Gearhead

Editorials

Thinkcar ADAS

(Oct 2024)

Safety and comfort are driving innovation in cars at an unprecedented rate. But where ADAS systems were once the domain of luxury or European cars, repairers can expect them on almost any new car that comes into the workshop. This means businesses need to be ready for calibration as a regular part of the workflow. Logicar has a workshop solution that may be the very thing businesses are looking for.

The prospect of new technology can be daunting to a traditional collision repair workshop, but Logicar’s Thinkcar ADAS calibration kit has focused on functionality to ensure it meets the demands of modern technology but is also easy to use.
Logicar has taken the best of new automotive technology and adapted it into a calibration system that is flexible, accurate and easy to install.

Safety first
Collision repairers have a growing
Cover storyrole to play in the safety of all repaired vehicles. Accurate and complete calibrations of cameras, radars and sensors on a modern vehicle are an essential part of the repair process.
These ensure the onboard devices continue to collect the precise data and provide exact warnings to the braking and steering functions of ADAS systems.
The Thinkcar ADAS calibration kit aims to give repair workshops this capability and continue to serve customers with a level of expertise that develops trust and client satisfaction.

Pinpoint accuracy
The Thinkcar kit is designed for workshops to be able to calibrate a wide range of safety systems that are becoming prevalent on modern vehicles including Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, 360 Panoramic Monitoring, Rear Collision Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring.
In order to ensure the ongoing safety of these systems on the road after repairs Thinkcar has also paid close attention to the accuracy of its system.
It uses five-line laser and cross lasers to ensure accuracy and when employed properly can calibrate to the millimetre level.
Guided calibration makes the operation easier and extensive guidance is given on set-up and operation through the Thinktool, a tablet-based device designed to meet the flexibility of a workshop.
A five-step demonstration also shows how setting up for a calibration with the Thinkcar ADAS kit is a relatively simple process, given the sophistication and precision of the equipment.
It involves, as an example, establishing points at the front and rear of the vehicle that the laser can link. These can determine the centre line of the vehicle with pin-point accuracy. A further Point C is determined using the L-shaped positioning bracket. Then a test target is placed and adjusted at the front of the vehicle, leaving the technician with the help of the software to begin the calibration.

Adding to workshop flexibility
The Thinkcar ADAS Calibration kit is a fully portable device that can be folded up for storage or transportation, freeing up valuable space in the workshop when not in use.
It also features universal calibration components and has a range of different elements that can be assembled and added to calibrate different car models.
It is also compatible with the full range of Thinktool diagnostic devices to meet the daily calibration need of auto repair shop.
Logicar also has an industry reputation for backing up their equipment with ongoing technical support and training, from certified and authorised ADAS Technicians. The support staff can work with customers through issues and diagnoses to ensure calibrations are successful.
This further adds to workshop flexibility and potential business profitability by keeping calibration services in-house. It can also avoid further delays in key-to-key times on repairs and greater enhance customer satisfaction.

Car-parc covered
The system has full software support that covers a comprehensive range of vehicles covering 98 per cent of the modern fleet including popular makes such as Toyota, Ford, Holden Mazda, Nissan and Subaru, right through to luxury manufacturers such as Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Mercedes Benz.
It is also up to date with a range of new Asian vehicles appearing on the market including Proton, Tata, Mahindra, Maruti, Ssangyong, Perodua, Geely.

 

Ensuring ADAS Safety

(Nov 2024)

 

 

