ECS News

An easy to install, inexpensive method of completety refreshing the appearance of the rear of your VW B5 Passat, new tail lights also make your vehicle more visible to others. ECS supplies an exciting range of new tail light options for your Passat - Depo, Eagle Eyes, TYC, and Magneti Marelli all offer their own take on wagon and sedan B5 Passat rear tails. Choose from more conservative, subtle red lenses, more aggressive smoked out styles, or the instantly recognizable W8-style rear tail lights.

When it comes to the essentials of wheel tools there are really only a few categories, Schwaben has an answer for each. When removing or installing wheels, using wheel hangers makes mounting an easy task and using the Protecta sockets prevent damage. When it comes to storage since many car owners today have more than one set of wheels, the wheel tree and wall rack are the perfect accessory to keeping your garage clean and organized. Keeping the tires off of the floor also extends the rubbers life.

The exterior of your vehicle can only be significantly improved in a few areas - one of those ares is the lighting. Tedious stock lighting does the job, but it certainly won’t stir up emotions. The LED tail lights from Spyder give off an unforgettable look while outputting a much more vibrant field of light, improving nighttime safety and visibility. These tail lights are plug-and-play with included harnesses. Additionally, a highly convenient installation tutorial has been included to ensure a professional-level project.

Add push button convenience; raise your VW MKV Rabbit rear hatch effortlessly. The ECS Tuning Hatch Pop Kit makes it easy to open your rear hatch, whether your arms are full of groceries or golf bags. Just push the hatch release button on your key fob, and stronger-than-stock lift struts raise the hatch for you, automatically. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to add this great convenience. Our online video shows you how to do it using standard hand tools. *Kit does require coding to operate properly*

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when attending to electrical issues - Schwaben Tools has developed all the right solutions for these common problems. Offering 2 or 4 amp charging, LED setting indicators, and a reverse polarity warning, the Automatic Battery Charger is a highlight of this Schwaben release. The 12 Ft 6-Gauge Booster Cables are also offered, while the Coiled Cord Circuit Tester is ideal 6 to 24 volt systems.

A series of exceptionally convenient and useful specialty tools have recently been made available by Schwaben, the leader in European performance car tools and accessories. Wheel install and metrics tools are the subject of this release. Long Reach Protecta Sockets prevent damage during the installation or removal of wheels, while the strong and attractive Portable 4-Way Lug Wrench Kit is ideal for regular or emergency use. Reliable and accurate Schwaben Digital Tire Pressure Gauges and Wheel Bolt Pattern Gauges give you precise measurements for professional-level DIY work.

ECS Tuning lets you tweak your stance or just give your wheels enough space to clear larger brake calipers. Engineered and tested in-house to fit your Passat perfectly. Choose from our huge inventory of spacers sure to match your car, your wheels, and your shopping budget. Our unique design allows our spacers to remain hub-centric, even down to the 3mm size. All ECS Volkswagen spacers are aluminum, and are black anodized for corrosion protection. Kits come with correct-length black or silver lug bolts for a complete package.

There are several critical automotive projects that require pulling fluid lines – these jobs oftentimes end in an unnecessary mess from using inadequate tools and procedures. The tool experts at Schwaben have developed the highly convenient Fluid Stopper Kit for this reason, allowing you to properly clamp any fluid hoses and avoid messes or fluid losses. Additionally, the clamps offer a temporary seal, meaning you will not compromise any lines for later use. Address all common hard lines, including fuel lines, brake lines, and banjo connections.

Many enthusiasts have had to do a tie rod service on their vehicle at one point or another, and many have had to deal with stubborn tie rods. The Schwaben Inner Tie Rod tool makes it as easy as it looks by automatically adjusting to the right size while in use, giving you the proper leverage required to break the tie rod free - A must have that can cut hours down on your job. The other difficult area of a tie rod replacement is getting the ball joint end at the knuckle to break loose. The Schwaben tie rod separator is perfect for wedging in between the knuckle and ball joint.

