters our Performance and Motorsport product offering, which is currently a real focus for us at CoolDrive,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Operating Officer, Tim Blanchard, said.

“We hope to build a knowledgeable and passionate team led by Mat and Ryan that will be

known for its technical prowess and supporting our community.”

Mathew brings to the position 20 years’ worth of experience in elite Supercars competition, winning both the Bathurst 1000 and the Supercars Championship as a race engineer.

In his most recent Supercars role, Mathew was the co-team principal of the Walkinshaw Andretti United and the Walkinshaw Racing outfits, where he oversaw all aspects of the team’s performance while also facilitating the supply of components and services to other leading teams.

Performance products a feature at CoolDrive CoolDrive’s offering to the top end of the market continues to grow rapidly, with expanded product lines to suit a massive array of applications.

Motorsport has been an integral way of life not only for the Blanchard family, but the wider business since CoolDrive was founded in 1977.

“CoolDrive Racing is far more than just a branding exercise, it allows our team members to demonstrate their passion for motorsport,” explained Tim Blanchard.

“The full operations of the race team is in-house at our CoolDrive Head Office; everyone is actively part of the team instead of just watching the car the business sponsors on the television.

“Many of our CoolDrive team members and their families are also regularly involved in forms of motorsport such as go karts, track days and rallying, as well as spending their weekends working on their project cars.”

With the highly experienced Tim Slade behind the wheel, CoolDrive Racing has proven to be a consistent top-ten performer in its first season, and on multiple occasions has been knocking on the door of the podium in the ultra-competitive series.

Supporting the racers As a part of CoolDrive’s commitment to the industry, the company is proud to partner with many different competitors across a wide variety of categories.

This includes former Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris in Stadium Super Trucks, Reece Chapman in Aussie Racing Cars, Matt and Luke Geering in the Ultimate Sprintcar Championship, Stuart Collison in the Australian Rally Championship, plus an array of Formula Ford, historic racing, karting competitors and junior drivers.

In addition to this, CoolDrive backs events such as the VHRR Winton Festival of Speed.

For more information on CoolDrive Auto Parts’ performance and motorsport offerings, plus the company’s motorsport involvement, visit www.cooldrive.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

27

TECHNOFILE

OPUS IVS OVERCOMES BLOCKED DPF Opus IVS reportedly delivers beyond the scope of general scan tool diagnostic capabilities

IVS 360 OEM-Trained Master Technicians recently assisted a customer with a BMW fitted with a M57TU engine and automatic transmission suffering from a blocked DPF. Opus IVS says its IVS 360 Live Repair Guidance support service provides unlimited and unrivalled support to workshops globally.

Customers have access to the IVS 360 team of OEM experienced, factory-trained master technicians.

It says not only does the team help you establish the fastest, most reliable, and accurate diagnosis, they actually take you through the process stepby-step, all the way through to vehicle repair.

Ultimately, workshops have access to a team of ‘behind the scenes’ OEM brand-specific technicians that they can rely on daily to provide the actual fix.

Ultimately, IVS 360 provides technicians with the confidence to repair the most complex vehicles fast with live repair guidance.

The IVS 360 team often sees multiple cases of the same nature. It says this is particularly true of BMW vehicles fitted with the M57TU engine and automatic transmission which results in a blocked DPF. Fault: DPF will not regenerate.

Cause: Engine over cooling, even after fitting main and EGR thermostats.

The Fix: Retrofit an additional thermostat.

BMW cars fitted with the M57TU engine and automatic transmission often suffer from a blocked DPF. Diagnosis has been carried out and during a test drive you have noticed that the engine fails to reach over 68 degrees Celsius (approximately).

When left to idle, the engine temperature can be seen to increase. This indicates a thermostat that is sticking open.

The normal repair of replacing the main engine cooling thermostat and EGR cooler thermostat has been carried out and a test drive has been undertaken to test the operation of the cooling system.

However, once again the engine temperature fails to exceed 68 degrees Celsius (approximately).

The cause can be the automatic transmission oil cooler thermostat stuck open.

A test to prove would be to clamp off the pipe between the cooling system and the automatic transmission oil cooler then repeating the test drive.

The automatic transmission oil cooler thermostat is not available separately from the cooler, however there is a work around - purchase an inline thermostat that is available from the VAG group or many of the main aftermarket parts retailers (Part number = 4e0121113.)

Opus IVS helps independent automotive workshops repair the most complex vehicles fast with diagnostics, programming and live repair guidance from OE brand-specific master technicians.

As vehicles become technologically advanced, Opus IVS says it enables independent automotive workshops to get them back on the road safely.

It says it is committed to helping workshops complete repairs with intelligent vehicle support today, for a safer world tomorrow.

For more information about IVS 360 and how it can support your workshop, visit www.opusivs-uk.com or email sales-uk@opusivs.com

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

PRODUCT R&D

RAISING THE BAR ARB’S iconic LED driving light bar has been reborn, pushing the limits of driving light technology once again

Your safety, and that of others, depends on the right lighting. ARB’s Intensity V2 LED Light Bars are engineered and designed in Australia to perform in the most extreme conditions and manufactured in the USA. “The new V2 Intensity LED Light Bar uses the same optimal chassis design of the current light bar, yet it is what’s inside that counts,” ARB Director of National Sales and Marketing, Matthew Frost, said.

“Incorporating the latest in LED technology using OSRAM GIANTS and advanced optics via the latest Hyperspot technology, the Intensity V2 Light Bar’s combo configuration drives light further down the road whilst spreading the light in front of the vehicle.”

Hyperspot is a refined optic used to focus and intensify light output. Whilst pumping a huge amount of power into a light and getting great distances down the road is all well and good, if there is no control and focus to the areas required for the human eye to see, that power is ultimately wasted.

keeping the clarity of the beam but also controlling the beam pattern to ensure it is lighting up the correct areas on the road and not spilling light into the flood configuration’s territory.”

“This is only achieved by the clever design of having both dedicated flood and spot optics combined into the one bar,” Matthew explained.

Another upgrade to the Intensity V2 Light Bar is the LEDs, which have been changed to use OSRAM GIANTS, a large LED chip that ARB says boasts an amazing light output.

“Our Hyperspot technology sends the light at amazing distances down the road while not only

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

Remember, it’s not all about distance, but also the quality of light produced by your light bar.

“OSRAM GIANTS can drive tonnes of power into

the LED, pushing the Intensity V2 Light Bar’s power to 305 watts, and that’s without even maxing out the LED,” Matthew said.

“This produces a massive 25,080 lumens of raw light output, which requires precision engineering to ensure the power is harnessed and used effectively.”

In order to harness the increased power, the Intensity V2 Light Bar power draw requires a new loom. The new loom incorporates high-current wiring and components that can handle up to 30 amps.

PRODUCT R&D

Designing this loom to handle such power meant that increased safety measures needed to be considered, especially around temperature and voltage/current requirements,” Matthew described.

helps reduce eye strain over long driving periods and which in turn improves driver comfort and reduces the risk of fatigue.”

can seem daunting, but ARB has removed the guess work instead of confusing you with hundreds of options,” Matthew said.

Features and Tech Specs:

“ARB has designed an uncomplicated range of driving lights that perform so well, regardless of their shape or size allowing you to simply choose your budget range and decide what will look the best on your 4WD,” he added.

“Whilst the amount of metres down the road you can record one lux has become a universal measurement of driving lights, as we’ve already said, there is so much more to effective and quality light than its lux measurement.

• Powder-coated aluminium extruded body with pressure die-cast end caps • Virtually indestructible polycarbonate lens • Hard-coated, durable polycarbonate protective cover • 40 high output OSRAM LEDs with 50,000+ hour lifespan • 24 Hyperspot and 16 high-output flood optic LEDs • Six degree spread for spot and 20 degree spread for flood • 926 metres at one lux • 25,080 raw lumens • 21 amps at 14.4 volts • Operating temperature of -40ºC to +63ºC (-40ºF to +145ºF) • Gore breather • Vibration tested to MIL810-STDG • RoHS compliant • Dust and waterproof to IP68 rating • Submersible to three metres • Over and under voltage protection • Integrated active thermal management • Protected against radio frequency (RFI) and electromagnetic (ETC) interference • Deutsch DTP waterproof connector rated to IP69 specification

“The Intensity V2 Light Bar has been updated to improve the warmness of the light output, which

“With so many LED lighting options on the market, choosing the right one for your specific application

“Coupled to the new Intensity V2 Light Bar loom is the two, tow pin DTP connector with updated overmoulded connector, all protected by midi fuse and spike-protected relays.”

Another update is the plug-and-play H4 and HB3 waterproof connectors, which ensure a smoother fit and install.

Active thermal management of the temperature created by LEDs has always been a feature of the ARB Intensity range.

The powder-coated aluminium extruded body acts as a massive heat sink, maximising cooling and allowing the quick dissipation of heat from the LEDs, which keeps them running at maximum performance.

“The Intensity V2 Light Bar provides an impressive 926 metres at one lux, which is a 53 percent increase in light performance from the current Intensity combo bar,” Matthew said.

“The flood component spreads light at a massive 40 metres across the front of your car, that’s almost half a football field wide.

The Intensity V2 LED Driving Light Bar (Part Number: AR40CV2) comes with a three-year warranty.

Contact your local ARB store or stockist for pricing and availability.

For more information, visit www.arb.com.au

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. cameron@aaaa.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

31

PRODUCTS

PROLUBE LUBRICANTS

An Australian made and owned Oil Company Established in 1988, Prolube Lubricants formulates, manufactures, and markets a diverse range of products that are used in but not limited to the automotive, commercial, transport, industrial, marine, mining and agricultural industries.

Prolube Lubricants’ automotive range is formulated and manufactured to meet the international standards and OEM specifications required to continually protect and prolong the life of your vehicles.

ALCIUS OFFERING CONTINUES TO EXPAND Its air conditioning parts, tools and equipment ranges are growing Since the release of the Alcius 2021 Complete Climate Control Catalogue, more than 500 parts have been added to the already extensive Alcius product range to meet and exceed all trade customer expectations.

These additions include 100 universal application and direct replacement compressors from leading Original Equipment brands including DENSO, Sanden, Valeo, Unicla, HCC and Mahle, alongside Alcius’ industry leading quality aftermarket product range.

Advancements in HVAC replacement parts includes more than 50 Evaporators, TX Valves and Blower Motors to ensure that Alcius provides the air conditioning parts you need for whatever type of vehicle that enters your workshop, whenever they are needed.

The Alcius condenser and cooling fan range now exceeds 1,100 part numbers, ensuring front of vehicle repairs are under control.

New product: Syntegra PRO 40 Prolube Lubricants says its new Syntegra PRO 40 is an ultra-high performance full synthetic engine oil which combines the latest development in additive technology and polyalphaolefin (PAO) base stock to provide a lubricating oil with the highest level of protection to ensure maximum engine longevity.

Syntegra PRO 40 (SAE Grade: 10W40 ACEA: A3/ B3 – 2016) provides extra wear protection with zinc boost to give superior protection in extreme conditions.

It is also formulated to provide high temperature stability, easy cold cranking, reduced oil consumption and improved engine cleanliness.

Syntegra PRO 40 is designed for high performance four, six, V6 and V8 four stroke gasoline engines of cars, as well as high performance light vehicle diesel engines operating under extreme race conditions.

Prolube Lubricants says Syntegra Pro 40 is ideally suitable for turbocharged, supercharged or naturally aspirated race and street engines that are subjected to high stress conditions.

Prolube Lubricants says it has been supporting the automotive industry for generations with products that have been specifically formulated to perform and protect under the arduous Australian climatic and operational conditions.

For more information, contact Prolube Lubricants on 07 3881 1733 or sales@prolube.com.au 34

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

Further expansion in the tools and equipment range allows technicians to diagnose and repair any fault that comes your way with an additional 30 specialist tools now ranged. These include the latest nitrogen leak test equipment to ensure you have refrigerant leaks repaired efficiently and economically.

Whether its Passenger Motor Vehicle, Heavy Truck, Light Commercial or Mining and Agricultural vehicles that you specialise in, Alcius says it has the full air conditioning parts range stocked and available across a national distribution network with a footprint of more than 1,000 locations nationwide.

Contact BaxtersMTQ, Burson Auto Parts, JAS Oceania or WANO for all of your specialised air conditioning parts requirements.

For more information, visit www.alcius.com.au

CALFLOW LS ENGINE CONVERSION FUEL LINE KIT New product added to the growing Calflow product range

Engine conversions can be a daunting undertaking, however with the right parts it doesn’t have to be a difficult one.

The GM LS engine series, both Gen III and Gen IV, are amongst the most popular engines to use due to their availability, cost, size, weight, and of course power.

Most LS conversions carried out today are done to vehicles that were originally fitted with a carburetor, therefore the existing fuel system will not be suitable owing to the higher pressure and flow that EFI demands.

Australian Auto Accessories says the Calflow LS Engine Conversion Fuel Line Kits are the perfect solution for anyone retrofitting a GM LS based engine into their classic ride.

Available with or without a fuel filter/regulator, these kits include 25 feet of 3/8” (6AN) EFI rate hose and all the necessary high quality black

anodised aluminium 6AN fittings required to connect from the fuel pump to the fuel rail.

The filter/regulator combo features an internal bypass that regulates output pressure to 58PSI and is capable of flowing up to 255LPH. Calflow can also help complete the engine conversion with various engine mount kits, starter motors and oil pans also available These fuel line kits along with Calflow’s expanding range of LS engine components are available for prompt dispatch.

For more information, call Australian Auto Accessories on 03 9845 0800.

PRODUCTS

NEW CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDERS From Xtreme Clutch

Xtreme Clutch has recently announced a new and innovative performance concentric slave cylinder (CSC) to suit a variety of applications, including its range of motorsport clutch kits.

The brand says the new concentric slave cylinder is unique to Xtreme Clutch and is designed as a universal fitment to be utilised for a wide range of vehicles.

The new CSC was designed in-house at Xtreme Clutch and incorporates a billet 6160 alloy housing, high quality EPDM rubber seals and a threaded adjustment sleeve (where required) for universal applications.

The CSC has been developed to work with a range of different bearings and is ideal for motorsport applications or where a custom clutch solution is required.

“Our new Xtreme Clutch performance concentric slave cylinders have been developed over several months and after extensive in-house testing, we are pleased to launch this completely new product to market,” Xtreme Clutch Senior Mechanical Engineer, Stewart Furze, said.

“This style of CSC is perfect for our multi-plate range of kits and will be used extensively in our

custom clutch program for vehicles that have had engine or gearbox conversions.”

The new CSCs are also compatible with all highquality brake fluids.

“It was important that we could develop a solution that would provide the performance and durability required, but also remain compatible with as many vehicle types as possible,” Stewart said.

“We build custom clutch kits for an extensive variety of vehicles from around the world including dedicated circuit racing and drift applications that require the highest levels of performance and reliability under extreme conditions.

“We have engineered the new CSC to meet these tough requirements and provide our customers with a solution that can be easily installed and setup for their unique application.”

The CSC is available in 12 different configurations depending on bearing and braided line requirements. Although these CSCs will be available individually if required, they will start being incorporated into relevant multi-plate and conversion clutch kits in the coming months.

To order a unit individually, customers will be

required to discuss with Xtreme Clutch to match the most appropriate configuration to their specific application.

The new CSCs were recently launched at SEMA Show 2021 along with a variety of new performance upgrades sold in the US under the XClutch brand.

“SEMA Show provided the ideal opportunity to launch these new concentric slave cylinders,” Stewart said.

“We have been exhibiting at SEMA for many years now with our US specific brand, XClutch, so we made sure to get one of the very first off the production line over to the show to help showcase this innovative new product to our customers.”

For more information, please visit www.xtremeclutch.com.au or call 1800 CLUTCH.

CORGHI LAUNCHES COMPACT BALANCER For Commercial Vehicles

Corghi is excited to announce the launch of its new universal wheel balancer for commercial vehicles, the ET1450 TruckLine.

Corghi has recently increased its focus on the heavy-duty market as the segment continues to grow quickly.

Its latest offering, the ET1450 TruckLine wheel balancer, is Ideal for mobile road service and smaller workshops and garages that need a compact, easy to use, and reliable heavy-duty balancer.

“Globally, we’re investing heavily to extend our heavy-duty range,” Corghi Australia General Manager, Andrew Cornwell, said.

“Locally, we’re getting very close to launching our first Heavy Duty catalogue. The current proof is more than 150 pages, and it includes our extensive range of heavy-duty changers, balancers, aligners, and lifting equipment.”

The ET1450 TruckLine wheel balancer is available in motorised and hand-spin versions.

“It is the most compact balancer in our whole range. And it features the most advanced programs that until now have only been available in our top-of-the-range models,” Andrew said.

Corghi says the number of standard features are impressive and include Hidden Weight for hiding the weights behind the spokes, Imbalance Optimisation (OPT) to minimise static wheel imbalance, plus Multi-operator and Energy-saving modes.

“The ET1450 TruckLine wheel balancer also features our latest-generation measuring unit and a 40mm shaft that ensures precision and reliability,” Andrew said.

The in-built, hand-driven wheel lifter makes light work of event the heaviest wheel and tyre combinations, without using the foot pedals and can lift wheels weighing up to 150 kg, while at the

same time ensuring the wheel is perfectly centred every time.

“The ET1450 TruckLine has been designed to keep your staff safe and to reduce operating costs,” Andrew said.

“Using an extremely low balancing speed of 80rpm for truck assemblies and 100rpm for passenger car application, we have lowered the risks connected with rotating elements while also delivering significant energy savings.”

The SmartArm 2D internal sensor provides automatic acquisition of distance and diameter for rims up to 28” with a selection of balancing programs including DYN, STATIC, ALU, and ALUP available.

For more information, visit www.corghiaustralia.com.au or call the team on 1800 CORGHI (267444).

Alternatively, you can visit its new facility located at Unit 5/8 Cooper Street, Smithfield NSW 2164.

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PRODUCTS

WANT YOUR AGM BATTERIES UNDER THE BONNET? You can with Dual Force

They say you cannot be all things to all people, but Century Yuasa says that no one ever said that about its popular Multi-Purpose AGM battery: the Dual Force+ Utilising advanced Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Technology, the toughest internal lead components, and latest design features along with being competitively priced, Century Yuasa says this made for Australian conditions battery has become one of the most versatile batteries on the market.

In 15 years with Century Yuasa, National Marketing Manager Andrew Bottoms has overseen the introduction of many different batteries into the Australian market, but even he says this battery offers everything you could want from an AGM. “Built strong for Australia’s harsh environment and tough operating conditions, the Century Dual Force+ AGM Battery is designed to provide superior deep cycling performance and long-lasting dependable starting power for a diverse range of recreational and commercial applications,” Andrew said.

“From 4x4s, recreational vehicles, golf carts, wheelchairs and mobility scooters to marine systems, dual-battery systems and industrial equipment – this battery has such diverse applications. It really is hard to beat.

“It delivers on everything our customers have asked for. Our customers wanted an AGM with under bonnet capabilities. They wanted batteries that can take a beating whether that is towing your tinny over that corrugated dirt road to get to the beach boat ramp or a caravan being towed off road to a remote National Park – and Dual Force+ has delivered on those promises.

“Unlike many competitor AGM batteries, Century’s Dual Force+ is manufactured using a specialist hardwearing Polypropylene case which makes it ideal for use in under bonnet applications where heat, fluids and other contaminants can damage products not built to the same specification.

“In the past it was strongly recommended you avoid fitting Deep Cycle AGM batteries under the bonnet of your vehicle as this could void the warranty due to the fuel, oil and other engine lubricants causing damage to the ABS battery casing materials.

AGM acts as a sponge like material to suspend loose electrolyte within highly porous glass fibre mat separators. This eliminates the hazards associated with acid spills or leaks, whilst the sealed maintenance free design avoids the need for regular topping-up of electrolyte.

“The Dual Force+ also serves as a cost-effective alternative to selected AGM products available in the market place and in many cases delivers improved performance specifications.”

“Our reinforced Polypropylene case is a game changer: it assists with heat dispersion, essential for the under-bonnet temperatures Aussie 4WDs can get to, along with providing vibration and impact resistance for extreme off-road conditions.

Century Deep Cycle AGM batteries have low internal resistance and low self-discharge rates, enabling faster recharge and longer shelf life. When fully charged, they can be stored for extended periods of time and conveniently recharged using a range of AGM compatible chargers.

“AGM Technology also makes it safe for use in cabins and other hard to reach locations.

For more information, visit www.centurybatteries.com.au or call 1300 362 287.

REDUCE FRICTION AND ENGINE WEAR In one easy treatment

For over 80 Years, Wynn’s Professional says it has been the leading global manufacturer of innovative automotive products designed to clean, protect and lubricate regardless of whether your customers’ car is brand new or decades old.

A stalwart of the extensive Wynn’s Professional range is the ever-popular Friction Proofing Treatment. This premium professional formula helps reduce friction and engine wear.

“Wynn’s offer a wide range of additives and machinery to help maintain and prevent problems arising in an engine,” Wynn’s Professional Australia Brand Manager, Sarah McNeill, said.

“Our friction proofing provides a cushion between worn parts, helping to reduce engine noises and wear,” Sarah said.

Wynn’s Friction Proofing controls oil thickening resulting from oxidation during periods of severe high-speed operation, reducing the possibility of loss of lubrication.

“This helps maintain engine cleanliness by reducing the formation of lacquer and varnish deposits and ensures proper lubricant flow and mechanical component operation,” Sarah said.

“Our preventative and curative treatments help to avoid costly repairs and extend engine life.”

Wynn’s Friction Proofing is suitable for all petrol, LPG, and diesel engines. It is compatible with most commercial engine oils and is ideal for most normally aspirated or turbocharged engines.

Wynn’s Friction Proofing unique formulation includes a combination of polymers, oxidation inhibitors, anti-wear additives, and detergents retards, which reduce the oxidation and breakdown of the motor oil at high engine operating temperatures.

Wynn’s Friction Proofing is designed to be a multipurpose crankcase additive that can be used in new and old engines.

“Many workshop owners include a Wynn’s Friction Proofing as part of their standard servicing,” Sarah said.

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“Treating your customers’ vehicles is quick and easy, and all you need to do is add the recommended dosage of Wynn’s Friction Proofing directly to the engine oil, with the engine turned off.”

Wynn’s Friction Proofing can also help prolong oil life, reduce engine sludge and varnish build-up, whilst providing additional protection during start-up and in extreme conditions.

To discover more about the full range of Wynn’s Professional products, visit www.wynns.net.au

PRODUCTS

CALIBRATION OF ADAS IN UNDER A MINUTE Thanks to the new TechPRO Digital ADAS 2.0 from Mahle Aftermarket Mahle Aftermarket says it is speeding up the calibration of driver assistance systems with its new TechPRO Digital ADAS 2.0.

The new, fully automated device completes this operation in half the time of the previous model.

In addition, the tool now enables users to calibrate driving assistance systems of all common vehicle models.

This allows independent workshops to expand the services they can offer. The new generation of this popular product from Mahle will be available from mid-November.

“The feedback from our customers on TechPRO Digital ADAS has been extremely positive— after using it once, you’ll never want to go back to conventional calibration again,” Mahle Aftermarket Corporate Executive Vice President and General Manager, Olaf Henning, said.

“With the new 2.0 generation, we are reducing the calibration time even further and helping workshops to save time.”

When performing a calibration, the preparation

takes the most time: finding the right calibration panel, aligning the vehicle, and manually transferring the data to the diagnostic tool.

With the first generation of its TechPRO Digital ADAS, Mahle says it had already made the first two steps significantly faster than conventional systems by using digital calibration panels and laser-based system alignment.

With this new generation of devices, all the technician has to do is attach the wheel clamps, place the digital calibration panel in front of the vehicle, and move the laser rangefinders into position, with TechPRO ADAS 2.0 taking care of the rest.

Mahle says it has developed new rangefinders that measure the distance between the vehicle and the calibration system and transmit it to the diagnostic tool via Bluetooth.

For the technician, this means no more reading or typing – saving time and preventing errors.

