a new concept in affordable computer-controlled servicing for the modern car

The price of progress: improvements in performance and fuel economy of the modern car are achieved with computer controlled components. Some examples: diesel engines have a DPF (diesel particulate filter) that ‘cleans’ (or regenerates) itself, all computer controlled; electronic park brakes have to be wound back via the computer when replacing brake pads and increasingly, even apparently straightforward tasks like replacing the battery will not be successful unless the car’s computer is updated with the battery’s type and serial number.

Expensive for the motorist? Certainly, as garages have to invest in high-end diagnostic servicing kit that costs many thousands of pounds and requires an additional subscription fee to keep it all updated. Although franchised main dealers are guaranteed to have the requisite computer kit, many independent garages are being forced out of the loop because they have little chance of affording the equipment needed to cover several makes of vehicle.

Laser Tools to the rescue! Their new iMAT has just been launched; this stands for Multi Application Tool and is a hand-held diagnostic/service tool that uses downloadable apps. The tool is bought preloaded with a particular app (Diesel Particulate Filter service, or Electronic Park Brake service for example) and then when future apps are required the user simply connects via USB to his laptop and pays for and downloads a new app straight onto the tool from the Laser Tools website. The vehicle application list is large and the downloaded apps are upgradeable when more vehicles are added to this list. New apps are being developed now with many more to come.

The iMAT is very easy to use, the user simply follows the instructions displayed on the screen. Simply plugged in to the vehicle’s diagnostic socket, the tool connects to and works with the vehicle’s computer to carry out the particular task required. When a user has a specific need (to configure a new battery for example), then a quick connection via USB to the internet and the new app is downloaded straight on to the iMAT in seconds. Multi application, multi-tasking and designed to be configured to the user’s individual requirements. To illustrate, the DPF app performs the following service and diagnostic tasks on DPF and FAP equipped vehicles: regenerates the DPF either statically or dynamically, depending on the vehicle; resets EOLYS additive lights; identifies DPF fault codes and resets the computer after a DPF replacement.

Laser Tools are proud to introduce this British-designed system and it is available now, with either the DPF (part no: 5592) or EPB (part no: 5593) apps preloaded and with a limited-time offer of a free download of the increasingly useful Battery Configuration app when registering the tool. The iMAT is supplied with a sturdy, shock absorbing cover, a 16-pin OBD connector for the vehicle’s diagnostic socket and a USB cable for connecting to the laptop or PC.

Detailed iMAT product videos can be found on the Tool Connection’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/thetoolconnection