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Autotechnician Magazine Autotechnician is a magazine published nine times a year, delivering essential information to independent garage owners and technicians in the UK. Delivered both digitally and in print, autotechnician provides readers with technical, training, business advice, product and news, allowing our readers....

GREAT NEWS...

The latest edition of autotechnican magazine is available to view/download online now!

We hope you have had a fantastic summer and you’re all set for a busy September. We discuss potential upcoming changes to the MOT test and suppliers advise on how best to prepare for peak MOT season, from page 14.

Should you even consider offering upgraded parts and services for your braking system repairs? Rob Marshall asks the experts, from p22. Rob then looks at the upgrade opportunities with filtration and how technicians have their roles to play, from p30.
On page 38, we travel to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire to join the tenth anniversary of the ego-free Festival of the Unexceptional.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

https://issuu.com/autotech9/docs/at_sept_24?fr=sYjVlMTcyMzU2MzA

ARTICLE...

Voltage drop circuit testing – Part Two: By Des Davies AAE MIMI, Top Gear Motor Services

This is the second article on voltage drop circuit testing, following on from the basics and fundamentals of the circuit testing methods explained in the June issue.

You need to have the correct tools and equipment in place to test and diagnose electrical faults – a good digital multimeter is essential to trace faults and give you accurate test results, don’t buy a cheap multimeter as a good quality one will last for years if you look after it.

Voltage drop circuit testing – Part Two - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop This is the second article on voltage drop circuit testing, following on from the basics and fundamentals of the circuit testing methods explained in the June issue.

ARTICLE...

Voltage drop circuit testing – Part One: By Des Davies AAE MIMI, Top Gear Motor Services

Testing electrical circuits and components can be difficult to comprehend but it’s like everything we learn on the vehicle, understanding the basics of electrical circuits can only help us to test and locate problems within these systems. It’s not easy and can be time-consuming; most technicians I have worked with would rather repair mechanical problems than delve into electrical diagnostics. You cannot blame them, it can take hours or even days to locate a fault in the electrical system, whereas mechanical problems tend to be, but not always, easier to diagnose. Here, I’ve tried to explain the fundamentals as simply as possible. To test and diagnose electrical circuits, you will need:

• Access to the manufacturer’s schematic diagrams and technical information are essential

• When testing vehicle circuit faults and components you need a good digital multimeter to diagnose and test faulty circuits and components

• Do not use an old analogue voltmeter as these will draw too much current when working on modern cars, especially with systems using electronics and computers, they will fry them!

• The multimeter is your best friend when diagnosing electrical circuit faults, you do not need to purchase fancy or expensive lab scopes or meters, a good quality basic multimeter with 10MΩ of resistance is all that is required. If you need to test electric/hybrid vehicles as well, you need a higher spec Cat III 600V for safety.

Voltage drop circuit testing – Part One - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Testing electrical circuits and components can be difficult to comprehend but it's like everything we learn on the vehicle, understanding the basics of electrical circuits can only help us to test and locate problems within these systems.

NEWS...

The new Executive Team will provide strategic and day-to-day direction for the organisation’s 118 employees and more than 110,000 members, enabling the IMI Board to begin recruiting a permanent Executive Team within the next 12 months.

During this period of transition, the Board has appointed Kevin Finn, who has been Chair of the IMI since 2020, in the newly created role of Executive Chair. Azlina Bulmer has been appointed as Managing Director with responsibility for the overall management, organisation and staffing of the IMI. Simon Barrell has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer.

IMI Executive Team change - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop The new Executive Team will provide strategic and day-to-day direction for the organisation’s 118 employees and more than 110,000 members, enabling the IMI Board to begin recruiting a permanent Executive Team within the next 12 months

ARTICLE...

A1 Clutches has been trading successfully for 34 years, and owner Amrik Singh’s story is one of entrepreneurial spirit and seizing opportunity. With four branches across the West Midlands, becoming one of the market leaders in the clutch, dual mass flywheel, manual and semi-automatic transmission specialists have kept their communities moving since 1990.

