THE FINALISTS in the Golden Garages search for the country's best-loved workshop have been revealed.

This tool calculates temperature by detecting the infrared energy emitted by an object so doesn't even have to make contact with it.

As working on modern cars becomes as complicated as surgery, it comes as no surprise that endoscopes are an increasingly handy tool to have to hand.

THE LATEST tools and technology from the world of vehicle air con systems will go on show at the European Auto Air Conditioning Convention (EAAC) this September.

rong>Denso released its latest spark plug catalogue recently and, in a new development, it featured an LPG section to help users select the right plug for cars being converted to run on liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas.

THE ATA scheme has accredited its 20,000th technician.

Lifts, tyre changers, wheel balancers and wheel aligners are just some of the kit now being offered by the firm. The company's acting marketing manager Sarah Philpott said the decision to expand the existing choice of air con, emissions and ATL equipment was the result of numerous customer requests.

AFTERMARKET reader John Tullett has been in touch concerning Motor Codes' Golden Garages competition.

MORE than a third of drivers are avoiding services in a bid to save money, claims fast-fit network HiQ.

Made in a UK facility using materials developed for motorsport, this latest range of bearings covers 14 applications from Ford through to Subaru.

FRANK Massey has revealed he no longer uses a gas analyser in his workshop.

Wendy Williamson, Unipart Automotive’s marketing director, reckons its Car Care Centre scheme (UCCC) provides garages with a good mix of corporate support while allowing them to maintain their independence.

MOTOR Codes has met with the Department for Transport, VOSA and MP Paul Clark to continue discussions about promoting its Code of Practice for Service and Repair to MOT test stations.

rong>This latest addition to the Febi range of fluids is designed for Asian vehicles. It is resistant to high torque and meets, and sometimes exceeds, vehicle manufacturer standards.

UK SKILLS is on the lookout for a training manager to coach the country's best young repair talent.

Sealey has so many gadgets and gizmos for working on electrical systems that we'd need more space than is available in this feature to list them all.

IN ONE of the least surprising moves in the world of trade association personnel changes, Jonas Zambakides has been named chairman of the IAAF-G (the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Association's Garage division).

Never backwards in coming forwards about their latest offers and deals, ECP reckons it has "shocked" its competitors with what it claims are its "unbeatable offerings" from three of the biggest names in OE spark plug manufacture - Bosch, Denso and NGK.

START-UP business Global Braking Systems (GBS) is hoping to shake up the braking market after being appointed the official UK distributor for Cifam products.

IF YOU run a garage and are fed up with the service you get from your local factor, there's a new chance to see if you could do a better job.

Offering support in diesel, air con, petrol engine management or braking, steering and suspension systems, Delphi offers a range of packages to help garages get the latest technical support combined with marketing assistance.

Champion's iridium spark plugs are now available for a range of engines operating on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or E85 bio-ethanol.

AUTOLOGIC has joined forces with Dension to open up audio installation work to users of its BMW software package

Compatible with all brake systems, Honeywell reckons this bleeder takes into account everything from brake fluid viscosity and temperature to purity in a bid to offer the highest standards of brake system maintenance.

MOT specialist Hugh Roberts has lent his support to the IAAF trade association's garage division.

rong>What with the high-profile safety campaigns, most people that are so boozed-up they can hardly stand, will not even attempt to get behind the wheel of a car these days.

STEVE Smith, John Tinham and Stuart White are the three repairers left in the race for the title of Top Technician 2010.

rong>As cars get bigger and heavier, wheel bearings find themselves subjected to bigger and bigger forces.

MOTOR Codes has revealed the 50 garages that have won through to the regional rounds of its national Golden Garages competition.

This manufacturer-led scheme offers technical support as an inducement to buying Valeo clutches. It's free to join and membership will continue provided your workshop buys a certain number of clutches.

FORMER RMI man Mike Owen has joined the recently-formed IAAF trade association to manage its ambitious membership drive.

However good your workshop is inside, it's no good if no-one can tell from the outside. Broadcasting your services and expertise to passers-by is a valuable promotional tool.

THE FINAL 12 candidates in the race to win Top Technician 2010 are battling it out at the Honda Institute in Slough.

This seven-drawer roller cabinet has a central locking system and is made from high-grade steel with a stainless steel worktop and leather-trimmed handle.

This kit offers everything you'll need for the removal and installation of flanges and wheel bearings, without the need for removal of suspension struts or wheel hubs.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt has spelled out the organisation's three-pronged strategy for helping the aftermarket - and claimed that mandatory garage licensing would cost 10 or even 100 times more than Motor Codes subscription.

This scheme offers workshops direct links to training, technical documentation and information from the one group of people who should know how a product works - the people who made it.

Backed up by a 150-page product catalogue, AC Delco's spark plug range contains 83 part numbers.

GARAGES buying Snap-on Tools kit can expect a different look from their local dealer after the company unveiled a new vehicle for its 430 UK franchisees.

MORE than five million motorists are driving unsafe vehicles, according to research by breakdown service Britannia Rescue.

rong>This robust unit is the latest addition to Bearmach’s product range and is aimed at entry and intermediate-repairers rather than full-on diagnostic Einsteins.

rong>Over to Terry Barcham, Snap-on Tool’s European managing director for the low-down on this 12V jump starter:

PARTS firm Blue Print is launching a technical tips service through its in-house BLUEi magazine - and it wants to hear from repairers with interesting hints to share.

Grease is a real nuisance. It clogs up your veins, clogs up shower-phobic people's hair and, according to ECP, it causes all sorts of bother with brake discs too (although it does make chips taste nice!)

TECHNOLOGY firm Warwick Control has announced new training dates for CAN Bus and other car networking systems.

rong>No prizes for imaginative names here! This tool is designed to let you test the Dual Mass Flywheel while it’s still fitted to the vehicle, with the gearbox removed.

THE DAYS of heat-shrinking for wire splicing could be over thanks to the latest electrical wiring device.

THE grand final of a national windscreen fitting contest has been confirmed for 16th September.

If you've got a problem with diesel, you could call Superman but this Preston-based company would prefer you gave them a ring.