Electric vehicle charging cables are the conduits that transfer electricity from the power source to your car’s battery. They come in various lengths, power ratings, and connector types, depending on the make and model of your EV. Proper care and maintenance of these cables are crucial to ensure your charging experience is seamless and your vehicle’s battery remains healthy.
Maintaining your charging cable is not just about keeping it in good physical condition. It’s also about ensuring the safety and efficiency of your charging process. A well-maintained cable can help prevent electrical issues, reduce the risk of fire hazards, and even extend the lifespan of your car’s battery.
One of the most important aspects of maintaining your charging cable is regular inspections for any signs of damage. Before and after each use, take a few moments to carefully examine the cable, the connectors, and the plug-in points. Look for cracks, fraying, or any other visible signs of wear and tear. If you notice any issues, it’s best to address them immediately to prevent further damage and ensure your safety.
When not in use, it’s crucial to store your charging cable properly. Avoid leaving it coiled up in your car or exposed to the elements. Instead, invest in a dedicated storage solution, such as a cable management system or a protective sleeve. This will help prevent kinks, tangles, and exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures, which can all contribute to the deterioration of your cable.
Your car’s charging port and the connections on your charging cable are delicate components that require special care. Always make sure to keep these areas clean and free of debris, which can interfere with the charging process and potentially cause damage over time. Consider using a protective cover or cap when the cable is not in use to shield these critical points from the elements.
Proper usage is key to maintaining the longevity of your charging cable. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid yanking or pulling on the cable when disconnecting it from the power source or your vehicle. Instead, gently grasp the connector and pull it out straight to prevent any undue stress on the internal components.
By staying vigilant and addressing any problems promptly, you can keep your charging cable and charging port in top condition and ensure a hassle-free charging experience.
This video is sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
In this episode of Drivetime, we welcome Jayme Farina, Executive Vice President at AP Emissions, to share his career journey and insights into the automotive aftermarket industry. Farina reflects on his upbringing in West Texas, his education at Texas Tech and how he was introduced to the industry. He talks about his early career experiences, highlighting the importance of mentorship and how guidance from others helped shape his path.
Farina then delves into AP Emissions’ values, focusing on the company’s core pillars of trust, respect and collaboration. He explains how these principles have been fundamental to the company’s success and how they continue to drive the business forward under new ownership. He also discusses AP’s vertically integrated manufacturing process, which allows the company to respond quickly to market demands and stay at the forefront of product innovation.
Farina emphasizes the importance of the automotive aftermarket, encouraging young professionals to consider careers in the industry. He shares his belief in the value of giving back and supporting industry collaboration, which he sees as vital for long-term success.
Episode Overview:
How Jayme got started in the automotive aftermarket (0:59)
Jayme talk about impactful mentors in his life (4:09)
Discussion on the culture at AP Emissions (6:37)
How a recent buyout has impacted the company (8:33)
AP Emissions and vertical integration (11:20)
How Jayme gives back to his community (13:41)
Lightning Round (17:17)
The post Jayme Farina on Leadership, Mentorship and Driving Innovation appeared first on Brake & Front End.
eslaâs âRapid Mateâ connector connects the battery pack to the vehicle. The connection has two high-voltage power connections and a ground in the center. The connection is made by attaching the battery pack to the car. The male and female spades are joined as the battery pack is lifted into the vehicle.
This precision task requires careful positioning of the battery pack during removal and installation. Any misalignment errors may result in damage to the battery pack and rapid mate connector.
To remove the battery, follow all safety procedures to depower the battery and isolate the high-voltage system. If you are not trained to handle high voltage, do not attempt.
The battery pack is secured by more than 30 bolts. To prevent damage to the battery, you need an EV battery lift table like this to hold the battery in place while removing each bolt.
While you may think the point of a lift table is to handle the weight of heavy battery packs, that is only part of its mission. Equally important is being able to precisely line up the connectors on the vehicle with those on the battery pack. With this table, you can not only move the battery up and down but can also slide it horizontally with millimeter precision.
It allows you to position the battery pack and rapid mate connector on a Tesla, as well as similar connectors used by many other EVs and hybrids.
Once the battery is removed, the rapid mate connector can be serviced. The first step is to remove the bolt that secures it to the bracket and the plastic cover that secures the high-voltage cables. Now, you can pull it down to service the connector. You can detach the connector by pressing these tabs on the side of the bracket. While gently pulling down on the high-voltage blades, pull up on the housing to separate the housing from the blade retainer. Release the clips that secure the blade retainer to the high-voltage cables. Remove the blade retainer and discard it. To reinstall a battery pack, replace the seal and retainer clip.