At the touch of a button, the intelligent system moves the calibration panel into the correct position in front of the camera or sensor fully automatically.

A special upgrade kit will be available for workshops that already use a TechPRO Digital ADAS unit.

Mahle Aftermarket also provides workshops with numerous video tutorials that offer detailed explanations of how to use the unit.

The Mahle TechPRO Digital ADAS unit is available in Australia from JAS Oceania.

For more information, visit www.jasoceania.com.au

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PRODUCTS

TORQUING ABOUT ENGINE MOUNTS

Protorque Engine Mounts are available now Designed for performance, maximum durability, and reliability, Protorque says its Engine Mount range is one of the most comprehensive ranges for passenger and 4WD vehicles in the Australian market today.

Owned by industry giant BAPCOR, the Protorque Engine Mount range has been designed for direct fit and to perform as well as the original part, if not better.

BAPCOR states the range has been designed by true specialists in the aftermarket industry.

The extensive range comprises of three major types of engine mounts to cover all needs in the market: electronically switchable, metal/rubber and hydraulic.

BAPCOR says Protorque Engine Mounts are built to last, explaining that they are manufactured from premium raw rubber materials with an advanced compounding and sealing process, resulting in static and dynamic stiffness, and abrasion, weather and ozone resistance.

The Proprietary Silent Ride Technology (SRT) ensures the driver has the peace of mind that comes with maximum safety and optimal driving comfort, knowing the engine mount is crafted with premium rubber materials and high-strength aluminium or steel.

The metal structure and Class 10.9 fasteners treated with electrophoresis or electrogalvanization coating process ensures high yield and tensile strength for easy installation, and corrosion and wear resistance. Additionally, where required, mounting hardware is supplied.

Protorque’s advanced range of Engine Mount products has been developed with leading global OE manufacturers to ensure compatibility and direct fit to Australian vehicles.

BAPCOR says the direct OE replacement offers precise fitment and functionality and for additional peace of mind, comes with a comprehensive warranty of 24-months/40,000km.

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

COPING WITH EXTRA KILOS Disc Brakes Australia offers a range of upgrade brake products

Whether dealing with commercially used vehicles such as vans and utes, or recreational vehicles like 4WDs and SUVs used for offroading or towing, with all the gear involved the extra weight can add up quickly.

Disc Brake Australia (DBA) says this is where its range of upgrade brake products can help to achieve optimal braking performance.

From tradespeople hauling equipment, tools, and building material in their vehicle to 4WDers carrying bull bars, rear bars, tyre swing-outs, rock sliders, roof racks, and other accessories – it all adds up to contribute to an increased Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).

Add to that a bunch of people plus luggage in the boot and on the roof, and before you know it you have almost put an extra tonne of weight on your vehicle (you should always make sure not to extend the legal GVM).

If you then decide to tow along an unbraked trailer, you are looking at another three quarters of a tonne pushing the vehicle when braking.

Overall, the brakes might be dealing with an extra 50 percent of weight, compared to the vehicle’s tare weight, that needs to be stopped.

DBA says that whilst most OE-fitted brakes will do a reasonable job with the extra load, there are two aspects that will help determine whether a brake upgrade is advisable: (a) are the current brakes technically capable of handling the extra load, and (b) considering every metre counts when trying to avoid a collision, would shortening the vehicle’s stopping distance be of value?

In the case of item (b), in theory a GVM increase should have no impact on the stopping distance, assuming all other conditions remain unchanged, and the brakes can handle the extra weight.

However, in reality the load sensitivity of most tyres in their typical operating range is such that the friction coefficient decreases as the load increases, meaning less friction between the tyres and the road leads to a longer stopping distance.

A brake upgrade can help compensate for this. Larger brake diameters, surface design (slotted, drilled, etc) as well as the pad friction composition all increase braking performance, which will not only help you make up for the additional metres, but can even reduce the stopping distance compared with the original equipment.

DBA says this then brings us back to point (a) – are the brakes currently on the vehicle capable of handling the extra weight?

With higher weights, DBA explains that higher thermal energy is created during the braking process, which standard brakes might not be able to dissipate adequately, especially when brakes are applied over a prolonged period. It says the result will be brake fade and eventual brake failure.

DBA says this is where it has the upgrade brake combo for a wide range of SUVs, utes and 4WDs. It states that its 4000 Series rotors offer superior braking performance under the heaviest conditions thanks to the patented Kangaroo Paw ventilation vane design, high carbon cast-iron material, Thermal Stability Profiling (TSP) treatment, and the unique thermo-graphic paint markings.

4000 Series rotors are available in various surface configurations, with the popular T3 tri-directional slots facilitating additional dust and gas dissipation.

DBA says the 4000 Series rotors are perfectly complemented by its range of Xtreme Performance brake pads.

Scorched for optimal performance, this low-metallic, low copper friction material reportedly offers superior performance across the full temperature spectrum while application-specific NVH shims and slots facilitate low noise and maximum drive comfort.

Complementing its range of 4WD and ute offerings, DBA has recently introduced an all-new range of brake calipers for direct replacement.

Manufactured using state-of-the-art CNC machine and laser technology, it says these calipers offer the most convenient and time-efficient “bolt off, bolt on” solution for the mechanic.

To find the right upgrade parts for any vehicle, DBA encourages you to check out its electronic Part Finder at www.dba.com.au For more information, visit www.dba.com.au or contact DBA on Facebook, via email at sales@dba.com.au or via phone on 1800 730 039.

PRODUCTS

ACS LAUNCHES NEW PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS The products were launched at SEMA Show 2021 The US based performance clutch brand, XClutch, has recently launched five new products at SEMA Show 2021.

The brand, which is a division of Australian Clutch Services (ACS), recently exhibited an extensive product range at the show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre across the 2nd to the 5th of November.

The new products will be available through the Xtreme Clutch brand in Australia and were designed and engineered in-house at ACS. The four products include a 230mm triple plate carbon clutch for fifth generation Dodge Vipers, a twin plate organic clutch for S55 powered BMW M2, M3 and M4, a 240mm single plate organic upgrade to suit the Toyota GR Yaris, a heavy-duty upgrade for the 3.6L Jeep Gladiator and a new performance concentric slave cylinder for motorsport and custom clutch applications.

“SEMA Show 2021 provided the ideal opportunity for us to showcase these new products to the world,” ACS Marketing Manager, Hayden Jarrett, said.

“The engineering team has been working hard to develop these products for launch at the show and we received great feedback throughout the event on both the new products and also our existing range of performance upgrades.”

The kits included a mix of products that would be suitable for the Australian market as well as US only applications.

“Several of these applications were developed specifically for the US market, however, we are expecting the upgrade for the GR Yaris and also our new performance concentric slave cylinders to be popular throughout Australia,” Hayden said.

“We are also offering these kits in a variety of configurations including organic and ceramic for street and motorsport use respectively. In addition, we also offer a range of clutch system accessories with these kits such as bearings, hydraulics, bolts and alignment tools as required.”

SEMA show is held annually in Las Vegas and is one of the largest automotive aftermarket shows in the world. The show has returned to its normal format in 2021 after having run in a virtual format for 2020 under the name SEMA 360.

ACS have been exporting products since 2006 and are two-time winners of the AAAA Excellence in Export Award. ACS currently export their leading brands, ClutchPro, ClutchPro Commercial, Xtreme Clutch and Xtreme Outback.

For more information, please visit www.australianclutch.com.au or any Australian Clutch Services distributor nationwide.

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PRODUCTS

GAUGING THE VITALS

REDARC’s range of gauges can measure temperatures, pressures, voltages and current flow When it comes to monitoring critical components like oil level and battery voltage, we rely heavily on warning devices to let us know when things have gone wrong.

However, aside from the engine temperature gauge, most vehicles give very little information about the vitals until the situation is critical.

When the oil level or pressure is too low, the transmission is overheating, or the exhaust gas temperature is too high, drivers are often finding out the hard way, which ultimately ends in an expensive trip to the mechanic.

REDARC says monitoring vitals in a vehicle is more than just useful, it’s critical, especially when your vehicle has been modified from standard.

Gauges not only provide you the peace of mind that all is fine, but when things are going wrong, you have all the information to help find a solution.

For example, when it comes to battery voltages, you can be at ease to see the vehicle charging system is performing as it should, as well as get an indication of the auxiliary battery’s health and

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maybe even the amount of power going into or out of it at any given time.

However, if you see the battery voltage is looking good but the fridge temp is on the rise, you will know to investigate the fridge and its connections.

Or if your start battery voltage is dropping below 12V when the vehicle is off, it’s time to get your battery and charging system checked out.

Likewise, monitoring other vehicle system temperatures can allude to issues before they cause major damage.

Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) is directly related to combustion temperature within the engine and monitoring this gives you the heads up that you need to be backing off the loud pedal when things get too heated.

Along with EGT, boost pressure is commonly measured to identify when there is a leak in the intercooler or turbo plumbing, it may help you work out why your work horse feels more like a work pony.

Whether it’s monitoring the vitals for performance,

reliability, or comfort, REDARC says its range of 52mm gauges not only measure temperatures, pressures, voltages and current flow, but the sleek pod style units enhance the look of vehicles.

You can even set them up to alarm and warn you when the measured factors are getting too extreme – before it’s too late.

For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au

PRODUCTS

PETRONAS SYNTIUM WITH °COOLTECH To perform at your best, you need to keep your inner cool When you feel under pressure, the ability to keep your cool makes the difference between success and failure, and it is no different inside a car.

maintains a strong, stable protective film even at lower viscosities.

Within a vehicle’s engine, oil is used to remove surplus heat from hot areas – but conventional oil can only take so much before breaking down.

• °CoolTech Technology targets critical heat zones • Outstanding high temperature oxidation control delays oil thickening and maintains a stable protective film for continued lubrication and protection of engine parts.

• Excellent thermal stability withstands evaporation due to high temperatures for longer*, again delaying thickening and maintaining that critical stable oil film.

• Exceptional fuel economy performance due to an enhanced ability to withstand heat and maintain optimum viscosity for longer.

• Maintains peak engine performance with its proven ability to clean and prevent harmful deposit build-up caused by excessive engine heat under harsh driving conditions.

• Stable, stay-in-grade viscosity in all driving conditions, even the most punishing environments.

• Instant start up lubrication to minimise friction and start up wear.

• Longer drain capability to extend your vehicle’s service intervals.

• Up to 20 percent less ash accumulation to protect after treatment exhaust systems.

PETRONAS says its Syntium with °Cooltech technology product is developed to transfer excessive heat away, targeting critical zones to effectively absorb heat and defend against engine damage.

It says it has strong oil chains to withstand and dissipate aggressively high temperatures and

Key features and benefits:

• Approved by major automotive manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz.

• Over eight percent better thermal resistance*.

• Up to 15 percent better protection against deposit build-up compared to API SN PLUS limit** for optimum performance and ultimate power output.

• Over 50 percent better resistance to wear† even if under harsh conditions.

• Up to 85 percent better oxidation resistance compared to API SN PLUS limit†† enabling oil flow to critical engine parts to lubricate and cool the engine.

For more information, visit www.pli-petronas.com/au * In its specific test, PETRONAS have lowered the oil temperature in the main engine bearings from 116°C using a market general oil to 106°C. ** Testing carried out by accredited independent testing laboratories.

Sequence VG – ASTM D6593. † Testing carried out by accredited independent testing laboratories.

Sequence IVA – ASTM D6891. †† Testing carried out by accredited independent testing laboratories.

Sequence IIIH ASTM D8111.

CARE FOR YOUR CAR With products stocked by Unique Auto Parts

For over 20 years, Unique Auto Parts has made a name for itself supplying quality parts for European makes including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Mini, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo, Citroen, Land Rover, Fiat/ Alpha and Porsche – but did you know they also stock an ever-growing range of car care products?

Recent shipments have brought in new products to keep your vehicle running in tip top condition including battery terminal cleaner, carb and intake cleaner, silicone spray, copper spray grease, tool cleaner, break and part cleaner, electrical contact cleaner, engine starter and multi-purpose spray cleaner.

These new products are in addition to some other already popular products including engine cleaner and degreaser, DPF cleaner and complete fuel system cleaner (for diesel engines).

Unique Auto Parts also stocks a large range of interior and exterior car care products especially formulated to produce first class results.

To take care of the exterior there is advanced wash and wax, advances resin polish, wonder wheels tyre and shine, and rapid colour restorer, as well as new products 10-minute treatment for paint work, glass, chrome and trim and black trim and wax.

For the interior there is a range of leather cleaner and conditioner and an interior spray that’s effective on seats, carpets, roof linings and all areas of upholstery and interior trim.

In addition to car care products, Unique Auto Parts also stocks a range of sponges, PVA chamois, polishing cloths and polish pad applicators.

With the warmer weather coming there is no better time to stock up on cleaning products and applicators.

Using high quality coolant is another way to show your car you care. Unique Auto Parts says it stocks the best quality Bluecol coolants which not only meet OEM requirements but are designed and formulated especially for European makes.

Unique Auto Parts holds stock of all these great car care products and coolants as well as many replacements in all five of their great locations around Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

It says delivery is quick and efficient using its own fleet of delivery vehicles as well as a reliable network of couriers for Australia wide delivery.

For more information, visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au or call 1300 864 864 to be connected to your nearest store.

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PRODUCTS

FROM HIGH-TECH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TO INNOVATIVE AFTERMARKET ELECTRIC COOLING THE Bilstein uses its OE-experience to offer state-ofA new way forward

One of Red Dot’s most popular and iconic air conditioning rooftop units, the R6100, is now available in an electric version, the E6100.

Red Dot says the E6100 is the ideal solution for applications where it is not possible to drive the air conditioning compressor off the engine.

Eliminating the need for an external compressor or hose runs, the unit is fully self-contained, requiring only power, earth, and a drain tube.

Allowing more applications to be cooled than ever before, the electric units are also a viable option for vehicles where driving the air conditioning compressor off the engine is not practicable such as various forklifts, bobcats, small excavators, and graders.

Mountable on any cabin rooftop, the sleek fully self-contained E6100 unit is complete with a compressor, condenser, evaporator, TX valve and receiver drier.

Also new to the range, Red Dot’s 12- and 24volt electric compressor kits contain everything required to turn a traditional mechanically driven AC unit into a fully electrically driven unit.

The kits include the required cable size, hose fitting adaptors, fuse, and junction box to take the guess work out of the install process.

The instructions include details on how to change the speed the compressor runs at as it comes pre-set at the medium setting of 3,500rpm.

With Summer on our doorstep, Red Dot says now is the perfect time to think about how its selfcontained electric rooftop units and compressor kits can keep you cool in more applications than ever before.

See the team at your local NAPA Auto Parts for more information about Red Dot products or visit www.napaparts.com.au for a full list of locations.

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the-art aftermarket spare parts

The demands of customers are particularly high when it comes to the suspension of luxury vehicles such as the latest S-Class W223 or the BMW 7 Series G11: a premium segment saloon should be especially comfortable, yet still as dynamic as a sports car, and also extremely safe.

As an original equipment manufacturer, Bilstein says it makes this possible with active air suspension technologies, setting new benchmarks not only in the S-Class and BMW 7 Series, for this applies also to active conventional suspensions that can be found in almost any vehicle category today.

Premium dampers for active conventional suspensions “Depending on the situation or the driver’s wishes, active suspension systems oscillate between dynamic and comfortable. This provides the perfect driving experience and safety,” Bilstein Academy Global Training Manager, Dimitris Kouvaras, said.

Garages that want to offer their customers’ aftermarket premium shock absorbers as replacements can fall back on the Bilstein B4 and B6 with the DampTronic add-on.

Bilstein says these replicate all the features of the OE shock absorbers and are just as easy to install according to the plug-and-play principle.

For vehicles with air suspension, Bilstein also offers its B4 air suspension modules, explaining that unlike many remanufactured products, they continue to support active suspension control.

Bilstein says its B4 premium gas pressure shock absorber is 100 percent the same as the factory-fitted components in terms of quality and functionality. It says this applies to the actively controllable DampTronic variants just as much as to the basic product used for passive suspension systems.

Suspension setup of a Mercedes GLE

BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module

People who have to master particularly tough everyday conditions with their vehicle or simply want to increase its performance can opt for the Bilstein B6 DampTronic.

Bilstein says it represents improved OE replacement in combination with active suspension systems, stating that going beyond the original, it offers a noticeable plus in safety and performance – without lowering or changing springs.

Its higher performance reserves are said to be particularly effective on poor or winding roads, in dynamic driving, in dangerous situations, when towing a trailer, when transporting external loads – such as bicycle racks or roof racks – and generally with heavily loaded vehicles.

Bilstein B4 air suspension modules Bilstein says the B4 air suspension modules are the perfect alternative to original parts when repairing a defective air suspension.

It says that “as the only aftermarket option, they are completely brand-new, while remanufactured old parts include used shock absorbers with uncertain wear status.” In addition, it warns that manufacturers of remanufactured components often disable the electromagnetic control valve instead of replacing it, which turns a high-end system with active control into a passive one.

With Bilstein B4 air suspension modules or Bilstein B4 DampTronic and B6 DampTronic shock absorbers, on the other hand, Bilstein says cars drive like they did on day one.

It states that garages with little experience of active or air suspension systems not only get the right spare parts from Bilstein, but also a wealth of know-how – receiving support from the YouTube channel “BILSTEIN technical,” as well as valuable installation, diagnosis and repair tips on its website. In addition, workshops can contact the Technical Support at technik@bilstein.de For more information, visit www.bilstein.com

PRODUCTS

BENDIX ULTIMATE 4WD BRAKE BOOSTER UPGRADE Enhance your tow vehicle’s safety and stopping ability Leading brake expert Bendix says it makes upgrading the brakes on your tow vehicle simple with a number of bolt-on enhancements including its latest Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster Upgrade.

Initially available for ABS and non-ABS versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series range, with kits for other popular 4WD vehicles also now available, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster Upgrade is designed for vehicles required to tow or carry heavy loads.

Bendix says its Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster upgrade will increase braking performance by up to 30 percent.

Designed to be a direct ‘bolt in’ replacement for original equipment (OE), single diaphragm brake boosters, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster Upgrade is ADR compliant and uses dualdiaphragm technology to help reduce pedal effort while significantly decreasing stopping distances.

For even better braking, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster Upgrade (at present available only for fitment to the popular Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series), can be paired with the Bendix Ultimate

4WD Brake Upgrade kit which is available for a wide range of vehicles.

“The Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit is a comprehensive package which includes all the hardware to significantly improve the braking performance of your vehicle,” Bendix Product Manager, Ian Campbell, said.

“Our Ultimate Brake Rotors in the kit are vented and feature diamond-tipped slots that not only ensure consistent stopping power but are better at eliminating dirt build-up in off-road conditions.

“The high carbon material used in their construction, combined with the pillar ventilation technology also improves thermal conductivity for consistent performance.”

kit), the replacement Bendix pads provide a consistently firm pedal. This is thanks to the fact the Bendix braided hoses are more rigid and expand less under high pedal pressures.

Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads are in turn specifically designed for the slotted rotors on heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicles, providing high-temperature stability and fade resistance while reducing brake dust and noise.

To keep the brakes in tip-top condition, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade comes with one litre of Bendix heavy duty brake fluid, a can of Bendix Cleanup and a tube of Ceramasil lubricant and this all comes in a useful and practical heavy-duty touring case.

When paired with Bendix Ultimate 4WD Braided Brake Hoses (included in the brake upgrade

For more information, visit www.bendix.com.au

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PRODUCTS

TRICO FIT HYBRID BLADES

Trico says its name has been synonymous with innovations in vehicle wiper systems and driver visibility since 1917 The company says its Fit Factory Replacement blades give the original factory style and performance using hybrid style blades.

equipment blades equipped with a 10 or 10.5mm wiper blade element.

With these blades, Trico says the customer receives the same fit, form and function as the original blade.

It explains that to service the modest number of vehicles containing the 10 or 10.5mm wiper refills would require a complicated multiple refill SKU program.

The blades are pre-assembled to precisely match the original equipment and have a quick, easy installation with no additional adapters required, making servicing wiper blade replacement quick and easy.

Trico Fit Hybrid blades combine the aerodynamic shape of a flat blade with the solid construction of a conventional wiper.

The articulated plastic frame forms the aerodynamic ‘skin’ of the wiper blade. This allows for smoother airflow, which in turn creates an even down force along the entire length of the blade.

Under this skin is the steel sub-structure which provides a sturdy support for the rubber wiping element. Trico says this ingenious design allows the whole wiper to flex to the shape of the windscreen producing a smooth, efficient and quiet wiping action.

Hybrid blades are a popular original fitment on many Japanese and Korean vehicles. This style of blade is particularly suited for large attack angles and combines maximum high-speed windlift performance with low-noise operation.

Trico says recently there has been an emergence of original

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So, to reduce SKUs and associated inventory costs, Trico recommends the Trico Fit Replacement Hybrid blades as the best automotive aftermarket solution.

Trico says its Fit Hybrid Blades provide OE replacement look and quality and are available in lengths from 400mm (16”) to 700mm (28”) with nine x three hook arm connections.

As with all wiper blades, Trico Fit Hybrid Blades should be checked and replaced regularly.

Trico offers a Hybrid Blade Merchandiser providing a convenient way to stock and display the range. The nine-part number range covers all nine x 3mm hook type equipped vehicles, namely popular Japanese vehicles on Australian roads.

Trico says it makes choosing the correct blade for vehicles simple with the Trico website: www.tricoproducts.com.au For further information, brochures and catalogues, call 1300 698 472 or visit www.tricoproducts.com.au

PRODUCTS

MOREY OIL

Morey Oil says it offers the ultimate lubrication for your 4WD Four Wheel and All Wheel Drive vehicles have now become extremely popular.

This popularity could be driven by a number of reasons, including height, stability, towing, adventure, or suitability for extreme four-wheel driving.

Morey Oil Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer These vehicles, compared to regular cars on the road, have more serviceable areas. Including front and rear differentials plus the transfer case, this means more oils and more oil seals.

Morey Oil says its Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer is suited for use in all these oils.

It says its HDOS will keep the oil “Newer for Longer” while maintaining oil pressure in the engine, rejuvenating seals in the differentials and transfer case and maintaining smoother gear changes in both automatic and manual gear boxes.

Morey Oil says the product also prevents metal to metal contact on gears in differentials, reducing wear, and delivers smoother operating power steering units.

Morey Oil says that basically, where there is an oil, you can add its HDOS to it for the ultimate protection.

Morey Oil BigFoot Fire Orange Grease Morey Oil says that some standard greases, and even some of the quality greases, are just not good enough when it comes to meeting your grease lubrication needs.

If you are doing any sort of four-wheel driving, tackling beach or creek crossings, dirty dusty roads, mud, and slush or the extreme of everything, Morey Oil says only a high-quality grease will do the job.

It warns that grease contamination can be a very costly expense, that can be prevented.

Even if the vehicle has an underbody wash after four-wheel driving, if the contamination has already penetrated the grease, or the grease has been displaced, the damage has already begun.

Morey says its BigFoot Fire Orange Grease is the answer – stating that with its very sticky/tacky nature, BigFoot grease will prevent this from

happening as even in the toughest conditions of water, dirt or mud, this grease “stays in place.”

“This is the grease that everyone is talking about, with superior quality lithium complex grease used in a large variety of industries throughout,” Morey Oil said.

Morey Oil invites you to also enquire about the Morey Oil fuel conditioners/cleaners to complete the vehicle service package.

For more information, contact the Morey Oil Head Office on 1800 637 173 or visit www.moreyoil.com.au

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PRODUCTS

KONI SHOCK ABSORBERS Available from Toperformance

Are you environmentally conscious? Cost savvy?

Need less down time? Or more performance?

Toperformance says if you have answered yes to any of these questions then you just can’t go past Koni shock absorbers.

It says Koni offers the best value per kilometre shock absorber, stating that once a set of Koni shock absorbers is fitted to your vehicle they will not only outperform other shock absorbers but last much, much longer.

Toperformance says it is not just the technology that goes into the construction of each Koni shock absorber that adds to the reliability and longevity, it is the smart design.

