Henry Bisson, Head of Marketing for Ring, details why lighting and battery maintenance are key to keeping drivers and profits safe when servicing vehicles for winter.
Headlamp Checks
With fewer daylight hours, and bad weather causing poor visibility, it makes sense to ensure that lighting is on the checklist during a winter service. All external bulbs should be checked when the vehicle is in the garage and any that are part of a paired lighting system should be changed at the same time. With the darker nights, winter is an opportunity to sell a bulb upgrade, providing better light output and performance.
Bulbs are a straightforward part to replace, a critical safety component and a great upsell. Changing to a higher performance product means increased light output, giving drivers reassurance in dark and sometimes dangerous conditions, resulting in garages increasing their sales and profits. Plus, when a motorist upgrades to a performance bulb, they tend not to return to standard bulbs.
Ring’s Xenon130 bulbs remain the brightest, providing 130% more light on the road and better reflections from road markings and signs than a standard bulb. This halogen headlamp is closer to daylight and provides safer driving at night, giving confidence to the driver and their family waiting at home.
Ring has recently extended its Xenon130 range to include three new references. Xenon H1, H11 and HB4 join the Xenon H4 and H7 to create what is said to be the market’s largest range of high performing headlamp halogens. These are direct replacements for standard headlamps, meaning there is no costly rewiring or switch upgrades required.
Battery tests
Colder weather also places extra strain on batteries, so testing and maintenance is an essential part of any winter service. Even though a battery may be working, it may be struggling during the colder months. Using a battery analyser helps mechanics identify these hidden issues. By checking the cranking ability, the alternator, starter and earth system, Ring’s RBAG700 Analyser helps technicians to diagnose faults. This graphical analyser also provides a printed summary of the analytics that can be shared with colleagues and the customer. Well-suited to busy workshops, the RBAG700 allows multi-vehicle testing, storing the results of up to 80 vehicles. Offering specific settings for SLA, AGM and EFB, the tool will test most battery types, including Stop-Start batteries. This versatile tool can also be used as part of everyday tests to make sure that there is enough life in the battery for vehicle diagnostics and software updates.
The RBAG700 tells mechanics whether they should replace, charge or leave the battery as it is. With the print-out reports, mechanics are able to show results, and in doing so, remind the motorist of the excellent customer service they have received.