When the battery is reinstalled, positioning the connector and battery pack is critical. Trying to make millimeter adjustments while the battery pack is on pallets, carts, or other repurposed piece of furniture is impossible. This can lead to damage to the battery pack and rapid mate connector. This is why you need a specially designed EV battery lift table.
Do EVs have feelings? No. But, you may get that customer in your shop where a customer may state that they âfeelâ something has changed. In the case of EVs, they can feel their range is reduced or it is taking too long to charge their vehicle. They could be on to something, or the changes in range and charging could be caused by external forces.
This is where customer communication becomes an art. Using the words âfeelâ or âit seemsâ in their description of a problem could be a vague symptom and highly subjective. These complaints will always require more context from the customer and vehicle.
Ask them when the fault occurred and what were the conditions. Changes in ambient temperature can have just as much impact on range and charging times as an unbalanced battery. With the information from the customer, you can replicate the condition to confirm the complaint. The goal is to capture the complaint, not solve the issue at the front counter.
The most important thing to remember is that the battery management system can spot a problem with the battery long before a customer âfeelsâ they have a problem. EV and PHEV battery packs can have more than 250 individual batteries. The batteries are arranged in 10 or more groups with sensors to measure internal resistance, temperature and overall output.
So, if a customer notices they have only 120 miles of range when they once had 135 miles, it could be for various reasons. Any battery degradation detected by the management system will result in reductions in range and increased charging times due to the changes in internal resistance in the battery.
The other item to look at is the weather. Many EV drivers may notice a reduction in range and increased charging time when the seasons change. This is 100% normal. The thermal management system will consume some of the power from the battery to keep it at the optimal temperature. So, the energy is used to power coolant pumps and the HVAC system instead of the battery powering the drive motor.
The other item to look at is the weather. Many EV drivers may notice a reduction in range and increased charging time when the seasons change. This is 100% normal. The thermal management system will consume some of the power from the battery to keep it at the optimal temperature. So, the energy is used to power coolant pumps and the HVAC system instead of the battery powering the drive motor.
Most EV manufacturers will issue a technical service bulletin (TSB) with the update and how to deal with customer complaints. If you have a scan tool that can communicate with the battery pack, you might have the option to calibrate or reset the battery pack. This special test âslashâ procedure will measure the state of health of the batteries and reset the charge and discharge adaptations for the real health of the battery.
The one question you need to ask a customer with the case of the feels, is how do they charge the vehicle? Many problems with charging and range can often be traced back to a charger or even the charging port on the vehicle. This can frequently lead you to a solution that does not include the vehicle. It is also a reason to install a class-2 charger at your shop for diagnostics.
Sun Auto Tire & Service announced the acquisition of 33 Caliber Auto Care locations throughout the state of Texas. The 33 Caliber Auto Care locations spread across Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio complement Sun Autoâs existing footprint in these markets, according to the company,
âOur decision to acquire the Caliber Auto Care business, and Caliberâs choice to sell to Sun Auto, highlights the mutual respect both companies have for one another” said Sun Auto CEO Tony Puckett. “I look forward to welcoming Caliber Auto Care teammates into our Sun Auto family.â
Who can benefit from these performance components?
Brakes are, conveniently, one of the most obvious automotive components to show wear, and drivers rarely go long between repairs once the car starts making the tell-tale squeaking or grinding noises. Even if the driver can somehow ignore the pulsation in his foot from a failing brake system, his passengers and passersby will likely remind him to “get those fixed!”
Because it’s a primary safety issue, drivers will typically agree to some recommended service procedures during a necessary brake job. Pads are usually a no-brainer. Rotor replacement may take a bit more effort. But calipers don’t always get the attention they deserve.
Most import and domestic vehicles come factory equipped with single-piston calipers. Their construction means they are adequate for normal braking and, frankly, they are cheaper for the OEM to spec and install than multi-piston calipers.
Brake calipers may be designed to last the life of the car but what does that mean? Is the car being driven the way it was designed? Have the related components been serviced on a timely basis?
Caliper Upgrades
Caliper replacement may be necessary in high-mileage vehicles because of fluid leaks or because the calipers are sticking. Stock replacement components will likely do the job just fine, but for customers who believe “fine” isn’t good enough, or if a customer is serious about improving braking performance, replacing stock single-piston floating calipers with aftermarket multi-piston fixed calipers is the way to go.
Multi-piston calipers found on high-performance vehicles including many import cars need special attention during a brake job. The more moving parts that are used to stop the car means the greater chance that a small problem in a system can lead to bigger problems.
Aftermarket performance brake kits typically include multi-piston fixed calipers that replace the stock calipers, rotors with the same or larger diameter, new performance pads (typically some type of semi-metallic or ceramic/metallic formula), new braided stainless-steel front brake hoses and new caliper mounts (if required).
