The Automotive Blog

• For Brake Testing try BrakeCheck the Brake Testing device for commercial vehicles
• For flat batteries use SOS Battery Booster. This product can start heavy plant engines up to 1500HP which have been stationary for long periods, in extreme weather conditions and without batteries.
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring is simple to assess with PressurePro.

aide automotive would like to promote Roadtransports top 10 tips for commercial vehicle operators to avoid being stranded.

1. Use the Highways Agency and Met Office websites for primary reference and get regular feedback from any drivers already out in affected areas.

2. Transport managers should make alternative plans to get trucks moving, and if a truck is stranded keep customers informed of vehicle movements.

3. Make sure drivers are well armed with night-out stuff or at least have the basics: a torch, food and drink, and a mobile phone. A truck’s night-heater should ward off the cold but blankets are also important.

4. Get drivers to do a thorough check of their vehicle, checking all light bulbs, topping up washer fluid and de-icer/scraper and making sure tyres are properly inflated.

5. Truck drivers need to double their usual stopping distance from the vehicle in front; don’t be afraid to travel slower.

6. When you are trying to slow the truck down, employ the engine brake and/or retarder before the service brakes. This will slow the vehicle before applying the brakes. Most trucks will have ABS but that is no guarantee of stopping inside the usual stopping distance for a truck. Articulated truck drivers should avoid braking procedures on corners – a sure way to jack-knife.

7. Take your time. Keep to the main roads; they are more likely to have been gritted. On motorways and dual carriageways use the clearest lane and keep away from slush and ice.

8. Don’t use the cruise control – this is no time for efficient running. Keep the truck in high gear as it will slow the vehicle more quickly once you take your foot off the accelerator.

9. Concentrate. Avoid, if possible, poorly lit roads and shortcuts through country lanes. There is a greater risk of ice where the road changes elevation or is exposed to the elements, where it passes under a bridge, and where the sun is blocked out and the surface doesn’t melt.

10. Tune into the local radio station – its traffic updates will be more regular, comprehensive, and up to date compared with national radio.

aide automotive promote various products that could help with the tips above:

Air Alert is an excellent product to identify low tyre pressures.

Brake Light Check makes it easy for the driver to check his or hers lights.

Using BrakeCheck on a commercial vehicle inspection sheet will keep brakes working to the VOSA standard.

Two partners in 1-4-You Coaches of Burntwood, Staffordshire, have been jailed after the brakes failed on an elderly Bova Futura coach on Staxton Hill near Scarborough, causing it to hit a car, killing the car’s two occupants. Robert Ouhgton (53), who was driving the coach, was sentenced to five years and three months. His partner John Lote (61) was sentenced to three years. The accident happened in September 2008.

Oughton and Lote had both admitted manslaughter due to gross negligence at a previous hearing. Oughton also admitted causing death by dangerous driving.”

With reference to the outcome with 1-4-You coaches Matthew Burke of aide automotive says: “With latest corporate laws in the UK no business can afford to skip on maintenance or paper work.

aide automotive are always promoting good maintenance to bus and coach companies and with the BrakeCheck or EBS/ABS Sensor Tester these companies have affordable good test tools for brake testing and maintenance.

With regard to paper work aide automotive have simplified the system required for company owners and managers to advise employees and drivers what is required when driving on company business, Route Safe tells each driver daily to drive responsible and check the vehicle is road worthy.”

Go to aide automotive for full product details.

During the christmas holidays motorists can help avoid being stranded by the roadside in the freezing cold because of a breakdown or even worse a serious accident by monitoring their tyre pressure before they set off.  TyreSafe issued this advice with a warning: “Drivers who fail to make these checks and adjustments significantly increase their likelihood of experiencing a dangerous tyre blowout.” “During the holiday period too many motorists suffer misery from tyre related breakdowns because they haven’t made adequate checks before setting off,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Very often the cars are heavily loaded with extra passengers, luggage and presents and then head off on long, high-speed, motorway journeys. It’s essential when carrying extra weight that tyre pressures are checked and adjusted in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Motorists who fail to make these adjustments are much more likely to spend some of their Christmas break stranded at the roadside because of a tyre failure”.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring is a crucial health and safety check for any vehicle but even more so in the winter months. PressurePro is a device that takes the guesswork out of monitoring your vehicles tyre pressure.  Click Tyre Pressure Monitoring for more details

Visit aideautomotive to find out more on our full product range

Misfuelling has been a common  problem for the Suffolk Police, with over £10,000 worth of repairs bills being caused from putting petrol in a diesel car over the past 5 years. 

“Unfortunately, even police officers and staff are prone to making mistakes such as this and it is down to human error,” said a Suffolk police spokeswoman.
Norfolk Police are also having problems with mis-fuelling when they announced earlier this year that blundering police officers had cost over £30,000 in the last six years by misfuelling. The largest amount was during 2007-08 when the repair bill for repairing vehicles damaged by mis-fuelling topped £8,000.

Diesel Key can save these costly bills that are generated by putting petrol in a diesel car.  This simple to install device replaces the existing filler cap and, once fitted, prevents you from putting  the wrong fuel into your diesel car.

Look at aide automotive ‘s misfuelling website for more information

Testing truck brakes can be achieved by 3 methods, :

Roller Brake Testing

ABS Sensor Testing – ABS Sensor Tester

Decelerometer Brake Testing – BrakeCheck

aide automotive ltd offer a range of products for truck brake testing.

Motorists are being hit with the highest ever pre-Christmas fuel prices after diesel hit 5p a gallon for the first time in more than a year. Diesel has shot up nearly 12p a litre from its low price last January to reach an average 110p a litre.

Hauliers have also warned that more expensive fuel could push up shop prices, with retailers forced to pass on the higher costs to customers.The Freight Transport Association which represents 14,000 haulage companies said that these rising fuel costs would be impacting on businesses already suffering from the recession.

As prices rise and fuel becomes a valuable commodity the problem of fuel theft  becomes an increasing problem.

However for a small investment there  the perfect solution to such a problem. TP Anti Syph, this easy to fit device is  a preventative measure against thieves siphoning fuel from vehicles.

 Click Anti syphon for more details

Or aide automotive for all of our products on offer

Nottingham County Council realise the importance of keeping fuel theft at bay.  This ever increasing problem of thieves syphoning fuel from commercial and private vehicles is becoming an expensive problem.  As a consequence Nottingham County Council have purchased 80 anti-siphoning devices to prevent fuel theft from their vehicles.

TP Anti Syph is a high quality device that helps to prevent the theft of fuel from commercial vehicles. It’s easy enough to install yourself .

Click Anti Syphon device for full product details or visit aide automotive for all of our products