It explains that all Koni twin tube shock absorbers are serviceable, and many are re-bound adjustable. After long periods of service, the shock absorber can be removed (some are on-vehicle adjustable), adjusted and refitted rather than replaced – this coupled with replacement bushes means that Koni shock absorbers saves time, money and waste, it says.

In the passenger car/performance space, Toperformance says Koni offers a comprehensive

range of options individually designed to enhance your vehicle’s handling far beyond the original factory specification: • Koni Special Active (with FSD Technology) improves handling, comfort and safety. FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) controls large vehicle body motions and corner forces but smooths sharp bumps and rough roads for improved comfort.

• Koni Special and Classic are individually designed for earlier model and performance cars.

These shock absorbers upgrade the existing suspension to give modern technology handling characteristics for unique and classic vehicles.

• Koni Sport gives “legendary” handling and control with external rebound damping adjustment. The ability to set the rebound of your dampers with the twist of a knob gives the operator a wide variety of choices. Whether you are a track day enthusiast or just like to have more control over your ride, Koni Sport gives you the option at your fingertips.

• Koni Heavy Track and Raid four-wheel drive

shock absorbers have been developed through years of off-road testing from African deserts to the Australian outback. The Koni Heavy Track and Raid ranges are designed to improve vehicle damping characteristics both on and off road for SUV, 4WD and light truck applications.

No matter your mode of transport, your business or your recreation, Toperformane says Koni offers outstanding performance, durability, adjustability and the ‘lowest cost per kilometre’ shock absorber on the market.

Toperformance Products (part of the BAPCOR Mechanical Group) is the sole Australian importer of Koni shock absorbers.

Toperformance distributes Koni products in all states and territories, through a wide network of distributors, making the Koni product readily available.

For more information, visit www.toperformance.com.au/state-distributors

AUTOTEST AUTOLIGHT Meeting new window tint testing regulations

Since September 2021, the Tint Card testing method for testing the transmissibility of windows in Light Vehicles is no longer being accepted by TMR (Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland).

AutoTest says part of the general equipment necessary to conduct a thorough vehicle inspection includes a light transmission meter.

This is to ensure that the windscreen and windows are in a condition that allows the driver a clear field of vision, for safe driving.

AutoTest Products’ window tint tester, the AutoLight, reportedly meets all of the requirements for a light transmissibility tests in every state and territory in Australia.

With its single button operation, AutoTest explains that this lightweight window tint meter tests windows and windscreens easily and accurately, every time.

AutoTest has also just announced the launch of the new AutoLight Magnetic, providing fast, accurate and hands-free tint testing, allowing a single operator to take a photograph of the reading.

The AutoLight Magnetic reportedly improves on the earlier products, easily providing higher resolution and more accurate readings, showing results down to one decimal place.

AutoTest says this model is lightweight and the fastest tint tester on the market. It states it is an essential tool to assist garages, law enforcement agencies, testing authorities and anyone involved in fleet safety management to help ensure vehicles are compliant and safe.

The AutoLight also has a bigger brother in the AutoLight Plus Magnetic. This model provides connectivity that makes result management easy by connecting to an Android app that can be installed on the AutoTest Workshop Pro, providing a single tool to perform brake tests and windscreen tests, keep a digital record, and take photographs as well.

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Readings can be stored directly on the unit or printed on the included portable Bluetooth printer or a network printer.

AutoTest says it may be well worth the investment if you’re looking to upgrade your equipment or are looking to equip a new workshop.

AutoTest also offers a number of packages that will suit the needs of a new workshop, such as the AutoTest Workshop Roadworthy Kit, the latest tablet based decelerometer, the AutoTest WorkshopPro 10, and the AutoTest Ultimate Roadworthy Kit. AutoTest Products Pty Ltd is an Australian made and owned, award-winning manufacturer of vehicle testing equipment.

For more information, visit www.autotest.net.au

PRODUCTS

A DISTINCTIVE NEW DESIGN IN BOAT TRAILER LAMPS From LED Autolamps

LED Autolamps, a brand name known and trusted for over 18 years, says it is proud to release its latest range of boat trailer lamps, created with a new design, look and appeal.

LED Autolamps says this new benchmark for style and design will have your customer’s boat trailer looking amazing, and importantly, making you shine brighter than everyone else. It states these lamps include specially designed integrated circuitry with the latest in LED lighting technology, and light up brilliantly with a quality second to none.

LED Autolamps said it has worked on two new designs which are radically different on the surface but use the same overall size and mounting footprint.

The two models on offer are as follows: 1) 215 series with a horizontal array of an Indicator and Stop functions centred with a handy inbuilt reflex reflector.

2) 216 series with its striking angled light-up array for the Stop and Indicator function backed with a propeller plate chrome effect.

Both designs include a left side and a right-hand side that includes a built-in licence plate lamp but,

more importantly, both feature a modern diffused tail lamp function that surrounds the outside of the light finishing the design. All options available measure 215mm width x 105mm height x 30mm depth. The lamps are held securely in place using stainless steel bolts and fittings at the rear of the lamp.

As well as exceeding the required standards with rigorous ADR approvals, LED Autolamps says these lamps will not only enhance and make your application look neat but also ensure your trailer is road legal and compliant in all states of Australia. They come standard in a 12 Volt-only configuration and offer a low operational current draw.

LED Autolamps, as always, says it produces products designed and manufactured to last and these lamps are extremely tough, constructed using UV resistant high impact plastics and are sealed and tested to IP67 standards with sea/salt spray protection. Vibration and impact resistance with no moving parts ensures these lights are made fit for purpose and up to any challenge in Australia’s harshest marine environments.

They are both available in a twin retail blister

pack with left and right-hand side lamps and bulk packaged for OEM manufacturers. In addition, LED Autolamps has also made available a 10metre lamp and cable kit, which contains the left and right-hand side lamps and enough hardwire cable for a trailer up to 10 metres in length. They also come in a twin blister or OEM bulk packaging.

LED Autolamps says its entire operation is certified to ISO9001:2015, the internationally recognised Quality Management Standard. Its main production facility is certified to IATF16949:2016 standards.

This latest Series of boat trailer lamps from LED Autolamps will land in 2022 with a five-year warranty and a distinctive new design with what LED Autolamps says is unparalleled quality.

For more information, visit www.ledautolamps.com or call 03 9466 7075.

CARBON OFFROAD SHOCKS

Carbon Offroad says it has been a leader in electric winch supply and recovery gear for more than five years Delivering a high-quality product offering to Australia and select international markets, the company says it focuses on value for money, customer centric service and positive performance outcomes for end users.

The commitment to its core values has reportedly seen a continued year on year growth of the business.

With increasing market share in 4x4 winches and recovery over the last five years, 2021 has seen a lot of action with winch design redevelopments of popular models and new premium models launched.

Carbon Offroad says it is also pleased to launch the Carbon Offroad Shock Absorber Program this year.

It says this program has been welcomed by the aftermarket trade network as a much needed locally supported high-performance specialty shock absorber offering.

Carbon Offroad Shock Absorbers are big bore monotube shocks with AVT - Adaptive Valve Technology.

It says the outcomes for end users surpass all expectations for daily driving on road comfort, perfect vehicle setup through threaded coil spring pre-load ride height adjusters, and internal floating piston construction keeping comfort high and shock fade minimal.

Drawing from over 10 years of experience in high end shock absorber supply, the company claims to provide the best combination of plush ride and enhanced vehicle control.

With a 46mm shock piston, large oil volumes and perfectly valved applications, the 4WD aftermarket network now has a new premium shock absorber choice which is fully backed, stocked, and supported from our national hub based in Coomera on the Gold Coast, says Carbon Offroad.

It says its philosophy was simple: deliver lift, control and surpass the expectations on ride quality.

Not satisfied with currently available coil springs, Carbon Offroad says it has also engineered a

range of flat ground coilover springs to fine tune its offering to the market.

With carefully engineered progressive rates available in a number of rate ranges, it says there is a clear advantage in providing this additional benefit compared to more traditional linear rate coil options, when it comes to achieving its goals to deliver an exceptional outcome for the end user.

The shock absorber program is also supported by the introduction of the Carbon Offroad Send-It upper control arm product group.

For more information, visit Carbon Offroad at stand number P35 at the AAAA Auto Aftermarket Expo (7 – 9 April, 2022) or visit www.carbonoffroad.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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PRODUCTS

FLAT BATTERIES STILL A RISK As many Aussies continue working from home

With many people continuing to work from home and travelling less, even though COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have started to lift, there continues to be significant reports of flat car battery cases.

CTEK says this presents the opportunity for workshops to help protect against battery failure during service or repair, whilst raising awareness to their customers about the importance of regular battery maintenance to prevent vehicle breakdown and extend battery life – by up to three times.

It is shorter journeys and the effect of cars standing still that impact car batteries long term.

And with longer road trips through the working week a thing of the past, many of us are only taking short road journeys for the food shop or to pop to the post office, placing drivers at heightened risk of experiencing a flat battery.

A short journey will never replace the huge amount of power required to start a vehicle anyway and let’s not also forget that these trips can often involve frequent stopping and starting of the

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engine, putting immense pressure on the vehicle battery, and requiring it to work harder.

Helping workshops be prepared Pre-lockdown, CTEK research identified that as many as 50 percent of vehicles entering workshops in the UK had a battery that needed attention – meaning that it needs recharging or replacing. CTEK says it is anticipated this figure could currently be considerably higher.

It is a threat that could cause workshops problems when carrying out work on customer vehicles.

So, whether a workshop is repairing a vehicle, testing electrical circuits, carrying out diagnostic procedures, flash programming ECUs or programming vehicle keys, CTEK says workshops need to ensure they use battery support.

battery charger and power supply, designed around the needs of the modern workshop.

It is a vital activity often not fully appreciated for its importance in saving technician time, ensuring against costly programming failures, and preventing possible costly damage to the ECU.

With its variable yet extremely stable output due to its inherently low voltage ripple, low current ripple, and a range of integrated safety features, CTEK says the PRO120 is safe for the battery and the vehicle’s delicate electronic systems. It’s the perfect power supply for diagnostic or software flashing work, and procedures that require the vehicle’s ignition to be switched on for long periods of time.

CTEK says its PRO120, for example, is an innovative, versatile, and highly efficient 120A

For more information about CTEK products and solutions, visit www.ctek.com

PRODUCTS

NTK RELEASES FOUR NEW SENSOR RANGES New products have been added to NTK’s extensive aftermarket catalogue Leading Australian ignition and sensor supplier, NTK, has more than 40 years of experience in the sensor business.

Another important part of these systems is the engine crankshaft position sensor, which reports crankshaft rotation timing and speed.

Its many products include oxygen sensors, exhaust gas temperature sensors, and air fuel ratio monitors.

It determines the exact position and speed of the crankshaft to ensure the proper timing of fuel injection and ignition while also providing misfire monitoring.

Over the past year, NTK has added four new sensor ranges to its catalogue following success in Europe and the US. These new products include: • • • •

an engine camshaft position sensor an engine crankshaft position sensor a MAP sensor, and an ABS wheel speed sensor.

The engine camshaft position sensor reports camshaft rotation timing and speed.

It determines the exact position and speed of the camshaft(s) to ensure the proper timing of fuel injection and ignition as well as VVT operation.

This makes it an integral component of the ignition system and vehicle computer communication.

Another one of NTK’s new products is the MAP sensor, which determines the intake manifold pressure or vacuum.

It reports the engine load to the engine’s computer and ensures proper air/fuel ratios.

NTK’s new ABS wheel speed sensor monitors the vehicle wheel speed.

The ABS control module uses the information received from the ABS wheel speed sensors for several systems such as anti-lock brake, traction control and stability control systems.

sensor brand for mechanical workshops,” NGK Spark Plugs Australia Senior Product Manager, James Filshie, said.

“NTK have always been the sensor specialists you can count on, and this is now even more true thanks to our significantly expanded range.

“There is no doubting that with these new offerings, which provide excellent Australian vehicle parc coverage and open up further OE replacement opportunities for aftermarket customers, our position as a world-leading ignition and sensor manufacturer has been cemented.”

Sensors can be found at each wheel as well as at the differential or transmission tail shaft housing.

To spread awareness of its new products, NTK has released educational marketing materials, including an informative YouTube video.

“Our range, availability, technical support and OE quality makes NTK sensors the most trusted

For more information, call NGK on 1300 55 40 59 or visit www.ngk.com.au

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PRODUCTS

TRANSCHILL TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER KITS A first line of 4WD defence

Direction-Plus says it continues to release innovative, market leading aftermarket products designed to help protect.

One of the most recent additions to the long line of Direction-Plus products is its range of TransChill automatic transmission cooler kits.

A key component that is all too often overlooked by 4WD owners is the importance of fitting a premium quality transmission oil cooler kit, especially when using vehicles to regularly tow and carry heavy loads across vast distances.

A transmission oil cooler is a heat exchanger, similar to a vehicle engine radiator, that is used to cool your 4WD’s automatic transmission fluid.

In most cases, the factory oil cooler is only effective when the vehicle is being used under normal operating conditions.

There are two specific types of transmission oil coolers: Air to Oil, mounted at the front of the engine radiator; and Water to Oil which uses the engine coolant to cool the transmission oil.

Heated transmission oil flows to the cooler, which has fins using either air flow or water flow to dissipate heat to significantly cool the fluid.

The cooled transmission oil is then returned to the transmission via a return line, keeping transmission operating temperatures at their optimum to ensure excellent performance and a longer operating life.

As these components are purely flow-through devices, they do not affect the operation of any internal transmission components.

The tremendous heat generated in 4WD automatic transmissions lessens the ability of the automatic transmission oil or fluid to perform its essential lubricating function once operating temperatures exceed 93 degrees Celsius.

As the role of the transmission oil is to cool, lubricate and clean internal automatic transmission components, it is imperative to control the amount of heat generated within these transmissions, particularly under demanding fourwheel driving and towing conditions.

The lifespan of a 4WD’s transmission oil, transmission seal and internal moving parts is significantly reduced when the transmission is subject to prolonged high temperature operation.

These higher internal temperatures also increase the wear rate of the transmission’s friction and clutch plates. All of these factors are bad news for the efficient operating life of any 4WD automatic transmission.

Direction-Plus says the relatively easy fitment of its Transchill transmission oil cooler kit provides an economical solution to protect against very costly 4WD automatic transmission repairs further down the line.

Direction-Plus says its Transchill transmission oil cooler kits represent the first line of defence to significantly extend transmission life for hard working 4WD vehicles used on or off the road.

These application-specific designed and tested aftermarket transmission oil cooler kits can reduce automatic transmission oil temperature by as much as 33⁰C and there is no risk of overcooling.

Testing has proven that an automatic transmission oil temperature reduction of just 11⁰C can double the life of the transmission along with its transmission oil and all internal components.

Each Direction-Plus Transchill transmission oil cooler kit arrives complete and ready for specific 4WD vehicle application fitment, including the air or water variant oil cooler, stainless steel mounting bracket, automatic transmission oil filter, connection hose, adapters and fixing hardware.

Selecting the right transmission oil cooler kit that has been designed and tested for specific vehicle applications is crucial.

The Direction-Plus Transchill range of transmission oil cooler kits have undergone detailed testing for 4WD vehicle makes and models operated in Australia, under local off road, highway and urban traffic conditions.

You can view the local testing program for a Direction-Plus Transchill transmission oil cooler kit for the top selling Ford Ranger on the DirectionPlus YouTube channel.

“No one wants the unwelcome surprise of premature and expensive 4WD automatic transmission repair or replacement issues,” Direction-Plus Product Manager, Jeremy Bettison, said.

“Given the ever-increasing popularity and heavy commercial use of these vehicles on Australian roads under demanding driving and towing conditions, significantly preserving and extending 4WD automatic transmission life and performance is important.

“Our Direction-Plus Transchill transmission oil cooler kit range provides mechanics and DIY enthusiasts with everything that they need, sourced from quality local and global manufacturers and tested to ensure that they provide the thermal management necessary to significantly extend automatic transmission life.”

Direction-Plus offers Transchill transmission oil cooler kits to suit most common vehicles such as the Ford Ranger and Everest models, Toyota Hilux, Prado and Landcruiser models, Isuzu D-Max and MU-X models, Mazda BT-50, Holden Colorado along with Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero Sport models.

Direction-Plus says finding the exact application required is easy with its online catalogue at www.directionplus.com.au It says the Direction-Plus website also includes a vast range of additional quality 4WD specific aftermarket products that make a visit essential for anyone seeking to enhance their recreational or commercial 4WD vehicle.

For more information, visit www.directionplus.com.au

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PRODUCTS

FULLY LICENSED FORD MERCHANDISE German-quality products for all Ford fanatics

Boyle Industries says it is proud to present to the market its exciting range of licensed Ford and Mustang merchandise imported from German company, Nostalgic-Art. The range includes pressed-metal and embossed tin signs in various sizes, mint tins, a storage tin, thermometer, magnet set, mug, magnet and an oil-barrel shaped money box.

Boyle Industries says Nostalgic-Art is famous throughout Europe for its range of fully licensed retrodesigned merchandise for global brands including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Harley-Davidson, Goodyear, BMW, Volkswagen, Vespa, Citroën and Fiat.

Melbourne-based Boyle Industries is proud to be the exclusive Australian importer of this great looking range.

Ford was a new license introduced late last year and the offering includes Mustang based designs as well as old-school Ford blue and white art work.

The 30x40cm sign showing the evolution of the Ford Logo is particularly popular and would be perfect on any Ford enthusiast’s wall.

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Boyle Industries suggests that if you sell or service Ford cars, this range of merchandise is ideal for dressing up and adding colour to a dull part of your waiting room or showroom; or perhaps you could create a display of the items and earn extra income from sales.

Boyle Industries has various display options available for you to help your merchandise really stand out.

It also can assist in putting together a basket of Ford goodies for the Ford lover in your life for Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions.

Another suggestion from Boyle Industries is to place a mint tin in each car after a service as a goodwill building exercise.

It has a Mustang mint tin for the muscle car enthusiast or a Ford Oval logo tin for all other models available in the brand and at $3.45 plus GST, it is a gesture worth a whole lot more.

Other popular and different items in the range include the Mustang thermometer and oil-barrel shaped money box and the retro-designed Clip-

Top storage tin featuring a Model T Ford along with other nostalgic images and wording.

Boyle Industries says it goes without saying the quality is absolutely first class given the strict requirements top international companies who use Nostalgic-Art for their merchandise demand.

You can also get your own logo or company design put on this merchandise (conditions apply).

Boyle Industries says you will be very pleasantly surprised by the pricing for this range.

To see the full range or to enquire further, visit www.boyleindustries.com.au or call Rowen on 03 9874 2266.

PRODUCTS

JAS OCEANIA EXPANDS STARTER AND ALTERNATOR RANGE The Auto Electrical specialist is the new Australian distributor for Mahle products As a full-range wholesale distributor for Mahle, JAS Oceania’s product range provides a comprehensive selection across industrial and agricultural rotating units for petrol and diesel engines in trucks, buses, agricultural and construction machinery.

“The expansion of the Mahle range through JAS provides great opportunities for both businesses to the industry,” JAS Oceania GM Marketing Electrical, Steve Douglas, said.

“As an Auto Electrical Specialist we are always looking at ensuring we can provide the right part first time to our customers.

“Expanding our supply of products from OEM manufacturers, particularly with Mahle, provides improved convenience of availability for the trade.”

Mahle Director and General Manager Aftermarket Asia/Pacific, Christian Kuechlin, said the company has years of industry knowledge and experience in these applications with European quality and history.

“Mahle is known as being driven by performance and these products are designed for long life and

maintenance-free operation under heavy duty applications,” Christian said.

The brand was previously manufactured and sold under the Iskra name, which was established in 1990.

The alternator product range includes two basic designs regarding the cooling of the electric motor: compact alternators with internal fans and classic alternators with external fans.

Individual families of alternators are available with 14 V and 28 V DC rated voltage and output current up to 270 A. External fan alternators are specially designed for operation under adverse environmental conditions, such as dust, mud, salt, highfrequency vibrations, and high electrical and thermal load, which are standard for agricultural and construction equipment.

Compact alternators are designed for a wide range of applications where lower noise, compact design, and operation at higher rotational speeds are specifically required, for example, in automotive and commercial vehicle applications.

In the Starter Motor range there are various versions ensuring long life under adverse operating conditions. JAS Oceania says they provide outstanding resistance to salt, fog, humidity, water, dust, mud, vibration, extreme temperatures, and aggressive liquids.

As an Auto Electrical specialist, JAS Oceania says it has an extensive range of quality rotating units conveniently available across Australia backed up with technical support.

For more information, visit www.jasoceania.com.au

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TEAMS UP SONAX LEADING INDUSTRY COOLDRIVE products have hit the shelves at EXPERTISE AT SKF SONAX CoolDrive Auto Parts Innovation and technology that benefit the independent aftermarket

SKF is a strategic partner to major car manufacturers worldwide. Its products are designed specifically for a certain customer and a particular application.

SKF says the in-depth involvement, innovative know-how and experience acquired while collaborating with manufacturers is transferred throughout the business and ensures it is able to provide high-quality components with original specifications for customers in the independent automotive aftermarket.

Examples of SKF’s partnerships are as follows: • Volkswagen – high performing, high quality wheel hub bearing units and MacPherson suspension bearing units.

• Audi – wheel hub bearing units designed to fit a range of vehicles, from compacts to SUVs, using Audi’s new modular MLB Evo-platform and optimised solutions for a more efficient transmission.

• Volvo Car Corporation – wheel hub bearing units for the next generation of premium vehicles. Optimised for lower weight and high-performance seals with less friction, to reduce the vehicle weight, without having a negative impact on performance or comfort.

• Tesla Motors – energy efficient, deep groove ball bearings and hybrid (ceramic) bearings for the electric motor and gearbox.

• Hyundai – MacPherson suspension bearing unit with improvement in sealing and stiffness with a robust seal and a steel inserted washer.

• FCA – wheel hub bearing units for the front and rear wheels to optimise performance and quality for different models under the FCA brand.

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CoolDrive, one of Australasia’s leading automotive parts distributors, says it has been busy adding reputable names to its expansive automotive aftermarket parts offerings.

German car care expert SONAX is one of the latest additions, bringing some of the best car care products out of Germany to the table. CoolDrive says it is excited about the partnership and what SONAX has to offer its customers.

“A family business, with motorsport partnerships, there is most definitely a link between CoolDrive and SONAX, and we are thrilled to be able to offer its premium products to our customers,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Category Manager, Graeme Dyall, said.

“SONAX was recently voted Best Brand by two leading German automotive publications, with its products standing for the highest quality, bringing a new level of performance to customers who want to maintain their vehicles in pristine condition.

“What sets SONAX apart is that its research department is committed to making good products even better. This drive to innovate, combined with a focus on eco-friendliness, and of course, its industry-leading products means the brand truly stands out in the marketplace.”

CoolDrive Auto Parts says the SONAX range is versatile with products for all makes and models of motor vehicles.

SONAX promises to meet the car care needs of car enthusiasts and professionals alike with its different product ranges.

The SONAX Xtreme range is geared toward DIY enthusiasts, with car cleaning and car care products for a number of interior and exterior uses.

Then there’s the SONAX Profiline professional product range, which is more ideal for body and paint shops, detailers, dealerships, and commercial vehicle operators.

No matter what model car a person is working on, SONAX says it has a product to make the job go more smoothly.

A number of SONAX products are now available at local CoolDrive Auto Parts locations. CoolDrive Auto Parts says that all SONAX products available through CoolDrive are chemically compliant and approved for use within Australia and New Zealand.

For further information on the SONAX range at CoolDrive, or to find a branch, visit http://ishop.cooldrive.com.au/

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED CIRCUITRY Heat is the mortal enemy of the LED

When the LED’s junction is over temperature, it’s working life is greatly reduced, resulting in degraded light output and early failure.

With temperature-controlled circuitry, when the lamp housing temperature is below 75 degree Celsius (such as at night, on the move, winter, rain), the LED chips are driven within their design parameters to produce their maximum light output.

Qualelec Auto and Marine explains that TCS senses raised temperatures (such as prolonged stationary use, hot environment) and throttles back power to always give the best light output performance whilst prolonging LED service life.

