The Automotive Blog

Trailer Brake, Electrical, Light & Diagnostics Tester

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs based in Nottingham has recently invested in a modern trailer service and maintenance tester, TrailerCheck 4 Vans.

Owner, Dave Anderson started the business with his own DIY trailer tester to get the business off the ground, now with two years behind him and a reputation second to none, Dave decided to upgrade his tools with the professional TrailerCheck & Trailer diagnostics system Code Talk.

Dave explained “Starting a new business can be daunting in the early years, so my initial set up cost was kept to a tight budget. Now I am established I decided to invest in technology tools, I had seen aide automotives TrailerCheck in the press and decided to see what benefit the system would offer me. Following my meeting with aide automotive I quickly saw the benefit of the upgrade from my DIY trailer tester to a modern tool. TrailerCheck has improved my service and with the diagnostics system I can now offer ECU code reading and clearing, a new service to my customers.”

aide automotive talk to many trailer repairers about the benefits of a modern trailer tester against DIY systems. TrailerCheck offers a safe professional tool to maintain trailer air brakes and electrical systems. DIY trailer testers are usually made at home with items found around a workshop. Also powering a trailer via a DIY box has its risks, DIY boxes tend to be powered by batteries direct to a circuit, if the trailer had a short circuit a continuous voltage could burn out the cable loom resulting in further damage and hours of re cabling work.

TrailerCheck has a micro processor controlled circuit board to enable safe trailer testing and power conservation, enabling a engineer to test multiple trailer from single charged battery supply, if using batteries to power the trailer tester a split van charger can be purchased for battery recharging while the travelling, further more mains power options are available in 240 or 110 volt modes.

TrailerCheck also has the bonus of a diagnostics interface and REMOTE controller, Code Talk is an aftermarket engineers diagnostic tool, designed by UK trailer maintenance engineers for engineers.

Simple to use and operate, Code Talk makes trailer diagnostic maintenance an affordable option to any repairer.

Code Talk is all that is needed. No requirement for code manuals, phoning dealers, phoning high rate telephone lines, all the information is within Code Talk – Code Talk is the Diagnostic Manual for Trailers!

Code Talk is supplied with all cables to communicate with trailer ECU’s and with an optional carry case. Code Talk is also a remote controller for the TrailerCheck product range. TrailerCheck is the full electrical testing tool for 24 volt trailers.

Code Talk Remote for TrailerCheck also offers voltage, wire colour and pin information via the display. Trailer repairing made Easy!

Below is a view of the modern day TrailerCheck now installed in Midland Trailer Service & Repairs Service Van.

TrailerCheck now installed in Midland Trailer Service & Repairs Service Van.

aide auto Use Twitter For MOT Products

aide automotive have set up a new Twitter account to promote there range of MOT & garage related products to UK & Worldwide MOT & Garage service centres.

Twitter is an essential component of any content marketing strategy. With approximately 500 million users and an average of 400 million tweets sent per day, Twitter is undoubtedly one of the most popular social media platforms.

The biggest compliment one of your tweets can get is a retweet. The second best is possibly a “favourite”.

@aideMOTproducts We aim to expand a family of garages to offer product information & help your Twitter account with Retweets & Favs.

SEO benefits — Month by month, Google seems to be acknowledging and rewarding the validation that comes through social sharing. And why wouldn’t they? Content that spreads through Twitter is a sign that something good is going on at your place.

A couple of MOT / garage products from aide automotive are:

The BrakeCheck Decelerometer for Roller Brake Tester back up, all UK MOT garages require a backup brake tester, many use an old style mechanical meter but with the latest electronic BrakeCheck your garage will be up to date with the latest tool.

The Hybrid Safe To Service Kit is the latest “HOT CROSS BUN” – garages require the necessary tools to guard against the dangers of electrocution from hybrid-electric vehicles. aide automotive’s Hybrid Vehicle Service Tool Kit is ideal for servicing and general maintenance of Hybrid vehicles systems.

Hybrid Vehicle Service Tool Kit is ideal for servicing and general maintenance of Hybrid vehicles systems.

Contact aide automotive to review or purchase your Hybrid Car Service & Test Tool Kit today! Call 0115 8456471

Truck Fifth Wheel Covers

On average 30% of 5th wheel grease is wasted

Millions of pounds of grease are washed off 5th wheels in this country every year. This not only has a huge impact on the environment causing water pollution but is also extremely costly to haulage and logistic businesses.

During application a significant amount of grease is either dropped in the workshop or falls off onto the tractor unit making the tractor unit dirty, unsightly and uncomfortable to work in.

Greasy residue on surfaces and on the ground can prove hazardous during hitching and can cause individuals to slip on the ground and on the back of tractor units. This has considerable implications from a health and safety view point in and in particular from an employer’s liability perspective.

On average 30% of 5th wheel grease is wasted.

