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What are some ways to Improve Emissions and Pass the MOT Test

It is important to have regular car servicing so that the vehicle remains in good condition. Failure to complete regular maintenance tasks such as oil changes and brake inspections has the potential to cause large performance/fuel efficiency and long-term repair cost issues. Although skipping Car Servicing in Reading may seem like a means to save money, it entails expensive repairs and a shorter vehicle lifespan.

Impact on Performance and Safety

Routine servicing is important to ensure a car’s performance and safety. Secondly, changing the engine oil regularly is one of the most critical. The engine’s moving parts are lubricated by oil that minimizes friction and stops them from becoming too hot. When oil is left unused for a long time it thickens and becomes contaminated, and this elevates engine wear, overheating and even engine failure. Likewise, spark plugs, air filters and fuel injectors must be periodically inspected to maintain the engine in smooth operation. If one or more of these components get clogged or worn out, the vehicle may experience poor acceleration, poor throttle response and a rough drive.

Another vital safety feature is one that must be inspected regularly: braking. Brake pads wear down over time and if not replaced the brake discs and calipers can be damaged. It doesn’t only increase repair costs but also diminishes braking efficiency and hence compromises safety. Drivers need to remember to change brake fluid too, as neglecting this could cause brake failure that poses a high risk to yourself and other passengers in the vehicle. Shocks and struts, the suspension components, also age, reducing steering control and making the vehicle harder to control, particularly at high speeds or over broken surfaces.

Fuel Efficiency and Operating Costs 

Not servicing a car routinely can lead to a huge drop in a car's fuel efficiency. Dirty engine oil is one of the leading culprits for poor fuel efficiency that causes your engine to work harder and increase internal friction, leading to poor fuel economy. In addition, clean air and fuel filters also restrict the air and fuel flow to the engine, causing incomplete combustion and greater fuel consumption. A motor vehicle that is not properly maintained can suffer a significant decrease in miles per gallon, ultimately increasing the cost to the motorist in dollars.

Fuel efficiency is also affected by other factors, for example, tyre maintenance. Misaligned or underinflated tyres create more traction resistance and hence cause greater fuel use. Part of regular servicing would be to check tyre pressure and alignment to ensure optimal fuel economy. Neglecting these small maintenance tasks can be an extremely expensive endeavor, as higher fuel consumption and premature tyre wear are inevitable.

Long-Term Financial and Mechanical Damage

The biggest impact has always been all the expensive repairs from neglecting your servicing. But engine failures caused by running dry can be extremely expensive, sometimes costing in the thousands of pounds for replacement. If transmission issues aren’t solved with changing of transmission fluid, it can cause a complete gearbox failure at a hefty price. If however, the brakes fail, the damage can cost hundreds to potentially thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the damage, being far more expensive than routine brake pad replacements.

Role of Emissions Standards in the MOT Test

One part of the MOT in reading test is emissions standards, ensuring vehicles do no more than their fair share of contributing to air pollution. It measures harmful gases emitted from exhaust such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (C+), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are released by a vehicle. As diesel pollutants have a significant environmental and health impact, their focus is on smoke opacity and particulate matter.

The diesel test measures the smoke from the exhaust fumes. The vehicle will fail if the emissions exceed the legal limit. In addition, if the car was fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) at the time of its first registration, it is visually inspected to check that it is not removed or tampered with. Failure to remove a DPF will instantly result in an automatic failure because removing a DPF releases a large amount of particulates into the air. As regulations have gotten tougher for older diesel vehicles over the years, the agencies have made it harder for these vehicles to meet emissions standards.

Challenges for Older Diesel Vehicles

Older diesel vehicles typically fail emissions tests because the technologies aimed at reducing emissions weren’t yet standard when they came out. Most of these vehicles lack highly effective catalytic converters and DPFs, which increases their propensity to emit high levels of pollutants. In addition, pollution continues to slowly build up in the engine and exhaust system, which can then cause test failures over time. 

You have several ways of improving your chances of passing the MOT emissions test:

Fuel Additives - Remove carbon from fuel injectors and reduce buildup over time, delivering a better combustion.

Fresh Oil and Filter Changes: Fresh oil and clean air and fuel filters reduce harmful emissions and help maintain engine efficiency.

Check that the DPF is working properly: If there is too much smoke from the engine, the DPF should be regenerated or cleaned to prevent excessive smoke emissions.