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning rely on cameras, radar, and sensors to provide timely alerts, braking assistance, and steering intervention.
Accurate calibration is essential to make sure these features operate with precision and ensure safety systems can detect, warn, and react correctly in real-world driving scenarios.
Misalignment or improper calibration of sensors can lead to malfunctioning safety features, such as failing to detect obstacles or providing inaccurate warnings.
This can severely compromise safety, as these systems are designed to act at critical moments to prevent accidents or minimise damage.
"At Logicar Australia, we prioritise equipping workshops with the latest ADAS calibration technology to help them maximise both their skillsets and business opportunities," Logicar Chief Executive Officer, Colette Kirby, said. "Partnering with Thinkcar, we offer cutting-edge hardware and software solutions that ensure workshops can quickly and accurately calibrate ADAS systems to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) standards.
"Our Thinkcar Diagnostic Tool provides step-by- step guidance for calibrating ADAS systems on each specific vehicle, ensuring compliance with manufacturer requirements.
"The tool also includes a pre-scan and post- calibration report, streamlining the process for technicians. This approach not only improves safety but also enhances workshop efficiency." Environmental conditions like temperature, lighting, and road surfaces can significantly impact the accuracy of ADAS calibration. For example, some sensors may not function correctly in low light or extreme temperatures.
Technicians must be aware of these factors to ensure the calibration process is carried out under optimal conditions.
Logicar states using the right calibration equipment allows technicians to account for these variables, ensuring the system performs as designed.
"Our ADAS calibration frames are designed to support over 45 different types of target and pattern boards, ensuring precise camera-based calibrations for systems like AVM (All-View 360° Monitoring), FCM (Forward Collision Mitigation), and RCW (Rear Collision Warning)," Colette said. "We also provide additional calibration accessories, such as radar/sonar reflectors, for systems like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).
"This range of tools ensures workshops can calibrate virtually any vehicle with ADAS technology, no matter the system."
Logicar says it emphasises the importance of ongoing ADAS calibration training and encourage technicians to engage in personal research.

For more information, visit www.logicar.com.au or call Logicar on 1300 322 782.

 

Why Mechanics Should Invest in Injector Testers and Cleaners

(Sep 2024)

 

 

For mechanics striving to excel in automotive repair, investing in tools like injector testers and cleaners is crucial. These tools offer significant advantages that enhance service quality and business efficiency.

Enhanced analytic accuracy, they replicate conditions to assess the performance of fuel injectors, identifying issues such as clogs, uneven spray patterns, or electrical faults. By investing in an injector tester, mechanics can:

• Pinpoint Problems Accurately: Identify the exact cause of injector-related issues, leading to more effective and targeted repairs.
• Save Time: Streamline the repair process, allowing mechanics to service vehicles more quickly and manage a higher volume of work.

Injector cleaners are essential for maintaining injector performance. They remove deposits and contaminants that can impair injector function, offering several benefits:

• Clean injectors ensure better fuel flow and spray patterns, leading to improved engine performance and fuel efficiency.
• Prevent Further Damage: Regular cleaning prevents severe clogging and potential engine damage, reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs and extending the lifespan of injectors.

Mechanics who invest in these tools can significantly enhance the customer experience, reducing vehicle downtime and improving customer satisfaction, customers will notice the benefits of smoother operation and improved fuel economy, leading to higher satisfaction and repeat business.

While the initial investment in injector testers and cleaners may seem substantial, the long-term financial benefits are significant. Increase revenue by offering a focused service, such as injector cleaning. High-quality repairs can also justify higher service fees.

In a competitive market, having specialized tools, such as injector testers and cleaners sets a mechanic apart giving them an edge. Offering expertise demonstrates a commitment to quality and professionalism.

In summary, injector testers and cleaners are valuable investments for mechanics. The Thinkcar Fuel Injector Cleaner and Tester, strongly established in the American market, is priced well, with a multilingual panel design, supports leading GDI brands and provides complete GDI cleaning and testing solutions.  

Call Logicar for more information on 1300 322 782

 

Innovative Scan Tool Technology

(May 2024)

The world of diagnostic technology is ever evolving with new and innovative scan tools. Logicar has brought one of the world’s leading scan tool brands to the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo, Thinkcar. The Thinkcar scan tools stand out among other brands providing users with seamless speeds to diagnose problems faster, with greater accuracy.

It’s important to choose the right scan tool for any workshop, especially if it is used daily to streamline the repair process, leading to quicker turnaround times on vehicle diagnosis and return on investment in your scan tool.

Options now available, with the advancement of built-in video remote services, DoIP, D-PDU, CAN FD support, comprehensive OBDII diagnostics and services to advanced coding and programming, even an option for a scan tool with built in TPMS module.

Add ADAS, HD and EV all in one scan tool! Ask us about the Thinktool Master X2, the no nonsense scan tool!

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a scan tool for your business including functions, compatibility, software, user experience, maintenance, OBD-II system and price range for entry level and high-end workshops.

Logicar recommends researching for the right scan tool that is suitable for your business.