A1 Clutches - the path to success - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop A1 Clutches has been trading successfully for 34 years, and owner Amrik Singh's story is one of entrepreneurial spirit and seizing opportunity

NEWS...

Mercedes-Benz accounted for the most remote diagnostic tickets in the last 12 months via Hella Gutmann’s macsRemote Services, with the majority relating to the replacement of front radar and headlight modules.

Its analysis shows that thousands of remote diagnostic jobs were completed across 240 vehicle models, from 41 VMs in the last 12 months. Volkswagen and Ford ranked second and third most ticketed VMs.

Hella Gutmann’s macsRemote Services gives workshops the OE capability to undertake calibrations and coding on vehicles via remote connection. Independent garages facing blocks due to lack of data, access authorisations, or because the vehicle is too new for their usual diagnostic tools, can now call on Hella Gutmann’s remote experts.

“We’ve removed the VM hoops that independent garages have been expected to jump through,” said Alex Magee, Hella Gutmann Technical Specialist. “They can now complete jobs which previously seemed impossible or uneconomical. It’s instantaneous too, just plug-in and raise a ticket. Within a minute of requesting support, workshops will be in direct contact with us.”

Mercedes tops remote diagnostics requests - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Mercedes-Benz accounted for the most remote diagnostic tickets in the last 12 months via Hella Gutmann’s macsRemote Services, […]

ARTICLE...

A major update has been released for the PicoScope 7 automotive software, adding support for new vehicle and powertrain types, Waveform Library Favourites and Sharing, guided tests and Waveform Library linking, new Measurements, Math Channels and Serial Decoders!

Pico Technology has introduced new Vehicle Details options in PicoScope 7, so that technicians can easily store all the correct data from any vehicle and have it quickly available for later recall and reference. In addition to new vehicle types, powertrain types and their respective options, the update includes new options for mileage and hours, and separate vehicle registration and vehicle identification number fields. All the updates are mirrored in Pico Technology’s free Waveform Library service, meaning technicians can upload, store, and retrieve relevant waveforms using all the newly available details.

Major scope update - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop A major update has been released for the PicoScope 7 automotive software, adding support for new vehicle and powertrain types, Waveform Library Favourites and Sharing, guided tests and Waveform Library linking, new Measurements, Math Channels and Serial Decoders!

PRODUCT...

The new Castrol Edge 0W-20 low viscosity engine oil, suitable for use in petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, has simultaneously secured approvals from BMW, Mercedes- Benz and Volkswagen – widely regarded as among the most demanding in the industry.

Rigorously tested for over 10,000 hours, Castrol EDGE 0W- 20 LL IV works to reduce friction, increase efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.

Ralf Wobben, Brand and Product Specialist, comments: “Castrol EDGE is our most advanced range of engine oils that can meet the most demanding specifications. To be at the forefront of a fast-paced industry is an example of Castrol’s leading work with vehicle manufacturers to engineer engine oils that can unlock performance and increase efficiency. This world-first low-viscosity ‘combi’ 0W-20 lubricant demonstrates how we’re taking the latest technological advances and delivering them in a product that is suitable for numerous applications.”

Castrol Edge gains widespread VM approval - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Rigorously tested for over 10,000 hours, Castrol EDGE 0W- 20 LL IV works to reduce friction, increase efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.

COMPETITION...

As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, Castrol has launched ‘First Car Love Stories’, a new campaign that encourages workshop customers to share their motoring stories for a chance to win a £10,000 monetary prize.

