May your lights shine bright this Christmas, says GEM

ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging motorists to check – and use – their car lights to ensure they’re as visible as possible during this darkest time of the year.

The advice comes amid concern that too many drivers fail to turn their lights on in conditions of poor natural light, or when bad weather reduces visibility.

A large number of drivers still rely on automatic lighting systems and front-only daytime running lights.

The result is that visibility ahead could be reduced, and too often there will be no rear lights showing at all.

GEM chief executive Neil Worth explains: “More and more cars now have automatic lighting arrangements. These, combined with front-only daytime running lights, mean it’s easy to assume your lights are all taken care of without you needing to do anything.

“However, daytime running lights are not strong enough to illuminate the road ahead and will not make you properly visible to oncoming traffic and other road users, especially in foggy or wet conditions. What’s more, you are likely to be displaying no rear lighting whatsoever.

“If your car is easy to spot, you will be doing your bit for road safety. That’s why we are encouraging drivers to think about the lights they use and reduce their risk on winter journeys.”

GEM’s advice is to use your experience and common sense, and not to rely on automatic sensors to judge what lights are appropriate on your journeys.

• At this time of year, it makes sense to use dipped headlights at all times, day and night. Switching them on will also ensure your rear lights are on, so you’ll be more conspicuous from front and rear.

• Make regular checks of your main beams, indicators, sidelights, fog lights and brake lights.

• Know where your fog light controls are located, so you can turn them on and off as conditions require.

• Familiarise yourself with any automatic lighting systems on your car, but don’t rely on them to provide the right level of conspicuity at all times and in all conditions.

• Make sure you use lights in such a way that you and other road users gain the maximum benefit. After all, it’s about being seen as much as being able to see.

• Look out for other drivers who may not be using lights as effectively as they could.

You can rely on NGK this winter

Ignition specialist NGK works tirelessly to help its distributors and their garage customers cope with the increased winter demand for glow plugs for diesel powered vehicles.

The winter months are the key selling period for glow plugs and NGK works closely with its distributors to ensure they do not miss out on any sales opportunities. 

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “Factors, distributors and garages are all fully aware that glow plugs sales spike in the winter months as temperatures fall and NGK is there to help them cope with the increased demand by ensuring they stock the right profile of glow plugs to leverage this sales opportunity.”

Glow plug replacement should be part of the winter service as they play an integral role in a vehicle’s economy and emissions’ performance and NGK says that instead of changing one faulty glow plug, workshops should ‘upsell’ by replacing all of them.

If one plug has failed, it is extremely likely that the remaining plugs will shortly suffer a similar fate. By replacing the vehicle set, not only will the tight emissions legislation be complied with, but as the glow plug is now an integral part of the engine management system, the starting and cold drive quality will be kept at its maximum.

NGK glow plugs:

·       Start diesel engines quickly and smoothly

·       Offer an excellent post-glow function

·       Have a long service life

·       Offer the latest in high technology for today and tomorrow

GLOW PLUG TIPS

Removal and fitting

As glow plugs are often installed in engines for many thousands of miles, some vehicles are more prone than others in presenting removal problems. If there is doubt that a glow plug can be removed without damage, then if accessibility, circumstances, and time permits, then apply penetrating oil around the glow plug, then a squirt of engine oil. The vehicle should then be continued to be used and tackle the job another day - to allow the oil to penetrate and do its work. Remove the glow plug whilst the engine is still hot, using obvious precautions to protect hands.

To avoid damage to a new glow plug, follow the installation advice on the NGK packaging. Always install on to the taper seat by hand, do not over tighten the glow plug - or the terminal if the electrical connection is secured via a nut.

Why you should fit-OE specification glow-plugs

Because glow plugs are now a vital part of the engine management system it has never been more important to ensure that the installer is fitting the correct specification item.

Avoid budget alternatives as the engine management system can pick up very quickly the fact that they are not to the correct specification. The glow/engine management light will illuminate, performance of the vehicle will suffer, and worst case would be that consequential damage could result.

