Tag: car news

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All You Need to Know About Redback

Garage equipment is expensive. Tyre changers, wheel balancers, lifts… you name it, it costs a lot to invest in any of the crucial equipment needed to operate a garage. But there are brands out there that continue to challenge the norm and offer more for less. One of those brands is Redback, which has become the industry’s go-to budget equipment supplier here in the UK.

Redback products first hit the market back in 2005, and have since established themselves as the ideal solution for lower volume users or ‘first-timers’. Today, the factory boasts 870 employees and four production facilities spanning 160,000 square metres. These factories produce between 6,000 and 8,000 products every month and export to 99 countries, of which the UK is (we are proud to say) one of the most successful.

Want to learn more about the brand and what it has to offer? That’s exactly what we’re about to cover.

A proven track record

Redback isn’t just about low prices. It invests heavily in research and development, continually revising its products to ensure they deliver maximum bang for your buck. With a team of over 120 R&D specialists, Redback is serious about the quality of its products.

In 2019, it introduced an upgraded range packed full of new features; the 202 tyre changer featured an improved clamping range, for example, allowing it to support rims up to 24” in diameter.

At Tyre Bay Direct, we’ve stocked Redback products for over a decade now and have had tonnes of positive feedback from customers.

Unbeatable value

No other manufacturer offers such a winning blend of quality, features and affordability. With Redback, you don’t have to forego advanced features; the brand still produces fully automatic tyre changers and two-post lifts with electric locks, for example.

And, although its machinery isn’t as tough and sophisticated as the likes of Atlas Platinum and Hofmann Megaplan, it still stands the test of time. Redback products are ideal for less frequent use. Say you want to begin offering tyre changing and wheel balancing services, but it’s not something you anticipate being your bread and butter. Redback equipment would be the perfect solution.

Comprehensive range

Redback’s range of products is just as vast as many higher-end brands. Its product line ranges from extremely affordable, entry-level models to more advanced, full-featured versions, with tyre changers, wheel balancers, two-post and scissor lifts available.

Order your Redback garage equipment today

In summary, Redback is the nation’s go-to budget garage equipment supplier for a reason. Well, several. Its products are stout, effective and represent exceptional value – and they’re easy to get hold of! We stock the full range here at Tyre Bay Direct, with Pay in 3 available to help you spread out the cost of your order.

Explore the full line up of Redback garage equipment online and place your order today.

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The need to educate customers on why they must check their engine oil…

Regular checking of your car oil is essential to the mooth running of your vehicle.Do you check your engine oil? How often? Do you meet the manufacturer’s recommendations?

From a recent study conducted by Kwik Fit, here are some shocking stats:

  • One in five (19%) UK car owners never check the oil that is running in their car
  • Some three million people (8%) admit to not knowing how to check their oil
  • 11% admit to knowing how to do it, but never do
  • Over three fifths of drivers (62%) say at least 3 months go by between oil checks
  • 8% leave at least a year between oil checks

These figures are quite frankly shocking, and they don’t stop there! Comparisons between sexes and age groups clearly identified some obvious differences…

  • 2% of male car owners said they did not know how to check their oil, but this increased to one in seven (14%) among female owners.
  • 10% of drivers aged 18-34 stated they were unsure how to check their oil level, compared to a lower 6% of drivers aged over 55

The aftermarket industry must do its bit…

Anyone working within the automotive trade knows that checking your vehicle’s oil is essential to a smooth-running performance and is an easy way to monitor the health of the engine.

Whilst it can be easy to blame the driver for not knowing how to perform such checks, as a garage, do you educate your customers on why checking their oil is important?

For many UK drivers (especially those in the younger age groups), that lack of knowledge and lack of experience could be the difference between checking their oil regularly or not. Outlining the importance of the annual service and sticking to the manufacturer’s recommendations is also a great way to get car owners to be more conscious of any upcoming maintenance.

Sharing your knowledge also demonstrates a level of expertise to the driver, creating a confidence in your services and therefore, the driver will more likely return to your garage for future work.

It is that simple!

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How will GDPR affect UK garages?

How will GDPR impact my garage imageIn the wake of numerous global data breaches and digital security scandals, the whole world is now talking about GDPR.

The new data security regulation comes into force across Europe today and has caused businesses across all industries to rethink their procedures. But what does the acronym mean for the auto repair industry? Here we take a look at what exactly GDPR is and how it could affect your garage.

The General Data Protection Regulation is a set of provisions which have been laid out to ensure that all companies operating within the EU maintain a high level of security when it comes to the personal information of clients and customers. There are several new requirements being implemented which give consumers more power over their personal information and tighten the restrictions on the distribution of data across digital and geographical borders.

Potential Fines

It may get frustrating to keep hearing about GDPR every day but it’s important that you are aware of it and that your garage is making the necessary changes to meet the regulations. One of the biggest concerns for garage owners and tyre shop owners is the potential for being fined due to lack of compliance. If your business fails to meet all the requirements of GDPR, you could be fined up to 4% of your yearly turnover which is a crippling prospect for small, independent garages.

Data Breaches

One of the main aims of GDPR is to promote transparency when it comes to personal data. The idea of the regulation is not to indiscriminately punish any form of breach but to encourage companies to immediately report any incident where consumer information is at risk. If companies fail to comply with this requirement, this is when severe punishments and large fines become an inevitability. Whether you store all of your customer data on computers or you use a combination of paper files, always keep them secure and perform regular checks.

ICO guidelines

Despite so much talk of big fines and complicated procedures, there are a lot of helpful documents available which will make it easier for you and your garage to comply with the rules of GDPR. The Information Commissioner’s Office has drafted a preliminary version of its guidelines which can be accessed by any business owner. The ICO has published many guides on GDPR so be sure to refer to their website.