PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE FROM HELLA-HENGST
Workshops have a responsibility to their customers, not just when it comes to the standard of the work they undertake and the quality of replacement components they fit, but also in terms of service and advice they offer. In addition to these customer-facing benefits, this principal will also help workshops both in their reputation and the bottom line.
In terms of vehicle performance, engine emissions and to minimise fuel costs, ensuring the regular replacement of the air, fuel and oil filters with an original equipment (OE) quality substitute, such as a HELLA Hengst filter, is of the utmost importance and any workshop that would even consider straying from either the vehicle manufacturers (VM) specified service schedule or turn to a low quality alternative replacement, would be considered as to have made a reckless decision.
Where workshops can fall down however, is with the replacement – or lack of replacement – of the cabin filter, which effects the health and well-being of the vehicle’s occupants, an equally
important part of a customer-focussed outlook.
Air quality is always in the headlines and providing a healthy environment for their customers is one of the ways that workshops can distinguish themselves from their competitors. Many studies have shown that the air quality inside a vehicle has a significant influence on safety; when it is thick with pollutants for example, the driver’s concentration can suffer, resulting in a higher risk of an accident.
Incredibly, up to 540,000 litres of air can enter the cabin for every hour of driving and research has shown that this air is approximately five times more contaminated by exhaust gases, pollutants and allergens than air at the roadside.
Workshops therefore, have a large part to play when it comes to the air quality within their customers’ vehicles. By specifying a HELLA Hengst Blue.care® cabin filter, they can optimise the air quality for the direct benefit of their customers in terms of a reduction in pollutants within the vehicle, which aids the driver’s concentration, makes them feel less tired and subsequently reduces the risk of accidents due to driver fatigue.
A standard cabin filter is certainly a good first step as, in addition to its protective role over the air conditioning system, it will remove pollen and fine dust, whereas a carbon activated version goes one further by filtering out bad-smelling odours and hazardous gases such as ozone, smog and exhaust gases. However, the HELLA Hengst Blue.care® filter also neutralises allergens and bacteria, making the environment particularly suitable for the family car.
Its first line of defence comes through an electrostatic medium that keeps out coarse particles, which is supported by a filter fleece that increases its dust retention capacity. An active carbon layer separates out vapours, odours and harmful gases, while so called ‘meltblown’ medium filters out fine dust including micro-particles with diameters smaller than 2.5 mm. Finally, the biofunctional layer contains nanosilver, which has an anti-microbial effect and jointly provides the five level protection from pollen, dust, mould/spores, odours and bacteria that makes the Blue.care® the filter of choice for the discerning workshop.
Due to the sheer quantity of air cabin filters have to cope with, HELLA Hengst recommend that they are replaced annually or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, vehicles that spend most of their time being driven in busy traffic – like the typical school run – should have them changed twice a year, irrespective of their annual mileage.
For more information about the OE quality products available from HELLA Hengst, please call customer services on: 01295 662400 or email hella.sales@hella.com
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