For more information on NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services, please visit the website at www.ngkntk.com/uk 

Six top tips for keeping safe on the roads this winter

ROAD SAFETY AND breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to postpone journeys, as bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snow are predicted for the coming days.

The whole of the country should expect temperatures to plummet this week with the arrival of a wintry storm from the north, known as the ‘Troll of Trondheim’.

GEM is advising drivers to minimise risks if they need to care for vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.

A yellow warning for snow has been issued for parts of Scotland on Wednesday, but forecasters have warned that the whole of the UK should be ready for several days of winter conditions.  

GEM warns that the cold snap is likely to increase pressure on breakdown organisations, with battery faults the most likely cause of difficulty for drivers. 

GEM chief executive Neil Worth says: “The advice is to be prepared. Get your battery and antifreeze checked to minimise the risk of trouble. Check tyres, lights, windscreen and wipers. Postpone a journey if necessary – even a trip you may regard as essential.

“By doing so you will be avoiding a lot of potential trouble for yourself, and ensuring you don’t put additional strain on emergency and recovery crews, who are likely to be at full stretch in the coming days.”

Stay safe

GEM is once again encouraging drivers to make good use of some simple safety tips in order to reduce the chance of risk, delay and difficulty.

• Don’t drive if you don’t really need to. If you have to make a road journey, ensure your car is properly equipped for the likely conditions.

• Listen for weather updates, and plan your travel accordingly.

• Prepare a set of essential items, including a shovel, fully charged mobile phone, torch, ice scraper food, water, jump leads, first aid kit, warm clothes and a supply of sand or gravel to assist with grip if your wheels are spinning.

• Keep your speeds down, leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front, don’t overtake gritter trucks, and be ready for sudden, rapid deteriorations in conditions.

• Remember that driving in winter conditions can be hard work, so ensure you build in breaks on your journeys.

• Make sure you have an active breakdown policy so should the worse happen you know you can be rescued wherever you might be.

Replacement bulbs still provide opportunities, especially during the winter

Particularly during the long winter months, when daylight hours are at their shortest, the demand on headlight bulbs is dramatically increased, a fact endorsed at this time of year by the rising number of vehicles that can be seen with only one working.

Original equipment (OE) manufacturer and system supplier, HELLA, is synonymous with lighting, which makes its range of replacement bulbs an obvious choice for professionals. However, to fully exploit the opportunities these high quality products afford, it is worth highlighting the multiple options they offer and remembering that replacing bulbs in pairs is not only the safest choice, but in the long run, it’s also the most cost-effective for their motoring customers.

In addition to the inherent quality of the products, HELLA’s range is designed to stand out in the retail environment. The attractive packaging ensures that its product options such as Standard, Performance, Design, Long Life and Xenon, are instantly recognisable. Usefully, icons and QR codes are also incorporated to provide additional information on service life or light colour, as well as showing the correct applications and vehicle types, meaning workshops are well placed to advise their customers as to which is the most suitable replacement.

Standard bulbs – the safe driver

The HELLA Standard bulb is a popular classic and is primarily aimed at the driver who values safety, but needs it to be affordable and trustworthy. Workshops should, therefore, focus on selling these when speaking with customers with family cars, for instance, as they provide good value for money and are tested for premium quality and reliability.

These halogen bulbs are available for nearly all types, including H1, H4, H7, H11, H15, as well as the up-and-coming H18 and H19 versions.

Performance bulbs – the passionate driver

Performance bulbs are aimed at the driver who is enthusiastic about their vehicle, its appearance and maintenance. These bulbs are available as Performance +60% or +120%, providing more brightness where needed.

Workshops should therefore emphasise the fact that with these bulbs drivers will be able to react faster, as depending on the variant, the Performance range provides 25 or 50 metres more visibility. So, one of the main selling points to communicate to drivers is the improved safety they provide for a wide range of vehicles, with references H1, H4 and H7.

