Gadget Inspector

Our resident Gadget Inspector passes his time testing the latest products, books, gadgets and gizmos so that you don’t have to.

Total recall
Crash Buddy accident assistant
mags@weekstj.plus.com  01394 461416
Price £9.50 including postage and packaging

If you’re ever been unlucky enough to be in a car accident, you’ll know that the shock and trauma of the incident can make you forget the simplest of things. Gathering details of the other car involved and grabbing the driver’s details can often be made more difficult because you haven’t got anything to write on, let alone a pen or pencil. It was with this in mind that Diesel Car reader Margaret Weeks came up with the idea of the Crash Buddy. A minor shunt on holiday inspired her to create a handy pack that can be kept in the glovebox of the car. The three note pads allow the details of the other driver, the car they were driving, and the company they are insured with all to be noted down, together with details of any witnesses. The useful prompts mean that you can capture every piece of information at the scene of the accident, rather than having to rack your brains at a later date when the details may have become hazy. The pack has sufficient tear-off pages for six accidents, as well as including a pen and pencil, too. The outer wallet is finished in a choice of seven different patterns and the Crash Buddy is available direct from Margaret Weeks for £8.00 plus £1.50 for the postage and packaging. The Crash Buddy is the kind of handy help that you don’t appreciate fully until you need it to spring into action. It assists in taking some of the stress out of remembering whether you have gathered all of the relevant information, and will assist when notifying your insurance company of a claim. Every car glovebox should have a Crash Buddy.

Stop it!
Hawk Performance Brakes Street 5.0 brake pads
Product code HB712B HPS 5.0
Suitable for Ford Focus ST 2.0 TDCi, Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi (2013-onwards)
www.cambridgemotorsport.com  sales@cambridgemotorsport.com
01462 684300 Price £127.78 including VAT for four pads

Readers that have treated themselves to one of the best hot hatch diesels on the market may already be thinking about turning up the heat. The Focus ST 2.0 TDCi has been on sale for around a year now, and with reputable tuning companies able to deliver a power output up from 182bhp to more than 220bhp, owners are best advised to look at beefing up areas like the braking system, too. Hawk Performance Brakes have just launched a set of brake pads that will enhance braking performance, deliver shorter stopping distances, and better resistance to fade under heavy breaking. The brake pads are also designed to produce low levels of brake dust in everyday driving conditions, while also remaining quiet. The upgrade is available for all examples of the Focus ST TDCi, as well fitting the current generation Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi, too. More information is available via Cambridge Motorsport Parts on 01462 684300 or by visiting their website.

Pro Valeter and Detailer Magazine out now!
If you’re extremely proud of your car and spend hours cleaning and polishing it, then you’ll be interested in the second edition of Pro Valeter and Detailer Magazine that is out now. It’s packed full of articles on the latest car care products, equipment and techniques, as well as lots of handy ‘how-to’ guides. You can grab a copy for just £4.25, including postage and packaging, by visiting the website at www.pro-valets.co.uk/magazine or by calling 01354 692989 during office hours.