WatercooledIND, with their characteristic vibrancy and creativity, is releasing a stunning new ECS-exclusive wheel - the SY10. From start to finish, SY10s are meticulously designed and engineered to be as light as they are strong. This latest release, available only through ECS Tuning, is a creative interpretation of the classic split 10-spoke design. The details in the wheel's machined face add dimension to the surface, while the WCI engraving and gorgeous silver finish make a visual statement that will redefine your VW's presence.

The B5 Passat has always looked great with a lowered right height - this model seems to fit a more aggressive stance better than most. ECS now offers an array of superb Performance Spring Kits, designed to retain the driveability and ride compliance most owners demand while achieving the performance stance that suits your VW so well. H&R Sport Springs arrive as a set and lower an average of 1.3" at the front and 1.25" at the back, while the ST Lowering Springs are capable of dropping your Passat 1.4" front and back. The FK Hightec Sport Springs are powder coated for longevity.

If you want to turn every head on the street as you drive by, then look no further. Beauty and muscle have met their match with the stunning looks of wheels from 3SDM and Neuspeed. With bold eye catching colors such as satin bronze, machine silver, red, gunmetal, and more, these wheels are the finishing touch you've been looking for. Combining their muscular looks and the beauty of their timeless designs with your lowered suspension will guarantee a breath-taking appearance. And when you see how affordable they are, they'll be as good as yours!

Get the best from our premium, corrosion-resistant rotors: GEOMET®. GEOMET® is a special coating containing metal oxides, zinc, and aluminum flakes, sprayed over the entire rotor surface to ensure complete coverage, and baked on at 600 degrees to form a durable and attractive silver-gray finish that fights rust far better than paints or other conventional coatings. Slotted or drilled and slotted, you can expect your new GEOMET® rotors to outperform and outlast stock rotors, and look great behind your alloy wheels.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has been making at-home vehicle repair more simple and more professional with each successive release. Each member of their unparalleled catalog represents a significant achievement in tool design and engineering; their Drain and Fill Service Tools are excellent examples of Schwaben's success. The 5" Diameter Funnel features a 12"-24" flexible neck, making transmission and differential fluid change service procedures quicker and cleaner. Schwaben's 6-10 liter Oil Storage Cans allow for a mess-free oil change and easy transport of all drained oil.

Companies that dedicate themselves to a specific industry niche have a head start on large, excessively diverse manufacturers. A familiarity with the challenges of making superior products is gained through the sheer time spent within a more narrow market. Sonax produces car care products. Each release by the company is a leader in its category, & their catalog is growing every day. ECS offers a staggering array of Sonax products, from the highly effective acid-free Wheel Cleaner, to deep-cleaning & odor-eliminating Upholstery/Carpet Cleaner and Premium Class Carnauba.

Is your car making more noise than a halftime show and pounding down the road instead of gliding over tar strips and potholes? Tired shocks let your tires bounce and rebound fast enough to be whistled for double dribble, resulting in poor vehicle control and a rough ride. If your car is a high-miler, fresh dampers at all four corners are a great way to restore handling and ride comfort. Check out our new struts, to get your car back to a smooth ride. While you're here, browse our extensive line of suspension parts, including bushings, ball joints, and springs.

Certain Volkswagen owners have had the luxury of being able to control window up and down functions via the keyfob remote. Now you can enjoy the same feature on your VW Passat/New Beetle. The KVW100 is a single use flash load device that will program your Jetta convenience control module with the necessary coding to control your windows via key fob remote. Installation is extremely easy and can be completed in minutes. Please note, this is not a feature that can be enabled via VAG-COM; this unit flashes the convenience control module with new coding.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's latest release, the European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb release.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. The 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance - eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

Volkswagen recognized the demand from older model MKIV and B5 owners for a modern Bluetooth-enabled, full-function head unit. The genuine VW Radio Upgrade adds an auxiliary input, USB port, and Bluetooth calling and audio streaming to your car, updating your calling and media experience in a single upgrade. The most authentic, complete head unit upgrade available for your B5 Passat, the red-lit buttons & white screen modernizes your interior while matching your existing controls. Enjoy hands-free calling, MP3 and Bluetooth Streaming, and AUX input with this plug-and-play unit.