These next generation LED wide flood lamps are compact and pack a punch, says Qualelec Auto and Marine.

It states they have upgraded power and optics to provide a solid and even light pattern without shadowing.

There are four Osram six-watt LED chips with integrated variable LED drive circuitry with temperature sensing.

For further information, contact Qualelec Auto and Marine on 07 5453 4393 or visit www.qled.com.au

PRODUCTS

ROWE HIGHTEC RACING COOLANT

Every Rowe product is 100 percent made in Germany and is proudly distributed in Australia by MotorActive With sustained levels of extreme stress, pressure and temperature, combined with the crucial importance of maintaining absolute reliability at the critical limit, there are few environments tougher on equipment than motorsport.

Given these unrelenting and notoriously destructive conditions, it is understandable motorsport invariably requires a plethora of bespoke products – especially in the area of engine and driveline lubricants.

Rowe says its Hightec Racing Coolant is a prime example, stating that this premium-quality, readyto-use coolant not only performs flawlessly at temperatures and pressures well beyond those experienced in a performance road car, it does so without the use of Glycol.

Glycol additives are prohibited by virtually all track operators and motorsport bodies due to their propensity to leave a greasy residue if spilled onto the racing surface.

Rowe says that more than just being motorsport

approved, the advanced formulation of its waterbased coolant provides excellent heat transfer, has minimal tendency to foam and eliminates the typical problems caused by unsuitable water.

It states the coolant also exhibits outstanding, long-term resistance to corrosion, cavitation and the formation of undesirable deposits within the cooling system.

Free of nitrite, amine and phosphate, it’s fully compatible with all materials typically used in engines and their cooling systems.

Rowe says this makes Rowe Hightec Racing Coolant ideal for both alloy and cast-iron engines.

In order to exploit the full benefit of Hightec Racing Coolant, Rowe highly recommends a complete change of coolant.

serves to accelerate development and advance new technologies.

Rowe says it recognises that racing improves the breed – which is why it owns a race winning motorsport team.

Rowe says it is the ultimate laboratory, with every racing kilometre equivalent to 20km of performance road driving.

It says after all, standing on the winner’s podium in the formidable world of professional motorsport

For more information, visit www.rowe-oil.com.au or call 1800 350 622.

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PRODUCTS

THE TRUE COST OF AN OEM VS REMANUFACTURED HYBRID BATTERY PACK When comparing new versus remanufactured, Injectronics says it is vital you’re comparing apples with apples, not apples and bananas

Just as the engine, gearbox and diff in a traditional vehicle all have a finite service life, so too does the battery pack in a hybrid vehicle – eventually they all require replacement.

When that time comes, there’s essentially two options: new (OEM) or offsite repair – if you can find a service provider near you.

Injectronics says there is now an innovative third option, stating that it is leading the charge on the remanufactured front, launching Australia’s first, large-scale hybrid battery remanufacturing program.

New vs remanufactured Injectronics says that as with their well-known range of replacement electronic modules, its remanufactured hybrid battery pack is a costeffective and reliable option.

It explains the program is more than just giving these batteries a second life, it’s a far more environmentally sustainable option than dumping them in landfill. And despite being early to market in Australia, the program is easily scalable, backed by the Federal Government and with strong ties to the Advanced Manufacturing Fund.

Apples and bananas At a cursory glance, an Injectronics remanufactured battery pack appears to be similarly priced to a new OE unit – around $2000.

In reality, Injectronics says the remanufactured pack typically delivers savings of between 30 percent and 40 percent, as the dealer-supplied unit does not come ‘ready to use’.

Instead, it requires a level of assembly, as well as additional major components such as connectors, relays and logic cards – which requires purchasing separately.

Factoring in the expense of the missing ancillaries

and extra assembly (typically without any supplied instructions), reveals the true cost of the OE replacement. A good analogy is a ‘short’ versus a ‘long’ engine. With the ‘short’, you have the additional outlay of refurbishing the cylinder head, timing chain, water pump, etc – plus extra assembly time. Whereas the ‘long’ motor comes ready to drop in, explains Injectronics.

True Plug ‘n’ Play Injectronics is a firm believer in making this process of replacing a hybrid battery pack as painless as possible. Every pack comes fully tested and as assembled as physically possible to allow for no extra purchases, no extra time, no confusion and no hassle as a 100 percent Plug ‘n’ Play solution.

Injectronics says that if being cheaper and more cost effective in the long run, plus better for the environment, is not enough, it also backs its replacement with a technical support hotline – something you definitely don’t get with the OE option. It also explains that with an OE replacement, there’s no ability to bench test prior to installation – and asks, where does the warranty stand if the missing components are incorrectly assembled?

The remanufacturing process The ‘battery’ in every hybrid and full electric vehicle (EV) is comprised of hundreds of smaller, individual cells joined together to form the ‘pack.’

The remanufacturing process starts with accurately grading the condition and life expectancy of each individual cell: • A-Grade Cells: Used to create remanufactured battery packs.

• B-Grade Cells: Suitable for secondary, nonautomotive applications.

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• C-Grade Cells: For recycling to recover raw materials.

Remanufacturing is much more than just identifying and replacing bad cells. In preparation for grading, Injectronics explains that it uses hightech equipment to bring each individual cell up to its optimal state. After reassembly, each pack is rigorously and exhaustively tested to ensure it meets stringent performance parameters.

Injectronics is currently offering remanufactured battery packs for Toyota hybrids fitted with NickelMetal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. Models include the Gen 2 Prius; Camry 40 Series; and Camry 50 Series; and more models will be introduced in time.

Five signs of a bad battery Rather than a complete and sudden failure, hybrid batteries typically provide plenty of warning they’re nearing the end of their service life – which is around eight to ten years. In addition to a warning light on the dash, here are five common warning signs: • The internal combustion engine kicks in often.

• Increased fuel consumption.

• Battery is having difficulty holding a charge.

• Battery charging and discharging cycle more frequently.

• Battery cooling fans (and often pump) run continuously.

With access Australia-wide, Injectronics says its remanufactured battery packs are a convenient option for automotive technicians while also providing a cheaper repair solution to your customers, along with a vastly reduced environmental impact.

For more information, visit hybrid.injectronics.com.au or call 03 8792 6999 (Australia).

PRODUCTS

BATTERY MAINTENANCE MADE EASY With REDMAT

What used to be a straightforward process, replacing a vehicle’s battery, can now be complicated for some vehicle owners.

Modern-day vehicles, particularly those manufactured after 2002 and many European models, require their Battery Management Systems (BMS) to be reconfigured every time the battery is replaced.

R&J Batteries’ exclusive new product, the Redmax Multi Application Tool (REDMAT), was designed to combat this very issue.

More recently a new protocol has been implemented by some manufacturers which require a voucher to be purchased in order to obtain vehicle security access to allow the battery registration process with the BMS. The Redmax Multi Application Tool is compatible with this new protocol and allows the user to prepurchase vouchers and activate them with the tool when required.

The Redmax Multi Application Tool also has several other useful features including:

The REDMAT allows vehicle owners to reset or modify (in some vehicles) the battery details quickly and simply, and can also display the current battery details stored in a vehicle’s BMS.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration.

Electronic Park Brake apply and release.

Service light reset.

Read and erase Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).

• Display live vehicle data.

• Fault code identification.

• Reset EOLYS additive lights.

Failing to complete this process can shorten battery service life and may affect the operation of the Idle Stop Start (ISS) system if fitted.

Vehicle technology and requirements change constantly as new models are released. The Redmax Multi Application Tool addresses this

The Redmax Multi Application Tool is a portable, hand-held solution which enables vehicle owners to easily reconfigure the BMS in such vehicles to ensure optimal battery performance and service life.

• • • •

by providing regular updates for new models and functions through the Redmax Multi Application Tool PC Suite (the first 12 months subscription are included with tool).

To update the REDMAT, simply connect the device to your PC before opening the PC Suite and selecting the update function. R&K Batteries says this ongoing support makes the Redmax Multi Application Tool a highly valuable tool for workshops and roadside responders.

The Redmax Multi Application tool will be available from mid-November onwards at all R&J Batteries branches and selected distributors across Australia.

Visit www.rjbatt.com.au or get in touch with the battery experts on 1300 769 282 for more information.

PRODUCTS

POWERDOWN’S LTS SHOCK ABSORBER RANGE Specifically designed to cope with harsh Australian operating conditions Light and medium Japanese trucks have evolved over the years with various changes in their ride and handling characteristics. The suspension is one element that has seen some changes.

In the past, most manufacturers used heavy multi leaf spring packs in the front to suspend their vehicle. Customers looking for more comfortable and compliant vehicles has led to many truck manufacturers shifting to a parabolic spring suspension.

Powerdown explains that, in general, a parabolic spring is a low friction type of suspension.

This type of suspension does not rely on interleaf friction in the same way a multi leaf springs model does in order to dampen the movement of the vehicle.

A parabolic spring oscillates two to three times more than a multi leaf spring since the leafs in the pack do not make contact.

Powerdown states that this extra suspension movement requires a different type of shock absorber with greater lower speed control and

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says this is where the Powerdown LTS shock absorber range steps in.

This range has been designed to face the challenging road conditions in Australia, incorporating a number of features that are meant to keep modern day logistics vehicles on the road.

A high temperature oil maintains damping performance in harsh climates, while a large body size increases the oil capacity and keeps the oil cooler for better control.

The combined oil and wiper seal removes dust and water and keeps the oil in; and superior low speed valving reportedly helps control excessive body movement, increasing driver comfort, control, and safety.

Meanwhile, a large chrome rod helps to resist side loading, which extends the life of the shock absorber; while reinforced arc and projection welding provide extra strength and secure fitment to the vehicle.

Finally, self-aligning bush kits also help with secure and easy fitment.

Powerdown believes that for a safe and reliable vehicle, the shock absorber should be replaced as part of a regular maintenance schedule.

Powerdown says by upgrading to its LTS shock absorbers, fleets will have more comfortable drivers and better protected goods, stating that “the LTS shock absorbers deliver on comfort, safety and reliability.”

For more information, visit www.powerdown.com.au

PRODUCTS

IONNIC VEHICLE TABLET In vehicle and on the go

An innovative new rugged Vehicle Tablet by Ionnic, specifically designed to withstand the rigors of day to day fleet, trade and commercial use, is now available through Auto Electrical Imports (AEI).

Easily transferable from vehicle to mobile use, the tablet is suitable for any application in or out of the vehicle. It is ideally suited for service vans, transport, logistics, mining, agriculture, garbage trucks and more.

AEI says that for years, the market has been asking for a tablet rugged enough to withstand daily use in the field with the capability to be stored and charged in-cab via an integrated docking station.

Previously users were obligated to adapt consumer type tablets for this use, and it soon became apparent they were not up to the task.

AEI Managing Director, Norman Haupt, said the release of the new tablet was another example of his company’s proud record of designing innovative new products to meet customer needs.

“We have brought to the market a tablet with an in-vehicle docking station specifically designed to meet all the requirements needed for in-vehicle and mobile use,” Norman said.

The new tablet offers an Android OS system integrated with 4G LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth, allowing for easy connectivity and integration with third party software.

The replaceable inbuilt battery is easy to remove when a new battery is needed to maintain fleet efficiency and reduce after-sales costs.

The in-vehicle docking station allows the tablet to be secured in vehicles ensuring no more flat battery issues.

AEI says importantly it comes in a rugged case,

with a rubber housing which has been drop tested to MIL-STD-810G and is IP66 to withstand the toughest of working environments.

AEI states that the new Ionnic Tablet brings to market a robust solution that overcomes many of the issues associated with traditional tablets not being robust enough for fleets and in-vehicle use.

AEI provides specialist lighting, safety and electrical solutions for mobile plant and equipment in the automotive, mining, OEM, transport and construction industry worldwide.

For more information, call 1800 724 690 or visit www.ionnic.com

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PRODUCTS

NEW 500A EXTERNAL SHUNT

MEGUIAR’S DETAILER ESSENTIALS Professional grade detailing formulations for cleaning and maintenance

For Projecta INTELLI-RV Systems

Projecta has introduced an optional 500A external current shunt to its INTELLI-RV power management range, allowing the INTELLI-RV System to accurately measure large power loads, keeping an accurate state of charge.

Instead of bypassing the INTELLI-RV system with direct battery connection, installers can now wire an inverter to the external shunt, which will communicate with the INTELLI-RV system.

Connecting an inverter directly to a battery can produce inaccurate state of charge information on INTELLI-RV remote monitoring LCD screens and the smart phone app.

By wiring an inverter to the external shunt, the inverter’s power draw is then accurately represented and accounted for on displays.

The Detailer range is Meguiar’s professional line of car care products, which Meguiar’s says have long been the favourite of fussy Pro-detailers around the globe.

With its generous 946ml size, and optimum atomisation of the professional spray nozzle, Meguiar’s says a bottle of Non-Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner goes a long, long way.

Previously only available in large, bulk sizes, Detailer Essentials is six, select formulations now available in a conveniently sized, ready-to-use format.

Hyper Dressing

Megiuar’s says they are perfect for anyone detailing cars at home, on the side, or full-time, stating that with Meguiar’s Detailer Essentials, you get true professional performance with DIY convenience.

Iron Removing Spray “Clay” In addition to inverters, installers may also use this 500A shunt to connect large DC-DC chargers to an INTELLI-RV system.

The unit comes as a kit (P/No. PMSHUNT), complete with all wiring and connectors required to connect to an INTELLI-RV management system. Kit components can also be purchased individually.

The INTELLI-RV external current shunt is compatible with all PM series systems aside from the PM100 and can be used with AGM/GEL/Wet/ Lithium battery types.

A Division of Brown and Watson International Pty Ltd, Projecta is Australian owned and operated with worldwide partners who are experts in their respective fields.

Projecta says it is a leader in the design and development, manufacture and supply of battery chargers, battery related and electrical accessories for motor vehicles, trucks, boats, 4WDs and recreational vehicles.

The company has five offices across Australia plus one in New Zealand with representation in a number of countries.

For more information, visit www.projecta.com.au 80

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

Works like a sprayable clay, which quickly and effectively removes iron-based contaminants and industrial fallout without using abrasives – while also dissolving other below surface contaminants.

This greatly improves paint smoothness, which is the perfect preparation for faster paint correction and better results. It is also ideal as a clay lubricant when treating heavily contaminated surfaces.

Citrus Power Cleaner Plus A safe and effective all-purpose interior and exterior cleaner – that leaves a fresh, pleasant fragrance.

Citrus Power Cleaner Plus quickly and completely removes grease, grime and stains from floor mats, car seats, fabrics, dashboards and more – without leaving any sticky residue or horrible chemical smell. Safe for use on carpets, upholstery, plastics, engines, wheel wells, tyres and more.

Non-Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner Quickly and safely cleans brake dust, road grime, light grease and dirt from factory OEM clear coated, painted and chrome wheels.

It is also safe and effective on tyres, ideally preparing them for your favourite Meguiar’s tyre dressing.

An incredibly versatile dressing that produces a high shine finish on multiple interior and exterior surfaces, including rubber, plastic, and vinyl.

Great for engine components, tyres and wheel well compartments, this spray-on, wipe off, waterbased formulation is not only safe, but it also leaves a pleasant smell.

Meguiar’s says Hyper Dressing has been the go-to product for professionals for years.

Last Touch Spray Detailer A true professional spray detailer that adds incredible depth, shine and gloss in seconds. This versatile, spray on, wipe off detailer quickly and safely removes dust, smudges and fingerprints – without scratching.

The generous 946ml spray bottle is the perfect size for detailing multiple cars and is ideal for paint, plastic, chrome, vinyl and more and it also works great as a clay lubricant.

Shampoo Plus Meguiar’s explains that Shampoo Plus is a premium quality wash that’s great value for money.

Its rich, lubricating formula and luxurious suds team up to gently clean and condition without scratching. The polymer-enriched formula is body shop safe and rinses to a deep, glossy, streak free finish that’s slick to the touch – all with a pleasant fragrance.

It works equally with traditional bucket ‘n’ suds, or in a snow foaming cannon.

For more information, visit www.meguiars.com.au/ detailer-essentials-range or call Meguiar’s Customer Service Hotline on 1800 347 570.

MEMBER FEATURE

THE FUTURE CONNECTED DENSO is globally recognised for manufacturing excellence, technological advancements, and environmental responsiveness The company says it is committed to sustainable growth and to the health of the Australian automotive industry as a whole.

“DENSO was established in Kariya, Japan in 1949 primarily as a manufacturer of starters, generators, and radiators to the Toyota Motor Co,” DENSO Automotive Systems Australia Manager Aftermarket Sales, Con Stogiannou, said.

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

From the outset, DENSO identified that its success relied heavily upon the skills of its people, product development, and modern facilities.

“Globally, DENSO has built a culture of participation, collaboration, and creative thinking,” Con said.

“Locally, this led to the establishment of our stateof-the-art technical training, R&D and Testing Center.”

The center has become a hub for sharing knowledge, refining skills, and, most importantly, innovation.

“DENSO’s commitment to the Australian automotive industry is most evident in our dedication to local research and development,” Con explained.

“Based in Victoria, our testing facility allows our customers to perform extensive product evaluation and prototype vehicle testing in one secure location.”

The facility includes chambers for high/lowtemperature testing, sunlight replication, and a wide range of system diagnostics.

“To meet the growing needs of regional car manufacturers, NipponDENSO Australia was established,” Con said.

“DENSO has always been considered an innovator,” Con said.

“This was DENSO’s first manufacturing plant outside of Japan, and in 1972, we began assembling a range of thermal products expanding to include radiators, condensers, meter clusters, caravan air-conditioning, and a/c tubing.”

“With the growth of our technical prowess came innovation, and in the mid-1950s we began to expand our business fields beyond the production of electrical components.

“This allowed us to establish a competitive edge in the ability to develop and deliver seamless systems instead of single products.”

The hard work and persistence paid off, and in 1961 DENSO was awarded the Deming Prize for quality control.

“This laid the foundations for the concept and our culture of Quality First,” Con explained.

New goals came with this newfound confidence, and the company looked beyond its shore, launching its global expansion campaign.

From 1972 through to the end of local vehicle manufacturing in 2017, DENSO says it built a reputation for quality and innovation that was the envy of its competitors.

“As a result of the decline of local automotive manufacturing, DENSO Australia’s facility ceased production operations, and in late 2017 we shifted our focus towards the growth of local aftermarket product sales and expanding our Australian-based R&D Engineering capabilities,” Con described.

“As DENSO prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary here in Australia, it reflects upon a legacy that dates back to the company’s founding principles, to embrace change without fear, to confront and overcome every challenge with a view to the future, and to continue to create new products and technologies.”

The automobile industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in a century due to the rapid evolution of technology. In this period of change, DENSO explains that its primary goal is working to meet the future mobility needs of society in four major areas of technology: Electric Vehicles; Advanced Safety/Autonomous Vehicles; Connectivity; and Factory Automation/ Agriculture.

The team at DENSO certainly takes a long-term view of the future, which is highlighted by its innovative work in vehicle connectivity. DENSO’s MaaS project is already providing a glimpse of the future trends in-vehicle connectivity.

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MEMBER FEATURE aftermarket components, all with the same OEstandard quality and reliability.”

Available locally through its authorised distributor network and its approved partners, DENSO says purchasing product through these channels “guarantees DENSO’s genuine unsurpassed quality, a comprehensive warranty, and the full suppport of our vast Australian service network.”

“From common rail systems that dramatically improve diesel engine performance to night view technology that detects pedestrians, DENSO’s plethora of world-first advances can be attributed to our three qualities, refined manufacturing processes, meticulous quality control, and our people,” Con explained.

“The MaaS program has harnessed our global innovation expertise, and we’re driving the future of vehicle connectivity,” Con said.

“This new technology replicates real-life urban environments and traffic conditions in a virtual space, then collects and analyses the data to anticipate traffic issues. The result is a more safe, secure, and convenient mobility experience for drivers and passengers alike.”

DENSO MaaS Architecture consists of two major technologies.

Firstly, the Mobility IoT Core digitises a vehicle’s condition with a high degree of accuracy and sends vehicle data to the cloud. Mobility IoT Core enables real-time data collection and device control.

The second is the Digital Twin, which reproduces the real world in a virtual digital space, using the data collected through Mobility IoT Core. Digital Twin provides actionable space-time information to various service providers to help them easily provide their unique services.

“In the future, communication between vehicles and the cloud will enable the collection of busy city traffic patterns, environmental conditions, and travel demands that will control automobiles safely from the cloud,” Con explained.

DENSO says there is no doubt that its team will drive the future of vehicle technology.

However, while DENSO is heavily invested in its innovative MaaS program, it is still expanding its range of mobility-related technologies that currently includes starter motors and alternators; automotive air conditioning; bus air conditioning; diesel products; engine cooling; engine sensors; ignition products; and portable air conditioning.

“As a trusted Tier One supplier to the world’s automobile manufacturers, DENSO original equipment technologies are present in almost all vehicles around the globe,” Con said.

“In Australia that means we can offer the service and repair industry an extensive range of

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

“We focus on safety because cars carry people,” Con remarked.

“We were one of the first parts manufacturers to build our own test courses to evaluate our products, ensuring that people could confidently drive cars using our components.”

DENSO’s local advanced test facilities are comparable with those of major carmakers.

They include chambers for high/low-temperature testing, sunlight replication, a wide range of system diagnostics, and noise and vibration chambers that simulate the diverse conditions drivers encounter every day.

“Our mantra is to continue to create value by using our technology and experience to drive further progress in new mobility-related fields,” Con explained.

“We are passionate about the Australian automotive industry. Our local R&D Engineering group strives to develop technological solutions to meet the challenges we face in this unique Australian environment.

“Our sales and service teams are dedicated to the needs of our local customers, ensuring that they not only receive the best products and service for their business daily but are also represented in DENSO’s global vision.”

As a long-time supporter of the AAAA, DENSO has highlighted that the timely and concise information that the Association delivers helps keep it abreast of industry changes, challenges, and successes as a whole.

“We respect Australia’s proud past and support its strong future, and the valuable work that the AAAA does aligns with our goals,” Con said.

To discover more about DENSO, visit www.denso.com.au

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ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

PACKS NEW 2.0L BI-TURBO RADIATOR Adrad says it is making life easier for radiator PX3 RANGER installers INTERCOOLER From Harrop

The Ford Ranger has been a global hit and a popular development platform for Harrop since it took out 4x4 Australia Magazine’s inaugural Custom 4x4 of the year in 2016 with its PX2 Ranger.

This achievement and the continued sales performance of the PX Ranger nationally has been a key driver for further product development by the Harrop Engineering team – including Suspension, Brake and Driveline enhancements.

Harrop’s latest release is a high-flow Charge Air Intercooler for the 2.0L Bi-Turbo equipped Ford PX3 Ranger and Ford Ranger Raptor, building on the success of its 3.2L Ranger Intercooler and Pipe Kit release in 2020.

There are some very handy search features available online to assist vehicle repairers who are looking for cooling system parts.

“Number Plate Search” is a great help in finding the correct replacement radiator for a particular vehicle.

Adrad say it understands that “time is money” so it says it has created Radiator Packs that include all the typical parts needed when installing a new radiator.

The bundle combines the radiator, filler neck cap, top radiator hose, bottom radiator hose and clamps into a single RADPACK part number.

So, instead of taking up your valuable time hunting down each of these separate parts to add to your cart, Adrad says you can simply select a single RADPACK part number and your order is done.

Not only have the correct components been bundled together for you, Adrad explains that each RADPACK costs less than the sum of its individual parts – so you can save time and money too.

Harrop says the Charge Air Intercooler is a superior design featuring cast aluminium tanks welded to the core, to handle higher loads and increased temperatures without fear of cracking or lifting off the plastic tanks from the core, a known failure point on plastic tanks which are crimped onto aluminium cores.

Harrop explains the intercooler core is also 28 percent larger than the standard OEM core, featuring a superior tube with internal fin construction for uniform air flow and greater heat dissipation.

