Reliance Auto Test located in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Call Us: 01869 320032

Email: info@reliancebicester.co.uk

RAC Approved Garage

Maintaining Your Exhaust System.

Failing to properly maintain your vehicles exhaust system can lead to many more headaches for you down the line. From diminishing fuel economy to an increase in air polution and negative impact on your local environment, problems in the exhaust become more serious and expensive to resolve the longer you leave them. 

Five Warning Signs That Could Mean Your Exhaust Requires Attention.

The best solution, of course, is to look out for various warning signs that your exhaust needs inspecting and to help, our technicians have provided a few examples. If you spot any of the following signs, then please contact us by calling 01869 320032 and our experienced team will check the exhaust and if necessary, repair the issues.

Visible Signs of Damage or Wear

There are a few clear and obvious indicators you can look for with a quick glance under your car at the exhaust system. Things like rust and even holes should be very visible to the naked eye, even without getting too close. Hairline fractures and splits may be harder to spot, but if you’re able get a close-up, you might be able to see them. If you’ve noticed these first two signs, checking yourself was a great idea and now it’s time to get them quickly repaired.

Increased Engine Noise

When you’re driving along, does the engine seem louder than usual? You may not have paid much attention to how loud it was in the first place, but you might have noticed that you have recently turned up your radio volume, where before it was unnecessary.

Your exhaust system is part of keeping the engine quiet, so louder engine noises are a classic sign that something is wrong in the exhaust. It can be dangerous, too, because if the problem is at the manifold, then it can cause toxic fumes to leak into the passenger cabin and this can be serious. If you have any concerns then it is best to have your exhaust checked.

Fume smells inside the car

Following on from the above, if you ever smell fumes, especially in the car which typically carry an acrid chemical scent, then you should get the car immediately inspected, because something could be seriously wrong.

Besides new car smell, your air freshener, or the general smells of family car life, there shouldn’t be any other weird odours coming from the car. No fumes should be making it into the passenger cabin.

Your Vehicle Requires Refueling More frequently

If your usual fill-up is lasting a day or so less than usual when you’re driving habits haven’t changed, then it’s a classic sign of reduced overall efficiency. While this can happen to cars as they get older, it shouldn’t be happening on relatively new cars, and not rapidly in any car. If you’ve noticed this change quite suddenly, it might be that you have an exhaust leak. The more acute the problem, the more serious the leak could potentially be.

Vibrations Felt Through the Pedal or Steering Wheel

One last sign which is not so obvious, is that you may notice vibrations in the steering wheel or when you press on the accelerator. Although these types of vibrations are common and could be consider brake or road surface related, if the exhaust issues are ignored, then this warning sign can become among the strongest indicators of exhaust leaks. The smaller pedal/wheel vibrations are a prelude to what can become entire car judders if you leave it unattended.

Maintaining Your Exhaust System by Reliance Bicester

Additionally, regular routine servicing and maintenance is crucial for increasing your vehicles longevity and maximising its performance. Not only does it work to rectify any current wear and tear in your vehicle, but it also effectively aids in preventing further damage from presenting itself in the future.

 

Our Services

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Vehicle MOT

Our fully-equipped garage enables us to undertake MOTs and inspections on all vehicles in the Class IV, V & VII categories and we have the technical expertise to work on models of any type and age.
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Vehicle Servicing

Car servicing is essential for keeping your vehicle well-maintained and in the best possible condition. Although not a legal requirement like MOTs, full annual servicing is highly recommended to increase the life-span of your vehicle and reduce the need for major car repairs.
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Wheel Alignment

If you’re concerned about your vehicles wheel alignment, our latest equipment uses advanced technology making even 4 wheel alignment more accurate.
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Breaking Systems, Discs & Pads

Brakes that function and operate smoothly are extremely important to ensure a safe driving experience. Brake discs & pads are crucial components of your car’s braking system and keeping them in optimal working condition is vital for the safety of both you and other drivers around you.
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Vehicle Diagnostics & Repair

If you have a vehicle fitted with an Engine Control Unit (ECU), our qualified technicians can carry-out advanced car diagnostics and run your car through an ECU code reading machine, which will produce a unique report indicating if any further work needs to be done.
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Inspection & Safety Checks

If you’re vehicle is experiencing vibrations or your vehicle is pulling to one side, then it’s time to check your brakes, suspension, steering or tyres.
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General Repairs

Whether it’s an electrical fault or a worn clutch, a transmission or suspension problem, our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
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Tyre Checks & Replacement

For safety reasons, it is recommended that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. As an official partner of BlackCircle tyres, let us quote you.

Regular vehicle servicing and maintenance should also be done to avoid future inconvenience and unfortunate incidents on the road like sudden breakdown etc. It is wise to schedule and book a routine service to ensure your vehicle is always running smoothly whilst also protecting your safety on the road.

Pricing & Plans

For a quote, simply drop us a message to start a conversation and explain your vehicle concerns, or give us a call. We’re here to help!

Book Appointment

To book an appointment, you can send us a message with details of the problems with your vehicle. You can reach us via Facebook & Google, or simply pick up the phone and give us a call.

Contact Us

Call us

(01869) 320032