Continental Offers Workshops a Comprehensive Package for Testing Intelligent Tachographs

• All the necessary test equipment for DTCO 4.0 from a single source
• "VDO Workshop Services" lets workshops inform their customers: "We are DTCO 4.0 ready"
• Tester replacement service and hotline simplify everyday work for workshops

Villingen-Schwenningen, March 2019. The technology company Continental is offering a comprehensive package of services and equipment for testing intelligent digital tachographs per DTCO 4.0 to commercial vehicle workshops. Starting in mid-June 2019, vehicle manufacturers will be required to install DTCO 4.0 in all newly registered trucks and vehicles in commercial transportation whose maximum permissible weight exceeds 3.5 metric tons. "This also involves changes to regular tachograph tests," says Michael Gut, Program Manager for Tachograph Service at Continental. "We can offer to workshops everything they need for tachograph testing. Customers can also choose to get the comprehensive service package that includes maintenance and a hotline."

In addition to the familiar test steps, three important new steps are being added: Workshops must verify the functionality of the DSRC interface (DSRC = Dedicated Short Range Communication), test the functionality of the satellite receiver (GNSS) and re-seal the speed sensor. This will require new test equipment and extended qualification. Workshops can procure all the necessary tester units and qualifications from Continental as well as "VDO Workshop Services" – a comprehensive service package. This package is also attractive for the contract workshops of commercial vehicle manufacturers: One OEM has even procured VDO Workshop services centrally for all of its workshop partners.

The basic entry-level unit for the new tachograph testing is a wireless VDO Workshop Tab, in which intuitive sequences are reliably executed, step-by-step, for all functions. Continental has developed the VDO DSRC Meter for functional verification of the DSRC interface. For workshops that want to test the satellite receiver (GNSS) integrated in the DTCO 4.0 in their own buildings, Continental recommends use of its GNSS Repeater which amplifies the signal. Equipped in this way, workshops are able to execute periodic inspections precisely and in compliance with legal requirements.

Continental has also added sealing of the new speed sensor to its portfolio and is offering seminars for instructing shop personnel on the new test steps and showing them how to use VDO Workshop Tab. Customers can sign up for training courses at: www.vdo-academy.de. Legally mandated training courses were also expanded to include the new DTCO 4.0.

Subscribers to VDO Workshop Services benefit from a carefree package. At the VDOacademy online portal, there is a training management feature which informs users of the latest schedule of training course dates at training sites. A replacement service ensures that the workshop can obtain a replacement device within 48 hours if the VDO Workshop Tab is defective or fails. A free service hotline and online support are available to answer any questions related to tachograph testing. Remote online diagnostics are also possible.

In addition, workshops automatically receive all software updates and upgrades to DTCO 4.0 for their VDO Workshop Tab. In addition, VDO Workshop Services include the audit prescribed at regular intervals, calibration of the tablet and access to an online documentation and knowledge database on the VDO Extranet. There, customers will find installation instructions, technical information and useful information about new features. Completing the package is a data service for registering new seal serial numbers and KITAS serial numbers. An extended service variant by local partners also includes having an expert set up the Workshop Tab.