It says this upgrade is perfect for customers with aftermarket performance upgrades creating higher boost loads, as well as customers driving under heavier load conditions like towing a boat or caravan.

The Harrop Intercooler directly swaps with the OEM unit and is manufactured with billet quick connect fittings so that it retains the OEM hose connections.

Harrop Performance and 4WD products are available for order from their stockists and dealers across the country.

For more information, please visit www.harrop.com.au or contact Harrop’s customer service team on 1300 HARROP. 86

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

Adrad states it has built each RADPACK using only high-quality, performance-proven parts and they are backed by a national warranty for extra peace of mind.

There are over 140 RADPACKs available and they suit a variety of popular vehicles.

You can find them available online right now from Adrad stockists.

For full details, call Adrad customer service on 1800 882 043 or Natrad Trade Online on 1800 628 723.

REPCO DRIVE BELTS HAVE EVOLVED Repco says its belts have been developed in conjunction with the world’s leading belt manufacturer

Repco says its new range of ultra-quiet serpentine and V-belts deliver greater efficiency, higher performance, and longer life across 300-part numbers covering over 9,000 vehicle applications.

It says range, quality, and performance are just the beginning; stating that advanced material technology and new product design reduces weight by an average of 15 percent and lowers bending stiffness by 35 percent.

Repco says these improvements result in reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Additionally, the belt’s improved flexibility and lighter weight reportedly makes installation easier in those tight drive spaces.

The belts are manufactured with next generation

EPDM compound which is said to have a four times greater crack durability over standard synthetic rubber belts, producing a longer lasting belt.

Non-chlorinated compounds and improved manufacturing process reduce energy consumption and landfill waste by up to 30 percent, says Repco.

Repco explains that each belt is manufactured to OE exact sizing to ensure the perfect fit every time and are manufactured to meet all industry standards including SAE, DIN and JASO. For more information, visit www.repco.com.au

ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FILTER CHANGES In this article, the Mann-Filter experts talk about how to carry out an oil filter change quickly whilst also protecting the engine

Oil filter changes require a certain amount of care to ensure that the filter is fitted correctly and is in clean working order.

If a defect goes unnoticed, leaks and increased wear may occur, leading to permanent damage to the engine.

Therefore, it is important to clean the sealing surface, tighten the filter at the correct torque, position the filter element correctly and ensure that only undamaged, suitable filters are fitted.

Mann-Filter has put together the following important tips for installing oil filters.

• Select: it must be ensured the filter is appropriate for its intended application. Using the right filter prevents malfunctions, ensures sufficient oil supply to the engine and helps the oil pressure to build up quickly after the engine has been started. Increased wear, damage to the engine and leaks caused by incompatible seal shapes and sizes can be avoided.

• Check: the filter should be checked before installation to ensure it is sound and intact. If it was damaged during transport, this damage may cause leaks, stop the filter from functioning correctly or lead to malfunctions or increased wear on the filter.

• Clean: a clean working environment makes all the difference when changing filters. Cleanliness prevents dirt and contaminants from entering the system, and malfunctions and even total failure from occurring.

• For spin-on filters: Clean: the sealing surface on the engine block and/or filter head must be cleaned before the new spin-on filter is installed. Cleaning prevents leaks at the sealing surface and loss of oil.

Lubricate: it is also important to lubricate the seal of the new spin-on filter before it is installed. Otherwise uninstalling the filter will be difficult and time-consuming at the next service. In addition, tightening the new filter at a torque that is too low will result in a “dry” seal with a high adhesion factor, causing leaks.

Tighten: if the fitter resorts to using a belt wrench, this can damage the filter housing, for example by creating dents that may cause tears to develop due to the pulsations of the lubricant. In order to avoid this, it is very important to follow the individual steps in the installation instructions printed on the spin-on filter. As stated in the installation instructions, the spin-on filter should be tightened by hand.

• Installation for filter elements: filter elements must be very carefully installed in order to ensure they are positioned correctly in the housing top. During installation, observe the “open/top” label on the end plates, as this will help the oil pressure to build up immediately after the engine is started. Otherwise, the oil will flow from the top oil channels and filter housing back to the oil sump after the engine has been shut down. This also causes increased wear on the filter and means that the dirty and clean sides of the filter are not sealed off from each other.

For more information, visit www.mann-hummel.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

HIGH PERFORMANCE FOR DIESEL DRIVERS High Performance Diesel specialises in performance upgrades for diesel drivers With the continuing rise in popularity of SUVs and 4WDs, there are more diesel-powered vehicles on our roads than ever before.

Modern technology has improved the performance of diesel powerplants, but many drivers want more power and torque from their diesels for towing, offroading and all-round driveability.

High Performance Diesel (HPD) says this is where it comes in.

HPD is an Australian manufacturer specialising in performance upgrades for diesel vehicles; designing and manufacturing a wide range of products including turbo upgrades, intercoolers, transmission coolers, catch cans and more which reportedly deliver substantial improvements over OEM systems.

HPD’s turbo kits include upgrades for OEM turbos as well as kits designed to enhance naturally aspirated vehicles such as Nissan TD42 and Toyota 1HZ-powered models.

The kits feature braided oil and water lines, custom manufactured dump pipes, improved air

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intakes and CNC-machined adaptor flanges; all designed for high flow and OEM reliability.

A range of turbocharger options are available, beginning with the proven Garrett GT2860R. Higher power outputs can be achieved with the optional GTX2860 GEN ii and GTX2867 GEN ii turbochargers, with 200kW at the wheels a realistic target with the right supporting modifications.

HPD says supporting modifications include its intercooler range, which offers improved airflow, delivering more cool air for combustion and allowing for increased outputs while keeping inlet and exhaust temperatures down, increasing efficiency and engine longevity.

Turbo kits and intercooler kits can be ordered individually, or HPD staff can help create packages including turbo, intercooler, boost control and fuel system upgrades to suit individual customer requirements.

With a variety of top and front-mount intercoolers to choose from, combined with turbo choice and other modifications, HPD says there is an option

to suit every driver; stating that from the daily driver to extreme off-roader, HPD can tailor a comprehensive package to suit the end user’s needs and budget.

HPD kits are said to be well-known for including everything needed to complete the installation, in most cases with little or no modification required to the vehicle.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Australia, HPD performance products are supported by a twelve-month warranty and comprehensive technical support from the factory.

Kits can be purchased online at www.hpdiesel.com.au or contact HPD on 08 8299 0320 to discuss a package to suit your requirements.

ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

AISIN COOLING PRODUCTS

Aisin says you have been using its products for years without knowing it Aisin says it caters to the top 100 selling vehicles, with its premium quality replacement range including water pumps, fan clutches, fan blades and fan pulley brackets.

Water pumps Aisin says it is the world’s number one original equipment manufacturer for water pumps.

It states its advanced aluminium die-casting technology combines strength, performance and durability with quality materials that withstand heat, vibration and corrosion, as well as premium bearings that ensure each Aisin water pump is protected from the constant operational pressure.

Engine specific water pressure is achieved without excessive load to the engine and Aisin’s aluminium die-casting technology allows for size and weight reduction. Aisin says the improved strength in body design and carbon ceramic mechanical seals assures leak prevention.

to match engine RPM, with air temperature constantly monitored. Always OE-matched, Aisin Fan Clutches ensure fast reaction to temperature changes for maximised engine efficiency.

Aisin states its fan clutches are manufactured with the highest quality materials to withstand heat and vibration while adjusting coolant temperature for optimal engine efficiency.

Fan blades Engineered to exacting OE specifications, Aisin says its Fan Blades make cars lighter in weight and higher in performance while cooling the vehicle’s radiator with rotational ventilation, reducing the air pressure and helping keep the engine running at the proper temperature.

The fan blades work to maintain optimal pressurisation between the fan and radiator and decreases rotational mass for maximum air ventilation.

Fan clutches

Fan pulley bracket

Aisin says its Fan Clutches give controlled cooling quickly and efficiently, regulating the fan speed

Aisin says its fan pulley brackets are precision engineered, OE-matched, and built to last. These

essential supporting structures hold the clutch fan, and are built from only the best quality materials to ensure robust and reliable performance.

Aisin explains its optimal geometrical design maintains structural integrity, ensuring fan clutch stability. It says the brackets are equipped with the highest quality bearings to support extreme clutch fan rotations and ensure thermal stability and optimised friction characteristics for durability and long life.

Aisin’s range is available to the Australian aftermarket through Exedy’s vast network of dealers and distributors.

For more information, please visit www.exedy.com.au/aisin

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ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

YOUR COOL… ONE SIZE SPARK PLUG KEEP …and your motor running DOES NOT FIT ALL NGK says choosing the correct spark plug isn’t difficult, because it has already done the hard work

While many spark plug suppliers recommend a single part number for a variety of vehicles, NGK says it knows that this “one size fits all” approach compromises performance.

“Any manufacturer who still believes they can produce a spark plug to suit multiple applications is living in the dark ages,” NGK Spark Plug Australia Senior Product Manager, James Filshie, said.

“This old school type of thinking disregards advancements in modern engine evolution and can compromise precision engine output, reliability, and fuel efficiency.”

NGK says that when spark plugs are generic, important attributes are often compromised and this can have a big effect on performance and longevity.

“Our research has found that installing a spark plug that is not specifically designed for the engine in which it is being installed can result in some pretty serious side effects, the biggest of which is the heat range,” James said.

“If the spark plug is too cold then carbon fouling can become a problem, while if the spark plug is too hot, pre-ignition can occur and that can cause serious engine damage.”

In addition to heat range, there are a number of attributes which can impact the vehicle when a spark plug is ‘commonised,’ including Centre Electrode Projection length, number of ground electrodes, ground electrode design and Double Fine Electrode (DFE) design.

“To assist mechanics and automotive technicians to quickly and easily identify common spark plug issues, we have developed a series of short videos that you can check out on our website,” James said.

For more information, visit www.ngkspark.com.au 90

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

The vehicle landscape has changed markedly over the last two decades as consumers become ever so conscience of the environment, global warming, and energy efficient transport.

This has led to consumers being more mindful of their mode of transport and their choice of more efficient vehicles.

Davies Craig says that through enterprise and innovation it has been designing and manufacturing automotive cooling components since 1971 – starting with the Thermatic Electric Cooling Fan that it says began the ‘electric revolution’ of an engine’s cooling system.

An automotive electric fan offers a more efficient, energy-saving alternative over either a fan clutch or belt-drive mechanical fan.

Considered a step-up, Thermatic Fans are lighter, release parasitic power from the vehicle’s engine, expend spinning a fan clutch and/or a belt-driven mechanical fan.

Automotive electric Thermatic Fans operate totally independently and can be activated by an adjustable Thermatic Fan Switch to engage at an engine’s thermostat targeted/set temperature opening for maximum cooling efficiency.

Thermatic Electric Fans can provide a variety of benefits as either a primary or secondary engine cooling source.

Following in Davies Craig’s ‘first to market’ tradition, it says its Electric Water Pump (EWP) was released with universal acclaim in 1999.

Replacing the engine-driven water pump and installed in the bottom radiator hose, the Electric Water Pump offered more usable power for performance vehicles and an economic advantage for the everyday motorist.

At the same time, Davies Craig launched the ‘Smart Controller,’ taking the place of the conventional engine thermostat, which has a worldwide patent.

Twenty years on, Davies Craig says it continued to develop higher flowing, remote-mounted Electric Water Pumps from 80 litres/minute to 150 litres/minute.

Further strides were made with the ‘Smart Controller’ going digital and managing both the electric fan and EWP, constantly sensing coolant temperature, managing coolant flow commensurate to operating conditions and engaging the electric fan once the set/targeted temperature has been reached.

Along with these innovative engine cooling products, Davies Craig launched an exclusive range of Electric Booster Pumps (EBP).

Initially targeted to enhance heater systems and to forestall LPG converter icing on start-up, the Electric Booster Pumps have found niche markets in older thermosyphoning engines, go-karts, performance and road motorbikes, taking the place of the engine’s mechanical pump and more recently complementing a good number of turbo and supercharger intercooler applications.

Other vital accessories to ensure engine cooling can be managed efficiently have been the implementation of digital Thermatic gauges and switches.

Davies Craig says the conventional mechanical switch continues to be a very popular choice, but continual improvement has never been more evident with the availability of highly accurate, comprehensive coolant temperature monitoring systems.

It says the LCD EWP/Fan Controller steps up to manage both an Electric Water Pump and Electric Fan in a highly accurate manner, giving peace of mind to the operator.

A range of Digital Thermatic Switches with LED displays are also now available to monitor coolant temperatures and ensure your engine operates at the temperature that you wish for it to perform.

For more information, visit www.daviescraig.com.au

ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

SWAN IGNITION COILS Servicing luxury vehicles via OSCAR

SWAN Ignition Coils has a range of coils to cover almost every vehicle make and model available in the Australian market.

“With this recent sales platform, we have seen our market share and brand awareness expand further into the reseller sector for full Australian coverage.

It says that as “one of the only few truly Australian owned and trademarked ignition coil brands,” it has the Australian market covered, and it also has coils available for imported vehicles.

“Where other brands offer a more select range, we are able to cover their gap so that resellers can rely on us as a ‘one point of call’ ignition coil brand.

“With such an extensive catalogue of coils, we saw it best to make our range available to auto parts resellers via an industry based electronic aftermarket parts catalogue called OSCAR,” SWAN Ignition Coils Marketing Manager, Steve Butrakoski, said.

“We are now able to supply a SWAN ignition coil replacement (IC70868) for the current model Ford Mustang GT / GT Bullitt / Mach 1 series, powered by either a 335kw or 345kw, 5.0 litre engine.

“We have aimed so high with our range and quality that we even cover luxury vehicles.

“The OSCAR platform utilises intelligent mechanisms that enables vehicle searching via Rego, VIN and traditional point and click listings for both the Australian and New Zealand market.

“Part number IC70863 is compatible with the Mercedes Benz AMG A45, CLA45 and GLA45 series. This coil also suits other Mercedes Benz and Infiniti vehicles running either a 1.6 litre turbo or 2.0 litre turbo engine.

“With over two decades of research, OSCAR has accumulated a comprehensive and accurate vehicle database that is constantly updated to ensure that if a vehicle is being driven on either an Australian or New Zealand Road, it will be covered.

“Part number IC70855 is compatible with the Bentley Continental and Flying Spur running a 4.0 litre twin turbo 32V engine, while part number IC445 is compatible with the 6.0 litre twin turbo engine variant.

“The benefit we have found from using OSACR is that auto parts resellers Australia wide now have easy access to our coils.

“Part number IC70860 is compatible with the BMW M Sport series, such as the M235i running a 2.0 litre turbo engine and the M240i running a 3.0

litre turbo engine. This coil also suits other 2014 onwards built BMWs and Minis running a turbo engine.

“With our continued expansion, we have also been able to offer our reseller customers our SWAN fuel pumps via OSCAR, although this range is not as comprehensive as our ignition coil range, the fuel pump range is ever increasing.

“Auto parts resellers Australia wide can supply our SWAN range to their customers by purchasing them on OSCAR. “Some people reading this article may wonder what OSCAR is, but people in the auto parts purchasing industry will well and truly be familiar with OSCAR and now with our SWAN brand.”

For more information, find the SWAN brand on the OSCAR catalogue or visit www.swancoils.com.au

COOLING SYSTEM CHECKS CRITICAL COMING INTO SUMMER Inspecting the complete cooling system when servicing vehicles is vital Coming into the summer months, it is critical that workshops pay particular attention to the overall health of the cooling system and each component within it for their clients.

It is vital that each component of the system is maintained at the highest level of performance and efficiency, including the cooling system hoses, heater core, radiator, expansion tank, fan, thermal switch, thermostat, water pump, radiator cap and expansion tank cap.

As one of the essential components of the system, the cooling system hoses carry the coolant through the entire circuit.

Possible sources of damage to hoses can include electrochemical degradation (internal damage), leakage, heat, ozone, abrasion and oil contamination, and any damage can inhibit the flow of coolant, causing the cooling system to fail.

Today’s smaller engines are increasingly more powerful, creating more heat and leaving less space under the bonnet.

With the reduction in engine compartment size, coolant hoses must fight ever-higher temperatures and come in ever-more shapes and sizes to fit

specific applications and tight engine spaces. This demonstrates the importance of choosing coolant hoses that are electrochemical resistant.

Car manufacturers are designing the majority of new coolant and heater hose parts as branched/ modular assemblies.

Gates says the modular hoses it manufactures now have quick-connects, sensors, restrictors, valves, and other components built into the hose, and this trend is going to continue.

Gates has a comprehensive range for popular makes and models. Key features include: • Factory quality connections that are durable and eliminate coolant leaks.

• Engineered to resist electrochemical degradation – the leading cause of hose failure.

• Heat and ozone resistant cover.

• Meets SAE 20R4 and 20R3 Type EC Class D-1 and D-2 specifications.

• Temperature rating: -40°C to +135°C in coolant hose applications.

• Backed with a five-year/100,000 km warranty.

Gates recommends that preventive maintenance is carried out at each service. All components of the cooling system should be checked for wear and damage, and any damaged parts replaced immediately to avoid worst case scenarios.

As well as saving your customer time and money, Gates says this is also good news for you as it improves customer satisfaction levels with your workshop and keeps your customers coming back.

For a complete trouble shooting guide, including replacement guidelines, go to www.gatesaustralia.com.au/coolingmanual For more information, contact Gates directly at salesAUS@gates.com or on +61 3 9797 9688.

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ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

THERMOSTAT TECHNOLOGY COOLDRIVE KEEPING TRIDON Fully factory calibrated, Tridon thermostats are CLASSICS COOL designed to meet or exceed OE specifications With US Radiators

CoolDrive Auto Parts continues to expand its specialist cooling range, following the announcement that the company has signed on as the exclusive distributor of US Radiators products throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Designed as a direct fit for classic Australian, American, muscle, truck and street rod vehicles, the systems are tried and tested in the Mohave Desert and Death Valley in the USA, with the company bringing to the market 50 years of experience in research and development.

The initial US Radiators range at CoolDrive features a 48 part number catalogue covering aluminium models for classics from General Motors, Ford and Mopar, with copper/brass variations available on request.

Tridon has an extensive range of thermostats, radiator caps, hose clamps, coolant, and engine temperature sensor products to keep your vehicle on the road.

Tridon says it has been at the forefront of thermostat technology for more than 30 years.

Trusted since 1988, Tridon’s thermostat range has grown from 12 lines to more than 600 part numbers, including conventional, bypass, housing type, and the latest electronically controlled designs.

The thermostat is an essential part of the cooling system; designed to regulate coolant flow through the engine and radiator and ensure the correct engine temperature no matter the conditions.

A faulty thermostat is commonly misdiagnosed as the root cause of a vehicle cooling problem, whereas the thermostat is only one link in the cooling system chain.

Whilst the thermostat is a critical component, the radiator and cap, hoses and clamps, water pump, coolant sensors, and the coolant itself, must be

serviced regularly to avoid overheating or system failure during the warmer months.

Tridon says its extensive range of thermostats, radiator caps, hose clamps, coolant, and engine temperature sensors provide a complete cooling solution.

Extensively researched, Tridon says it has the market covered with high-quality direct replacement cooling products.

Tridon explains that it has warehousing and distribution facilities in all states of Australia and New Zealand, meaning you can get the right parts, fast.

For more information, visit www.tridon.com.au

SUPERIOR PROTECTION Prestone’s ‘one-stop’ coolant solution is now available in 208L drums

The offering includes USA-produced alloy radiators designed for Holden’s HQ-HZ models, both 308 Holden and Small Block Chev types, complete with pressed tanks to ensure an original look.

Under the GM banner are a variety of early Chevrolet V8 radiators, plus a range to suit a wide selection of Camaros, Impalas, Chevelles and Pickups, plus the Pontiac Firebird.

From the popular Flathead Ford V8, the Blue Oval range also covers numerous Fairlane and Mustang models.

Mopar enthusiasts, meanwhile, are covered with Plymouth Barracuda radiators from the 1960s through to the ‘70s.

The addition of the US Radiators brand to the CoolDrive product line-up further strengthens its cooling offerings, which outside of radiator assemblies, includes thermos fans, condensers and caps.

For more information, visit http://ishop.cooldrive.com.au/ 92

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

For the past 94 years, Prestone says its mission to provide the finest automotive fluids in the world has been at the core of its business; keeping its technologies ahead of the rest with its industry leading innovations.

Filpro Automotive explains that Prestone has been perfecting its coolant formula since 1927 to help drivers defy the elements and most importantly, defy corrosion.

Prestone is an OEM global supplier and is used as first fill by multiple leading vehicle manufacturers, which means the coolant will not void manufacturers’ warranties.

Filpro goes on to explain that Prestone can be used in every passenger and light commercial vehicle on the market.

It is compatible and mixes safely with any other colour or brand of coolant, and will take on the original cooling system colour when used as a top up.

This eliminates the need for workshops to carry three or four different colour coolants, and now with 208L drums of Prestone ‘All Makes All Models’ Coolant available in Australia, Filpro says Prestone is helping professionals enjoy the benefits of a new found simplicity.

Filpro says that unlike most other brands of coolant inhibitor packs, Prestone’s patented CorGuard inhibitor technology is designed specifically to start working immediately, protecting cooling system parts against corrosion and pitting for longer engine life.

The advanced inhibitor package instantly layers and bonds to the cooling system components, immediately stopping the spread of cavitation, erosion, corrosion and rust.

Prestone Coolant / Antifreeze has a universal formula that can be used in all makes of vehicles from cars, SUVs, CUVs, Minivans and light commercial vehicles to light and medium duty trucks; with gas or diesel engines; and in radiators with aluminium or cast iron components.

For more information, contact Filpro Automotive on 08 8193 9675 or visit www.filpro.com.au

ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND COOLING

DAYCO WATER PUMPS AND MUCH MORE Dayco says it is your one stop engine thermal management shop Water Pump Kits from Dayco have been a reliable industry mainstay for years and now Dayco says that same quality is available in stand-alone replacement Dayco Water Pumps.

Dayco offers 353 passenger and commercial vehicle water pump part numbers, covering the vast majority of cars being driven on Australia’s roads.

Featuring upgraded materials for the bearing, impeller and gasket, Dayco says its Water Pumps deliver exceptionally reliable performance, from vintage to the most recent makes and models.

From raw materials through the finished product, Dayco reports it validates every aspect for quality assurance and states all Dayco Water Pumps are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications.

All Dayco Water Pumps are warranted for a period of two years or 40,000km.

Dayco Heavy Duty Water Pumps Dayco says its Heavy Duty Water Pumps deliver exceptional reliability across a vast range of both older and the most recent heavy duty makes and models.

The same quality assurance measures that Dayco applies to its passenger car water pump range also applies to the global company’s Heavy Duty Water Pump range, with all applications designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications.

temperature is reached to create the perfect temperature-controlled engine environment.

Dayco Heavy Duty Water Pumps are warranted for 18 months/150,000 km or 5,400 hours of operation - whichever occurs first.

Dayco Australia offers 256 passenger car thermostat part numbers covering 4,440 applications; and 20 Heavy Duty thermostat part numbers covering 648 applications.

Dayco Australia offers 102 heavy duty water pump part numbers, taking the total Dayco Water Pump aftermarket replacement coverage across both heavy duty and passenger/commercial vehicles to 3,600 makes and models.

Dayco Coolant Expansion and Overflow Tanks Dayco Australia also offers a vast range of premium quality aftermarket coolant expansion and overflow tanks to suit a wide range of Australian makes and models.

Dayco Thermostats

Dayco coolant tanks provide a high point in the engine coolant system that also allows a cushion of air to be present which serves to ensure that pressure within the cooling system does not become too great, while also ensuring that engine coolant is not lost due to expansion.

Dayco Thermostats are designed to OEM specifications and are manufactured with a heat sensing wax filled copper power pill that detects the coolant temperature in the engine.

The Dayco Thermostat’s heat sensing power pill controls coolant flow from the radiator when the engine is cold to reach optimum operating temperature quickly. It then allows coolant to circulate through the engine when the operating

The Dayco range of radiator coolant tanks include pressure rated caps and hoses where required to ensure maximum engine efficiency and reliability.

