Category: Industry topics

Hot and Bothered

Autopilot. No, not the Tesla self-drive system, but the way we describe our actions when working, but not really thinking about it. This nearly tripped me up on a recent air conditioning job that went through the shop. You know how it is, the jobs seem to blend together as you follow the same process […]

Dirko™ HT RTV Silicone

THE gasket maker of Elring – das Original ElringKlinger is known for its many years of experience and technical skill, which go hand in hand with over 140 years of production and trading of engine gaskets. In 1924, Elring was the first company in Europe to produce cylinder-head gaskets, at that time for the Opel […]

Is ADAS Calibration on your RADAR?

Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) might sound like futuristic technology, but safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive (Automatic) Cruise Control, Automatic Parking Assist (APA) Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Driver Drowsiness Detection are now common features on many vehicles operating on our […]

A Skoda Walks into a Bar…

It sounds like the start of a bad joke….. except it isn’t. – Definitely not for the technician that was tasked with the repair of this Octavia. The intrepid family limped their 2017 Skoda Octavia RS TDI into driveway of the workshop at around 3.00pm on Thursday afternoon – midway through a Brisbane to Sydney […]

Has BMW gone mad?

Some would say yes – this is old news; others love the Bavarian company with passion equalling that of a rugby fan. Me, I sit somewhere in the middle. I often wonder though, are we seeing an increase in complexity and electronic control as a means to an end? Or is it an engineer thumbing […]

Tiguan Troubles

When a customer presented their Volkswagen Tiguan for a not so regular complaint at a regional repair shop the technician’s diagnosis was at odds to the customers complaint. Mr Smith, owner of said troublesome VW Tiguan, was waiting at the workshop roller door before any of the technicians arrived for work. This is not unusual […]

SACHS: The No. 1 Shock Absorber in European Car Parc Coverage

Every year, more than 10 million new cars roll off the assembly line fitted with SACHS shock absorbers – proof of the absolute trust instilled in these products by automotive manufacturers worldwide. A brand of ZF Aftermarket, SACHS shock absorbers are distinguished by their original equipment quality and innovative technology, and are now ranked the […]

MAHLE Aftermarket opens virtual workshop

Virtual training center for spare parts, battery diagnostics, calibration, air conditioning and transmission oil service Products for all drive types from MAHLE Aftermarket can be experienced around the clock in an informative and intuitive way Direct forwarding of the user to the constantly growing digital information offering of MAHLE Aftermarket or to sales partners With […]

Old Fashioned Service: Perth Euro

David Dye is a well-known name in the European Car Scene in Perth, which is rightfully reflected in his business’ name. But whilst David’s world is now about providing a great customer experience at his own Independent Workshop, this was not always the case. “In my final school year I took my parent’s BMW in […]

ATE Brakes “Dust Off” The Ceramic Pad

ATE Brakes have a high tech solution to what may be seen as excessive brake pad wear. ATE Ceramic is designed to be a more efficient brake pad by being lighter in weight, producing less dust, and wear less in the same time and usage situations as “traditional” brake pads. Part of the development process […]

ZF Aftermarket Recommends Shock Absorber Checks for Maximum Safety

Shock absorbers are often an overlooked safety critical component Signs of defective or worn shock absorbers including longer braking distances, uneven tyre wear, poor handling and excessive steering wheel vibration ZF Aftermarket recommends that workshops offer customers a safety check to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, including the shock absorbers An often overlooked safety critical […]

EVOLVE TOP TEN: Female Automotive Inventors

There’s no polite way to say it: the automotive industry is dominated by men. But there are many important automotive inventions we still use today that wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for women. Here we look at the top 10 female automotive inventors to see how their ingenuity shaped the way we drive. 10. Dorothy […]

ZF: A Pacesetter for Next Generation Mobility

Long viewed as a powerhouse in the global automotive industry, ZF continues to go from strength to strength on both a global scale and here in Oceania. A global technology company, ZF supplies systems and components not just for passenger cars, but a whole gamut of vehicles including commercial vehicles and industrial/off highway to enable […]

ZF Drives the By-Wire Future of Mobility

ZF’s vehicle motion control portfolio and systems expertise across braking, steering and active suspension uniquely positions the Group to realise fully automated by-wire vehicle control New by-wire steering system completes ZF by-wire suite and creates new level of design & engineering freedom ZF Group leads the way in steer-by-wire industrialisation with multiple OEM awards in […]

EVOLVE TOP TEN: Lost Australian Race Tracks

Over 30 Australian race tracks are sadly no more. Fewer tracks mean fewer opportunities for racing, which in turn means smaller grids, lesser sponsorship, fewer fans, and so on… It’s a long-term trend, and one state governments seem unwilling to address. In the coming years we look to lose Victoria’s Sandown Park and Calder Park […]

Lord Howe Island: Heaven On Earth

Lord Howe Island is the boomerang-shaped remain of a shield volcano which has eroded over seven million years to just one-fortieth of its original size. It’s a small, dot of an island in the Tasman Sea approximately 600km east of Port Macquarie and is just over 10km long and 2km wide and its broadest point. […]

Cars & Coffee: A Global Phenomenon

It’s been said that the first motor race happened not long after the first two cars rolled of the production line. The first car club formed not long after, with another ten or so. But what to do afterwards? Coffee, of course. And so was born Cars and Coffee. These are a fun, vibrant, and […]

Electric Park Brake Pioneer ZF Surpasses 200 Million Units

ZF, a world leader in foundation brake systems, has produced its 200 millionth Electric Park Brake (EPB) unit, the first company in the world to have reached this milestone.  The inventor of the EPB motor-on-caliper brake more than 20 years ago, ZF’s EPB is now in its sixth generation and is the true embodiment of […]

Car Culture: Highball Cars & Coffee

The Cars and Coffee style of car show is fast becoming a favourite way to catch up with fellow car lovers around Australia, with most events happening early in the morning on a weekend and finishing with plenty of time to enjoy your day off. Plus, any excuse to get a barista made coffee is […]

MAHLE develops the most durable electric motor

Superior continuous torque (SCT) E-motor can run indefinitely with high performance Technological leap through a new cooling concept—compact, light, efficient, and, by customer request, without the use of rare earth elements Suitable for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, construction machines, and tractors MAHLE becomes a full-range provider in the field of electric drives Presentation of the new SCT E-motor […]

Motor Shows: Remember Them?

Australia no longer stages an annual Motor Show. The last event was held in Sydney in 2012. Back then the annual Show alternated between Melbourne and the Harbour City, but dwindling support by the manufacturers, improved website content (plus social coverage), and lower crowd numbers brought them to their knees. The thing about that 2012 […]

Audi’s future is wide open

Audi has unveiled the first member of a new family of concept vehicles, a spectacular roadster dubbed skysphere. The Audi skysphere concept is an electric-powered, two-door convertible whose lines lead directly to the Audi design of tomorrow. With it, the brand is illustrating its vision for the progressive luxury segment of the future, in which […]

Diagnosing a Mercedes C220 No-Start Fault

Even the most experienced technicians shake their head with despair at the sight of a Mercedes being unloaded from a tilt tray in the shop driveway. They are a nice car, they drive well, stop well and handle like a Mercedes should. It’s just when they fault…..they are just so complex! This C220 is a […]

At Season Close with Schaeffler Driver Dylan O’Keeffe

Stay safe and comfortable with MAHLE CareMetix® Cabin Air Filters

As we approach that time of year where most of us will be taking a well-earned break, it’s only natural that many of our customers are going to be hitting the freeways and taking a road trip. Checking and replacing your customers’ cabin air filter is the first step to a healthy holiday road trip. […]