As vehicle advancements take on digitized components, these scan tools provide greater profit opportunities for businesses.

Logicar, have been experts in diagnostics for many years, they offer a large range of scan tools from entry level to advanced and will take the time to understand your requirements and help you make the decision that best suits the complexity of your needs. They understand small/medium business needs as they are one too, so call today and feel free book an after-hours discussion if you have time constraints during your workday!

 

ADAS Calibration

(March 2024)

With an upsurge of modern passenger vehicles being released into the Australian market and further safety features within these vehicles, ADAS calibrations are completed to ensure cameras, radar and sensors are collecting the correct data to provide exact warnings, braking and steering action at the correct times. These new passenger safety features include Blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and so forth.

Logicar Australia certified focus is on ensuring customers have the latest technology, instruction and equipment to maximise their skill set and workshop revenue potential. Logicars expertise and Launch’s hardware/software innovation have joined forces, offering advanced ADAS calibration equipment.

ADAS calibration and recalibration is the exact physical alignment, testing, and automated point of sensors that gather data, informing the vehicle's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These new products give workshops the ability to calibrate ADAS systems quickly and safely and all to OEM Specifications. 

ADAS calibrations include diagnosis, repair, and calibration.  

Logicar offer two styles of ADAS Calibration Frames: 

AUSCAN ADAS MOBILE frame is a portable ADAS calibration tool ideal for any repair business that is shop-based and on the road. The unique foldable design minimizes transportation risk, speeds up the set-up procedure and allows calibrations at various sites. 

ADAS PRO+ is a calibration tool ideal for any shop-based business. With easy adjustments, through multi-directional fine-tuning and measurements using lasers, fast and easy setups are achieved, keeping set up times low.  

Both ADAS Calibration frames share upwards of 45 different styles of target/pattern boards for camera-based calibrations such as AVM (all view 360’ monitoring), FCM (forward crash mitigation) and RCW (rear crash warning). Additional calibration accessories such as radar/sonar reflectors, allow the calibrations for ACC (adaptive cruise control) and BSM (blind spot monitoring). 

In conjunction with the ADAS Calibration Frame, the Launch Diagnostic tool shows step by step calibration procedures for each individual vehicle for OEM specifications, along with a pre-scan and after calibration report, the process is fast and easy. 

At Logicar, we underpin ongoing product technical support and training, not just sales training but training from certified/authorised ADAS Technicians, experienced in all aspects of Calibrations. ADAS Calibrations at times can and will fail, at Logicar we have the knowledge to work through faults and diagnose the issues. For more information visit our website at logicar.com.au or call us at 1300 322 782.

Innovative Scan Tools

(May 2024)

The world of diagnostic technology is ever evolving with new and innovative scan tools. “Logicar are thrilled to introduce the Next Generation Car Scan Tool to the Australian market:, said Colette Kirby, CEO of Logicar. The Thinkcar-Logicar partnership is  dedicated to bring Australian Workshops innovative engineering, competitive price points, advanced features and unmatched performance. Thinkcar scan tools have been tested and tried in the USA and European markets, exceeding targets with over $20 million in first year sales and climbing.

Thinkcar diagnostic equipment stands out among other brands, providing users with seamless speeds to diagnose problems. Offering superior software updates that won’t break your bank account, accuracy, exceptional after sales support and real time solutions.

With plenty of options available, the advancement of built-in video remote services, Topology, DoIP, D-PDU, CAN FD support, J2534 protocol, comprehensive OBDII diagnostics, advanced coding and programming and even an option for built in TPMS module.

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a scan tool for your business and as vehicle advancements take on digitized components, these scan tools provide greater profit opportunities for small, medium, and large businesses. For example, if you add ADAS, HD and EV, to the Thinktool Master X2 or the Thinktool Max, you can get an all-in-one diagnostic package.

Logicar, have been experts in diagnostics for many years, they offer a large range of scan tools from entry level to advanced and will take the time to understand your requirements and help you make the decision that best suits the complexity of your needs. They understand small/medium business needs, so call today and feel free book an after-hours discussion if you have time constraints during your workday!

When thinking about a scan tool, think no further than the Thinkcar at Logicar!

For further information, contact Logicar.

 

Capricorn Sparks

(July 2024)