For more information, visit www.dayco.com.au

POWER UNLEASHED

The Roadsafe R-Launch Electronic Throttle Controller Roadsafe says its R-Launch Electronic Throttle Controller is an essential device for any driving enthusiast wanting assistance with their vehicle’s pedal engine response.

and caravans and the perfect addition if you simply would like improved response from your vehicle or to eliminate lags between the accelerator and the throttle.

By using this product, Roadsafe says you can experience the convenience of customising your vehicle’s acceleration and get an immediate feel for how much power you want to use every time by controlling pedal sensitivity.

It features DIY plug and play technology with no wiring or tools required, a “massive” 32-bit processor, operating voltage 8V > 18V and userfriendly functions.

The Roadsafe R-Launch Electronic Throttle Controller assists in refining the vehicle’s throttle response and initiates a more powerful throttle curve to reduce or potentially eliminate throttle lag, improve overall vehicle drivability, and make a clear improvement to your vehicle’s acceleration.

The R-Launch Electronic Throttle Controller is a versatile unit, suitable for all types of transmissions and petrol/diesel engines (with “fly by wire” throttle technology).

Roadsafe says it is ideal for towing vans, trailers,

Roadsafe states this device is fully adjustable with five different driving modes to ensure the appropriate throttle response for your specific driving style or situation: comfort mode designed for smooth acceleration, sports mode for improving instantaneous acceleration, performance mode designed for maximum acceleration, eco mode designed for fuel saving with a slower and smoother acceleration and original mode which reverts to the factory settings.

Marked at a competitive price-point, Roadsafe says the R-Launch Electronic Throttle Controller

comes in a complete kit including, a throttle controller, a throttle controller patch lead (100mm length each side), three cable ties and fitting instructions to assist with quick and easy installation.

Additionally, as a means of theft prevention, the unit also has a built-in immobiliser that will stop your vehicle from accelerating.

The display dimensions of the product are 54mm (L) x 11mm (W) x 35mm (H).

For more information, contact Roadsafe via sales@roadsafe.com.au or you can view a list of Roadsafe stockists at www.roadsafe.com.au/stockists Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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DIESEL

TACKLING DIESEL AIR POLLUTANTS HPD CATCH CAN explains that air pollutants can have RANGE CONTINUES AutoTest adverse effects at various scales TO GROW New kit introduced for the new Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT50

Diesel performance specialists High Performance Diesel have released a new catch can kit to suit the new Isuzu D-MAX. The new kit will also fit the new Mazda BT50, which shares the 4JJ3-TCX engine.

Suitable for D-MAX and BT50 models from late 2020 onward powered by the Isuzu 4JJ3-TCX turbo-diesel engine, the new kit adds to the more than 50 model-specific kits in HPD’s range.

Australian made from billet aluminium, the HPD catch can is a simple and effective modification to protect the long-term health of turbo-diesel engines.

Oil vapour from the crankcase breather combines with soot from the EGR valve to form a sticky deposit that restricts air flow and reduces engine efficiency and power.

The air pollutants currently causing the greatest concern in terms of local air quality, primarily because of their impacts on human health, are airborne PM, NO2 and ground-level ozone5.

Road transport is an important contributor to all three. Moreover, road transport is a major source of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

Legislation and strategies to reduce exhaust emissions from road vehicles have been in place for some time. However, in many urban areas the concentrations of NO2 and CO2 still frequently exceed health-based limits and are not decreasing.

Emissions of NOx from vehicle exhaust are regulated at type approval, but NO2 emissions are not. Direct road traffic contribution to ambient NO2 has increased with two contributing factors: diesel vehicles emit more NOx than petrol vehicles, and with a larger proportion of NO2 in NOx; and the average value of NO2 in diesel exhaust is increasing.

The overall consequence is that there is now tighter regulation of NOx and NO2 emissions from diesel vehicles.

Particles in diesel exhaust have a range of sizes, and the shape of the size distribution depends on whether the weighting is by number or by mass. The main implication of the particle size distribution in vehicle exhaust is that the instruments used in testing need to be sensitive enough to measure particles in the relevant size.

The catch can collects this fine vapour before it reaches the intake and affects the turbo, intercooler and inlet manifold. HPD explains that an intake clean is expensive and not covered by warranty, and in some vehicles has been required in as little as 60,000km.

The new models come with all laser-cut brackets, oil and pressure-rated hoses and all clamps and fasteners needed to complete a factory-look fitment.

HPD says comprehensive instructions make DIY installation easy with basic tools, or it can be quickly fitted by any mechanic during regular service.

Once fitted, the HPD catch can reportedly requires very little maintenance. There is a dipstick to monitor oil level, the reservoir unscrews to empty it and the stainless steel mesh filters are said to never need replacing.

The new kit can be ordered online from www.hpdiesel.com.au 94

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

The primary tool for combating air pollution from road transport is vehicle emission legislation.

There are currently two main levels of emission legislation: type approval, and periodic in-service/ roadworthiness technical inspection.

The exhaust pollutants which are regulated are CO, unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), NOx and PM. The limits have been reduced in stages, and changes have been made to the test methods to make them more effective. Emission-control technologies have developed accordingly.

In the exhaust emission test a production vehicle is placed on a chassis dynamometer. The driver must follow a driving cycle and the vehicle’s emissions are collected and analysed. Emissions are measured over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

There is a need for the procedures and instruments measuring exhaust emissions be updated.

AutoTest says Australia is already consistently several years behind EU standards as the

European Directive adopted the Emission Standard Euro 5 in 2011 but Australia is only up to Euro 4.

“If Australia is to achieve the Australian Government’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target of 26-28 percent of 2005 levels, and net zero by 2050, then the Australian Government needs to implement more stringent standards for noxious air pollutant emissions and a standards regime for fuel efficiency (CO2),” an AutoTest spokesperson said.

“While Australia’s air quality is considered good by international standards, our increasingly urbanised and aging population may be more susceptible to the health impacts of noxious emissions. The Australian Government needs to strengthen its vehicle emissions standards, according to these points: • Regular periodic inspections be mandated with attention being paid to NOx Cox and PM. • The impending prospect of a 100 percent imported vehicle market be supported by local Type testing of vehicles.

• High vehicle emission rates are often a result of component ageing, component failure, or generally poor maintenance.

• Improve Australia’s air quality and reduce growing health costs associated with noxious gasses.

• The adoption of Euro 6 Standards, the readily available models of vehicles will be all higher technological standard.

• The implementation of Euro 6 vehicles with substandard fuel, would limit the available benefits - lower fuel consumption, less toxic emissions.”

AutoTest manufactures a combined AutoGas 5 Gas Analyser and AutoSmoke Opacity suitable for CNG diesel engines, Petrol and LPG – which it says represents a comprehensive vehicle emissions testing solution capable of measuring CO, HC, CO2, O2 and NOx. For more information, visit www.autotest.net.au

DIESEL

PENRITE’S DIESEL ADDITIVES

The company has been Australian owned and operated for 95 years Everyone knows Penrite for its ranges of diesel engine lubricants such as the HPR Diesel range, Enviro+ Mid and Low SAPS engine oils and the Convoy Heavy Duty lubricants.

Penrite also provides a comprehensive and excellent range of additives designed to service and maintain the performance, economy, emission and longevity of diesel fueled engines.

Penrite states it was one of the first aftermarket companies to provide Adblue in retail sized packs suitable for consumers to top up their diesel exhaust fluid.

The Penrite 3.5 Litre Penblue dispenser pack is the easy way to top up low diesel exhaust fluid with no mess or waste.

This unique filling system provides enough fluid to turn off warning lights and stops some vehicles from going into limp mode.

The Penblue product is also a fully licensed and registered Adblue product, meeting the Australian quality standard ISO 22241 for satisfaction and assurance.

Penrite Enviro+ DPF Cleaner is a patented, dual catalyst, bimetallic Platinum and Cerium fuel additive.

It is specifically formulated to clean blocked DPFs (Diesel Particulate Filters) as well as improve the operation and reduce maintenance of the DPF and emissions control systems in diesel engine applications. Penrite says it: • cleans and assists in the regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs); • reduces engine particle matter; • cleans injectors; • improves diesel fuel combustion for improved fuel economy by up to eight percent; • improves engine efficiency; • maximises catalyst life; • lowers the burning temperature of soot (Diesel Particulate Matter); • prevents runaway regeneration; • and extends catalyst life.

Penrite’s new Pro series range features two Diesel only products – Diesel Complete Clean and Diesel Fuel Boost.

Both are fuel additives designed to service and maintain diesel fuel delivery systems and provide improved performance, fuel economy and lower emission output.

Penrite says its Diesel Complete Clean will clean the fuel system from the tank to the inlet valves and Diesel Fuel Boost will improve the cetane rating of normal pump diesel by up to six points, providing superior power and performance from diesel engines.

Penrite EGR and Cat Cleaner is a new generation, unique, low volatility, professional automotive cleaning product.

It effectively cleans and prevents the build-up of deposits that block emission control devices such as catalytic converters and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems.

The new Penrite Diesel Winter Fuel Treatment additive is designed for use in locations where temperatures fall below zero degrees.

Diesel fuel can form wax crystals at very low temperatures which can block injectors and prevent fuel from reaching the cylinder.

The new Penrite Diesel Winter Fuel Treatment is a single dose product designed to be added to the fuel where it works by lowering the CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging Point) of the diesel fuel, preventing wax formation of the fuel.

Penrite Diesel Biocide Fuel Treatment is designed for use in diesel fuel storages to stop bacterial growth in diesel fuel, especially in humid conditions that can cause damage to diesel fuel delivery systems.

It is designed to treat bulk storages of fuel and can improve fuel economy by up to 2.5 percent.

One litre treats up to 2000 litres of fuel, so it is economical and can reportedly pay for itself with savings on repairs and economy.

Penrite’s Diesel D-TOX is a highly concentrated diesel fuel additive specifically designed to clean up and maintain diesel fuel systems. Penrite says it: • protects the fuel system from gum, varnish and other deposits;

• dispels moisture and micro-biological organisms; • cleans and lubricates injectors and pumps; • extends life of catalysts and reduces emissions; • improves fuel economy; • restores power; • and prevents corrosion.

Diesel Fuel Stabiliser is a fuel additive designed to stabilise the performance of diesel fuel when in storage and prevent loss of engine performance due to old and stale fuel.

Penrite says it meets military and defence grade specifications for optimum reliability and performance, and contains a lubricity improver that extends the life of fuel pumps and injectors.

It also contains a metal deactivator that reduces the tendency of metal surfaces to oxidise and corrode, preventing the accumulation of residue, gummy deposits and polymer formations; as well as optimised detergents for diesel to clean and maintain the fuel system if needed.

Penrite Oil Company is an Australian independent international lubricants company established in 1926. It is privately owned and its Head Office is located in Dandenong South, Melbourne, Australia, with other major offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland, New Zealand and United Kingdom. It exports to over 50 countries in Europe, Asia and America.

Penrite says it is very committed to providing a workplace and external environment that meets local and regulatory requirements. It strives to minimise any environmental impact by reducing emissions and developing safe and sustainable, production, packaging, storage and distribution methodologies. It is also a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant.

To find out more about Penrite additives for diesel, visit www.penriteoil.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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DIESEL

A NEW WINNING PARTNERSHIP FOR CASTROL

Castrol has been awarded a new strategic cooperation agreement by Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover has exclusively recommended approved Castrol engine oils for their iconic vehicles since 2001, and its new agreement will extend this relationship through to 2026.

Castrol explains that its deep collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover since 2001 is focused on delivering technologically advanced, efficient lubricant products that push the boundaries of engine performance and help improve fuel economy.

This combined experience supports performance in millions of Jaguar Land Rover drivers around the world.

Castrol explains that Jaguar Land Rover engines are designed to work at their optimum level using Castrol EDGE Professional, which is why Jaguar Land Rover cars are ‘born’ with Castrol EDGE Professional oil inside the engine and Castrol EDGE Professional is the only oil recommended

by Jaguar Land Rover.

“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover, through the new contract,” Castrol Vice President Strategic Cooperation, Erasmo Viola, said.

“Our collaboration in the laboratory, on the racetrack and on the world’s roads delivers technological innovation and supports Castrol’s and JLR’s sustainability ambitions, helping to deliver real benefits to Jaguar Land Rover retailers and customers, today and in the future.”

In addition to co-engineering and development work on engine oils for production vehicles, Castrol will continue as a lead sponsor for the Jaguar Formula E race team, which serves as a testbed for new technologies and solutions.

Castrol’s technical collaboration with the

team aims to deliver on-track performance enhancements through advanced EV fluids, lubricants and coolants.

“The collaboration between Castrol and Jaguar Land Rover goes back over 20 years and we look forward to further developing this relationship over the next five years,” Jaguar Land Rover Global Customer Services Director, Peter Hettich, said.

“Castrol play a vital role in helping Jaguar Land Rover deliver our aims and targets across many powertrain related topics, reducing engine wear and helping to improve fuel economy.

“Our future development of technology continues to evolve at pace and Castrol is playing a vital role within it.”

For more from Castrol, visit www.castrol.com

WIRED FOR OLD DIESELS

Diesel Help Australia is offering a new training course for old diesels When dabbling in older diesels, you will find they are very different to common rail, and some mechanics have leap frogged the old diesel technology.

“Over the past two years we have witnessed an increase in diagnostics of the older Nissan ZD30.

This has resulted in a new training course to take the pressure off our diagnostics team.

As well as common rail assistance, Diesel Help Australia provides over the phone diagnostics and technical bulletins for the older Bosch VP44 fitted to a variety of applications.

“This December our members will experience a 1.5 hour live ‘Wired for old diesel’ diagnostics and repair procedures Pilot Webinar for the old Nissan ZD30.”

These include Nissan Patrol, Navara ZD30, Ford Transit, Isuzu Rodeo, Cummins and MAN.

Subjects covered in the new training will include Air intake and exhaust operation; Fuel system operation; Description of the Bosch VP44; Common faults and failures; Starting – Hard to start/no start; Fuel injection pump malfunction; P77 Fuel injection timing control; Black smoke and low power; Surging no fault codes; and Repair processes and procedures.

“Investment over time is now second nature when our members log diagnostic jobs,” Diesel Help Australia’s Clinton Brett said.

The VP44 pump can fetch a hefty price says Clinton, who states you should be aware it may not be a fuel pump problem. For example, a fast rotating starter with high current preventing the pump from delivering adequate fuel to start the engine.

“There are many other faults discussed on the ZD30, so keep a look out for this training course,” Clinton said.

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“The course will be released in December 2021 exclusive as a pilot to Diesel Help members. The course will then be released in 2022 (cost and dates TBC). If you can’t wait, you may consider joining Diesel Help to gain an insight earlier in the free members only release of this ‘Wired for old diesels’ course in December.

“Our members reckon Diesel Help membership is worth every cent and lets them gain a learning experience, not just a quick fix of the diesel.”

For more information, visit www.dieselhelp.com.au Diesel Help Australia thanks Haynes Australia Pty Ltd for their permission to republish material contained in this article.

DIESEL

X-1R DIESEL TREATMENT Burg Design says this product goes the extra mile

Diesel Engines have changed enormously over the years, and we are now looking at Tier 4 Diesel Engines becoming the norm across all of the world.

“We needed to update our product to take into account the changes to the fuels and the demands the engines are making of them,” Burg Design’s Ray Graham said.

“In accordance with the changes we made to our X-1R Petrol product, we have now designed a Fivein-One product that is already the one to beat!”

Burg Design says key features of the X-1R Diesel Treatment are as follows: • Removes Carbon deposits and cleans fuel injectors.

• Noticeably improves fuel economy and power delivery.

• Results in a much smoother running engine.

• Lubricates upper cylinder and reduces engine wear .

• Stabilises fuel.

• Eliminates moisture from the fuel tank and lines.

Nozzle fouling tests, performed using a Peugeot XUD9 1.9 litre engine according to the CEC F-2301 test procedure, have reportedly demonstrated

the detergency performance of the X-1R Diesel Treatment.

Detergent performance is measured as percent fouling of an injector at 0.1mm needle lift, with zero percent being equal to a clean, as-new injector, and 100 percent representing complete fouling.

Burg Design says the results shown in the comparative images are typical of X-1R Diesel Treatment’s detergent in ultra-low sulphur fuels, with and without biodiesel.

BEFORE AFTER FIRST AFTER THIRD

TREATMENT TREATMENT TREATMENT

“Our new Diesel Treatment formula will ensure consistently high engine performance by cleaning dirty injector nozzles and then keeping them free from deposits, more commonly called Clean-Up and Keep-Clean effect,” Ray said.

“The X-1R Diesel Treatment features a Cetane Booster. This cetane biossting technology ensures

that when used, the machine operator will clearly feel a difference in the power delivery.

“Our new formulation contains an improved water dispersant that stops water/ethanol separation and of course reduces exhaust emissions.

“The product also improves lubricity. We took four representative diesel fuels from various outlets and using a treat rate of 96ppm, we conducted tests using the ASTM D6079 test protocol.

“At this treat rate we saw a reduction in Wear Scar Diameter (WSD) of 73µm from the D975 target of 520µm, thus making all of the fuels EN590 compliant and proving our X-1R Diesel Treatment Technology leads to improved lubricity.”

For more information, visit www.burgdesign.com.au

DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATION

Diesel Water Watch units protect diesel fuel systems from water contamination Earlier diesel engine fuel systems with their more forgiving tolerances were able to cope with fuel contamination better than the high tech finely engineered Common Rail Systems we have these days.

This doesn’t mean they are immune to contaminates in fuel such as water, but modern Common Rail Systems are much less tolerant.

Water is by far the most prevalent and most damaging contaminate we encounter in modern Common rail diesel fuel systems.

These systems detect very small amounts of water, typically between 5-10ml. They have a visual and audible alarm which activates as soon as water is detected, prompting the driver to pull over and assess the level of contamination caught in the glass bowl and drain it.

This prevents the contamination from entering the sensitive components of the Common Rail Fuel System.

If the warning continues to reoccur you may need the fuel tank removed and cleaned.

The main purpose of the fuel filter is to remove harmful particles from fuel and although some fuel filters have a water controlling coating on the filtration medium, water will still travel through fuel filters especially at the flow rates of common rail systems.

The diesel water watch system works by utilising an electronic probe suspended in the fuel. The unit removes water and debris heavier than the fuel using a diffuser system to help separate the particles and then retains both the water and particulates in the bottom of the glass bowl.

Water causes catastrophic damage to supply pumps, rails, high pressure lines, injectors and many other components.

The pressure of the fuel flowing rapidly through the Diesel Water Watch holds contamination particles below the flow of the fuel, where it can be easily removed. No filters are used, so there is no additional restriction on fuel flow or pressure, and no ongoing maintenance.

Responsive Engineering says the most effective method used to protect a diesel fuel system is to have a Diesel Water Watch unit fitted.

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Responsive Engineering says this is the recommended system for common-rail applications as it doesn’t create any additional restrictions in the fuel system.

The Diesel Water Watch was not only invented in Australia, but is also made in Australia and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Detailed fitting instructions and bracket kits are available for most of the popular diesel vehicle applications in Australia.

For more information, visit www.responsiveengineering.com.au

DIESEL

DENOXTRONIC

The exhaust-gas treatment and dosing system from Bosch Bosch’s exhaust-gas treatment and dosing system, Denoxtronic, is being used in a larger number of diesel vehicles than ever before.

The system injects an aqueous urea solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust stream and, in combination with the SCR catalytic converter, converts harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into water and nitrogen.

The modular SCR system from Bosch is used to meter the diesel exhaust fluid reducing agent. The supply module delivers the diesel exhaust fluid with required pressure into the dosing module.

The dosing module ensures a precise diesel exhaust fluid quantity control and handles its atomization and distribution in the exhaust pipe.

The main task of the control unit (in the dosing control device) is the model-based calculation of the required dosing quantity according to a predetermined dosing strategy.

Bosch also offers a wide range of services for the diagnostics and maintenance of the Denoxtronic exhaust-gas treatment system.

The market for the exhaust-gas treatment of diesel vehicles is continuously growing – and this means huge potential for workshops.

Since the introduction of the European exhaust-

gas standards 4 and 5, the number of vehicles that are equipped with Denoxtronic has been increasing steadily. An increasing number of vehicle manufacturers are using the Bosch system to ensure that high performance diesel vehicles are compliant with emission limits.

Further, many vehicles with Denoxtronic already have high mileage and as a result, the demand for services and cost-effective maintenance work for the system is increasing.

Bosch explains it has developed service solutions for this growing market: simple testing of the components according to manufacturers’ specifications, replacement of defective modules and final testing to verify functionality.

Bosch says it provides a one-stop solution for everything: equipment, tools and the software that are required for efficient and timesaving service.

In this way, it says every workshop can carry out comprehensive diagnostics and maintenance on the Denoxtronic components.

This enables the workshop to carry out service easily and efficiently through precise diagnosis and clear identification of defective components as well as the rapid replacement of Denoxtronic modules.

Thanks to many years of experience and expertise in original equipment, Bosch also offers the aftermarket a wide range of efficient diagnostic, replacement and service solutions for all aspects of exhaust-gas treatment.

For more information, visit www.boschaftermarket.com.au

The Field Concept repairs for Denoxtronic 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1 developed by Bosch now offers customers full repair of the Denoxtronic supply and repair modules.

UFI FILTERS

For traditional and new generation engines UFI Filters states that it is a leading company in filtration and the production of heat exchangers for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, boasting 50 years of experience in the automotive and heavy-duty sectors.

Based in Italy, the Group can claim a global industrial footprint with 19 production sites and a worldwide presence thanks to its 57 commercial offices, one of which has recently opened in Sydney.

UFI Filters says it has been chosen by 95 percent of vehicle manufacturers worldwide and by the major truck makers. Further, it states the quality of UFI Filters Original Equipment products are reflected also in the Aftermarket.

“UFI Filters has written the story of filtration, thanks to our revolutionary products and the inhouse manufacture of filtering media, through six different specific ‘formulas’ – FormulaUFI – that can be applicable to any filtration needs,” UFI FILTERS (Group) Chief Executive Officer, Rinaldo Facchini, said.

“In particular, starting from the ‘90s, UFI Group has introduced in the market a breakthrough innovation

for the protection of diesel engines: the water separation filter.”

This product is capable of filtering more than 95 percent of water drops present in the fuel through a new internal-external filtration flow concept, based on the coalescence principle.

“The UFI filtering material in polyamide, produced with the exclusive FormulaUFI.EXTREME, assembles the smallest drops into bigger ones which fall into the bottom of the housing, avoiding the contamination of the fuel system,” Rinaldo said.

“Nowadays, we experience a new generation of water separation filters with new materials, such as FormulaUFI.H2O. “This media has the highest water separation capacity thanks to its cellulose fibre base combined with synthetic or glass fibres.

“They can be found in many Volkswagen diesel filters and in pre-filters for heavy on-road and offroad applications, such as 24.035.01 for MAN.” UFI Filters has been developing its thermal management business over the last 10 years, realising important results and achievements that

can now be easily applied to traditional combustion engines but also to the new energy vehicles.

“Counting on a strong strategy and on constant investments in research and development, UFI Group can offer an important range of products, such as battery cooler, battery chiller and transmission oil cooler, for the new generation of engines: hybrid, full electric and fuel cell powertrains,” Rinaldo said.

For more information, visit www.ufifilters.com or www.ufi-aftermarket.com/eu Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

99

TRADE TALK

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED The Chief Executive Officer of All Vehicle Accessories, Melissa Sangster, has had quite the journey so far In what is a predominantly male-dominated space Melissa, or Mel as she prefers to be known, has run a successful business for more than 20 years.

Mel’s journey is both inspiring and interesting.

Today, she’s considered a ground-breaking business leader, with a wicked sense of humour and a passion for singing.

She was born in Melbourne into what was already an automotive family. Mel’s father opened Sangster Windscreens in the bayside town of Frankston and after building the business, it was sold so the family could move north.

“My dad was a car guy, and that just rubbed off on me,” said Mel. “He worked on cars his whole life, and we were around cars from when we were very young.”

