It’s hard to believe but it’s already been a year since we had the SafeTstop vehicle testing lane installed in the TaT research workshop. Time is flying by.
Looking back over the past 12 months, the SafeTstop has become the most used piece of equipment in the workshop, and we’re not short of gear that gets pulled out every day. Every vehicle that comes into the workshop now must be checked on the SafeTstop – that’s our policy.
Testing every vehicle that comes into the workshop has brought some interesting outcomes, such as the fact at least one or two vehicles produces a poor or even a dangerous result each week. Because the SafeTstop allows you to print out a report showing where an issue exists, we’ve been able to at least inform the owners of these vehicles that something is not right.
Less intrusive diagnostics is TaT’s training theme for 2019 and the SafeTstop fits right with the theme. It takes just one quick and easy run over the test lane to gain a detailed and accurate report that highlights brake, wheel alignment and suspension operation and efficiency.
The SafeTstop has picked up many issues over the last year, including seized calipers, leaking wheel cylinders, leaking axle seals, collapsed or blocked brake hoses, faulty or wrongly adjusted proportioning valves and master-cylinder problems.
As mentioned in our original Top Tools review in TaT issue 63, we have added a $10 fee to every vehicle that comes into the workshop and we have not had one customer question it or indicate they are unhappy about the charge. Indeed, it’s been the opposite – a lot of customers have noted the detailed report attached to their invoice and asked what the SafeTstop does.
After a quick run-down, we’ve been able to educate them about this piece of equipment and why we do the test every time. TaT members often ask me about the SafeTstop at trade shows and training events and my honest response is it’s one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever installed for all the reasons listed above.
In fact, I don’t know why we didn’t install it years ago but now it’s in we haven’t looked back. I firmly believe the workshop and, more importantly, my customers are much better off knowing that their vehicles are safe.
Visit SafeTstop online and via our Linkedin and Facebook business pages.