For those of you who know your way around the air con system, Texa's one-day IMI award level 3 'automotive refrigerant handling course' will ensure you meet the refrigerant-handling legislation that has just come into force.

Dezent's new RG Rim available from Alcar has a classic Y-spoke design and features a glossy black detail against a lacquered face that the company thinks will look at home on a wide range of 4 and 5 stud Jap, Euro and tuner cars.

Tyre company GT Radial has launched the Champiro Eco tyre, in a bid to give drivers an added option for fuel-efficient motoring. The tyre uses what the company calls Nanotek Silica technology to produce low rolling resistance.

Belts and drive systems company Gates is stocking its shelves with OAPs to help mechanics deliver reliable repairs to accessory belt drives (to avoid any confusion, that means a choice of DriveAlign Overrunning Alternator Pulleys - aka OAPs - and not an army of geriatric workers!).

If you are a customer-focused independent garage owner then read on to see how service and repair network Autosafe has improved its range of member benefits in an attempt to get you on board.

rong>Cambridge Motorsport Parts has released a braking upgrade for the Honda Civic Type-R. The Hawk HPS (High Performance Steel) pads are intended for fast road use and aim to give impressive stopping power with great resistance to brake fade.

If you sell or install Yuasa batteries, you could win VIP pit lane passes and enjoy hospitality with Yuasa and Team Honda Racing at the finale of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday 10th October.

rong>Track day enthusiasts and professional motorsport drivers may be interested to learn that the Silkolene Powersport brand of products which has been manufactured in the UK for years, has been taken on by Fuchs Lubricants and re-branded as the Titan Race range.

rong>The Revo Light from Tri-Sphere, the entry-level model of the Revo 180, is a short-wave infrared paint drying system that is super energy-efficient. It uses no gas and because sensors guide the drying process, significant savings are also made on electricity.

rong>For once, Aftermarket has found a product that even the manufacturer admits is not at the forefront of technology. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best and that’s what Laser Tools will be hoping for its latest brake bleeder.

Refinishing and consumables firm Farecla has published its latest catalogue, detailing its full product range together with additions from the Colad and Hamach brands.

Vehicle key programming specialists Hickleys, are holding evening events around the UK during August telling you everything you need to know about key programming, in order to add another string to your bow.

Three new items designed to make repair jobs quicker, easier and more cost-effective join the body shop range from 3M.

Lighting specialist Osram has unveiled its latest bulb in the form of the Xenarc Cool Blue Intense. The company hopes it will provide intensive illumination with cool design.

Spies Hecker has developed the Raderal Special Putty Set 2011 designed to cover welds, gaps and rivets on steel substrates.

Parts firm Febi has upgraded its offer to workshops with the ProKit package - an all-in-one product packaging option designed to make repairs easier.

The family of hand-held diagnostic tools celebrates a new addition to its brood in the form of the Vantage PRO enhanced component test meter and scope.

rong>If it’s incredibly low minimum access you require from your trolley jack then take a look at the new line of Viking trolley jacks from Sealey.

Texa has just released version 36 of its IDC3 software for cars, which includes new wiring diagrams for various marques including Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot, Seat, Volkswagen and VW.

rong>A comprehensive range of remanufactured Pagid brake calipers featuring brand new pistons and sliders are now supplied by Euro Car Parts. 

As part of an aggressive expansion policy, Fuel Parts UK claims it is the only company offering a fully-approved Euro 4-compliant range of catalytic converters. The latest additions to its range include cats for the Fiat Bravo and Scudo from 2007 onwards together with the Volkswagen Eos from 2006 onwards.

A few months ago, Aftermarket reported on the booming market for towbar installation work. Now, towbar manufacturer Bosal has come up with another potential aftermarket sales opportunity with its Compact bicycle carrier. The company claims there has been an explosion (not literally we hope, Ed) in the leisure cycling market. That means more people looking for ways to strap mountain bikes to their cars without breaking the law.

It looks like a horrible torture device but the latest product to roll out of Ayce Systems' headquarters is an alloy wheel-straightening machine. The number of scuffed and damaged alloys on the roads shows that wheels take a pounding on a daily basis (not helped by some people's inability to park without hitting the kerb). This product aims to correct the most severe cases of damage.

