The Automotive Blog

With the big freeze forecast to continue into January it is essential to check EBS/ABS braking systems are in full working order with diagnostic tools!

TrailerCheck II is the next generation of trailer diagnostic tools by quickly determining the electrical integrity of an EBS/ ABS braking system on a commercial trailer. Using a tractor unit to carry out a trailer test is not as effective as the TrailerCheck as the tractor unit is not guaranteed to be a 100% working unit. TrailerCheck eliminates the indecision and confirms the trailer’s fault.

aide automotive supplies a number of automotive products for commercial businesses.  Matthew Burke the business owner says

TrailerCheck has been a popular product of ours for a number of years.  We introduced this new version of this product earlier this year and it’s already proving to be a best seller for us.  This newer version  includes a radio remote hand set for walk round activation of the lighting system. The hand set will communicate with a trailer’s ECU, reading and clearing ABS fault codes on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems.  TrailerCheck II helps eliminate fault finding by reading the ECU codes to determine where the fault lies. Being able to clear historic codes is ideal within a service and inspection, knowing a system is clear and then reviewing to see what faults the ECU has recorded is beneficial

TrailerCheck II, a cost effective trailer diagnostic tool

As electronic systems become a given on commercial vehicles, and modern trucks become far more sophisticated so does the development of diagnostic tools for trucks. These new diagnostic tools need to be capable of reliable inspection and troubleshooting for trucks.

The ECUs which manage the engine, transmission, braking systems, safety and security systems, are computers that are connected to external peripherals, sensors and actuators. Safe and reliable ECU operation is ensured by effective communication to and from these peripherals.

Vehicle systems and dash information systems are designed to warn the driver of possible problems with any of the ECU monitored systems.

aide automotive offer state of the art diagnostic equipment which enables the easy interaction with these sophisticated systems that exist in every vehicle today. So whatever the make and model of your truck or van, we have the diagnostic tool to diagnose the problem.

Examples of when diagnostic equipment is required on vehicles:

• ABS/EBS systems
• Diesel/engine management
•  Electronic clutch calibration
• Immobiliser
• Engine adjustments
• Body/cab systems
• Dash and instruments
• Air conditioning & climate control
• Auto gearbox
• Safety restraint systems (SRS) and airbags
• Error deletion stored in ECU and service interval reset

aide automotive offers a PC based diagnostic kit, with diagnostic software for installation on either a personal or supplied PC, all truck and trailer cables are supplied in a protective case. aide automotive also offer a cost reduction by offering individual cables rather than the full kit, e.g. if your fleet only have DAF trucks then the DAF cable can be supplied singularly, this could save the user around 800 pounds from the full cable kit!

Like any diagnostic tool software updates are critical in communicating with latest trucks and trailer systems, the aide automotive Truck Diagnostic Kit is supplied with an annual update and an annual subscription.

aide automotive’s Truck Diagnostic Kit is ideal for in house workshops and commercial repairers to apply a diagnostic test and service to most trucks and trailers, cost effective against well known Texa systems, finance can be offered on purchasing the equipment to show a simple equation on a money return business service.

Contact aide automotive if you require an on site demonstration.

Fuel theft from commercial vehicles is a common problem over the festive period. While vehicles are left idle while firms close down for the Christmas Break, they’re an easy target for thieves looking to syphon fuel from the vehicles.  One business who supplies automotive products, aide automotive have experience of this problem. aide automotive owner Matthew Burke says

We always see an increase in sales of our fuel theft devices over the Christmas period. Most companies want to protect their vehicles from thieves looking to syphon off fuel whilst a business is closed down and nobody is on the premises. We have a range of anti-syphon devices that have the perfect solution for this problem

To find out more about our anti-syph devices visit aide automotive

Fuel theft devices to prevent the siphoning of fuel

BatteryCheck

The 3 In One Battery Tester

Battery Testing is a procedure most garages want to have the device to determine the charge and the functionality of the alternator. BatteryCheck is a small and compact high performance electronically controlled plug in battery charger and tester, in addition BatteryCheck can act as a  battery back-up whilst repairing or replacing electronic items within a vehicle.

The neat compact design of this device makes it a handy tool in any MOT Garage or workshop. BatteryCheck’s  3 in 1 functionality means it will test a battery, the charge status and the functionality of the alternator in one simple process. Battery over charging is impossible as the microprocessor controlled technology monitors all functions of the BatteryCheck.

BatteryCheck can be used to test conventional lead-acid, lead-calcium/silver, or sealant type batteries (AGM, MF) as well as maintenance free lead-gel batteries. Able to charge deeply discharged batteries, a reverse polarity protection system is also integrated into the BatteryCheck.

 Find out more at aide automotive

Syphoning fuel from commercial vehicles is a costly problem for many businesses, so it’s essential to find the right fuel theft device. aide automotive were recently approached by  Pullman Fleet Services to see if they had a solution enabling him to protect against fuel theft for their fleet of 400 Carrier and Thermoking refrigerated trailer tanks.

Although at that time there was not a device suitable for these particular vehicles. Pullman Fleet Services had not anticipated a new bespoke fuel anti-siphon device to be designed, manufactured, and delivered to his depot within 25 days! However aide automotive managed just this, through their supplier Truck Protect, its products now offer the most effective protection across a wide range of tanks and neck sizes. Clive Peachy of Pullman Fleet Services says,

The customer service was outstanding with regular director visits to site and I was able to satisfy DHL and Iceland with some superb, market-leading, cost effective ASDs. Seeing five companies working closely together was superb and demonstrates how a collaborative approach to a significant problem can produce quick and highly effective results.

This new product is called Reffer Syph and is available from aide automotive.

Monitor Tyre Pressure on a regular basis to prevent serious accidents caused by blow outs. A recent accident could have been prevented by simple tyre pressure monitoring. Passengers were thrown through windows and doors when a minibus overturned on the M1 following a tyre blow-out last July. The accident resulted in twelve people being taken to hospital, three of which were seriously injured. Three air ambulances were called to the scene of the accident The cause of the accident was witnessed as a blow out from the driver’s side rear tyre, causing the vehicle to overturn. Tyre blow-outs ma be considered unpredictable, but tyre pressure monitors can constantly check tyre pressure and avoid the majority of tyre blow outs. aide automotive has two products that help with tyre pressure monitoring, PressurePro and Air Alert. Visit aide automotive to find out about our range of automotive products

One of aide automotive's tyre pressure monitors