Dowleys Blog

Driving a car that pulls to the left or right can be distracting, frustrating and tiring as you try to keep it travelling in a straight line. There are a number of reasons for a vehicle to pull to one side, including everything from an underinflated tyre to failed suspension parts.

Although they sound similar, there is a significant difference between wheel balancing and wheel alignment. Balancing focuses on weight distribution whereas alignment assesses the position of the wheels.

Discover the top 10 car repair bills authorised by Warrantywise in 2018.

The speed rating of a tyre indicates the maximum speed that it can be driven at safely. Displayed on the sidewall of the tyre, you'll find its speed rating, diameter of the wheel, depth of the sidewall and width of the tyre.

Your car's tyres are the only thing that come into contact with the road. As such, it's important that we take care of them so that they can take care of us. You should be regularly checking your car's tyre pressure (at least once a month) to ensure that they don't wear prematurely, to reduce fuel costs and make sure your car handles corners and braking effectively while driving.

From May 2018, new failure ratings will be introduced and a diesel loophole will be closed, making it harder for them to pass the test. Here's what you need to know and how it will affect you.

It is estimated that a motorist puts the wrong fuel in their vehicle every three and a half minutes. All it takes is a momentary lapse in concentration and all of a sudden, you've put petrol in your diesel or diesel in your petrol. Misfuelling your car can be a costly mistake, but there are actions you can take to minimise the amount you have to pay.

Buying Tyres Online In Oxfordshire

SOME PICK-UPS ARE NOW SUBJECT TO SPEED LIMITATIONS... NOT THE ISUZU D-MAX

Whether you’re planning to pull a trailer, a caravan, a horse box or anything at all, to make sure you are getting the best out of your pick-up, read our top tips to ensure your towing experience runs smoothly as possible.

Pickup trucks are at the moment experiencing a boom in popularity here in the UK. There is so much growth of pickup sales in the UK that we have become Europe’s top market for mid-sized trucks in the recent years.

All cars require servicing from time-to-time, to preempt break-downs. There are different types of service, and each car has its own service schedule, recommended by the manufacturer. Read on to find out what type of service your car needs and why.

Tyres are some of the most important safety features on a vehicle, because if they are compromised then there can be serious repercussions. Due to consistent wear, tyres have a a limited lifespan, roughly 5 years for a car though this can be shorter for heavier vehicles. While there are various factors which can affect how long your tyres last, a lot of these are out of your control. We have put together an article for you on what you can do to help your tyres last as long as possible. Remember the old adage "a stitch in time saves nine"? That is exactly the approach you should take with tyres, or end up facing unwelcome replacement costs.

The appeal of a 4x4 vehicle is something most of us can understand. Undoubtedly, there’s a rugged excitement to driving off-road, traversing the kind of peaks and valleys impassable to most. A good 4x4 is also roomy, powerful and fun, but for those of us with limited experience handling one, there are several pitfalls to be aware of.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle because you’re finding that you are struggling to fit everything you need into your current one, you’ve probably found yourself deliberating between whether you need a bigger car, a van or a used pickup truck. This article will demonstrate the many benefits that a truck, such as the Isuzu pickup has over vans and cars and will show you that this type of vehicle really is the best one for you.

After the wash out summer of 2017, you're probably starting to run out of things to do when the weather is bad. You've repainted the hallway, read all the books you got for Christmas, you've seen every film that's come out in August, and the children have used up all the craft materials in the house.

Modern cars are better protected from criminals than ever before, but that doesn’t mean car crime has become a thing of the past.

There are no two ways about it - motoring is an increasingly expensive business. Fuel prices continue to horrify despite a drop in the global price of oil, and other running costs similarly seem to go up every year.

If you thought that getting out and about in Oxfordshire was all about wandering the ancient colleges that made Inspector Morse so famous, then think again. There is more to the county than its famous university, and here we take a look at ten outdoor activities that will appeal to the whole family for a summer day out.

The sun is shining and the days are long – what better way to spend the weekend than on a scenic drive through the beautiful British countryside? Here, we take a whistle-stop tour from north to south and east to west, to bring you four of the very best.

Smart motorways - what are they and how to use them

How to Get More from Your Tyres

Where To Go Fly Fishing In Oxfordshire

How to sell your car quicker and for more money

5 Things to Avoid with Used Car Warranties

5 Things to Look for When Choosing a Car Service Garage

A Guide To Warning Lights And What They Mean

How to Charge a Car Battery

New VED road tax: do you have all the facts on the 2017 UK car tax changes?

Potholes - How To Claim For Pothole Damage

There is no universal place to keep your locking wheel nut key, so you need to put it somewhere safe you will remember.

Servicing New Cars Under Manufacturers Warranty, Did You Know....?

A Beautifully Presented Infographic Displaying The Different Types Of Great Wall Steed

What tyres do I need for my car?

Map Reading For Hiking

Why The Great Wall Steed Is Ideal For Landscapers, Tree Surgeons and Estate Managers

Prepare Your Car For It’s MOT And Pass First Time – Here’s How (And You Don’t Need To Be A Mechanic)

How To Catch A 20lb+ Mirror Carp Whilst Enjoying Peace And A Quiet Beer

Turbo failure can be alarming. Before you replace your turbo, however, know that the cause of turbo failure is nearly always elsewhere; in fact, less than one percent of turbo failures are due to a manufacturing problem with the turbo itself.

You may have years of driving experience or perhaps you’re a newly qualified driver, whichever the case we all need to understand and obey important road laws.

It can be a worrying experience to find your steering wheel vibrating while you are driving, especially if it starts to happen when you are picking up speed.

Dowleys are a family run business who have been operating in Oxfordshire for over 35 years. During this time we have built a strong reputation for our knowledge and skills on vehicle MOTs, servicing, tyres, diagnostics and more. We take customer service incredibly seriously and work hard to ensure that we build strong relationships within the local community.

You may think a tyre is a tyre, but tyre technology has changed over the years. As cars have grown heavier, faster, and more diverse, tyres have needed to develop to keep pace.

With Britain’s winters worsening in recent years, more and more car owners are turning to winter tyres for improved wet weather and cold road grip. Although mainland Europe has embraced winter tyres with open arms, the UK is still somewhat slow to respond, asking the question “do they really make THAT much of a difference?”