Truck Fifth Wheel Lubrication Liner have Heath & Safety benefits, with less oil and grease on the fifth wheel the likelihood of oil dripping onto a hot exhaust is virtually impossible, hence protecting against truck fire.

Many companies have fitted a Truck Lube Liner recently, David Craig Haulage in Berwick Upon Tweed completed a fleet fit of the Truck Fifth Wheel Lube Covers.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471

On average 30% of Truck 5th wheel grease is wasted

Hybrid Car Safe To Service Kit

Safe To Service Kit Interest Grows

aide automotive have introduced a Hybrid Car Safe to Service Tool Kit to help garages acquire the correct SAFE tools.

With a growing number of enquiries and orders for the Hybrid Car Safe To Service Kit, aide automotive have now created a stock of kits to meet the demand.

aides director Matt Burke commented “When we first introduced the kit in 2013 there was little interest, although with the increasing demand for Hybrid vehicles, hybrid cars now being serviced in local garages, the Hybrid kit has seen increased interest and orders. We now have completed a stock of the kits in our warehouse in Nottingham for immediate dispatch.”

The Hybrid Car Safe to Service Tool Kit contains a CAT III 1000V Multimeter, Cables, Probes & Clips – Hybrid Safe! CAT III 1000V Protective Gloves Warning Sign 8mm & 10mm CAT III Spanners 10mm CAT III nut spinner & Boric Acid Solution.

Please read more by clicking on the link Hybrid Car Safe to Service Tool Kit

The Hybrid Car Safe to Service Tool Kit is supplied as below but if extra items are required such as the protective gloves, we are happy to quote as requested.

Hybrid full kit including: CAT III 1000V Multimeter, Cables, Probes & Clips – Hybrid Safe! CAT III 1000V Protective Gloves Warning Sign 8mm & 10mm CAT III Spanners 10mm CAT III nut spinner & Boric Acid Solution.

Price – Hybrid Safe To Service Kit – £249.00 + carriage & vat
Contact aide automotive to review or purchase your Hybrid Car Service & Test Tool Kit today! Call 0115 8456471

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Tool Kit – enables safe isolation of all high voltage systems

Truck Fuel Alarm & Anti Siphon Featured In Transport Operator

aide automotive are featured in the recent Transport Operator news paper!

The Transport Operator is a industry newspaper for commercial vehicle operators and repairers, now in print and online. Essential reading for HGV, PSV, LCV industry.

Transport Operator is a printed monthly commercial vehicle industry newspaper targeted at HGV and PSV operators and workshops. It offers a lively mix of essential industry news, details of new legislation, the latest product information and much more.

aide automotive were featured in the Fuel Security edit. Having two recent customer case studies were truck fuel was stolen with the companies taking measures to protect diesel.

Below is an extract from the editorial feature:
“Two operators have recently invested in products from commercial vehicle equipment supplier aide automotive in order to help prevent diesel theft.
Coventry-based Perry Finch Poultry recently invested in the Scania TP Anti-Siphon products for its truck fleet.

Bedfordshire-based general haulier Three Counties Contracts Ltd (TCC) invested in the TankGuard anti-fuel theft alarm from aide, which activates once the fuel cap is removed or a potential thief tampers with the tank.

“TCC are always looking to improve the business efficiency and productivity. Installing incident cameras and anti fuel-theft measures improves the truck efficiency and keeps the fleet moving,” said aide.”

To review how Truck Fuel Alarms or Commercial Vehicle Anti Siphon products can help your truck fleet, please call aide automotive on 0115 8456471

TP Anti-Syph, Fuel Theft Device

aide automotive Secure an Significant Order For Pallet Truck Trailer Retainer “Lee Lock”

Established in 1987, PPS have built up a reputation for well-engineered, durable and reliable products. Directors, Gary Amos and Steve Whitworth together have over 30 years’ experience in the Commercial Vehicle Bodybuilding Industry. PPS specialise in bodywork products that cover a wide range of industry sectors, including distribution and manufacturing.

Priding themselves on customer service, PPS acknowledge that bodywork built to a standard design will not suit the requirements of everyone. Therefore, each body that leaves our factory is designed and manufactured to meet the specific needs of the customer.

PPS Commercials placed an order for 30 Lee Locks with aide automotive.

Pallet Truck Trailer Retainer “Lee Lock” addresses a fairly widespread health and safety problem in a simple but ingenious way. Locking a pallet truck securely within a trailer prevents damage to goods & the trailer curtains. Erasing any potential health & safety issues of employee injury due to lifting pallet trucks from tyres or off the trailer bed.

To review the Lee Lock product page click on Pallet Truck Lock

Pallet Truck Lock – Lee Lock From aide automotive ltd

Lorries Face Ban Over New Cycle Safety Measures

London has become the first city in Britain to fine the drivers of HGVs not fitted with equipment like mirrors to protect cyclists.