Long Life bulbs – the professional driver

For a professional driver such as a van driver or cabbie, workshops should generally suggest HELLA’s Long Life range, as it has an extended lifespan, while continuing to provide effective and lasting performance. These durable and reliable bulbs last up to three times longer than is required by ECE regulations, which reduces the need for maintenance. These bulbs are available in H1, H4, H7 and H11.

White Light bulbs – the stylish driver

White Light is HELLA’s offering for the more stylish driver, as it provides the perfect combination of style and comfort. With up to 30% more light, when compared to a standard halogen lamp, it delivers greater safety due to its higher light contrast and lasts up to 300 hours. The White Light range is available in H1, H4 and H7.

Xenon Bulbs – the like-for-like replacement

Finally, now that high intensity discharge or xenon bulbs are comparatively common in today’s vehicles, the need for aftermarket replacements is on the rise. Reflecting the company’s OE quality standards, HELLA’s Xenon range therefore provides the ideal like-for-like substitution, which will maintain the lighting performance the vehicle’s owner has come to rely on.

Beware of LED replacement bulbs

Although, as has been demonstrated, it is beneficial for motorists to fit upgrade bulbs, such as HELLA’s Performance, Long Life or White Light versions, any replacement must comply to ECE R37 regulation. Only bulbs with an ‘E’ mark – which stipulates that they comply to the global standard, followed by a number that identifies the country where the authorisation was granted – are legal.

The problem with using LED replacements for traditional halogen bulb applications is that, unlike the HELLA upgrade examples mentioned, LED bulbs do not currently qualify for R37 approval and therefore carry no ‘E’ mark, making them illegal for road use.

When it comes to actual LED headlights, as it presently stands, the only viable option should they need to be replaced, is to change the entire unit, rather than an individual light source. For this type of repair, HELLA is also the go-to manufacturer for workshops, to ensure they can provide their customers with the best possible solution.

Headlight Adjustment

Correctly set headlights are vital for motorists to drive safely in poor light conditions.  Misalignment will directly impact on the headlights’ effectiveness by reducing the amount of light actually on the road in front of the vehicle. Incorrect alignment is also an MoT test failure and, particularly as many projector lights are now extremely bright, can cause excessive dazzling to the eyes of other road users.

Allied to the fact that the compact under the bonnet design of modern vehicles makes headlight bulb replacement both time consuming and incredibly difficult, bulb replacement now provides a greater profit opportunity for workshops. Therefore, with a problematic application in particular, the best course of action is to advise the customer to have the bulb replaced, and their alignment checked, which, in addition to the bulbs, they may be able to supply other parts that on inspection, might need replacing.

For more information about the OE quality products available from HELLA, please call customer services on: 01295 662400 or email hella.sales@hella.com

Air conditioning system winter checks

It’s an unfortunate fact that air conditioning (AC) systems are often disregarded as the weather gets colder. However, as well as for the comfort of the occupants, a fully functioning AC system is an important safety feature, because good visibility is a necessity, whatever the time of year.

“As a result, alongside other winter checks, technicians should ensure the AC system is in good shape and all the joints in the loop are tight because, despite there being no need to cool the cabin in winter, the system can very effectively demist the windows, which is vital for general road safety,” says Marketing Manager, Jan Zieleskiewicz. “In fact, the system should be kept operational at all times, even if it may shut off automatically because of lower outside temperatures (typically, the compressor won't start below temperatures of three degrees Celsius), as keeping it in working order is essential. 

Lubrication

“The proper lubrication of AC components and their internal parts, such as the inner moving parts in the compressor for example, is critically important for the overall lifespan of the entire system. However, this can only occur with the presence and correct circulation of the refrigerant in the system, which facilitates the movement of the lubricant. Therefore, for systems with a compressor with an electromagnetic clutch, it is advisable to use the AC all the time, or at the very least, it should be activated regularly.

