Hella Launches New Sparkplus Ignition Lead Programme

Hella’s new Sparkplus ignition lead programme has been launched with an extended range covering over 95% of vehicles in the UK and a new catalogue.

New to the Sparkplugs range are new single leads for Chrysler, Citroen, Daewoo, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Vauxhall, and Volvo with five new part number additions to the range, 69 additions to the professional fit OE sets, with new sets for Mercedes and BMW and 5mm sets for Japanese vehicles and new ‘Cap and Wire’ sets for Toyota.

According to Hella, the ignition leads are all made to exacting standards using high quality material to meet or exceed the original specifications. The cable is 100% silicone to achieve maximum temperature resistance - meaning it can withstand temperatures between –50 to +250 degrees C – and the diameter is in line with OE specifications. The spring steel terminals are plated to give longer life, and the distributor and coil terminals are made of brass to ensure good conduction.

A new catalogue containing a full application listing of both the universal and professional sets and single leads, with diagrams showing fitting types and comprehensive cross references, has also been produced. (11/99)

Protect Your Struts Say Gabriel

Gabriel has advised shock absorber fitters to ensure that damaged or missing strut cushions are renewed during strut and insert replacement, as this is more economical and safer for the motorist. Stuart Bates, Gabriel UK sales manager at Arvin Replacement Products, states that this procedure ‘creates a positive benefit for the motorist and is security against premature strut failure as well as being the fitter’s insurance in respect of product warranty.’

Struts have become increasingly popular with vehicle suspension designers over the last five years with approximately 85% of new cars now being fitted with MacPherson struts as original equipment. Inserts are sealed replacement cartridges for older, repairable type strut installations. The latest generation of struts are factory calibrated and sealed and cannot be repaired with a cartridge.

A strut cushion comprises a convoluted rubber boot or gaiter and a rubber mounded compression bumper. These fit together and slide over the piston rod to rest on the spring seat. The convoluted rubber boot protects the strut’s chrome piston rod from damage, pitting from stone chippings, corrosion from salt and whatever the road may throw up. The compression bumper, which fits into the boot, avoids internal damage being caused by preventing metal-to-metal contact under severe compression of the piston rod.

Pictured are a Gabriel convoluted rubber boot or gaiter (left) and the complete strut with compression bumper attached (right) (11/99).

Nitrox Lead Replacement Additives Targeted at Motorists using 4-Star Leaded Petrol

As leaded 4-star petrol is to be removed from general sale on 1 January 2000, Nitrox are now promoting their CarPlan range of petrol additives to vehicle owners currently driving classic cars or vehicles with engines originally designed to run on 4-star leaded petrol. The ‘Instead of Lead’ range carries the full FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) approval based on MIRA independent testing. It provides the following options:

Nitrox 4-Star Unleaded Treatment

Provides valve seat protection when used in conjunction with unleaded petrol at every fill up. It also cleans the entire fuel system for better performance to keep cars on the road without expensive refits. It is available in 50ml ‘One Shot’, 300ml and 500ml Nitrox. Add 50ml to one tank full of unleaded petrol.

Nitrox 4-Lead Substitute & Octane Improver

Use Nitrox 4-Lead with high performance older vehicles. Keeps cars on the road by protecting engine valve seats from wear and also maintains engine power and economy. Available in 300ml – one pack treats approximately 40 litres of unleaded petrol (11/99).

Hella Launches Autumn Collection

Hella has announced the launch of its ‘Autumn Collection’ featuring special price discounts on popular products as well as new incentives for customers.

The collection effectively packages five promotions under one umbrella theme. These feature bulbs, lighting products including the Comet FF and Micro DE lamps, starters and alternators, wiper blades including the latest 2K range, and Beru spark and glow plugs including the popular Beru Ultra X.

In addition to the price discounts, Hella are giving away watches, playing cards and mugs, along with Network Q ‘Hyundai Rally Team hospitality tickets’.

The promotions themselves are presented in a poster which can be divided up depending on which scheme the customer prefers. The poster has an order form on the back which customers can fax straight back to Hella (11/99).

Castrol Launch Valvemaster in Response to "Four Star" Petrol Ban

With the ban on four star leaded patrol coming into force on January 1^st 2000, Castrol has launched Castrol Valvemaster, a new lead replacement fuel additive range for undleaded petrol, formulated to give owners owners of millions of cars an easy and efficient method of engine protection.

The product is available in two formats - Castrol Valvemaster and Castrol Valvemaster Plus and is supplied in 250 ml bottles, designed to treat 250 litres of unleaded fuel. Also supplied is a measuring device in order to make it easy to calculate how much additive to use - 10 ml of castrol Valvemaster treats 10 litres of unleaded fuel.

With LRP not necessarily available on all forcourts, Castrol Valvemaster means that consumers can refuel anywhere across the country. Valvemaster is also compatible with both LRP and leaded fuel, which, says Castrol, is not the case for many other additives available.

The castrol Valvemaster range is available at motor accessory retail outlets, service stations and authorised distributors of Castrol Classic Oils. (11/99)