The new promotion will capture car drivers’ emotive stories about their very first car, and is aimed at boosting sales and driving brand awareness. Car enthusiasts who do not yet own a car may also participate by submitting a brief description of their first dream car and explaining their choice. Once entrants submit their details, they can see where their ‘First Car Love Story’ appears, mapped alongside Castrol’s history, including historic events or Castrol milestones and product launches from that period.

https://autotechnician.co.uk/castrol-launches-first-car-love-stories-campaign-in-the-uk/

Castrol

Castrol launches ‘First Car Love Stories’ campaign in the UK - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Castrol launches ‘First Car Love Stories’ campaign in the UK to drive brand awareness and sales

Gatsby glamour awaits at Ben Ball 2024! ✨

Join your automotive family on Wednesday 11th December at oldbillingsgate for a stand-out event filled with vintage elegance, festive cheer and unforgettable moments. Get ready to transport yourself back to the glitz and glamour of the 1920s with a mesmerising Great Gatsby experience by the Electro Swing Project. As featured on London’s West End, this awe-inspiring show is not to be missed.

BOOK NOW 👉 https://ben.org.uk/get-involved/do-it-4-ben/ben-ball/

Since we announced the show-stopping entertainment tables are selling fast - book today to avoid missing out!

Ben Ball 2024 Join us for the Ben Ball 2024! A fantastic evening with dinner, drinks and entertainment, with proceeds going to support those in need. Book here

ARTICLE...

Brake Judder: Cause and Prevention - In many cases, no symptoms of brake judder will be apparent following the fitment of new discs, with vibration being felt after a few thousand miles. Like most things in life, preventing this comes down to preparation. Here, Febi runs through the do’s and don’ts to prevent disc thickness variation and judder…

When fitting new brake discs and pads, careful preparation is vital to avoid brake judder. This is because, in many cases, no symptoms of brake judder will be apparent following the fitment of new discs. However, after a few thousand miles, vibration through the brake pedal and steering wheel can be felt. This vibration is often caused by disc thickness variation (D.T.V.)

Ferdinand Bilstein / febi bilstein

Brake Judder - Cause and Prevention - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Like most things in life, preventing this comes down to preparation. Here, Febi runs through the do’s and don’ts to prevent disc thickness variation and judder…

ARTICLE...

Being wary to step over the proliferation of Fake News, Rob Marshall filters out the best practice advice on testing and maintaining 12-volt batteries with help from real experts.

Be careful of self-professed ‘experts’. In reality, many of them do not have the insight that they profess. Whether the cause is lazy UK journalists, trying to align pretentious North American technician YouTubers’ advice to the UK market, or big corporations employing marketing departments to dish out any free (but often incorrect) advice in exchange for column inches, it is all adding to public misinformation that you have to correct.

For instance, you might wonder why a price comparison provider would dish out car maintenance advice but Uswitch did just that, when it decided to reveal which car checks owners are neglecting in late June. To be fair, it is not a bad premise – we all know that many car owners fail to make even basic checks. What caught our eye was the statement:

“A staggering 67% of drivers don’t know how to check their car’s battery health”.

Keeping the spark alive - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Being wary to step over the proliferation of Fake News, Rob Marshall filters out the best practice advice on testing and maintaining 12-volt batteries with help from real experts.

SPONSORED POST...

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https://www.meyle.com/en/passenger-cars/steering-and-suspension/

MEYLE

autotechnician Servicing the independent workshop...

ARTICLE...

Technicians do not want to replace a clutch twice, so why would you take any risks? Rob Marshall looks at how best to avoid the inconvenience, by considering clutch best practice.

Let’s face it, clutch changes are neither easy, nor enjoyable. It is complex and exhausting work. Yet, taking shortcuts may lead to you repeating the operation. The causes vary from selecting low-grade parts and not considering the full task to avoiding training and being too focussed on beating the book time.

Clutches: Doing it right - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Technicians do not want to replace a clutch twice, so why would you take any risks? Rob Marshall looks at how best to avoid the inconvenience, by considering clutch best practice.

ARTICLE...

Recruiting and retaining the best

Top tips from HR specialist and founder of The HR Playbook, Amy Blick FCIPD.

