Blog posts of '2016' 'March'

Shock absorbers, as the name accurately implies, work with the car's suspension to absorb the affects of bumps and holes in the road. The most obvious benefit of shock absorbers is that they provide a smooth, comfortable ride over various surfaces and roads.

There are two main features that determine the quality of shock absorbers:

• Individual Models Shock Absorbers are specifically designed for each individual model to optimise handling performance and suspension safety. From the piston structure to the connective bushings, every Shock Absorber is designed for perfect fit. Many non-genuine shock absorbers are 'one size fits all' designs for a variety of cars regardless of individual requirements.
• High Quality Materials Shock Absorbers include Teflon? processed piston bands and piston rods which are specially coated for superior rust resistance. These long-lasting parts work smoothly to reduce noise and bumps to make driving a pleasure. Many non-genuine shock absorbers avoid using Teflon? and other protective measures, reducing longevity and performance substantially.

Shock Absorbers are designed for longevity and performance, shock absorbers will always be inspected according to the servicing schedule.

• High Quality Materials With a rubber coated bottom layer to prevent cracking to heat-resistant tensioning members, Genuine Drive Belts are multi-layered for maximum longevity and performance.

There are several different types of drive belts available - each performs an individual role according to the equipment it drives and engine type. These variations are:

• Raw Edge BeltsIn plain, multi-ply and cogged configurations for passenger cars, trucks and buses including diesels.
• V-Ribbed BeltsThese are thinner and more efficient in transferring power, and are used in small and high performance engines.

Drive Belts will always be inspected for wear and/or replaced according to the servicing schedule.

The spark plug is one of the smallest and most important components in a petrol engine; it is responsible for actually making the engine operate. Thousands of times every minute, the spark plug ignites the fuel and air mixture, which propels the engine's cylinders to drive the car.

Genuine Spark Plugs feature a unique U-groove ground electrode, which means it creates a bigger and more consistent spark, allowing for:

• Better fuel efficiency
• Faster response
• Lower gas emissions

The case or housing around the internal spark plug components is vital to the stable performance and long life of the plug. The precise construction and quality materials of a Genuine Spark Plug housing ensures a high rate of thermal conduction which prevents the plugs from running 'too hot' or 'too cold' and causing engine misfires or pre-ignition (which may also cause engine damage.

The Oil Filter is a low cost part that needs regular replacing. Essentially its role is as the name suggests - to filter and remove dirt particles from the oil as it flows through the engine. It also allows for efficient lubrication of the hundreds of precision moving parts in your car's engine. Many of these parts operate at thousands of movements per minute. Even the tiniest foreign matter in your engine can create excess friction and damage. Oil Filters help prevent potential engine damage from happening.

Maintaining the oil filter allows for:

• Efficient lubrication
• Long life engine performance & protection.

While the quality of the oil is vital to the performance of an engine, the quality of the Oil Filter is also crucial to the smooth operation and longevity of the engine. Only Genuine Oil Filters feature a dual-textured element to capture even the smallest particles.

There are three main features that determine the quality of an Oil Filter:

• The ElementA Genuine Oil Filter features a dual-textured element - coarse on the outside, fine on the inside. This combination filters particles effectively and resists clogging. Non-genuine brands can be thin and finely meshed, making them prone to tearing and clogging, and as a result could need replacement more often.
• Sealing CapabilityA Genuine Oil Filter uses durable, heat-resistant, non-stick acrylic rubber gaskets. Non-genuine filter gaskets without these features can be prone to rapid deterioration and damaging leaks.
• ValvesA Genuine Oil Filter features two valves - a Bypass Valve which allows vital oil to still flow in the event of a filter becoming clogged, and an anti drain-back valve which prevents oil draining out of the engine and into the oil pan. This valve helps protect your engine from increased wear during cold starts.

The Genuine Diesel Oil Filter is designed to filter carbon as well as other contaminants. Non-genuine oil filters may fail to filter carbon, causing dirty oil, black smoke emissions, increased fuel consumption and engine wear. That's why you must always insist on Genuine.

Perhaps the most important safety feature of any car is the brakes. It is imperative to keep your car's brakes in top condition. At the centre of a car's stopping power are the actual brake pads, which grip the brake disc rotor to slow down your car. These are also the parts of the brake that require regular replacement because every single time you stop - you use them.

• Brake Pad Lining Genuine Brake Pads are specifically designed for s, ensuring balanced, stable braking in wide-ranging temperatures and driving conditions. They are also super durable, and constructed without the use of asbestos for a safer environment as well as safer driving
• Anti-Squeal shim Genuine Brake Pads feature a precision anti-squeal shim which prevents the high-frequency vibration which causes brake noise. Non-genuine pads may omit this feature, and the result could be annoyingly squeaky brakes.
• Genuine FitStrict quality control is employed in every stage of Genuine Brake Pad manufacture. They are meticulously checked for accuracy of clearance between brake pad and caliper for smooth, safe, stopping.

While dependent on your driving style, Genuine Brake Pads are generally designed to perform efficiently for the total time between recommended services. If you have your Service Centre service your car, then the brakes pads will always be inspected according to the servicing schedule.

The clutch is the vital link delivering engine power to the transmission. The role of the clutch is to effortlessly transfer the power from the engine to propel the vehicle. It really is the vital link between the power source (engine) and the power distribution (transmission, differential, axles and wheels). The functions of the clutch include:

• The ability to cut engine power quickly for safe driving
• Smooth, quiet transfer of engine power to transmission
• Quick radiation of frictional heating
• Maintaining inertia after disengagement
• Making full use of the engine's power

In manual transmissions, the clutch engages and disengages the engine from the transmission as you change up and down gears or into reverse. This constant use when driving means clutches are prone to wear, and eventually need replacement.

Signs you might have a worn clutch are:

• Poor acceleration
• Increase in fuel consumption
• Speed doesn't pick up quickly compared to amount of acceleration
• Poor power when climbing hills