Ben Hackney-Williams brings you another month of news and reviews from the automotive industry
Ignoring oil essentials is a slippery slope
Wherever possible, financial pressures on households shouldn’t distract from the need to keep on top of essential oil changes and top-ups, according to lubricants trade body, the Verification of Lubricant Specifications.
Although many drivers haven’t covered as many miles over the past few years due to the pandemic, the VLS is highlighting how crucial it is that motorists stick to the recommended service intervals to maintain and protect the vehicle. This is especially true as the majority of vehicles are considerably more valuable than the cost of an oil change.
“Research from companies like Halfords and BookMyGarage.com shows that up to 40% of motorists feel
Powerful anti-theft solution from Launch
The X-PROG3 from Launch Tech UK is a powerful reprogramming tool that supports garages, technicians and locksmiths with key, engine, and gearbox programming across a wide range of vehicles including the Volkswagen Group, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The aftermarket diagnostics equipment supplier launched the device in part for any independent garages looking for support reading and programming immobilisers, and for rewriting data to new keys.
Supplied with all the required adaptors and connectors, the X-PROG3 is flexible, stable, reliable and suitable for professional users. Other features include: read/write EEPROM, read/write keys, read/write MCU, read BMW engine ISN code, read/write BMW CAS4+ and FEM chips, key simulator, read/ write Audi fifth-generation steering column chips, VW Fourth-generation Dump Mode All Keys Lost, read engine in BENCH mode, and more. that they can’t afford their next MOT, and the numbers for more expensive servicing are likely to be even higher,” explains Mike Bewsey, chairman of VLS. “Postponing or skipping oil changes or ignoring the oil warning light is a risk we are asking motorists not to take.
“Doing so could starve the engine of vital lubricants, risking increased wear and, at worst, lead to a catastrophic event like an engine seizure and a much more expensive repair later on.
“OEMs set oil change schedules for a reason. They know their engines, how they run on certain fuels and in specific regions, and they know how the engine oil, as well as other consumables, perform over time and mileage.
£666 launchtech.co.uk
Clarke says chest is best for storage
So, you got all the tools and gadgets you asked for over the Christmas period? Now you just need somewhere to put them. Clarke’s got you covered, courtesy of a range of tool chest options that can be bought for individual use or combined for the ultimate storage solution in any garage or workshop.
The new CBB205C HD Plus fivedrawer tool chest features four drawe
