Can I Drive With a Damaged Windscreen?

Posted on July 10th, 2019

If you’re asking yourself “can I drive with a damaged windscreen?”, you’ll be aware that a lot depends on just how extensive the damage is. But regardless of how small or large the damage to your windscreen is, even a seemingly innocuous chip could be the reason your car might fail an MOT. In this article, we’ll explain how your windscreen plays a part in your MOT, what the laws are in the UK and how it is that your windscreen can come to sustain damage. What could damage your windscreen? Clearly,…

What To Do When Your Car Battery Dies

Posted on June 26th, 2019

Discovering that your car battery has died is quite possibly one of the most frustrating things that could happen to a car owner, and there’s never a convenient time for it to happen. But we’re on hand to help you understand why the battery may have died and the steps you can take when it occurs. What could cause your car battery to dies There are many reasons why your car battery may have died, while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly one reason, it could help to prevent it from happening again. Leaving headlights or interior lights on when the engine…

What are the Best Tyre Patterns for Driving in the City?

Posted on May 28th, 2019

Extensive amounts of city driving could wear down your tyres if they aren’t suitable for road terrain, so it’s important that you have tyres fitted which are specifically designed to endure hours of driving through city roads. They must be able to cope with the stop/start flow of city centre traffic, as well as transitioning speeds. Do you have the right tyres fitted to your vehicle? We’re here to help you find out. Directional Tread Patterns These would be best suited towards sporty cars and those who regularly drive along wet roads. Directional tyres usually have a chevron or an arrow-shaped…

10 Essential Things You Should Keep in Your Car

Posted on April 23rd, 2019

It’s a good idea to be prepared for all situations. Whether that be a flat tyre, a broken down car or a phone that’s out of charge, you’ll need something to ensure small mishaps and technical difficulties don’t render you or your vehicle entirely useless. Here’s what we recommend should be kept in your car, just in case a minor emergency occurs. Spare Tyre/Jack Having a spare tyre in your car is essential. Ensure it’s fully pumped with air and free of debris or damage. You’ll also need a jack to take the old tyre off and put the new one…

How to Store Your Tyres

Posted on March 29th, 2019

You can’t predict exactly how long your tyres are going to last. However, it’s possible for you to increase their lifespan by handling and storing them responsibly when they aren’t in use. Where is best to store my tyres? Finding somewhere to store your tyres can be tricky. As long as they’re away from heat, direct sunlight, hot pipes, electrical generators and hazardous substances, your tyres will be safe from considerable damage. Ideally they should be kept somewhere that is cool, dry and clean. If you’re putting them on flat surfaces, ensure there are no sharp or dangerous objects nearby and…

Is it Time to Purchase an Electric Car?

Posted on February 28th, 2019

With electric vehicles improving year on year, and with the arguments stacking up against regular vehicles, this question is becoming hard to avoid. On top of this, the government plans to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK from 2040, in accordance with its £3 billion Clean Air Strategy. With this in mind, perhaps it’s time to get better acquainted with these vehicles, and maybe even consider one for your next purchase. The difference between electric and hybrid Let’s cover the essential details first. An all-electric car, or fully electric vehicle, self-charges its own battery, and runs without the…

Sport Driving FAQs

Posted on December 21st, 2018

Calling all petrolheads and speed demons – this month, Auto Exhausts & Tyres are answering some popular questions regarding sporty driving. If you’re a newbie and are excited by the idea of track days, but are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information out there regarding high performance driving, then hopefully the answers listed below get you on the right track. What is the correct way to break in my new tyres? Sporty driving isn’t all about going fast – well, not all the time. If you’ve just purchased a new set of performance tyres, this doesn’t mean you want to…

How to Detect Brake Problems Early

Posted on October 31st, 2018

If you begin to notice problems with the performance of your brakes, or abnormal smells and sounds coming from your vehicle, investigate the problems sooner rather than letting the condition gradually worsen. If you don’t – you could be putting your life at risk. Further, waiting will only lead to more expensive parts wearing out and requiring a replacement. In this article, the Auto Exhausts & Tyres will take a look at some of the warning signs that your brakes need servicing, so you can catch dangerous problems before they happen. Your brake warning light is on This is the most…

Signs That Your Clutch is Failing

Posted on September 28th, 2018

Your car’s clutch is an absolutely essential component; without it, you wouldn’t even be able to change gear. Unfortunately, many drivers – especially those who can be quite heavy handed with the gear stick – certainly know how to burn through them. While you can prolong the life of your clutch through more careful driving and particular gear changing techniques, this will not be the focus of this month’s article. Instead, we will be looking at telltale signs that your clutch is beginning to fail. A burning smell One of the most common signs associated with a slipping clutch is a…

MOT Changes 2018

Posted on September 4th, 2018

Back in May, the UK government made some important changes to the MOT test. While the changes themselves aren’t considered to be a great upheaval, they did have a profound impact on particular groups of motorists, especially those who are interested in classic cars! Another important change has been made to new car MOTs, specifically the year in which an MOT becomes necessary for them. So, if you would like to know about these MOT changes in greater detail, the Auto Exhausts & Tyres team have listed them below. No MOT for cars over 40 years old If you’re a classic…