As a small business, your people are the foundation for long term success. It makes sense therefore to invest time and a little money into building an optimum recruitment and onboarding process. The days are long gone when posting a vaguely worded advert and giving a recruit your staff handbook as their induction training was enough. Today, if you want to attract the best people you must go the extra mile. The good news is, it’s not that difficult. Here are my top tips…

Recruiting and retaining the best - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop As a small business, your people are the foundation for long term success. It makes sense therefore to invest time and a little money into building an optimum recruitmentand onboarding process.

NEWS…

Nissan-led skills centre given £9.7m funding.

Sunderland Nissan-led skills hub awarded public funds MADE NE aims to create a new generation of workers in the electric vehicle and battery sectors.

NEWS...

1,000 qualified young mechanics ready for work - Autotech Academy is helping to address the estimated current skills gap of between 3,000 to 9,000 technicians in the trade by providing a paid internship programme, giving newly qualified students the opportunity to gain vital experience whilst offering employers a risk-free way to ‘grow their own’ talent.

There are currently 1,000 graduates signed up to the programme who are seeking their first role, equipped with a complete tool kit and uniform. Autotech Academy conducts thorough interviews and evaluations, saving employers significant time and resources in the hiring process. Interns receive hourly pay from Autotech Academy throughout their 6-12 month placement, alleviating any employment or PAYE issues for the employers.

Autotech Academy

1,000 qualified young mechanics ready for work - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Autotech Academy is helping to address the estimated current skills gap of between 3,000 to 9,000 technicians in the trade by providing a paid internship programme, giving newly qualified students the opportunity to gain vital experience whilst offering employers a risk-free way to 'grow their own'....

ARTICLE...

Heavier vehicles, ever-deteriorating road surfaces and, dare we say, a lack of driver mechanical sympathy, are all accelerating demand for suspension and steering repairs, leading Rob Marshall to discover how garages can ensure long-lasting repairs with minimum chance of comebacks.

You might be the best technician in the world but you cannot perform a decent repair if the parts fitted are made from cheese, the back-up is non-existent, or if there are zero opportunities to advance your knowledge.

You are what you fit…

While parts quality overall is a hot potato topic in the aftermarket, steering and suspension components are the most common areas on which technicians vent their anger to us. This is unsurprising. There are few greater irritations in life (aside from a Haribo advert) than finding that a correctly ordered part does not fit. So, what do the quality providers say?

Steering towards best practice - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Heavier vehicles, ever-deteriorating road surfaces and, dare we say, a lack of driver mechanical sympathy, are all accelerating demand for suspension and steering repairs, leading Rob Marshall to discover how garages can ensure long-lasting repairs with minimum chance of comebacks.

PRODUCT...

Toolkits and products for Top Techs - By JLM Lubricants UK, sponsors of Autotech.

Workshop technicians are the unsung heroes of the automotive sector. They save customers time, money and hassle with their hard-won expertise and experience underpinned by training on and off the job. And with a third of drivers holding onto their cars for longer because of the costof-living crisis, they are more important than ever.

So, earning the trust of technicians so that they choose your brand is the Holy Grail for any supplier like JLM Lubricants UK. With the market saturated with lubricants and additives, which ones can you afford to stake your reputation on? Because that is what it boils down to. You choose the best brands for hard parts. The same must also apply to the ‘liquid tools’ in your workshop.

https://issuu.com/autotech9/docs/at_julaug_24_digital/s/53587655

JLM Lubricants UK

Toolkits and products for Top Techs - Issuu Workshop technicians are the unsung heroes of the automotive sector. They save customers time, money and hassle with their hard-won expertise and experience underpinned by training on and off the job. And with a third of drivers holding onto their cars for longer because of the costof-living crisis,...

NEWS...

ALLDATA Europe took centre stage at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event with an expert panel discussion on the transformative trends shaping the automotive aftermarket. Hosted by Simon Frost, UK sales director, the panel explored critical topics.

https://issuu.com/autotech9/docs/at_julaug_24_digital/s/53587200

ALLDATA Europe GmbH

NEWS...

