Above: UFI fuel filter will be susceptible to the weather too, on top of general use-related wear and tear. With this in mind, WAI has increased its smart wiper motor offering through the release of its LIN2 product line. These come complete with pulse boards, mounting grommets and crank arms. WAI Europe President Richard Welland explained: “Wiper motor systems have been developed to assist drivers further with features such as rain detection. WAI has developed a motor with a LIN2 system, which hooks up the wiper motor with the ECU, meaning moisture sensors can control the speed and frequency of the wiper activation, rather than by just an onoff switch operated by the driver.” For more information, visit: www.waiglobal.com/uk_en Lighting Looking towards lighting, OSRAM is reminding garages that bulbs are more likely to fail in colder temperatures, making bulbs a prime winter opportunity. OSRAM Campaign and Communications Professional Kristin Tränka observed: “One of the main reasons for bulb failure in the winter months is due to the tungsten filament, which is a part of every halogen bulb and what generates the light when a current passes through it, as cold weather can cause it to contract, which can lead to it breaking. “We’re urging workshops to really focus on bulbs for the winter months, as this is when lighting is at its most important. To be able to see the road clearly is vital for safety, so choosing bulbs shouldn’t be decided on price, but on quality and light distribution. OSRAM’s NIGHT BREAKER 200 is our brightest halogen bulb, with up to 200% more light on the road and up to 150 metre long beam.” For more information, visit: www.osram.co.uk/am Batteries Batteries often expire as the cold weather hits. Commenting on the winter battery testing and replacement opportunity, Banner Business Development Manager Russell Shea said: “This time of year marks the start of more and more panicky customers telling you that their car won’t start. “Weather conditions play a significant role in battery performance. Cold weather affects battery plate aging and deterioration, reduces chemical reaction speeds, and increases starter motor power requirements. Charging system efficiency is also reduced. In contrast, hot ambient and under-bonnet temperatures accelerate battery aging, plate corrosion, self-discharge rates, and electrolyte use.” Russell concluded: “Understanding the causes of car battery failures is essential. The winter season poses unique challenges to battery health. By being proactive and addressing these issues, reiterating the importance of using a premium battery, we can help motorists keep their wheels turning and enjoy a reliable and problem-free driving experience. This proactive approach not only benefits the customers but also creates profit opportunities.” Recommend Andy Cook, Technical Sales Manager at VARTA, said: “VARTA always recommend testing every car’s battery that comes into the workshop. It doesn’t take long and can provide a sales opportunity and peace of mind the customer has a fully working battery to keep them moving throughout the winter months.” “Defective 12-volt batteries are responsible for almost half of all broken-down vehicles in the UK. That applies to both vehicles with internal combustion engines and modern hybrids and electric cars. The summer’s higher temperatures lead to self-discharge, which ages the battery faster. If battery performance then drops because of the cold and engine starts demand more from the battery, that can be too much for old or stressed batteries. Even one night of frost can be enough and the battery can no longer start the engine.” The right kit is key as well: “A battery test in the workshop will check status of the battery and provide the opportunity to advise the customer if their car’s battery needs recharging or replacing Certainly to be ready with a battery tester that can test all types of lead acid battery, from a traditional lead acid battery, as well as the more advanced lead acid AGM and EFB types.” Andy added: “If the battery tester is older than 10 years, it’s probably time to invest in a new one so that it caters for all battery types, otherwise test results can be inaccurate and provide the wrong reading.” Best practice principle Battery testing should not only be part of a winter check on a car, but should be performed on every vehicle that enters the workshop right through the year, as Ecobat Battery Training Manager Christopher Jones observed: "Now more than ever, the performance of the battery is a key factor for the correct function of many of a vehicle’s systems. Assessing its condition is a best practice principle that should be adopted by every technician when a vehicle enters the workshop. Therefore, both the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) need to be assessed. “While the state of charge (SOC) can be simply determined with a voltage measurement, to make a reliable SOC requires a complex test procedure, which among other things, considers the CCA, the residual capacity (Ah) and the charge acceptance (CA). Just as vehicle technology has continued to develop over the years, batteries such as AGM and EFB have also developed. Therefore, to obtain reliable test results, especially in regard to the state of health (SOH), it is essential to use modern test devices that are adapted for these new battery technologies. As well as detailing the finer points, a good quality tool, such as the EBT 780, supplied by Ecobat Battery, will provide the user with a headline result to allow them to decide the correct way to proceed.” Christopher added: "When fitting a replacement battery in a Stop/Start-equipped vehicle, another important factor is the need for technicians to use a battery validation tool, 52 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 WINTER CHECKS www.aftermarketonline.net
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