From the 1st of September all lorries over 3.5 tons in the capital must now be fitted with guards at the side to help prevent cyclists being dragged under wheels in the event of an accident.

They must also have a special type of mirror that helps the driver see those riding bicycles or on foot.

Any that do not have the equipment fitted with the safety equipment may be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice and operators could face a maximum fine of £1,000 at a Magistrates’ court.

The new rules for lorries will operate 24 hours a day and cover every road in the capital except motorways.

Most HGVs are already required to fit side guards, but lorries involved in the construction industry have been exempt from that requirement. Similarly, while new lorries must have extended view mirrors fitted, older HGVs have been exempt.

A Hi Vu Commercial Vehicle Fresnel lens press-fits inside the truck’s passenger side window, like a mirror, Hi Vu affords the driver a normal, (through the window) view of what’s close to his cab, not a reversed or inverted mirror image. That means the driver will assimilate any danger much faster and react far more quickly.

Due to a blind spot, drivers of trucks cannot see smaller vehicles or other vulnerable road users which are immediately next to the passenger side door of their HGV. These unseen road users can be hit if the truck changes lane in their direction.

For the low price of £9.99 + vat, a Truck Or Bus Fresnel Mirror Lens is an ideal addition to a HGV to the required guards and mirrors.

aide automotive can be contacted via email info@aideautomotive.com or by phone – 0115 8456471

Fresnel Lens is a clear, thin, flat plastic lens that is press fitted to a truck’s passenger door

Truck HGV Blind Spot Lens

A Hi Vu Fresnel lens press-fits inside the truck’s passenger side window and is held firmly in place by its own ‘peel-back’ self-adhesive.

The Fresnel lens provides an extra downwards view for the HGV driver so that at a glance he can see any vulnerable road user that might be hidden in the mirror blind spot, alongside his passenger door.

Unlike a mirror, Hi Vu affords the driver a normal, (through the window) view of what’s close to his cab, not a reversed or inverted mirror image. That means the driver will assimilate any danger much faster and react far more quickly.

Due to a blind spot, drivers of trucks cannot see smaller vehicles or other vulnerable road users which are immediately next to the passenger side door of their HGV. These unseen road users can be hit if the truck changes lane in their direction.

DVSA says, “Even the latest HGVs with a full complement of six mirrors, in compliance with the latest EU directive, still have blind spots to the passenger side which are large enough to hide a family saloon car. The solution is to fit a special Fresnel lens.”
VOSA has conducted trials which have proven that by fitting Fresnel lenses to vehicles, both the frequency and the severity of “sideswipe” accidents is reduced.

Truck Mirror Lens Benefits

Multi-Vehicle Use – Trucks, Vans, Bus, Coach, RVs (Recreational Vehicle), SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) and Hatch-Backs.
Low Profile, Smallest Footprint Lens, No Window Obscurity
The Only ‘Peel Back’ Self-Adhesive Fresnel Lens available
Multi-Positional Lens Fits All Vehicle Types (LHD & RHD)
Easy to install in seconds
Strong Adhesive surround ensures the lens will not easily peel off when passing through the doors rubber weather seal

aide automotive can be contacted via email info@aideautomotive.com or by phone – 0115 8456471

Fresnel lenses are now accepted by Transport for London

Diesel Head is easily and securely fitted to your fuel tank inlet, you will never accidentally mis fuel and pump petrol into your diesel tank.

Motorists are wasting millions of pounds due to misfuelling, costing millions per year mis fuelling results in the sequence of the wrong fuel being flushed out, recovery, any work that has to be performed to correct any damage to the vehicle, the cost of components and finally, re-fuelling the vehicle.

With this anti mis fuel product now available in Australia, Diesel Head will probably be the best Anti Mis Fuelling Product on the market.

Diesel Head is now available through Responsive Engineering in Australia.

Responsive Engineering is an Australian company dedicated to finding innovative solutions to complex problems. We develop and manufacture specialist products and diagnostic tools for the automotive industry.

Responsive Engineering products are directed towards the motoring public, vehicle manufacturers in support of their service networks, large companies, government and non government organisations.

With the Diesel Head Mis Fuelling product now on board a a large distribution network Responsive Engineering will be able to offer sales and support down under!

Diesel Head can be purchased as a NON LOCKING cap or a Keyed Locking cap.

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs helps companies across the Midlands keep their trailers on the road with professional servicing, repairs and MOTs.

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs is owned and run by David Anderson, who has been in the transport industry for over 20 years. David understands that nothing is more important than keeping your trailers on the road, earning you money and getting deliveries made on time.

With this Dave decided to upgrade his trailer test equipment.

Starting with his own DIY tester, Dave decided to invest and upgrade his tools with a TrailerCheck & Code Talk Diagnostic system from aide automotive ltd.

Below is a before picture of Dave’s DIY Trailer Test system.

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs is owned and run by David Anderson