Most aftermarket performance brake kits use multi-piston calipers instead of single-piston calipers in order to multiply brake force. The amount of clamping force the caliper can apply to squeeze the pads against the rotor depends on the surface area of the caliper piston and the amount of force generated by the master cylinder. If hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder remains consistent, then increasing the surface area of the piston by using more than one piston will multiply braking force.
Another reason for using multi-piston calipers is to reduce pad flex for better clamping effectiveness and friction. If a caliper has a single, large piston and a relatively short pad, pad flex is usually not an issue. But if a caliper has longer pads (to increase the friction surface area), applying pressure only in the middle of the pad with a single piston may cause the ends of the pads to bow up slightly, with the most force being applied in the middle. So to ensure the full length of the pad contacts the rotor, two or more pistons are used to more evenly distribute the clamping force along the entire length of the pad.
To even out clamping force, some multi-piston performance calipers use different-sized pistons; typically smaller diameter pistons on the leading edge of the caliper and larger pistons behind it.
Most performance calipers are aluminum rather than cast iron and come powder-coated in a variety of bright colors. Some are also available with a clear anodized coating or are bright plated to resist corrosion and enhance their appearance. Installing a set of brightly colored calipers will certainly dress-up the appearance of any vehicle and enhance the look of the brakes behind alloy wheels.
Most of the aftermarket performance brake kits use fixed calipers rather than floating calipers. This is done so the calipers can squeeze the pads evenly from both sides. But this requires changing the caliper mounts and carefully aligning the calipers to the rotors when they are installed so the pads wear evenly. If a fixed caliper is not perfectly parallel to its rotor, the front and rear edges of the pads will not wear evenly.
Other Upgrade Considerations
The larger the rotors, the more brake torque they can generate when the brakes are applied. Up front, that’s a good feature to have. But in the rear, too much brake torque can upset the vehicle’s brake bias and cause the rear brakes to feel grabby and lock up prematurely. The fix is to either use a properly sized rear rotor, or to install an adjustable valve in the rear brake line(s) to reduce the pressure so the rear brakes don’t exert too much pressure when the brakes are applied.
Stopping is a safety concern, of course, but can also be a style issue.Today’s multi-piston calipers and performance brake components can give your customers the best of both worlds.
ADS-TEC Energy plc will be demonstrating its ultra-fast EV charging platform, ChargeBox, in booth C7387 at NACS Show 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, October 8-10, 2024. The company will also show how c-stores are increasing traffic and growing revenue from this unique amenity.
With up to 320 kW charging power and compatibility with both CCS1 and NACS charging plugs, ADS-TEC Energy’s ChargeBox offers maximum flexibility while also saving operators up to 65% on peak power demand charges versus conventional DC chargers the company said.
According to Charging the Future, a study conducted by Consumer Reports in March 2024, EV charging is good for businesses and retailers – including c-stores and gas stations. There are strong economic incentives to install EV chargers, and one charging network found that 89% of EV drivers make a retail purchase while charging.
ADS-TEC Energy customer Inland Stores has experienced revenue growth and increased customer traffic since installing two ChargeBox systems at a location in Tallahassee, FL. the company said.
“We love our ADS-TEC Energy ChargeBox systems,” said Glennie Bench, president and COO, Southwest Georgia Oil Company Inc. “Not only has the revenue generated from our chargers exceeded our projections, the ChargeBox customers typically spend more and stay longer. Customers love the Level 3 speed and seek out our store for EV charging over other options.”
“Our goal is to help c-store owners upgrade their offerings and stand out to EV drivers,” said Renato Gross, senior executive vice president, ADS-TEC Energy. “By installing ultra-fast EV chargers, these stores will become key stops for EV drivers, who will also spend time inside stores and money on retail purchases. It’s a win-win for store owners who want to grow revenue, and EV drivers who want a fast and easy charging experience.”
When comes to motorcycle tyre replacement, many individuals just mount the tyre on the wheel hub and use it immediately. They refuse to go to the balancing machine to perform any motorcycle wheel balancing tests. This article will explain why it is necessary to balance motorcycle wheels.
One possible explanation for this is that they are unaware of how crucial two-wheeler wheel balancing is. However, the whole scenario is rather easy due to the lack of equipment, and balancing two-wheeler wheels is not possible.
What then is wheel balancing on a motorcycle? Do motorcycle tyres require dynamic balancing? The definition and significance of motorcycle wheel balancing are explained in this article.
What is Motorcycle Wheel Balancing?
As a matter of fact, throughout the manufacturing process of tyres and wheels, there will be a weight imbalance that, while not immediately apparent at moderate speeds, will result in vibrations in the handlebars and shaking wheels at high speeds. To prevent this, we must add lead to the hub to modify the wheel counterweight. Dynamic balancing is the process of determining equilibrium on a rolling wheel.