The average home mechanic might not even realize the benefit of having a sturdy, hand-height shelf to place tools on in the heat of a project. Instead of carelessly leaving tools on the ground or mixed up in a pile, Schwaben Service Carts bring the professionalism of a reliable mechanic's cart to your own garage. These carts are offered, featuring a stunning, durable high-gloss powder-coated finish, chrome plated steel handles, and large 4" casters. Heavy-duty Deluxe units are also available, with a third product adding a locking top lid and drawer.

During suspension work, there are a few critical tools that make installation and removal infinitely more simple. In order to remove the retaining nut at the top of struts on European cars, a dedicated tool that fits the unique shape of the strut mount is required. Many enthusiasts will damage the strut nut using a wrench or inappropriate socket to accomplish the task, bringing their project to a halt. For professional quality work, Schwaben Specialty Tools has assembled a collection of premium Strut Nut Sockets in all the most popular sizes for your European car.

An easy way to transform the appearance of the front of your B5 Passat is through simple, effective lighting upgrades. Spyder Lighting Products for your VW European Headlight Kits in Black or Chrome finishes. The increased power output possible with these upgrades is a welcomed safety feature, while the unique, subtle styling refresh of the housings themselves adds a needed design upgrade to your Passat.

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

Want to do something bold? Bodacious, even? Check out this line of 3M Scotchprint films. Add texture and style to interior and exterior surfaces by applying these durable adhesive backed films to body panels or trim. Want variety? Channel Darth Vader with gloss black or carbon fiber, or go sci-fi-starship with brushed aluminum. Buy rolls five feet wide in lengths from one to 20 feet. Hi-tech look. Low tech installation. User friendly and easy to apply using simple tools, 3M 1080 film lets anyone get professional results on the first try.

Ever tried removing a radio trim bezel with a screwdriver or metal putty knife? Ugly. Ineffective. Metal prying tools gouge, scratch, and crack expensive interior parts adding needless cost and aggravation to any repair or accessory installation requiring trim panel removal. Stop the madness. Invest in one of our affordable trim removal kits. Large kit or small, our trim removal tools are made of tough, non-marring molded plastic, brightly colored so you won't leave them behind when the job is done. Do it right. Do it faster. Schwaben.

The DICE MediaBridge takes the hassle and aggravation out of playing your favorite audio source through your VW B5 Passat sound system. The DICE Media Bridge module turns your car stereo into a master control for USB storage drives, IPhone, iPod, or any audio device that can be plugged into the standard audio port. The unit supplies high-fidelity audio to meet the demands of even the most discerning audiophile.

Developed by the most distinguished experts of this industry, the VAG Professional Scan Tool is one of the most powerful aftermarket tools available for VW/AUDI vehicles. Delivering OE-level diagnostic power, the Foxwell Scanner requests and records live sensor data, provides live data graphing, reads and clear codes, turns off MILs and supports all 10 OBD II test modes. Owning a Foxwell Scan Tool separates you from the average car enthusiast, empowering you with manufacturer-level diagnostic and analytic capabilities.

We've all found ourselves using highly "creative" methods for separating old parts in the midst of an intense project. Some methods do work - usually at the expense of personal injury and a few broken or damaged parts. The new Remover Tools from Schwaben leave your knuckles and expensive parts intact. The new Exhaust Hanger Removal Tool has a slim profile for work in tight areas, easily pulling off hangers from behind. Steering and Suspension Ball Joint Separators offer a combined 12mm to 80mm jaw opening range. New rugged 3/8” drive Schwaben E-Socket Sets are also available.

Don't wait for valves and pistons to bang heads in the dark. Avoid costly engine damage and choose one of several tiers of Timing Belt Service Kits for your VW B5 Passat V6 30V. The ECS assembled Standard Kit includes the minimum service requirement: a new belt, tensioner, and rollers. Maximum-performance, complete refresh Ultimate Plus kits are also available, complete with a Gates Racing Kevlar timing belt, idler roller, tensioner roller, hydraulic tensioner, relay lever for hydraulic tensioner, a water pump, cam seal, and a Schwaben cam locking tool.