Ben - Support for Life reveals details about its two big events this year - Automotive industry charity, Ben, has announced details about its two biggest events of the year – Ben’s Big Breakfast and Ben Ball. These events need to raise £150,000 to help fund Ben’s life-saving support for automotive industry people who are struggling or in crisis.

Ben reveals details about its two big events this year - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop Automotive industry charity, Ben, has announced details about its two biggest events of the year - Ben’s Big Breakfast and Ben Ball. These events need to raise £150,000 to help fund Ben’s life-saving support for automotive industry people who are struggling or in crisis.

ARTICLE...

The Direct Shift Gearbox - How they work, how they fail & how ACtronics LTD can help.

Whilst the production DSG gearbox is a comparatively modern revelation, the formation of the original conceptual development can be traced back to the 1970s, nearly threedecades before they would be supplied on mass into road going vehicles.

The Direct Shift Gearbox - How they work, how they fail & how ACTRONICS can help - Issuu Whilst the production DSG gearbox is a comparatively modern revelation, the formation of the original conceptual development can be traced back to the 1970s, nearly threedecades before they would be supplied on mass into road going vehicles.

PRODUCT...

Beissbarth alignment system gains VAG approval - The new Beissbarth Q.Lign system now carries full approval status for all VW / Audi / Seat / Skoda / Cupra / Porsche/ Lamborghini / Bentley vehicles and has the very latest wheel alignment data and software, as approved by the manufacturer, from June 2024.

Beissbarth alignment system gains VAG approval - autotechnician - servicing the independent workshop The new Beissbarth Q.Lign system now carries full approval status for all VW / Audi / Seat / […]

NEWS…

Car firm plans multimillion-pound training hub.

Nissan plans £14m training facility in Sunderland The aim to train a skilled workforce for sectors including electric vehicle and battery production.

ARTICLE...

Recruiting and retaining the best - Top tips from HR specialist and founder of The HR Playbook, Amy Blick FCIPD.

As a small business, your people are the foundation for long term success. It makes sense therefore to invest time and a little money into building an optimum recruitment and onboarding process. The days are long gone when posting a vaguely worded advert and giving a recruit your staff handbook as their induction training was enough. Today, if you want to attract the best people you must go the extra mile. The good news is, it’s not that difficult. Here are my top tips...

Recruiting and retaining the best - Issuu As a small business, your people are the foundation for long term success. It makes sense therefore to invest time and a little money into building an optimum recruitment and onboarding process. The days are long gone when posting a vaguely worded advert and giving a recruit your staff handbook as t...

ARTICLE...

Schaeffler REPXPERT UK Academy conference: From local to national

Following its regional events success, Schaeffler sought to bring together the aftermarket cream at its first REPXPERT Academy conference, but did it succeed? Rob Marshall ventured to Coventry to find out.

Like Hella, Schaeffler has been plugging gaps in its aftermarket offerings. While the company’s regional Academy Live events have been well received, Schaeffler wanted to bring everyone together, using its repute as a respected garage support supplier, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry presented an ideal central location.

Schaeffler REPXPERT Academy conference: From local to national – autotechnician – servicing the independent workshop Following its regional events success, Schaeffler sought to bring together the aftermarket cream at its first REPXPERT Academy conference, but did it succeed? Rob Marshall ventured to Coventry to find out.

NEWS...

Get ready for Automechanika Frankfurt - Automechanika Frankfurt is a truly global event and seen as the must-attend exhibition for automotive professionals in Europe.

Organisers are looking to entice UK workshop owners and technicians to the vast showcase of technology, services and equipment in the heart of Frankfurt by providing an extensive programme of lectures and seminars, Workshop of the Future 4.0, classic car servicing and repair, networking, with a daily happy hour with live music and drinks!

Automechanika

Get ready for Automechanika Frankfurt – autotechnician – servicing the independent workshop Automechanika Frankfurt is a truly global event and seen as the must-attend exhibition for automotive professionals in Europe.