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The Garage 353

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NEWS<br />

MAHLE Aftermarket issues<br />

fitment advice on EV and<br />

hybrid A/C compressors<br />

Textar<br />

launches<br />

new premium<br />

brake pad and<br />

disc references<br />

MAHLE Aftermarket UK has issued best-practice advice when<br />

servicing and replacing electric air conditioning compressors<br />

for hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).<br />

MAHLE recognises that the thermal management system<br />

on these alternatively fueled vehicles can be complex, as the<br />

temperature control of the battery and power electronics<br />

play just as an important role in the heating and cooling of the<br />

vehicle cabin, in turn, meaning servicing and maintenance will<br />

also play an important role.<br />

Air conditioning compressors for electric and hybrid vehicles<br />

differ from belt-driven models in many ways and it’s therefore<br />

important to follow best-practice tips to ensure maintenance<br />

is carried out efficiently, says Alan Povey Quality, Warranty &<br />

Technical Representative at MAHLE Aftermarket.<br />

Selecting the correct oil<br />

As electrically driven compressors are hermetically sealed,<br />

the absence of a drive shaft for the belt drive means that<br />

refrigerant cannot escape via the shaft seals.<br />

<strong>The</strong> electric motor for the drive is located within the<br />

compressor housing. Since the motor encounters refrigerant<br />

and refrigerant oil, only oil with insulating properties may be<br />

used. <strong>The</strong>re is a risk of short circuit if moisture enters the<br />

refrigerant circuit. PAO multigrade oils are therefore preferred<br />

due to their non-hygroscopic properties.<br />

However, technicians should always follow the vehicle<br />

manufacturer’s specifications when selecting the refrigerant<br />

and compressor oil. Choosing the correct refrigerant oil, as<br />

well as regular air conditioning services, are crucial to the safe<br />

operation of electric air conditioning compressors.<br />

Electric compressors generally do not have an oil drain plug,<br />

so it is not possible to adjust the system oil quantity via the<br />

compressor. <strong>The</strong> air conditioning system must therefore be<br />

flushed before installing a new compressor. This is the only way<br />

to ensure that the system is free of oil residues and to avoid<br />

overfilling.<br />

All nonflushable components must be replaced, as must the<br />

drier.<br />

Many vehicle manufacturers use special programmes when<br />

commissioning a new air conditioning compressor. By means of<br />

a diagnostic tester, these programmes ensure a slow start-up<br />

and therefore prevent a sudden intake of compressor oil from<br />

causing consequential damage such as a hydraulic shock.<br />

Braking specialist TMD Friction UK has introduced three<br />

new brake discs and one new brake pad to its premium<br />

Textar brand range.<br />

TMD Friction UK constantly monitors the aftermarket<br />

to develop high quality braking products and extend its<br />

product offering to cover a wider selection of vehicles<br />

than ever before.<br />

Within the Textar premium brake pad product line, a<br />

new reference with part number 2628701 is now available,<br />

fitting Audi Q2, Q3 and Sportback, TT Roadster, Skoda<br />

Superb and Volkswagen Tiguan 2016- models, plus brandnew<br />

Seat Tarraco and Volkswagen Atlas cars.<br />

New premium Textar brake discs are now available for<br />

Range Rover (L405) and Range Rover Sport (L320 and L494<br />

models) with part number 92235605, plus Ford Tourneo<br />

Connect, Transit Connect MPVs and vans (2013-), with new<br />

reference 92326103.<br />

<strong>The</strong> final brake disc reference launched in the latest<br />

premium range expansion, part 92342803, fits Hyundai<br />

Santa Fe car and van models (2015-), plus KIA Sorento<br />

cars.<br />

Customers can be assured of high-end braking quality<br />

with Textar products, with each new part going through<br />

extensive testing and quality assurance over a three-year<br />

development cycle before being released. Knowledge<br />

gained from its original equipment development is<br />

cascaded to its aftermarket product lines, so customers<br />

know they’re getting the very best.<br />

Technicians and workshops can find out more about<br />

the latest TMD Friction UK products online via the Textar<br />

Brakebook online catalogue. Customers can also use the<br />

Textar Brakebook app to view Textar’s product range onthe-go.<br />

THE GARAGE 23<br />

23,News Textar AND MAHAL 2.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:31

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