Fuel consumption and fuel efficiency are factors that most of us consider when purchasing a vehicle. But did you know that there are several factors that influence how fuel efficient a vehicle is? Regardless of the fuel efficiency rating that a vehicle comes with, there are also things you can do to improve the average fuel economy by year of your car. Let’s look at some of these fuel economy tips here. Factors that make a car use more fuel than normal Fuel use is influenced by two things: the features of the vehicle and how the vehicle is used/driven. Factors that make a car use more fuel inc ..read more

When your car has a tyre puncture, the first thing you think about is how soon your tyre will go completely flat. There is never a convenient time to get a flat, and having to replace a flat with a new tyre is not ideal. So it’s important to pay attention to any suspected tyre punctures so that they don’t lead to a flat and, more importantly, because driving with tyres that are slowly losing air pressure can be dangerous. How do I know if my tyre is punctured? There are several ways to tell if you have a punctured or damaged tyre: Change in handling – if your car is pulling to one side, if th ..read more

Over time you will probably develop a close relationship with your mechanic. They get to know you, your family, your driving patterns, what you like in a vehicle and what you need to keep safe on the road. It’s a wonderful relationship that grows over time. Does that mean that at some point you will get comfortable enough with your mechanic to start bringing your own vehicle parts in for them to use? Understanding the Basics of Bringing Your Own Car Parts The best analogy we can offer here is to think about the relationship you have with your favourite local restaurant or takeaway joint. Over ..read more

The starter motor is a small electric motor that helps start a car. It “turns over” or “cranks” the engine to start when you turn the key in the ignition or press your car’s ignition START button. Where is the location of the starter motor? The starter motor is attached to the engine or transmission in most cars. You’ll find it in the front of the car, mounted either on the engine or near its lower end. How a starter motor works Your vehicle’s battery provides power to the starter motor, which requires a high electric current. Part of the starter motor is a starter solenoid, which is an electr ..read more

It’s not unusual to see a puddle or stain underneath your car. Most people, in fact, see a puddle and just ignore it, thinking it’s nothing to worry about. Sometimes it is nothing to worry about – but it’s important that you know what puddles or stains are ok, and which ones need attention. Is it normal for a car to leak water? One of the most common causes of a puddle underneath your vehicle is that it’s leaking water. How do you know if it’s water? You can start by having a read of this helpful Guide to Identifying and Addressing Car Fluid Leaks. Most of the time, it’s perfectly normal for y ..read more

Why is my car juddering? If you’re not a trained mechanic, any unusual sensation or noise that your car makes can be very unnerving. We get in our cars when we need them and expect everything to run smoothly. But sometimes there is an unexpected issue that crops up, so the better prepared we are, the less stressful this will be. If you understand why your car may judder, you can address the issue quickly and prevent unnecessary damage. When your vehicle judders, it’s often a vibration feeling – ranging from quite subtle to a sudden, violent shake. It can also be a sporadic, jerking motion you ..read more

Why is my car using too much gas? One of the biggest expenses in a household budget (especially if you live in Auckland and spend a lot of time in your car) is the petrol expense. It can feel like our cars are using more gas than ever before, and we’re spending more on fuel. While the speed you drive is one of the biggest factors affecting how much gas your car uses, there are a few other reasons why your car is using a lot of gas. Let’s take a look here at what affects our gas usage and how we can make our vehicles more fuel-efficient. What does fuel economy mean? The term fuel economy refers ..read more

As fuel prices continue to rise and eat away at your budget, you may be looking for ways to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. One thing to look at is fuel-efficient tyres. Do fuel-efficient tyres make a difference? Fuel-efficient tyres do make a difference to your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Some sources say that you can save hundreds of litres of fuel over the lifespan of your tyres. Another source says that you can experience a reduction of 10% of rolling resistance which can equate to 3% reduced fuel consumption. So while the numbers may vary depending on which source you use, there se ..read more

We’ve all been told to be mindful of turning on the air conditioning when driving because it uses more gas. Is that true? If so, how is that possible? How does car air conditioning work? There’s a bit of science behind it, so we’ve summarised the explanation from the AA. Basically, your car’s air conditioning system works in a similar way to your fridge. A high pressure element forces gaseous refrigerant (coolant) into the condenser with the compressor, which is driven by a belt connected to the engine. This process heats the compressed refrigerant which is then cooled by the condenser and tur ..read more

One of the reasons people avoid or delay car service appointments is because of the perceived inconvenience to their schedule. In Auckland, we can be so dependent on our vehicles that the thought of being without a car for any length of time can seem like a major inconvenience. The best way to deal with this is to better understand how long a car service takes, what is involved, and all the benefits that outweigh any inconvenience. What does servicing your car mean? When we talk about servicing your car, we’re referring to the preventative maintenance that all vehicles need. It’s the regular c ..read more