“Besides the task of lubricating the compressor's mechanical parts, the flow of the refrigerant and oil mixture is essential for sealing the AC loop effectively, such as sealing the compressor shaft, for example. The longer the system is inactive, the more likely the seal will dry, which can lead to severe leakage from the compressor shaft and will provoke other consequential failures.

“In systems circulated by clutchless compressors – those with variable displacement and control of MCV or ECV valves – constant lubrication is also of critical importance. The majority of these compressors run all the time, so serious system undercharge or refrigerant leaks, will impair the circulation of the lubricant, which in the worst-case scenario, may lead to compressor burnout and seizure, with a high probability of severe consequential failures, such as a broken/torn auxiliary drive belt. 

Joint tightness

“Refrigerant leaks are the primary culprit in system failures. Although minor losses are difficult to spot, particularly in the colder seasons when the system is not required to perform at its highest level, as previously mentioned, severe losses will lead to critical failures. It is, therefore, good to inspect the system regularly. Oily stains on the surfaces of the AC loop can highlight leakages, so whenever a vehicle is in the workshop for general service or repair, technicians should examine the loop couplings, compressor housing and condenser surface. Oil residues attract dust, which makes them easy to spot, but suspicions of a severe leakage will require a complete AC system service, whatever the season. 

“Refrigerant losses can also come as the result of leaky service ports as the mechanical part of the Schrader valves is often vulnerable to leaks after long periods of inactivity or if the system is undercharged. The cost of changing a port valve is minimal, but can save the system from more severe failures, so is a worthwhile precaution. 

The condenser 

“The condenser is one of the most vulnerable parts of the AC loop and yet, the most critical for the correct operation of the system. It can often be quite exposed and therefore susceptible to leaks due to humidity, dust and salt from the road. Furthermore, even surface soiling or deterioration will impact its function, leading to the possibility of severe system failures, such as overpressure or compressor overload. 

“A thorough visual inspection is therefore highly recommended whenever a vehicle enters the workshop, and when a new condenser needs to be fitted, it is advisable to choose a high quality replacement part with a corrosion-protective coating, such as a Nissens condenser, which comes with anti-corrosion protection as standard.  

Airflow

“The airflow around the system is another critical aspect for the correct function of the vehicle’s AC and this requires inspection, whatever the season. As already mentioned, the condenser is naturally the first part to examine and besides its surface, the proper operation of the AC fan and elimination of any dust and soiling from its housing are important things to check. 

“However, when it’s colder, another area of the AC system that requires attention is the cabin air intake and filtration, as this has a tremendous influence on the system’s performance. Whenever these are impaired, it can cause severe problems, which it is also possible for the occupants to notice when the heater is on. Clogged air filters or ducts, or impaired function of the cabin blower, may also expose the AC compressor to problematic conditions, as a lack of airflow affects the refrigerant's state change in the evaporator.

“Another problem area is clogged moisture outflow ducts because, as condensation is a natural effect of the high-temperature differences around the evaporator, it must find an easy way out of the vehicle and this is made possible by outflow ducts. If, however, their function is impaired, by some sort of restriction, for example, the condensation will accumulate within the compartment, and this moisture will quickly cause the housing’s padding and foam to rot, causing odours, bacteria and mould to formulate.

“Therefore, regular inspection of the housing and its ducts, and replacement of the cabin air filter is highly recommended, even in colder seasons. The airflow within them can quickly be affected by leaves and plant debris, which is naturally more common in the autumn season. The cabin blower inside the housing should also be checked to make sure it starts and works properly, to ensure the airflow in the system is circulated correctly.”

For the past nine decades, Nissens has been dedicated to delivering a comprehensive thermal management product range and its specialist know-how, manufacturing experience and deep insight of thermal systems, mean it has the flexibility to meet the needs of existing and emerging markets, to supply a wide range of high-quality replacement parts across multiple sectors.

For more information regarding the Nissens aftermarket range, visit: www.nissens.com

Historic vehicles – a growing market with more opportunities as Winter approaches.