Mel’s personal car collection is as eclectic as she is and includes a restored 1962 Kharman Ghia, a fully decked out Toyota Prado 4WD, a 1970 Leyland Moke, and a 1971 Kombi Van. “I also have a 2014 Soft Tail Harley and a 2021 Fonzarelli electric scooter, and my brother is currently restoring a barn find XY Ute that I found,” Mel added.

Mel also recently purchased a 1957 Woodie, which is currently at the signwriters being set up as a show car for another business venture, Farmcare. Apparently, it will be a real head-turner when it’s done.

“At the time, it was hard changing schools so frequently, but now when I look back on it, I know those challenges set me up for success in my career,” Mel explained.

Following the family’s move to Queensland, Mel attended five primary schools and four high schools that she believes contributed significantly to the highly adaptable person that she is today.

Throughout high school, Mel had worked at the family business, Towbar City, during the holidays, which helped her develop her skills as a salesperson.

“The frequent moves taught me how to be resilient and how to quickly get a read on people, and today I’m as comfortable in the boardroom as I am on a bush track.”

Mel’s family eventually moved back to Victoria, where she would finish Year 12.

“I’ve always liked having fun a little too much, so I didn’t attend school that often in my final year, but I managed to pass and was accepted into Applied Science – School Teaching majoring in Physical Education as I always loved sport, before changing my major to Myotherapy. But I quickly discovered that University just wasn’t for me,” she explains.

“I have a natural affinity with people that allows me to build great relationships and quickly identify mutually beneficial opportunities,” Mel explained.

Mel’s first job outside of the family business was in retail fashion. While she knew it wasn’t for her, it certainly helped develop a set of valuable skills that have served her well throughout her successful 20 plus years in business.

“I am not into fashion, but my time there wasn’t wasted,” Mel explained. “It taught me to sell at a retail level and also built my resilience and empathy.”

Mel’s career has included marketing at several gyms across Australia, which ultimately led her into a role at Fernwood Female Fitness centres, where she helped build the brand into the household name it is today.

Following her stint at Fernwood, Mel accepted a marketing position in sports medicine with Elastoplast. Still, the lure of the automotive aftermarket was too strong, and Mel took the plunge, purchasing the family business, Towbar City, from her father.

“I have a passion for the automotive industry, and when my father approached me in 1997 with the offer to purchase the family business, I knew it was the right move,” Mel said. “But it wasn’t all easy sailing.”

Mel’s father purchased Towbar City in 1985 from Eric Hayman, the founder of Hayman Reese Towbars, but Mel had big plans for the business after her acquisition.

“In 1998, I purchased Van & 4WD Extras in Bayswater,” said Mel. “It was in receivership when I acquired the business.”

Ironically, the business had been owned by Mel’s father and his brother many years before, so she knew it had the potential to be a success again.

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TRADE TALK

Between 1999 and 2000, Mel acquired two more businesses to add to her expanding automotive portfolio, Roof Rack City in Thomastown and Autoworx in Brighton.

tough, especially in Victoria, domestic travel is booming, and more and more people are discovering this beautiful country of ours in 4WDs, so the category is solid.”

“I felt that each new acquisition was strategically located to cover the major markets in Melbourne,” Mel explained.

Mel and her team at AVA have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with ARB. Still, as this issue of the magazine goes to press, the Port Melbourne store is currently in the process of being converted into an ARB Authorised Partner.

In 2001, Mel combined all the businesses under one banner, AVA, All Vehicle Accessories, to build brand equity and streamline the business processes, but this was not without its challenges.

“It didn’t take long for me to realise that AVA was bleeding due to rent and staff issues,” Mel explained.

“So, I condensed it down to two stores, one in Port Melbourne and a second in Thomastown.”

While a restructure of this scale is tough, Mel reported that the business is thriving.

“No matter what life throws up, I always try to take away a positive,” Mel remarked.

“While lockdown and the pandemic have been

“The timing is right, and we’re extremely excited about aligning our business more closely with this iconic brand,” Mel said.

“Their range, quality, and product development road map are second to none, and we know that this will signal a new period of growth for AVA.” Traditionally, AVA sourced approximately 80 percent of its revenue from new car dealers. But with the rebrand of the Port Melbourne store to an ARB Authorised Partner, Mel and her team are aiming to secure upwards of 80 percent of revenue from retail customers in the area.

“It’s a big change in our business model, but we have a strategic roadmap that will ensure we hit this target,” said Mel. Mel has combined her passion for the automotive aftermarket with her purpose, to help those who are not as lucky as the majority of the population.

“Separately to AVA, I also purchased a division of Tieman, which I rebranded as Vehicle Access Solutions,” said Mel. “This business converts vans and buses for wheelchair accessibility. My purpose in life is to make a difference, and this company certainly allows me to do that.”

Vehicle Access Solutions is a purely B2B business, with clients including BUPA, Yooralla and Gen U as well as many city councils, education departments and taxi companies around Australia.

Vehicle Access Solutions is a national business with workshops in Port Melbourne and Campbellfield in Victoria, and Banyo in Queensland, while Mel’s brother, Scott Sangster covers Tweed Heads in New South Wales.

“While Scott’s business, Motor Accessories Direct, converts vehicles for wheelchair access, they have developed a reputation for decking out 4WDs, tradie utes and vans,” she added.

Of course, managing two businesses presents Mel and her team with many challenges. In the past, and as with many business owners, cash flow kept her awake at night. But following the successful restructure of AVA, this has become less of an issue.

As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest challenge facing Mel and her team right now is the lack of vehicles and products, but this is basically affecting the entire automotive aftermarket at this point.

Looking further ahead, Mel believes that regulatory issues will throw up the most significant challenges.

“Growth is critical and can often be hampered by red tape and incompetent political decisions,” said Mel. “We have experienced that in the past with Bullbars, but the AAAA lobbied the government successfully for the benefit of the entire industry.”

Of course, Mel has been a long-time supporter and AAAA Member, and she considers the information and support they provide invaluable.

“The AAAA keeps us abreast of any potential compliance issues. They go into bat for major issues like sharing of data, provide us with access to international shows and facilitate business between members,” said Mel. “I know our businesses wouldn’t be as strong without their support.

“We also use their HR and Legal services for HR compliance.”

To find out more about AVA and Vehicle Access Solutions, visit www.avagroup.net.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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CONSUMER LAW

WHEN DOES THE REPAIRER’S LIEN APPLY? The repairer’s lien is a right under the common law that may assist a business to secure payment by customers

However, this common law right does not apply in all circumstances. It is important to have an understanding of when the repairer’s lien applies to assist your business retain vehicles lawfully.

For example, it is highly unlikely the repairer’s lien will apply where a vehicle is only assessed to diagnose the issue and repair work is not conducted despite the skilled work involved in making the assessment.

It is important to note that this article considers the common law repairer’s lien, it does not consider a lien agreed to under contract which may apply differently to the common law repairer’s lien.

What is a repairer’s lien?

‘maintenance,’ noting that a lien arises where a vehicle is improved or increased in value, but not where the good is merely maintained (even where labour and skill are expended in maintaining the good).

For a mechanic, the repairer’s lien enables a mechanic to retain a vehicle as security for payment for improvements made to the vehicle. Put simply, the mechanic can refuse to provide the customer with the vehicle until the customer pays the invoice but only if all the required elements are satisfied.

Putting this in terms of work on a vehicle, although assessing a vehicle to identify the issue required to be repaired is skilled work there is a high risk that if the repairer retains the vehicle where repair work has not been conducted that the repairer unlawfully retains the vehicle as the repairer’s lien is highly unlikely to apply.

What elements must be satisfied for the repairer’s lien to apply?

If you have any concerns, please contact Industry Legal Group.

Generally, the elements required to establish that a repairer’s lien applies are:

Retaining the vehicle in the possession of the business

• a repairer receives goods for repair/ improvement; and • the goods have been provided by the owner or a person with authority; and • the goods have been repaired/improved (or increased in value), by a person with the required skills; and • possession of the goods has remained with the repairer at all times.

The requirement for improvement In order for the repairer’s lien to apply an improvement must be made to the vehicle.

Caselaw distinguishes between ‘improvement’ and

If the business releases the vehicle so that the business no longer has possession of the vehicle, then the repairer’s lien is lost. The vehicle cannot be retrieved at a later time. For this reason, it is important that the business does not release the vehicle before payment is made.

What if the customer also has other outstanding debts?

The repairer’s lien only extents to work carried out on the vehicle and cannot be used to obtain payment for the customer’s other outstanding debts, including outstanding debts relating to the same vehicle.

Storage fees cannot be charged The repairer’s lien does not give the repairer the right to charge the customer storage fees. If the business would like to have this option, then this should be appropriately addressed through the terms and conditions of the business.

Disposal of the vehicle The repairer’s lien does not give the repairer the right to dispose of the vehicle. If the repairer is considering disposing of the vehicle the repairer should consult the uncollected goods legislative regime applicable to the state or territory in which the business is located.

Key takeaways The key takeaways relating to the repairer’s lien arising under common law are: • the repairer’s lien only applies if an improvement is made to the vehicle; • the vehicle must be received for repair and the vehicle must have been provided by the owner or a person with authority; • the vehicle must remain in the possession of the repairer (to retain the repairer’s lien); • the repairer’s lien applies to work carried out on the vehicle and the vehicle cannot be retained to satisfy the customer’s other debts; • the repairer’s lien does not give the repairer the right to charge storage fees or to dispose of the vehicle.

This document is intended for general information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact Industry Legal Group if you require legal advice.

Individual liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.

AAAA Member Benefits Industry Legal Group provides advice to members on commercial law matters.

If you have any questions relating to the above information, please contact Industry Legal Group on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au 102

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

HR

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS OVER THE CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR PERIOD 2021/2022 As we near the end of the year, it is important to be aware of the upcoming public holidays

Not only that, but you need to be aware of how they may impact your business and employees.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENTS Entitlement to be absent The National Employment Standards provide all employees with the right to not work on a public holiday.

While an employer can reasonably request that an employee work on a declared public holiday if the request is reasonable, the employee may refuse to work if they have reasonable grounds.

Payment for absence Employees (except casual employees) who normally work on a day that a public holiday falls will be paid for the ordinary hours they would have worked on that day at the base rate of pay (ie. excludes incentive-based payments and bonuses, loadings, monetary allowances, overtime or penalty rates, or any other separately identifiable amounts).

Employees generally don’t get paid for a public holiday if they do not normally work on the day that the public holiday falls.

For example, if a part-time employee only works Monday to Thursday each week but the public holiday falls on a Friday, the employee does not get paid for the public holiday because they do not normally work the Friday.

Note, a roster can’t be changed to deliberately avoid public holiday pay.

Payment for working on a public holiday

Rostered day off

Generally, employees will be paid public holiday rates for time worked on a public holiday. The applicable public holiday rates will depend on the workplace instrument that covers the employee.

If employers have a rostered day off (RDO) system in place with any of their employees, they should refer to the applicable award for specific information. Some awards may provide for an alternative paid day off where an RDO falls on a public holiday.

Substitute day An employer and an employee can agree to substitute a public holiday (or part-day public holiday) for another day.

If a public holiday is substituted, then the substitute day is regarded as the public holiday and penalty rates are only paid on the substitute day.

WHAT DATES ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS? The following days have been declared Public Holidays for the 2021/2022 Christmas/New Year period: DATE

NSW VIC

QLD

SA

WA TAS ACT

NT

Friday 24 December X X X

(from 6pm to (from 7pm to (from 7pm to midnight) midnight) midnight) Saturday 25 December

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Sunday 26 December

X

X

X

X

X

X

Monday 27 December

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Tuesday 28 December

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Friday 31 December X X

(from 7pm to (from 7pm to midnight) midnight Saturday 1 January

X

X

X

X

X

X

Monday 3 January

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Checking Your Conditions The information provided in this publication is necessarily general. Different arrangements for their public holidays may apply depending on the applicable workplace instrument. Before this holiday season, it is important to check what conditions and penalty rates apply to your employees.

This article is intended for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact Employer Assist for advice. Individual liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.

AAAA Member Benefits Employer Assist provides all AAAA members with advice regarding all aspects of your workplace and employment law. Employer Assist can assist you in understanding your employment obligations in relation to public holidays and applicable penalty rates.

Please contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au if you require any assistance.

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

103

SHOPFRONT

AUTO-SERVICE FRANCHISING RE-IMAGINED

The newly launched AutoKeepers model is growing from strength to strength AutoKeepers says it is making waves in the Automotive Aftermarket Service and Repair Sector, securing four locations in just the eight months since the opening of its first store in Brisbane’s West End earlier in 2021.

Those behind the car service and repair franchise say its model uniquely offers staff six weeks leave, monthly haircut allowances, weekly catered BBQs, lifestyle incentives and the opportunity to grow into their own business or into senior management roles.

AutoKeepers Founder and Director, Cody Harrison, said he is 100 percent committed to building a lasting meaningful legacy in the relentless pursuit of operational excellence while being of service to others, improving lives, restoring value in the industry, and improving public perceptions using his insights gathered during 20 years of personal experience in Automotive Franchising.

Cody explains that AutoKeepers offers a revolutionary Franchise operating system that first improves its staff by developing life and business skills, while building on personal character in the teams and by that measure then improves AutoKeeper’s customers’ days with “service that is second to none.”

“Using this model, the customer experience is dramatically improved, and so too are the lives and careers of the team members, something which is very important to me and AutoKeepers,” Cody said.

For more information about how to do business or partner with AutoKeepers, contact Cody on cody@autokeepers.com.au or visit www.autokeepers.com.au 104

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

SNAP-ON TOOLS CONGRATULATES TIM TREDREA ON 30 SUCCESSFUL YEARS The long-serving franchisee has been providing essential tools and equipment solutions for three decades

Starting out as a mechanic, working in engine reconditioning at the early age of 15, Tim Tredrea has always had a knack for tools.

He first heard of Snap-on from a friend who had seen how the franchise worked in Canada, and it didn’t take long before the then 21-year-old was visiting Snap-on’s HQ, which was in Brisbane at the time, to get started.

He decided to set up his franchise in Tamworth in New South Wales, and 30 years later he’s still there and very much a cherished member of the community.

It wasn’t an easy start though in the early 90s, as the economic conditions weren’t favourable.

“A business starting up then wouldn’t have been a great idea,” reflects Tim. But Snap-on says if there’s anything to learn from Tim’s experience, it is that the business model has stood the test of time and economic upheavals.

“Every year I never look back, I’ve had steady growth nearly every year that I’ve been in business,” Tim said.

When asked about what makes Snap-on different to other franchises, Tim shares two main points: the level of service and the product.

“Regular calling makes a big difference.

Franchisees get support from the Snap-on group, and this attention to service extends to the customer,” he said.

“It’s about service and customer relationships, but it’s no walk in the park.”

Turning up consistently and reliably for customers creates a win-win situation, and doing it for as long as Tim, you can see how customers remain loyal.

“It’s a face-to-face business, where most companies now are going online. I think our way of doing business will prevail at the end of the day,” Tim said.

Building a strong client base in the region, Tim has been able to grow the business by adding two staff members and another truck to his operations.

Tim’s long-standing relationships with his customers and knowledge of Snap-on tools have helped his staff expand the service, and “everything just follows on because all the groundwork is there.”

Snap-on says its products are a major benefit to any workshop – in particular, the testing and diagnostic tools.

Tim has seen significant change from the

introduction of diagnostics by Snap-on Tools early on in the industry.

“The mid-90s was when Snap-on developed US software for Australian vehicles. We find that because we’ve been here for so long, we started a lot of our customers with Snap-on diagnostics, and they’ve been very brand loyal,” Tim said.

Reflecting on some of his proudest moments since joining the Snap-on family, Tim remembers the big achievements.

In the mid-90s, his franchise was recognised as number one in Australia for top sales in the year.

Ever since then, the business has pushed further and remained amongst the top in the industry.

His two staff members, Brendan and Jay, are also recognised as number one and ten, respectively, in the country.

Tim highlights the hard work and consistency involved in keeping the business going, whilst his family, with a special mention of wife Michelle, have been a pillar of support.

“You’ve got to be all in with support on all fronts,” he said, stating that ultimately it pays off – even with the impacts of COVID-19, the business was only off the road twice for a couple of weeks in the last two years.

Snap-on is a leading manufacturer of premium tool and equipment solutions. The unique franchise model transports Snap-on’s tool range direct from workshop-to-workshop via dedicated franchisees like Tim Tredrea.

Snap-on invites you to become a franchise owner with Snap-on Tools to drive your own success and discover how to be a part of one of the longestrunning, successful franchises in the world.

For more information, visit www.snaponfranchise.com.au or start your conversation on 1800 810 581.

SHOPFRONT

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION BRINGS BAPCOR TO THE FOREFRONT

BAPCOR Limited is undergoing a complete digital transformation of its customer facing and backend business systems Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialist company says this highly detailed project was instigated to introduce innovative business technology systems to best suit the retail, trade, wholesale, and inventory management requirements of BAPCOR’s well known and respected automotive aftermarket companies.

of quotations and booking for automotive service and repair work.

BAPCOR says it has identified the key areas for automotive business efficiency improvements through industry dialogue, developing a total automotive parts sourcing, ordering, and quoting system for Burson Auto Parts (Australia and Thailand) and BNT (NZ) trade customers.

The application enables the customer to see the time required to complete the work and they can schedule a date and time, all without picking up a telephone.

Best of all, workshop listings on www.enji.com. au are available free of charge to all automotive workshops nationwide regardless of network or franchise affiliation.

One of BAPCOR’s most significant customer facing technology projects has been the upgrading of EZYParts - BAPCOR’s online parts ordering system for workshop customers.

BAPCOR’s trade customers across Australia, New Zealand and Thailand can use their computers, mobile phones, or tablet devices to gain immediate access to pricing, stock/inventory levels and the location of the parts they need to ensure faster and more accurate part identification through the input of a vehicle registration or VIN number.

BAPCOR says it will continue to invest in this trade online customer ordering system to constantly develop, update and improve it for use by its workshop customers.

Whether it is logbook servicing or parts or consumable component replacements, this unique online platform provides consumers with quotations for the work required from vehicle workshops in their area.

This online platform delivers customers to automotive workshops, taking away most of the cumbersome and often time-consuming office administration work associated with explaining, quoting, and scheduling bookings.

The next step in this development is the integration of Enji with the EZYParts system. This will ensure that Burson’s workshop customers will have the parts that they need for every www.enji.com.au originated service or repair booking and remove the manual process of figuring out the parts necessary and ordering them.

BAPCOR has also introduced a new and exciting business generating digital platform to support Australia’s independent automotive workshops.

Also, a convenient online payment service, along with UBER integration for the customer’s ride to work or home while their car is being serviced will be available soon.

The company has developed its own online vehicle service booking platform known as ENJI. Accessible now at www.enji.com.au, this is a website that consumers can use for the sourcing

Alongside this company’s leading automotive trade business, BAPCOR is also a major player in the Australian automotive aftermarket retail sector through its highly successful Autobarn

BAPCOR Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Darryl Abotomey.

and Autopro store networks, with over 200 store locations.

A new, responsive, highly detailed, and userfriendly Business to Customer E-Commerce solution has also been developed for the BAPCOR retail store network. This makes the online sourcing of vehicle tools, accessories, and parts faster and easier for consumers. Mobile phone access was a key design consideration of this online resource as this has proven to be the preferred search tool for retail customers.

When purchasing products, the customer has the option to choose either “click and collect” or to organise delivery. The new retail online E-Commerce system complements the revamped Autobarn and Autopro store format, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Major technological advances have also been made by BAPCOR with the opening of the company’s state of the art 50,000 square metre Victorian Distribution Centre in Tullamarine.

Together with Schafer, one of the world’s leading Goods to Person technology innovators, BAPCOR companies are now enjoying the benefits of this custom designed semi-automated product picking system which represents a technological first for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry.

The new BAPCOR Goods to Person system accommodates no fewer than 85,000 totes, with the ability to pick 600 lines per person per hour.

Along with major improvements in Warehouse Management System (WMS) efficiency, significant environmental benefits are also being achieved including reductions in energy and resource usage across lighting, water, packaging, and transport.

BAPCOR will save an estimated $10 million per year in operating costs though this new facilities technology.

BAPCOR Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Darryl Abotomey, says this proactive Australian automotive aftermarket industry leader is committed to constantly developing its digital transformation projects.

For more information, visit www.bapcor.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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SERVICES

REPXPERT 3.0 LAUNCHED

Schaeffler is taking its successful garage portal to the next level Five years ago, the current version of Schaeffler’s garage portal REPXPERT was successfully launched.

Since then, REPXPERT has developed into a strong brand in the automotive aftermarket and bundles all garage-oriented services at Schaeffler.

Currently, around 200,000 users from 36 country portals in 16 languages access REPXPERT. To structure the amount of information more clearly and make the website frontend more userfriendly, Schaeffler has relaunched its garage portal and raised it to a new level.

With the new version, REPXPERT 3.0, Schaeffler says it makes everyday work easier for garages.

It reports the next-generation garage portal is intuitive to use, guides users quickly to the topics they are looking for and offers more technical

content than ever before – already on the homepage.

Extensive technical information and repair data, an overview of training courses, news and events are available to every website visitor with the personalised dashboard.

Registered users have even more functions on hand: they can access the complete aftermarket parts catalog with all manufacturer data and see their latest activities, such as recently selected products or vehicles.

The personalised entry with an individual dashboard shows all relevant areas immediately while the revised navigation menu and the new global search function within catalog and technical information quickly leads to the desired REPXPERT content.

Garages access have access to the bonus program, the complete range of repair data including vehicle-specific repair and maintenance information (RMI) from TecAlliance and can register for training courses.

“Through close exchange with garages worldwide, we have received very good suggestions,” Head of Schaeffler REPXPERT Garage Services, Sven Olev Müller, said.

“Many of these we were able to implement with version 3.0 to offer our users an even better experience and, above all, more technical information.”

Schaeffler explains the integrated parts catalog continues to offer the entire product range of all aftermarket manufacturers for free and now allows for easier access to the extensive repair and maintenance information (RMI).

New is the fact that Schaeffler product data is now getting updated daily.

In the newly designed training area, numerous REPXPERT training courses provide interested garages with extensive theoretical and practical knowledge: classroom training courses, online training courses and e-learning courses can either be accessed directly or booked via an integrated calendar with online registration.

On top of that, REPXPERT 3.0 offers more indepth technical information that is continuously expanded, such as installation videos, step-bystep instructions, garage tips and help with typical fitting errors.

For more information, go to www.schaeffler.com

HAYNESPRO

The latest in automotive electronic system diagnostics HaynesPro says its electronic data has been an important aid to workshops for over 25 years and with electrical systems and advanced technologies becoming an ever more significant feature in modern cars, it has become essential.

At its heart sits HaynesPro’s exclusive Vehicle Electronics Smart Assistant (VESA).

HaynesPro says VESA is an innovative electronics diagnostics application which is unrivalled in the aftermarket arena.

It is based on vehicle CAN-Bus data and helps mechanics diagnose faults and component errors.

It takes an OEM’s often bewildering and unfamiliar wiring schematic, converts it to a clearer, more readable format and then zooms in on the component and wiring under investigation.

This feature within HaynesPro covers circuit diagrams, component locations, fuses and fault codes. Each of these data sets can be viewed individually and in isolation.

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However, the real value of the VESA is that the data is fully linked, combining this with the SmartPack information that gives the user fully integrated guided diagnostics reducing the number of unbillable hours.

HaynesPro is packed with essential information, typified by a clear fuse location and identification feature. Fuse boxes may be installed in various locations on a vehicle, making them more difficult to find.

Using the data in Fuses and Relays section minimises the time spent on searching.

Fuse locations are also accessible directly from the wiring diagram.

Component information covers technical details about the selected component. It covers a functional description and, if relevant, includes generic scope images.

Disconnecting and reconnecting a battery used to

be a straightforward task. In modern vehicles, the procedure is more complicated.

After battery reconnection, it is essential that the required reset procedures are completed to prevent errors in systems such as parking assistance or power windows, and the return of an unhappy customer.

