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

ABS Warning lights, what do they mean?

This may be a common question from drivers but do we all really know the answer?

Well lets make it simple! There are only three main light sequences that you really need to be concerned with, they are;

1. ON/OFF – At standstill

2. ON – Until the vehicle is driven above 7 kph then OFF

3. ON/OFF/ON – Until the vehicle is driven above 7 kph

With the introduction of programmable warning lights in EBS systems it has become a bit harder to know what a drivers dashboard should be doing but with a couple of simple tests the answer is there. If the truck and trailer are both ABS sockets, start by just connecting the trailer and turn on the ignition, the trailer warning light in the cab should come on, if the light goes ON/OFF then this is the sequence, if the light goes ON/OFF/ON, then this is the sequence, if the light is ON and stays on then drive the truck and trailer above 7kph, if the light goes OFF then this is your sequence. However please note if the light stays ON after a test drive then there is a fault in the system which requires maintenance before the truck and trailer can be utilised.

So how can we decide if the fault lies with a truck or trailer?

Also to make matters worse newer trucks now have an LCD or electronic dashboard, so we need to establish which light is actually for the trailer. With each manufacturer having individual lights it can be quite confusing.

So this is where the ISOCheck can be used, the ISOCheck is not only used to test the power from the truck but can be used to show you the warning light function of your trailer.

 First plug the ISOCheck Indicator into the trucks ABS Socket, turn on the ignition, this will test all power form the truck, and if all is OK the ISOCheck will light up GREEN, if there is a fault RED. Once the truck is proven to be OK, turn the ISOCheck around and connect the ISOCheck Indicator into the trailers ASB Socket and the normal end into the truck, ignition on and the warning light in the cab should come on and the ISOCheck Indicator will turn RED as the warning light is ON. If the warning light in the cab then goes out, then the ISOCheck will turn to GREEN. If this happens it not only proves again that the truck power is OK but also it proves the trailers ABS is working.

 The next step is to test drive the trailer above 7 kph, if the warning light comes on while starting to move then the ISOCheck will turn RED. Stop the truck and trailer and remove the ISOCheck indicator from the ABS Socket on the trailer, if the ISOCheck stays RED then the fault is on the truck, if it turns GREEN then the fault is on the trailer. The ISOCheck is as simple as that! Ideal for workshop fitters and drivers the ISOCheck pinpoints faults with the truck or trailer even when mismatching old trucks with new trailers and vice a versa, saving time and money by directing the repairer to the correct area.

Read more by clicking ISOCheck

aide automotive offer a range of workshop products, click on aide automotive for our website.

Anti-syphon devices stop thieves from siphoning fuel out of vehicles and are well worth the investment for any business as they can save hundreds of pounds of stolen fuel. There are a few devices on the market but aide automotive are delighted to launch the first that acts as a deterrent to fuel theft and fuel safety in one go!

With Corporate Responsibility being top of most organisation’s agendas these days, this device gives businesses the chance to comply. Diesel spillage is a dangerous problem. Diesel on the road can be as slippery as black ice and a potential hazard to most road users. Even a few litres can cause a potentially lethal accident. In the UK you can be fined £5,000, along with six points on your licence. You may also be liable for the costs of cleaning up the spill and repairing the road surface – and your insurance rating will suffer. The worst scenario can be a charge of corporate manslaughter.
The following accident statistics from the Department of Transport are only an indicator of the scale of the problem.

• 22 people have died on the roads between 2000 and 2005;
• 595 serious accidents on the roads between 2000 and 2005;
• 617 Killed or Seriously Injured accidents on the roads between 2000 and 2005;
• 3,020 accidents resulting in slight injury between 2000 and 2005;
• Oil / Diesel related accidents in 2005 have cost society £33,543,280

For more information on Stop Spill call aide automotive on 0115 845 6471

Fuel theft device that also prevents diesel spillage

Brake Testing is an important precedure for vehicles and now there is a new device that tests the brakes on both thetruck and the trailer. RJ Edwards in Warrington have trialled this new product and have been instrumental in it’s development, giving valuable feedback from testing it on it’s own vehicles and allowing the manufacturers to develop the product accordingly

After a recent test inspection for RJ Edwards with VOSA planned from a view to expand their fleet, they demonstrated the new product to VOSA, who agreed it would be an acceptable tool for a Brake Tester on Trailers and Trucks.

Trevor Edwards owner of RJ Edwards says. We needed to purchase a Brake Tester for our vehicles and when looking what was on the market it seemed that we were going to have to buy two separate brake testers, one for the truck and one for the trailer. However aide automotive had the perfect solution for us, BrakeCheck TT is a dual unit enabling me to test both the truck and the trailer with the same unit! This device has saved me the hassle and the cost of buying two separate units, I now have one tester not two. We can’t recommend this product to other companies enough

This new version of the product is called BrakeCheck TT – Brakecheck for Truck and Trailer. BrakeCheck has been proven to be an excellent inspection sheet brake tester for all commercial vehicles with over 11000 testers sold since 2002. With many commercial operators and repairers using the BrakeCheck to conduct a VOSA accepted brake test on every inspection, BrakeCheck is the number 1 decelerometer on the market today!

Visit aide automotive for more details

3 In 1 Battery Tester, Charger & Memory Saver

BatteryCheck is a small and compact high performance electronically controlled plug in battery charger and tester, in addition BatteryCheck is also a battery back while repairing or replacing electronic items within a vehicle.

BatteryCheck has been designed from dealer mandated product technology for the everyday MOT or service garage, BatteryCheck’s neat compact design is ideal for a workshop and with microprocessor controlled technology the BatteryCheck offers any workshop a high end product at an affordable price.

BatteryCheck’s 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.

Protective features:

Electronic reverse polarity protection
Thermal overload protection
Safety cut-out
Electronically safe
Short-circuit protection

Charging Capacity:

Charging Voltage 12 Volt
Charging current 6 A
Battery capacity 3-200Ah

BatteryCheck is priced at £159.00 + vat.

Click on 12 Volt Battery Tester for more info.

12 Volt Battery Tester