The constant growth of the Historic Vehicle sector and its absorption of the increasingly popular “Youngtimer” period - ‘80s ‘90s and Noughties cars - means that more and more historic vehicles of this period are on the roads daily, presenting real and growing opportunities for workshops and factors supplying to them. With increased numbers of people using their historic and  “future classic” cars for daily transport, comes the opportunity to target both those groups of vehicle owner and, with the onset of autumn and winter - and road conditions  becoming commensurately more difficult - it is important that classic vehicles are in good shape.  

Engine Oil

Towards the end of a busy season, with some owners starting to think about laying up their cars for winter, the engine oils in their vehicles will contain products of combustion such as acids, soot, wear metals and other contaminates. Leaving this dirty, used oil in the engine exposes the vehicle to potentially harmful corrosion.

Motul’s lubricant ranges therefore, cover everything from Pre-War vehicles to ‘Youngtimers’ and the key characteristics of each oil are designed to tie in with the specific requirements of engines of their period.

Promote changing the used engine oil to a fresh charge of a high-quality engine lubricant and run the engine.Motul has a full range of Classic lubricants for cars of different eras each with special properties designed to cater for the needs of engines of a particular period and is one of very few engine oil suppliers - with its Classic20W-50, for example -to include a ‘tackiness’ additive to ensure that the metal surfaces are coated with a protective layer that prevents condensate from adhering to the metal surfaces - particularly important if a car is ultimately going to be laid up for
the winter. 

Extending The Opportunity Further

Engine oils provide the central requirement for historic vehicle lubrication, but there are many other lubricant and fluid requirements and, of course, caring for a vehicle is as important on the outside as it is under the hood.

Motul has therefore extended its Classic range to include coolants, which, like its engine oils, are designed specifically for classic car maintenance and care, offering further opportunities to deliver the optimum product to owners and extend the upsell as related work.

It might seem like a waste of time to wash, clean and polish the bodywork, but if enthusiasts are planning to put a cover over the vehicle, it helps to reduce the risk of dirt becoming trapped and marking the paintwork. Even if no cover is fitted, inevitably dust will gather on the paintwork, so it is much easier to wipe this off if the exterior has been polished or waxed. Motul now has a full range of car care products - as well as the cloths, wipes and brushes necessary to apply and/or polish as required. The range deals with most aspects of exterior and interior care.

Please note that it’s also wise to advise customers to periodically remove the cover to allow the vehicle to breathe - it helps to reduce the risk of damp settling inside the car. It’s also a good idea to run the engine from time to time. 

The Motul range has long encompassed workshop sprays, greases and fluids, but it is also moving into complementary workshop equipment to make the lives of workshop technicians easier, cleaner and also create business opportunities.

 Additives can also present numerous possibilities in the historic car sector, and Motul’s Professional range offers Fuel Additives for both petrol and diesel engines, oil additives for cleaning engines and treating leaks as well as transmission and cooling system additives. The additive offer also comes with the opportunity of bringing in an additive dispensing system, for example, is simply connected and started up, running supervision-free so workshops can get on with other business.

Motul has also taken a fresh look at parts cleaning with BioClean - a new, solvent-free parts washing system, that, with its warm biological cleaning agent is safe, effective, cost-efficient and pleasant to use and will soon also introduce its automatic gearbox flushing and cleaning equipment.

So the Motul message on historic vehicles is that their presence in the service and repair sector is increasing and it presents numerous opportunities when Winter is in the offing while enthusiasts look at putting their cars into hibernation over the winter period.

www.motul.com

Lighting the way to Winter safety

As Winter rapidly comes upon us, the days become shorter and the weather conditions worsen, with the inevitable consequence that usage of vehicles’ lighting will not only increase, but will will become more important from a safety perspective. Headlights are arguably the most safety-critical lights found on any vehicle, whether it is a car, truck or motorbike. Headlights provide the illumination that helps the driver both see and be seen when driving on the road. The better you see the road ahead, the safer you are as a road user. Period!