For tips and guides to making the most of HaynesPro WorkshopData subscription, HaynesPro invites you to visit its YouTube channel.

For more information, visit www.haynespro.com.au

MILESTONES

GATES AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES 110-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Gates employees from across the globe have come together to celebrate the company’s milestone Gates Australia as part of the Gates Corporation, a leading global provider of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, celebrated the company’s 110-year anniversary in October.

The Gates Corporation traces its origins to 1911, when Charles Gates Sr bought the Colorado Tire and Leather Company in Denver, Colorado.

Gates had originally headed west in 1904 after graduating from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He took a job as a mining superintendent near Tin Cup, Colorado, but upon hearing of a gold strike in Nevada, he headed there and was hired as a mine engineer for the Nevada United Mines Company.

In 1910, he settled in Denver, married, and started looking for a business to buy. The Denver Post’s classifieds listed three companies for sale: a manufacturer of soap, a manufacturer of toilet paper, and a mail order company that sold tyre covers. Charles, age 33, and his wife Hazel, bought the Colorado Tire and Leather Company for their entire combined savings of $3,500.

By 1914, a new material was being introduced into many products – rubber – and it was the perfect material for car tyres, belts, and hoses because of its flexibility, adhesion, and durability.

Gates abandoned leather tyre covers and embraced the new technology, introducing retreads made of fabric and rubber.

This was only the start of things to come. Over the next few years, Gates introduced other new products, including inventing the first v-belt, car fan belts, blowout patches, and emergency boots for tyres. Gates went on to introduce countless other innovations in power transmission and fluid power that have impacted virtually every industry.

Over a century later, Gates still calls Denver home, but that small family-owned business has grown into a global leader in power transmission and fluid power products, services, and solutions, with more than 15,000 employees and over 100 locations in 30 countries.

Gates says a lot has changed over the last hundred years, but one thing hasn’t, stating it remains dedicated to moving the world forward.

Established in 1987 from a one-man office, today Gates Australia Pty Ltd operates out of its Dandenong South, Victoria head office and distribution centre and is a leader in power transmission and fluid power products in the Australia and New Zealand markets.

October 2021 is a milestone birthday for Gates and as part of the anniversary, Gates Corporation held a storytelling campaign among its employees in which Gates team members were encouraged to nominate their coworkers for giving 110 percent in support of one of the company’s five core values collaboration, accountability, tenacity, curiosity or dedication - and share their story.

The best stories received prizes and recognition as examples of each employee’s dedication and contribution to the company and its incredible history. Gates received approximately 1,000 story nominations worldwide.

Unfortunately, under current COVID lockdown restrictions in parts of Australia and New Zealand, staff were not able to come together to mark this occasion as a team, so instead all Gates Australia and New Zealand employees received at home a Gates 110 year ‘smash’ cake to celebrate with their family and friends.

Gates Australia says it would like to acknowledge all its long-standing relationships with customers, distributors and suppliers in Australia and New Zealand, thanking them for their support over Gates’ long history in the region and looking forward to developing and building on these relationships into the future.

Gates Australia says it is proud and excited to honor the company’s long-standing history while looking towards the future.

For more information, visit www.gates.com

WHITELINE CELEBRATES ITS 30TH BIRTHDAY The brand says this is just the beginning

From humble beginnings in the suburbs of Sydney in 1991, the brand has continued to expand and evolve over the years.

Whiteline designs each bar to tailor fit each individual vehicle to provide maximum grip, reflecting the brand’s tagline ‘Grip Activated.’

Now the Whiteline brand is celebrating thirty years in the business and despite decades of history, Whiteline says it is just beginning.

Whiteline says its adjustable sway bars allow the customer to adjust the handling characteristics of their vehicle.

Over the past two years, the brand has reportedly experienced significant growth in the global market.

It explains this is made possible through Whiteline’s distinctive blade end design that enables the stiffness of the bar to be adjusted by increasing or reducing the length of the lever arms.

The brand says it has been able to take full advantage of the dramatic shift in consumer buying behaviour and it has also been intentional about forming strategic partnerships and investing in direct-to-consumer channels.

Its offices and warehousing in the US and UK have also helped to increase its global reach and Whiteline says it is no longer just a humble brand, but instead, a heavy hitter on the global stage.

At the centre of the brand’s success is its core product: adjustable sway bars.

This means that the roll stiffness can be switched up in different situations without needing to replace the entire bar.

The blade end design makes it possible to neutralise the vehicle to make it more predictable when cornering. It can give more stability and control when towing a boat or caravan, and also allows a user to dial in more oversteer to help with turn in.

Whiteline says it has many plans to continue to progress the brand.

The company releases new bars every quarter and is celebrating its birthday over the next three months by introducing limited edition branding, establishing new partnerships, and releasing a number of new products.

Whiteline says it is committed to innovation and continued growth in the global market and plans to showcase why the Australian Aftermarket industry is among the best in the world.

For more information, email sales@whiteline.co.au or call 1300 882 355.

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PERFORMANCE & RACING

RACING TOWARDS A 3D PRINTED CAR

Divergent Technologies is set to revolutionise vehicle production by harnessing the power of additive manufacturing Working with SLM Solutions over several years, Divergent has developed state-of-the-art software using topology optimisation or generative design.

Kevin Czinger, head of Divergent Technologies, has developed an additive manufacturing platform which is making it easier and faster to design and build new cars at a fraction of the cost, and even reduces the environmental impacts of manufacturing.

Part development using a 3D printer allows the use of titanium that will reduce part weight, and aluminium to ensure part strength on sections of the vehicle that require greater reinforcement. All the parts are designed to minimise the amount of metal powder and maximise functionality and reliability.

SLM Solutions has worked with Divergent to develop this innovative process of car manufacturing. The benefits can be seen not just in the comparative costs for part production but in the reduction of space and overall cost of producing a whole car.

In March 2019 Kevin unveiled the extraordinary 21C in London. Hailed as a vision of the future, the car is ultra-light, compact, has a seven-speed automated sequential transmission gearbox and can achieve speeds from 0 to 300kph in 15 seconds. In October this year, the 21C Hypercar was driven around the COTA track in Los Angeles ahead of the American F1, recording the best time for an American production car lap ever set.

What has been learned by Divergent Technologies along the path to revolutionise car production is now taking a much bigger step.

In 2022 the factory will add to its SLM Solutions 3D metal printers, three new SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 machines that will introduce series production of the 21C to the facility in California.

SLM Solutions says the NXG XII 600 is a game changer. Each system is equipped with twelve 1kW lasers, reportedly making it the fastest machine on the market capable of printing at speeds five times faster than current systems. And

with a build chamber of 600 x 600 x 600 mm3 it says both large parts and groups of smaller parts can be built in a single digital step.

Numerous other advancements reportedly abound in this next-generation technology with its safe powder handling system which means Divergent will be able to produce thousands of tons of complex, automotive parts and structures that will hit the road as finished cars over the next two years.

If you want to find out how you can revolutionise part production at your facility, the Australian distributor in of SLM Solutions machines, Raymax Applications, invites you to contact its team.

For more information, visit www.raymax.com.au

SHW PERFORMANCE COMES TO THE AFTERMARKET TecDoc has facilitated SHW Performance’s entry into the automotive aftermarket SHW sells more than 290 brake disc types for the high-performance segment in the independent automotive aftermarket under the SHW Performance brand.

TecDoc Catalogue solutions are supporting the company in successfully launching the brand and establishing an international sales structure in the automotive aftermarket.

The independent aftermarket is an important growth segment for SHW, a leading supplier of pump and engine components, powder metallurgy and brake discs.

The special division SHW Brake Systems develops and manufactures high-performance brake discs.

Under the SHW Performance brand it is starting to sell OE-identical brake discs for the automotive aftermarket.

“We have started talking to European distribution players. Easy onboarding, data quality, product

availability and on-time delivery are the key expectations from their side,” SHW Key Account Manager, Matthias Reckziegel, said.

“TecDoc will help them sell, offering the ideal endto-end system for accurate part identification to match the vehicle.

“With TecDoc, the onboarding of our product into distributors’ own systems is easier to manage because TecDoc enables smooth cooperation among parts manufacturers, traders and workshops.

“That’s why TecDoc is a vital factor for distributors – they are no longer able to handle and manage offline suppliers.”

Under the new SHW Performance brand, a product range identical to the one for OEMs is being introduced to the international IAM. SHW delivers parts for cars like the Porsche 911 GT3, BMW M models and Audi RS models, including the R8 with the wave disc that SHW developed.

More than 290 brake disc types for the highperformance segment are already present in TecAlliance’s TecDoc Catalogue, which TecAlliance states is the world’s leading automotive replacement parts catalogue.

“We believe that if you are not present in TecDoc, you are not present in the independent aftermarket.

It is important for us to introduce our brand and

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product range so that our customers can easily find everything in the best possible standardised way”, Matthias said.

“Thanks to TecAlliance’s onboarding training, we submitted the product data for our full range of brake discs into the TecDoc Catalogue very quickly.

“Linking to the standardised product descriptions and the conversion to the TecDoc Standard went smoothly. As a result, our products can now be found by distributors and end customers in the TecDoc Solutions!

“By building on TecDoc’s extensive industry knowledge and technical expertise, we can showcase our product portfolio to the entire aftermarket network (including part numbers, product and maintenance descriptions) for bestin-class visibility and sales.”

For more information, visit www.tecalliance.net

PERFORMANCE & RACING

TOP TEN WEEKEND FOR DAYCO MUSTANG Tim Slade’s Mustang featured a full-car Dayco livery for the comeback to Supercars racing Dayco Australia celebrated the long-awaited return of Supercar racing with Tim Slade’s CoolDrive Racing Ford Mustang at Sydney Motorsport Park with a full-car livery at the first of four consecutive weekends of racing at the track.

The striking Dayco livery that was developed from the design of the global automotive engine and thermal management component manufacturer’s website and gained major acclaim throughout the three race, day and night event across October 29-31.

The specially developed reflective matt signage wrap was provided by CARTREK, ensuring this eye catching, one-off Dayco livery was a major stand out of this event.

Dayco Racing Ford Mustang driver Tim Slade qualified 10th, earning a place in the Top Ten shootout before racing strongly to earn three top ten finishes across all three hard fought races, making the Dayco entry one of only four cars in the field to do so.

The four back-to-back spectacular day and night racing events will be followed by a one week long motor racing festival at Mount Panorama in early December which will include the Repco Bathurst 1000 to conclude this second consecutive pandemic affected Supercars season.

According to Dayco Asia Pacific Vice President - Aftermarket, Arnold Mouw, this was a rare and exciting opportunity for Dayco to showcase the leading automotive product brand in line with the return of Australia’s most exciting motor racing category.

“In sharing the desire to create a bigger impact for this return Supercars event, the Blanchard Racing Team came up with this outstanding Dayco livery. It looked great at the event and on

television throughout this first of four Supercar racing weekends in Sydney,” Arnold said.

“The special reflective Dayco signage and overall change to the look of the CoolDrive Mustang made this a special one-off livery that many Supercar fans liked as did our global Dayco colleagues.”

Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacture and distribution of essential engine drive systems and aftermarket services for automotive, truck, construction, agriculture, and industrial applications.

Dayco has more than 42 locations in 21 countries and over 3,600 associates.

For more information, visit www.dayco.com

GCG ANNOUNCED AS CONTINENTAL TURBOCHARGER DISTRIBUTOR GCG met rigorous qualifying criteria to be accepted as distributor for Australia GCG says it is excited to be announced as the Australian Distributor for the Continental turbochargers range.

“Being associated with a world powerhouse brand such as Continental is a huge privilege,” GCG Turbochargers Australia Director, Brett Lloyd, said.

While Continental is a new player in the global turbocharger market, GCG says it is winning significant contracts with the BMW, Ford and Volkswagen Audi Group for the OEM fitment of product to engines.

GCG say it is important when producing products that are endorsed by the original manufacturer that there is a high level of care and quality of service.

It says this is why it is no surprise that to become a supplier of Continental turbochargers a business must meet the standards and expectations of the vehicle manufacturer.

After meeting rigorous qualifying criteria covering technical ability, aftersales service, warranty capability and local warehousing of product for immediate distribution, GCG was accepted as distributor for Australia.

efficiency, more and more OEMS are not only equipping diesel engines but also gasoline engines with turbochargers,” Continental Sales Manager, Veton Isufi, said.

“Having passed strict requirements is a testament to the hard work continuously delivered by the GCG team,” Brett said.

“In the future, turbochargers will play a more and more important role.”

The supply of new genuine turbos for the Australian market expands opportunities for customers, providing more variety when it comes to price and accessibility.

• Water-cooled aluminium turbine housing or steel turbine housing with integrated exhaust manifold*.

• Designed for high exhaust gas temperatures.

• Milled aluminium compressor wheel.

• Water-cooled, low-friction bearing system*.

• Highly effective sealing system.

• High thermodynamic performance.

• Durable, wear-optimised wastegate system for optimal charge pressure control.

On technical development Continental uses watercooled aluminium to reduce the turbochargers weight by nearly 2kgs compared to steel turbochargers of the same size. In addition, the RAAX turbine technology improves engine response and reduces emissions by increasing efficiency.

“In view of increasingly strict emissions requirements, downsizing and the need for better

Technical specifications

For more information, visit www.gcg.com.au *The specifications can vary depending on the type.

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4WD

ACCESSORISE YOUR CAR

Midland Towbars is ready to help with good old-fashioned service Towing is a big part of our Aussie culture – so many of us have trailers, boats, floats and caravans of all shapes and sizes.

Midland Towbars says it has been around for over 30 years now, providing great family friendly service and an extensive range of products to help you get ready to “hit the road.”

“We have a huge range of bike racks, brake controllers, bull bars, roof racks and especially towbars,” Midland Towbars, Joe Nistico, said.

“We have the biggest range of towbars from a collection of suppliers Australia wide. We might even have the biggest range of towbars in Australia!”

New to the Midland Towbars range of towbars is the TAG range of towbars.

“TAG towbars are made in Australia and engineered to last the life of your vehicle with a lifetime warranty to back it up,” Joe said.

parts showroom so that you can walk in, grab what you need and get home to complete your repairs or project.

“Tow your boat and trailer with ease and comfort with a TAG Heavy Duty Towbar, Plug-n-Play Wiring Kits and safety accessories.

“We have an extensive range of jockey wheels, hubs, couplings, and other parts that frequently wear out or get damaged.

“TAG Heavy Duty Towbars are built to endure the most stressful road conditions and stand up to the harsh Aussie environment. Call us today to find out if we have what you are looking for.”

“In our West Coast Trailer Parts and Accessories showroom, we stock Ark Products, Manutec, Cruise Master, Hitch-Ezy, Mister Hitches, McHitch, and so much more. Drop in and browse our extensive and growing range of trailer parts and accessories.

Midland Towbars has also been undergoing growth recently.

“Recently, we purchased West Coast Trailer Parts and Accessories and moved them into our premises so that we could extend our huge range of products even further,” Joe said.

“We are aiming to build up our stock in our trailer

“For the best service around, come on down to our one stop accessories Shop.”

You can find Midland Towbars and West Coast Trailer Parts and accessories at Unit 2, 4 Meliador Way, Midvale (Western Australia).

For more information, visit www.midlandtowbars.com.au

TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLERS From TAG Towbars

TAG Towbars says the CURT Trailer Brake Controllers it offers are world-class.

“These award-winning towing safety devices feature easy installation and intuitive controls and we have been part of the development journey bringing them to Australia,” TAG Towbars’ Mike Tomsett said.

“These Brake Controllers offer smooth, precise stops, applying the exact amount of brake power based on the vehicle’s momentum.”

There are two versions to select from – either the OEM-style dash-mounted Spectrum-2 or the compact proportion-based TriFlex brake controller.

The CURT Spectrum-2 Brake Controller is a fully compatible unit, able to run up to eight trailer brakes at a time (one to four axles). It can be used on vehicles with ABS brakes and cruise control and electric over hydraulic, and it works with lowvoltage and PWM systems.

TAG Towbars says the interface of the Spectrum-2 Brake Controller is simple but powerful. It is a single rotary knob with a push-button in the centre that allows the driver to adjust brake power output.

The Spectrum-2 is equipped with ten tri-colour LEDs (red, blue, and green) to show the automated power output of the control. TAG Towbars explains that there is no need for a separate display or added 110

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controls, keeping the dash of your vehicle clean, professional, and uncluttered.

Key features and benefits include: • Motion-sensing accelerometer for highly responsive, smooth stops.

• Easily accessible manual override with the press of a button.

• Automatic leveling and calibration eliminate setup requirements.

• Equipped with a quick plug for easy, plug-andplay installation.

• Built-in reverse-polarity and short-circuit protection.

• Includes mounting hardware.

• Knob outside diameter is 48mm.

The TriFlex proportion-based brake controller features a compact size, a digital display, and the ability to manage up to eight brakes at a time with nine levels of sensitivity adjustment for varying loads or driving conditions.

TAG Towbars says the feature that sets the TriFlex apart from many others is its unique motion-sensing accelerometer.

This integrated circuit component reportedly allows the TriFlex to detect every motion of your vehicle and trailer with exact precision and to then apply the perfect amount of braking power for every situation.

The TriFlex also automatically adjusts brake output when going up or down a hill and is compatible with anti-lock brakes and cruise control. It comes with a mounting bracket and hardware and can be mounted at various angles on your vehicle’s dash.

Key features and benefits include: • Automatic leveling and calibration eliminate setup requirements.

• The digital display shows power adjustments in 0.1 increments.

• Built-in reverse-polarity and short-circuit protection.

• Compatible with low-volt, PWM, ABS, cruise control, and electric over hydraulic.

• Auto sleep mode prevents battery drain after five minutes of idle time.

For more information or to learn about becoming a TAG Distributor or Reseller, visit www.tagtowing.com.au

4WD

HSP LAUNCHES SERIES 3 ROLL R COVER The third series ‘Roll R Cover’ has been in development for four years

HSP says it pioneered the electric roller cover in Australia, being the first to introduce a fully electric Ute roller shutter into the Australian market with the ability to do ladder racks, crossbars and retain sports bars.

That was in 2015, and HSP says that while there may now be other covers that offer what it did over half a decade ago, it can safely say that its Roll R Cover Series 3 has reset the benchmark.

“We created the world’s most advanced retractable cover packed with patented features, made it look great, made it work with your configuration, your factory remote and even your mobile phone and even priced it lower than less feature-packed imported units,” HSP Sales Director, Massih Aimaq, said.

“The choice is literally in your hands!”

“Plus, for Apple users it even works with your iWatch and Air pods with Siri integration.

Massih explains that the HSP Roll R Cover gives you three methods of operation.

“Whether you’re a weekend warrior, the ultimate handyman or just a Ute lover, we have made sure that our Roll R Cover works for you.

“Firstly, there is your factory remote – yes that’s right, your existing factory remote automatically controls the unit,” he said.

“With the ability to retain your sports bars, ladder racks or cross bars, the HSP electric roller cover truly allows you to customise your tub.

“Secondly, there is a smart touchpad built into our super-sleek side rails, which allows you to open and close the unit with an effortless tap. And for security, the touchpad only works when your vehicle is unlocked.

“Further, the Series 3 Roll top’s flat surface makes it easy to mount Genuine Sports bars and any other configuration you need without sticking out above your Ute’s cabin.

“Thirdly, there is Mobile Phone Application and SIRI integration. Simply download the HSP 4×4 App on your iPhone or Android device to control your roll top.

For more information, visit www.hsputelids.com

“Our Load bar and Ladder Rack system will also be releasing soon, so stay tuned.”

BRAIDED BRAKE HOSES New range now available from Terrain Tamer

Commonly falling prey to a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ brake hoses are an important part of any 4WD, but are often overlooked during servicing and repair work until a problem occurs.

High brake pressures can cause swelling in standard rubber hoses, and age and contaminants from rough 4WD environments can wear the rubber down or cause cracking and deterioration in the outer sheath.

To combat this, Terrain Tamer has released a new range of braided Brake Hoses which consist of three layers, working together to essentially provide the part with not only a longer lifespan, but also improved brake pedal height during heavy braking, and exceptional braking performance.

The first of these layers is a durable internal Teflon core line, which works to deliver the brake fluid.

Surrounding that is the braided stainless-steel sheath, which works to stop any swelling or deformation of the brake line when brakes are applied.

This sheath alone is less prone to damage than a traditional rubber hose, however Terrain Tamer have added a third outside plastic layer.

This third outside layer provides abrasion resistance and protects the stainless steel and Teflon layers from contaminants or damage from dust, dirt and grime.

Terrain Tamer’s Braided Steel Brake Hoses are currently available for a growing range of Toyota Landcruiser models.

For more information, call 1300 888 444 or visit www.terraintamer.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

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MEMBERS IN MOTORSPORT

XTREME SUCCESS

Xtreme Clutch has been a major supplier to the Australian Motorsport industry for nearly two decades The brand was founded whilst drifting was in its infancy in Australia and soon became a major supplier to drift teams around the country.

Over the years, Xtreme Clutch says its motorsport upgrades have been the trusted choice of drift champions in Australia, the UK, New Zealand and now the US. Xtreme Clutch – which is owned by Australian Clutch Services (ACS) – offers a custom clutch service which it says makes it the ideal choice for motorsport teams that run engine or gearbox conversions.

This has made Xtreme Clutch a popular brand for nearly all disciplines of motorsport including drag racing, rally and circuit racing. Xtreme Clutch has also been a control supplier for the Australian V8 Ute Series and SuperUte Series.

“Motorsport provides the ideal platform for us to test our performance products as well as helping to build both brand recognition and trust,” Xtreme Clutch Senior Mechanical Engineer, Stewart Furze, said.

“Our partnerships with motorsport teams around the world gives us the opportunity to test new components such as friction discs, pressure plates and flywheel designs. It also allows us to engineer solutions for a wide range of unique vehicles.

“Another advantage is that we can often test new products for vehicles that have just been released.

We often see teams building a new to market vehicle into a dedicated race car. Therefore, they often require a performance clutch solution before most people with street cars.

“Often these applications will run specialist motorsport transmissions, so we have also had the opportunity to build relationships with the manufacturers of these transmissions.”

Despite the difficult landscape for events around the world currently, Xtreme Clutch products are still taking to the track.

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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine November 2021

“Motorsport has certainly changed throughout 2020/2021, however we are fortunate in that our Xtreme Clutch products are sold around the world where a lot of motorsport events are back up and running,” Stewart said.

“We have also found that a lot of drivers and teams have taken this opportunity to develop their cars further and are looking for a performance clutch solution.”

The brand’s involvement in motorsport around the globe delivers key benefits to both the business, and its customers.

“Our customers benefit from the product quality that we gain through our participation in motorsport but also through the general demand for our products from club level motorsport,” Stewart said.

“Our distributors regularly require motorsport clutch kits for their own customer base. We often find that our distributors have strong connections with local motorsport teams and because we provide such a comprehensive range of different upgrade options, our distributors have access to almost any clutch solution that could be required to service their market.

“We have always taken the approach of offering as many different clutch solutions as possible for each vehicle and motorsport has helped us through customer feedback or demand to build an extensive range of options to suit each vehicle.

“For example, our Mitsubishi Evo options have expanded over the years due to their extensive use in Motorsport and we now offer over 20 different clutch variations for these vehicles with different torque capacities, friction materials, hubs and inertia.

“We have also built a wide range of ceramic and carbon upgrades purely for motorsport use and our range of different options gives us a major competitive advantage in the market.”

ACS reports that the involvement of Xtreme Clutch in the motorsport realm also has other benefits in addition to product development.

“We support our sponsorships with various activation strategies, often around customer attendance to local events, social media content and implementation of content into our various marketing materials,” Stewart said.

“This was particularly helpful when we entered into the US market and wanted to quickly build trust in the brand through the use of motorsport imagery in our point of sale and in our digital marketing activities.

“Seeing the product being used in high end motorsport machinery goes a long way to developing trust in the brand, particularly given the investment the customer is making in the product and the importance of performance and reliability.”

To learn more about ACS and Xtreme Clutch, please visit www.australianclutch.com.au