Euro Garage Solutions (EGS) - the workshop equipment division of Euro Car Parts - has become the sole UK distributor of the Werther range of lifting equipment.

rong>With motorists everywhere keen to save pennies, Agriemach has released an Exhaust System Joint & Crack Sealer to help cut repair costs.

General Motors has renewed its approval of paint company Spies Hecker's products for repair and refinish of its vehicles.

STRICTER emissions controls will mean a rapidly-expanding market for lambda sensors, with added opportunities for garages and factors, says Denso aftermarket sales boss Paul Payne.

Pico Technology has announced more training dates to help repairers get the latest knowledge of scope-based fault-finding. The Pico courses are designed to take the fear out of oscilloscope diagnostics, guiding delegates through from the basic understanding of a scope, to the software interface and kit contents and then into the workshop to see the scope in action.

It looks like a calorie counter or pedometer but the Auto Current Tester from Frost is actually the latest gadget for making electrical checks on cars in your workshop.

Aftermarket couldn't resist the unusualness of the latest news from welding and battery charging company GYS. The company's online website game Master of Welding has been awarded the 2010 Prix Coup de Coeur marketing trophy. The award was presented at the French e-marketing awards for the best innovations in the field of digital marketing.

rong>Tuning firm Unichip Europe has unveiled a U-connect Unichip ECU for the Nissan 350Z. The plug-and-play device aims to boost power by 20 bhp and raise peak output from 264 to 284 bhp.

With an eye on engine management, Bosch is reminding garages about the good margins to be made on lambda sensor replacement.

Triplewax Car Shampoo has been revised and improved with a new formula. The company claims the result is a richer cleansing agent that offers "outstanding results" against modern day pollutants.

The Unique seen here, is the latest addition to the Italian-made MAK Wheels range, distributed in the UK by Yokohama HPT.

Parts firm XPart is launching a range of front and rear bumpers and bonnet bars for the classic Mini with what it claims is a more superior finish than ever.

rong>The 2010 cooling catalogue from Gates includes everything from hoses to cooling accessories and provides for passengers cars to light commercials.

Electronic tuning firm Superchips has released a so-called 'plug-and-go' remap for the popular 2.7 litre Land Rover Discovery TDV6.

The full range of body shop and refinish information available on the Standox.co.uk website can now be accessed via mobile smart phone.

A micro cordless impact wrench is the latest product to join the Snap-on Tools range of tools, tool storage and diagnostic kit. The 3/8" wrench provides 600in.lbs of torque, with 95lbs bolt breakaway torque, great for getting into restricted access areas. This makes it ideal for working under the dash or when removing interior components.

Pro-Align are very proud to introduce what they call the 'King of all premium wheel alignment lifts'. The Hunter RX40 scissor lift promises increased productivity, saved labour costs and greater throughput due to a slick and streamlined wheel alignment process.

As mentioned in the news section of last month's Aftermarket, diagnostic firm Launch UK is stocking the Auto Book tool in a bid to attract business from workshops that want to venture into diagnostics without getting bogged down in the most advanced and complicated fault-finding techniques.

If you are after fast diagnostics coupled with an easy to use programme, consider the Global Pro Tool-100 from Tapley Instrumentation that can be used on both petrol and diesel engines.

The hose clip company has created a workshop pack which, as the name makes fairly obvious, is a collection of hose clips designed specially for workshops.

Three new CarPlan packet wipes join the existing range of car care products, designed for 'on-the-go, no fuss cleaning'.

Distributor FAI Automotive has attempted to revitalise its image with new packaging for its timing belt kits, sold under the FAI Auto Parts brand.

The latest 2010 brake caliper catalogue is out now from Brake Engineering and, according to the company, it contains the widest range of calipers in the UK aftermarket.

Motorbike spark plugs are increasingly replicating their high-temperature cousins fitted to passenger cars, says NGK. The company says there is an on-going trend towards "hotter, automotive-style plugs" as the drive to reduce emissions hits motorbikes too. Hotter plugs can also enhance idle stability.

A next generation, low viscosity synthetic engine oil for use in both petrol and diesel passenger cars joins ACDelco's existing range of synthetic, mineral and transmission gear oils.

This wiper arm puller has been designed to make your life that bit easier when faced with a wiper arm that won't budge.

This poster, available to workshops and factors, has been designed to remind technicians of the need to replace the steering rack and pump together. It can also be used to demonstrate to customers how to avoid unnecessary costs in the future.