Lumileds are recommending that workshops offer a lighting check to motorists as winter approaches to make sure they are in good condition to cope with the extra use that inevitably comes at winter time.

This move will have the dual impact of not only increasing business revenue by getting more customers in through the door but will also ensure motorists and their families are safe on the road - the ‘raison d’etre’ of Philips branded automotive lighting for more than a century.  

Lumileds is also advising resellers and service workshops to educate their customers about the benefits of upgrading their headlight bulbs. These obviously come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and technologies - designed to be replaceable when a bulb burns out.

The UK, like many countries, faces an aging motorist population. Research demonstrates that the lenses in our eyes become darker and more opaque as we age so, simply put, the older we get the more light we need to see things. It is not something that most motorists are aware of, but, for example, the average 50 year old needs three times more light to see the same distance as a child of 12. Also the eye loses its resistance to glare over time, so the older you get, the more the overall effect, particularly at night, is akin to looking at the road ahead through a pair of very poor quality sunglasses.

Better bulbs that light up the road more effectively therefore are, without question, one of the best-value safety upgrades it is possible for the customer to make.  Perfect illumination is especially important for distance vision – usually between 75-100 metres in front of a vehicle – and safety, together with comfort, are the key factors when lighting is being developed. When liaising with customers, technicians only need to ask a simple question to start them thinking about a possible upgrade: “Would you like more light when driving at night?”

Upselling bulbs benefits the workshop in several ways. Firstly, it offers a better profit margin on the bulbs sold. Secondly, there is the real risk, if poor quality bulbs are offered, of a costly early failure and the workshop having to make good on its own time - with the expense this brings with it in terms of opportunity cost. Thirdly it gives a workshop the chance to enhance its customer relationships and build loyalty. 

“Richard Armstrong continues, “Cheap is often not cost-effective when it comes to vehicle lighting. The tight confines and complexities of modern car engine bays can often mean that replacing a bulb can take a few hours – not something that a workshop wants to have to rectify at its own cost. We pay extra attention to quality and testing during manufacture. It reduces the likelihood of an ‘early failure’. This is why fitting a high quality bulb from an OE manufacturer like Philips, will not only offer peace of mind to workshop and motorist alike, but it will give the workshop a higher margin on the product and the motorist a better performing bulb that will almost certainly prove to be cheaper to own in the long run. It really is a win-win situation…”

“Also, it is worth noting that if one bulb is starting to fail, both bulbs should be replaced. Indeed, with the exception of our new generation HID Xenon Vision headlamps - because of their color match technology - we would always advise changing bulbs in pairs, because when one is starting to fail, the other is likely to be not far behind.”

Heading the halogen offer is Philips Multi-award winning RacingVision GT200, which broke new ground when it became the first halogen bulb to be rated at +200% compared to the industry standard.

These category leading results are down to the optimised bulb design, which provides higher luminance for a better view of the road ahead, with its ultra-performance beam reaching a full 80 meters further than the minimum length. Diamond Precision quartz glass also ensures more light output within the regulation limits and guarantees a sharp cut-off line for the beam - so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers - as well as a brighter sweet spot to give more brightness where it counts.

RacingVision GT200’s Quartz glass also gives greater thermal shock resistance, protecting the bulb's lifespan, while enhanced UV absorption protects the car’s headlight optic.

In short, Philips RacingVision GT200 lets drivers see more of the road ahead - allowing those behind the wheel to spot potential hazards sooner, react faster and position their car more accurately on the road. All in all, the result is a safer and more satisfying driving experience. Philips RacingVision GT200 is available in the most common headlight bulb types, H4 and H7.

In addition to RacingVision, Philips also has a number of other high style/high performance halogen upgrades, including Philips X-tremeVision Pro150 headlights. These are made for outstanding performance, producing up to 150% brighter light, without compromising on the lifetime. It is designed to withstand shocks of up to 10G, making the bulb perhaps the ultimate combination of perormance and durability.