Drive the motorway at high speeds before the test: A motorway drive at high speed will get rid of excess carbon deposits, reducing emissions.

Owners of older diesel cars can improve their emissions performance and the likelihood of their vehicles passing the MOT test by looking after their vehicles properly.

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Is It Okay to Buy 2-Year-Old Tyres? A Complete Guide

Of all the investments that a person can make, buying tyres for a vehicle is probably the most significant. It goes without saying that one must make sure he gets the best value from tyres. So when you walk into a store and find tyres that are less than two years old but still considered new (not used) at discount prices, it's quite tempting. You may also be looking at tyres that were used slightly and refer to them as being two years old. This leads to an important question: Is it safe or not to buy tyres manufactured two years ago? This article will help you know what to look for in older tyres, how to check Car Tyres Reading age and condition of car tyres, and what intelligent judgments you will make to keep you safe on the road and save money.

New vs. Used 2-Year-Old Tyres

There doesn"t really exist any fine line differentiating "2 years old tyres":-

New But Manufactured 2 Years Ago

Many perfectly good tyres may have been sitting on store shelves for one or two years before being sold. They have never been fitted on any vehicle or have driven on them. They have only been in storage since their manufacture. Generally speaking, these tyres are usually fine to purchase if they have been stored properly.

Most tyre shops store all their inventories in climate-controlled environments that are away from direct sun exposure which helps in maintaining the rubber compounds. Such conditions shall preserve the quality of the rubber compounds as well as their properties, since it would mean that a new tyre manufactured two years ago shouldn't be significantly degraded in quality and performance.

Used Tyres That Are 2 Years Old

These tyres have been driven for at least two years. Their state will largely depend on the distance they have been driven, ambient road conditions to which they were exposed, and whatever means were undertaken in their maintenance. In the case of used tyres, therefore, much more careful inspection comes into play before buying.

How to Check Tyre Age?

Any tyre that is manufactured as of the year 2000 bears an exact date code of manufacture. The code forms part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) number on the sidewall. The manufacture date comes from the last four digits of this code: 

The first two digits refer to the week (out of 52 weeks in a year)

The last two digits refer to the year 

For example: 

"2118" means a tyre manufactured in the 21st week of 2018. 

"4309" means a tyre manufactured in the 43rd week of 2009. 

To locate this code, look for "DOT" on the sidewall, followed by a series of numbers and letters. The date code will be the last 4 digits.

Tyre Lifespan: What Experts Say

But the opinions regarding the lifespan of tyres vary:

Most tyre manufacturers recommend replacing tyres after 6 years, irrespective of the tread depth.

The Department of Transportation says 10 years with some inspection after 5 years would be a better guideline.

This guideline is for used and unused tyres. Even tyres that have never been driven are subject to the degrading effect of rubber compounds with oxygen and temperature exposure, along with UV radiation. 

For those who have some concern for safety, the 6-year philosophy espoused by manufacturers is, in general, a safer choice. This means a tyre that is 2 years old has about 4 years of additional serviceable life left, which is something that most drivers would agree to.

Things to Check on Used 2-Year-Old Tyres

When scrutinizing used tyres that are two years old, consider some more points:

Wear Pattern

Examine the tyre for even wear across the full width of the tread. Uneven wear patterns suggest problems with the vehicle alignment, vehicle misuse with respect to inflation pressures, or other issues in the vehicle.

Repairs

Check for signs of prior repairs: plugs, patches, etc. Well-maintained, repaired tyres can be safe, but multiple repairs or repairs to the sidewall are big no-no's.

Impact Damage

Look for bulges or blistering on the tyre sidewall as signs of impact damage. This type of damage indicates a possible compromise of the tyre's internal construction. 

Mixed Tyres

If buying a set, check that all tyres are the same size with equal speed and load ratings. Mixing types of tyres can dramatically change how your vehicle behaves with respect to handling.

Conclusion

In general, two-year-old tyres on sale become acceptable alternatives provided the tyres have been properly stored. Good conditions are for used tyres of the same age with good tread depth and no visible damage. Focus on carefully inspecting any tyre before purchase, knowing how to read the expiry date, and understanding what makes a tyre good or bad. If you are an informed consumer, this can save you money without compromising safety. Keep in mind that most Mobile Tyre Fitting Reading state that any tyre should be replaced after 6 years of use or 10 years according to the Department of Transport. When in doubt, a trusted tyre professional will help you evaluate the tyres that interest you.

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