Aftermarket March 2023

A s engines become more complex, making sure sensors are working properly has become increasingly vital, as NGK Marketing Manager Mark Hallam observed: “The demand for today’s vehicles to be even more economical and environmentally-friendly, while retaining performance, makes it even more vital for workshops to fit the right sensors. NTK Lambda sensors are the number one choice of vehicle manufacturers, providing exactly the right sensor for every vehicle application. They give improved engine efficiency, reduced emissions and increased economy. NGK is also a leading supplier of other engine management sensors under its NTK brand to satisfy all UK workshop requirements.” Demand He continued: “NTK camshaft and crankshaft sensors comprise more than 200 UK-specific part numbers with excellent UK vehicle parc coverage and open up further OE replacement opportunities for aftermarket customers. Cam and crankshaft sensors are a vital part of the engine management system and provide information about engine speed and the exact position of several engine VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT parts, camshaft/valves and crankshaft/pistons. Supplying this information to the ECU enables the fuel injection and ignition systems to function efficiently. “The NTK Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensors and Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensors’ range features 350 part numbers. For maximum efficiency in engine operation and to ensure effective exhaust gas treatment, the ECU needs to precisely regulate the air-fuel ratio. MAF and MAP sensors are essential elements in this process. Both provide the ECU with a signal needed to calculate the amount of air aspirated by the engine. “The NTK exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors range features 38-part numbers covering 33 million cars. EGTs from NTK are OE in approximately 35% of global passenger car sensor applications and are a popular choice for vehicle manufacturers as they provide extreme resilience against heat and vibrations, have high measuring accuracy, fast light-off times and an exceptionally wide measuring range. They monitor components such as turbochargers, DPFs and catalysts, ensuring that they function at the optimum temperatures for greatest efficiency and protecting them against excessively high temperatures that can lead to component failure. Electrical resistance of the thermistor element varies relative to temperature.” MARCH 2023 AFTERMARKET 36 FEEL EVERY BEAT You need to make sure you are on top of vehicle electronics and engine management, as there is a lot going on in there