Available in H1, H4, H7, H11, HB3 and HB4 variant,  X-tremeVision Pro150, offers a bright white light which is significantly whiter than standard headlights. The Philips patented Gradient Coating™ technology produces a more powerful light, offering one of the brightest lighting performances and a highly comfortable night driving experience.

Although Halogen remains the most common type of bulb used, there is still an important opportunity with Xenon HID bulbs. Again, selling a quality bulb not only offers a higher margin but also peace of mind.

There is also much talked about, in terms of retrofit LED lighting. Lumileds was able to boast the first road-legal H4-LED in Germany, with its Philips Ultinon Pro6000 LED retrofit. This is a range extension to the H7-LED that was approved in Germany in May 2021. LEDs deliver brighter light  - now with the new Philips Ultinon Pro 9100, up to +350% over a standard halogen bulb - and their plug-and play-design allows DIY’ers and mechanics to install it on their own, however, in the UK retrofit LED bulbs are currently only legal for off-road use. Nonetheless the demand is there - and because of this there are already many products available.  However, again, as a reseller it is really worth checking the pedigree of the product, because there are some really poor-quality LED retrofit bulbs on the market - so it very much a case of both buyer and seller beware.

Finally, although the focus is inevitably on headlamps, there are also good opportunities for additional sales in positional and interior lights, so don’t forget to remind customers about them.  

Further details : www.philips.co.uk

SMP Europe highlights importance of replacing ignition leads in winter

Engine management specialists SMP Europe is urging technicians to ensure they are replacing ignition leads this MOT season, as the cold, wet months can accelerate the deterioration of ignition leads.

Expanding role of ignition leads 

Ignition leads, sometimes known as high-tension (HT) leads or spark plug wires, carry an electrical current from the ignition coil into the spark plugs, ultimately lighting the fuel and air within the combustion chamber of the engine.

Comprised of conductive material surrounded by a silicone jacket for protection, ignition leads sit in close proximity to the engine and must therefore be able to withstand dramatic temperature changes, caustic chemicals and high physical forces. 

Why ignition leads fail

Ignition leads are made from durable, low resistance materials, and tested to withstand the harsh environment that they operate in. Conductive materials in the leads will deteriorate, which in turn reduces the power able to reach the engine, compromising the ignition process. 

This is generally caused by wear and tear over time. Leads can also be affected more in the winter months, as cold, damp conditions increase the stress on the components, along water and salt. Oil, coolant, and fuel vapour can also cause oxidisation and corrosion in the connector contacts. 

The main symptoms of a faulty lead include: an engine light appearing, reduced fuel efficiency, decrease in power, visible wear and tear to the cable, and misfiring. 

SMP Europe core technology 

Lead cores can vary depending on vehicle manufacturer and the age of the vehicle. The three technologies used are copper cores, used mainly by German manufacturers, wire wound (reactive), commonly found in French vehicles, Volvo and Saab, and finally resistive cores, favoured by British, Japanese and American manufacturers. 

Copper core consists of copper wire with negligible resistance and double silicone outer combined and boots, having an inbuilt resistance to generate the required suppression. 

The complex nature of copper core componentry makes this technology more expensive than the other technology types available. This type of cable is predominantly used by German manufacturers. 

Wire wound core cable is made up of a carbon-coated fibreglass core enclosed in stainless steel windings and double silicone outer jacket. Engineered to meet or exceed SAE specifications for radio frequency interference, suppression comes from a magnetic field created when current crosses the steel winding. 

This type of cable is mainly used by French and Japanese vehicle manufacturers, as well as Saab and Volvo. 

Resistive core cable contains a graphite coated fibreglass core, which is surrounded by a conductive latex coating and double silicone outer. This is the simplest and most robust of the cables used and works by providing resistance along the length of the cable. 

This type of technology is typically used by American, British and Asian vehicle manufacturers. 

For more information and to see the latest products from SMP Europe, visit https://www.smpeurope.com