rong>These unusual-looking bulbs aim to combine all the benefits of LED light while addressing the problems of small surface area and highly-directional light associated with them.

VEHICLE manufacturers will begin the switch to producing almost nothing but direct injection petrol engines within the next five years - that's the prediction of fuel injection expert Phil Ellisdon.

CASH discounts printed on replica £20 notes and putting customers in charge of repairs were just some of the innovative ideas for success revealed at the ADS Technical Conference this weekend.

This 100% synthetic oil claims to combine performance-boosting and engine-protecting benefits.

A range of new plugs are now available to the aftermarket, including the PLKR7A plug for use on Mercedes vehicles.

Updates to the diagnostic tool mean it can now perform service light reset functions and more, to help you offer the best specialist diagnostic service.

These calipers are machined from billet aluminium and are extremely lightweight, stiff and heat resistant. Because the calipers are lightweight there is virtually no impact on steering feel or ride quality.

Diesel particulate filters control harmful diesel exhaust emissions and can be quite expensive to replace.

DISPLAYS of the latest diagnostic and garage equipment are just two of the attractions at the forthcoming Autopromotec exhibition in Italy this May.

TOP Technician 2009 regional finalist David Symes has volunteered to withdraw from the contest - in order to maintain the integrity of the contest to find the UK's best working technician.

TRAINING organisation eXponentia has added four new locations to its schedule - to give technicians easier access to technical training.

BRISTOL training centre S&B Automotive Academy has expanded its facilities with a dedicated section for ATA assessments in accident damage assessor skills.

FORD Retail has launched a major training programme designed to raise customer service standards in its dealerships.

/>Snap-on Equipment general manager Chris Behan said: “Potential changes to the MOT regulations mean workshops need to make the most of their lift bays and maximise revenue.

/>This is just one of the nuggets of wisdom from the Behr Hella guys who have also developed its ever-expanding range of cooling components. It now covers 1,800 products for passenger cars and light trucks. A 576-page catalogue is out now featuring the latest high-quality parts for 47 different vehicle makes and 688 models.

/>Agriemach says this destroys bacteria and sludge by breaking them down into such small particles that they pass freely through fuel filters, pumps and injectors before being burned during the combustion proc

/>GEG says that thanks to its compact size, it is an ideal system for workshops where space is at a premium. It also claims that its “affordable price” makes it suited to new-start or small workshops during the current “rough economic conditions”.

/>The machine comes with an inbuilt multiplexer, so only one 16 pin diagnostic lead is needed, and a two-channel multi-meter. It features info on more than 100 VMs and 230,000 model variants across a full range of vehicle syst

THERE'S still time to register your views on possible changes to Block Exemption Regulations (BER) with the EU - that's the message from the Right To Repair Campaign (R2RC).

FRANCHISE dealers are neglecting MOTs as an ongoing method of retaining aftersales business, according to Network Automotive.

JUST five tickets are left for Frank Massey's Technical Conference Weekend on 21st and 22nd February.

RULES on the playing of music in workshops and waiting areas create a "ridiculous situation" that needs to be sorted, according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

THE INSTITUTE of the Motor Industry (IMI) plans to open up Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) to other qualification awarding bodies.

/>Using Bluetooth communication from the smoke chamber to the hand-held control means fast and easy access to the relevant da

A PILOT of the Institute of the Motor Industry's (IMI) management branch of Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is set for completion in April.

/>The VOSA-approved gas and smoke analyser features automated test procedures to make it easy to use and advanced graphics that guide users through every step of the testing process. It comes with a 19” colour screen and can be upgraded with other units to form a complete diagnostic and information system

THE BBC is launching a reality TV search for the UK's best young mechanic.

/>The kit can be used on any car and aims to offer garages savings on the cost of replacing partially worn discs, allowing them to enjoy added profit opportunities. Haweka says the lathe can also be used to give cars waiting to be sold on dealer forecourts an improved and more attractive look to potential buyer

THE RETAIL Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) is attempting to broker an agreement with VOSA that spells out the vehicle inspectorate's obligations to MOT test stations.

/>Also out now is the Numax AGM range. It aims to give longer life to vehicle with sophisticated power demands such as Mercedes Benz and Pors

AUTO-electrical company Wood Auto has formed a distribution agreement with German diesel specialist Monark Diesel.

THE IDENTITY of the UK's top vehicle repair expert is one step closer to being revealed following the announcement of the top 24 candidates in the Top Technician contest.

/>When the engine is cranked, the light should flash or flicker to show that a pulse signal is being received. A steady or absent light means there is a fault coming from the injection system. The kit includes a 1.3m fibre optic cable that lets the operator look at the test process from the driving seat

KWIK-FIT's employee training programmes have been awarded Beacon status by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

A GARAGE owner and his former wife have been jailed for what VOSA says is Britain's biggest ever MOT scam.

A WAVEFORM surgery to help technicians understand oscilloscope traces will be one of the big attractions at Frank Massey's Technical Conference Weekend later this month.

/>The company can also integrate emissions testing stations together to further reduce the cost of multiple MOT bay installations. Other cost-saving features can be retro-fitted to existing Class 4 and 7 brake testers thanks to the modular design system. All the packages come with a five-year warranty

LORD Mandelson's announcement of a £35 million funding boost for automotive training has been welcomed by industry training providers.

A HUNT to find the brightest young stars of the world's automotive industry is on.

/>There are also discs available for the Mercedes Sprinter and ML series, the BMW 3 series and the Honda CRV along with the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and VW Crafter. The company’s marketing manager Justin Archer said: “We are committed to providing the most up to date application information to our customer base and this can be found online or within our electronic and printed catalogues.”

THE GOVERNMENT has announced plans to boost the flagging car retail sector - on the condition that car manufacturing becomes greener than ever before.

/>The range covers the majority of applications within the UK car parc and the batteries come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty. This includes the most popular 063, 096, 027 and 067 references. Features include a moulded plastic carry handle for easy carrying and protective plastic terminal covers for easy installation

MOT test stations that shelved investment plans during the 4-2-2 consultation should revive them now - that's the advice from the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

/>“The full weight of your vehicle rests on the springs, which are the primary link between the vehicle and the road,” says Universal Automotive’s managing director Nick Davies. “So fitting high-quality springs is essential for a better ride as well as improved handling and performance.”

ALEC Murray, the former head of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), will monitor workshop standards for Motor Codes - the organisation behind the Motor Industry Service and Repair Code (MISRC).

/>The company says minimising wind noise was an important design objective. This has been achieved by combining a tilt and slide action for the main rear panel, which disappears between the roof and roof lining. A tilt action front panel acts as an oversized wind deflect

VOSA has announced plans to replace its "ageing" network of test stations for buses, coaches and lorries with privatised facilities run by separate companies.

A SUPPORT plan for apprentices and those affected by redundancy has been unveiled by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

/>The 500 series cameras need only one hole for fitment with a small cable fitted through the mounting bolt. They produce colour images with a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees and are, apparently, excellent in low light conditions. They are also dust tight and waterpro