Does wheel balance for motorcycles have to be done?
Vehicles tend to have more balancing, and many individuals learn how important it is only after they have an accident while driving. In actuality, dynamic balance tests are also required for motorcycles.
Additionally, individuals frequently overlook the issue of motorcycle wheel balancing. Motorcycle tyre specifications such as tyre pattern, tyre pressure, wear level, etc. are the main focus. At high speeds, motorcycles with unbalanced wheels will feel as though they are floating in midair.
In extreme circumstances, when cornering, the back wheels will wobble and slide sideways. Uneven tyre wear is caused by the continuous cycling of motorcycle tyres while driving, which involves abrupt acceleration and braking.
When is motorcycle wheel balance necessary?
The front and rear tyres are slanted to one side after mounting or repairing them after a motorcycle crash.
When driving, the handlebars sway and tremble or are excessively heavy.
The motorcycle veers left or right when traveling straight. While there is no such thing as a condition of this kind, it is advised that the new motorcycle be driven for three months, and then every six months or two thousand kilometers for maintenance purposes.
It will slip sideways when turning, and at the end, unanticipated mishaps might happen. However, these risks can be avoided if lead is applied to the wheel (to balance the motorcycle’s wheel), even though it only adds a few grams or a dozen grams of weight.
The advantages of completing the motorcycle’s wheel balancing
Make driving more comfortable
Use less fuel.
Prolong the lifespan of your tyres
Verify that the vehicle is stable when traveling straight ahead.
Lessens abrasion on the chassis suspension components
Boost traffic safety
At least once a month, vehicle owners should check the pressure in all of the tyres, and when inflating tyres, they should compare the results to the recommended tyre pressure. Wheel imbalance can also be caused by anomalous tyre wear, which can be accelerated by either too high or too low tyre pressure.
Safety measures to take when doing wheel balancing on a motorcycle
When balancing the wheels of a motorcycle, there are a few general considerations to consider:
For dynamic balance, use new tyres—ideally, ones with a low flatness rate.
Avoid switching to old tyres and collisions after balancing.
The dynamic balance test for motorcycles is only suitable for tyres that are mounted on alloy wheels.
Why don’t some motorcycles balance properly?
There is no installation of a counterbalance and some tiny repair shops do not utilize original tyres. Therefore, after traveling at 60 km/h, there will be a noticeable vibration throughout the entire vehicle, which is also a sign that the tyre is not performing dynamic balancing.
The idea is to replace the original tyres and install the tyres strictly in compliance with the standards, which can practically create the dynamic balancing effect even if this kind of vehicle cannot be dynamically balanced.
Conclusion
Motorcycle wheel balancing is a maintenance task that needs to be completed whenever a tyre is reassembled, but many people are unaware of its significance or the need to find the solution. Unbalanced wheels lead to uneven tyre wear, etc., and riding comfort can be significantly impacted by not adjusting wheel balance.
Where Can Get Reliable Two-Wheeler Wheel Balancing?
Reach out to your nearby ATS ELGI equipped Wheel Service center to balance the wheels for a smooth and safe drive.
Hybrid vehicles place greater stress on belts and tensioners due to their dual-mode systems. Specialized hybrid tensioners are engineered to handle varying torque demands and ensure optimal belt performance during rapid transitions between electric and gasoline modes, reducing wear and improving efficiency.
This video is sponsored by Litens Aftermarket.
The post Understanding Why Hybrid Vehicles Need Specialized Tensioners appeared first on Brake & Front End.
Starting with 2018/2019 vehicle models, FCA, now known as Stellantis, started integrating a security gateway module designed to protect vehicle networks from unauthorized access. Today, most of the new vehicles under the Stellantis name – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo – have that security gateway module. Nissan started to implement similar security modules in some of its 2020 model-year vehicles.
However, the module also prevents aftermarket diagnostic tools from conducting meaningful diagnostic tasks and performing many service resets and calibrations. Even basic tasks such as erasing codes or relearning TPMS sensor IDs are restricted.
Thankfully for shop technicians, AutoAuth, a subscription-based platform, was developed to allow OE-approved aftermarket diagnostics scan tools to access the security gateway module on these security module-equipped vehicles.
Autel tablets were approved by FCA in June of 2020 for gateway access and recently by Nissan. Via AutoAuth, shops and technicians can register themselves and their scan tools for gateway access to the systems behind the security module and perform the necessary tests, services, and actions. All Autel tablets can be registered with AutoAuth and used on these late-model Stellantis and Nissan vehicles.
More automakers are starting to implement security modules in their new vehicles. So, the next time you are in the market for a scan tool, ensure it’s authorized to work on the vehicles that come into your shop.
