If you’re driving around Hamilton – whether it’s crawling through the SH1 traffic near Te Rapa, dodging potholes out Rototuna way, or heading out for a day trip to Cambridge or Ngaruawahia – you want your car in top nick. I reckon plenty of us Kiwis like a bit of DIY, and honestly, there’s heaps of basic stuff you can do yourself that’ll save you time, money, and stress. Here’s 5 of my go-to tips for everyday car maintenance, straight from what we see daily at Grimmer Motors.
1. Stay On Top of Oil Changes
Your engine needs the good stuff
Oil’s the biggie. If you’re just nipping over to Chartwell for groceries or clocking up the k’s between Hamilton and Morrinsville, dirty or low oil will cut your engine’s life short real quick. We get all sorts in — Suzuki Swifts, Honda Fit, the odd Peugeot 308, Toyota Hilux, you name it. No matter what you drive, check your oil regularly (don’t forget to park level). If it’s dark and gritty, or the level’s low, time for a change. Got no idea where to start? Learn how to check your oil level and, when it’s time, get to know why an oil change and fresh filter matters.
2. Keep Your Tyres Sweet
Because they’re your only contact with the road
From all the stop-start up Victoria Street, to those sneaky roundabouts in Claudelands – your tyres cop a flogging. Seen plenty of Rav4s with uneven tread, even a BMW X3 or two. Always check your tyre pressure, have a squiz at your tread (make sure it’s legal), and don’t forget the spare – it’s useless flat! Rotate them every so often, especially with all the speed bumps in Hamilton East and rough patches out towards Tamahere. Better grip, safer drive. Keen for new rubber? Have a look here: New car tyres in Hamilton
3. Brakes – Don’t Mess Around
Listen for squeals, feel for soft pedals
Whether you’re hauling the kids to school or stopping sudden over by The Base, you want your brakes fresh. One of our techs had a Mazda Axela owner pop in last week worried about a squeaky noise on Aberdeen Drive – turned out to be the pads worn down to almost nothing. Always check for any weird noises or a spongy feel underfoot. And if the brake fluid’s looking mucky or low, get onto it. Here’s more on keeping those stoppers sharp: Brake repairs in Hamilton
4. Don’t Ignore Your Battery
Batteries hate both Hamilton frost and summer scorchers
Batteries seem to chuck it in right when you least need it – like when you’ve got to pick up a mate from the hospital in Melville and… click, nothing. Check your battery terminals every now and then, clean off any white gunk, and grab a multimeter if you’ve got one to check the charge. Don’t assume all’s sweet just ’cause it started this morning. Tips here: Battery charging, maintenance & testing
5. Coolant – No One Wants an Overheating Drama
Keep the cool in summer, fight the freeze in winter
Summers out past Gordonton can be brutal, and those foggy mornings on River Road are no joke either. Either way, low or old coolant can toast your engine. Check your coolant level (engine cold, please), and get the system flushed every so often. Hybrids, Euros, older Mitsubishis – we’ve seen ‘em all steam up on the side of State Highway 3. Don’t risk it. Read up here: Cooling system flush service in Hamilton
End of the day, a bit of DIY car care and a look under the bonnet can make a world of difference – doesn’t matter if you drive a Hyundai i30, a Corolla, or a Nissan Qashqai. But when things get tricky, or you just want that peace of mind, we’re here to help at Grimmer Motors. We’re trusted by locals for a reason — top service, honest advice, experienced crew, and all the gear for anything from a standard car service Hamilton drivers need, to hybrid repair and tricky NZ car problems.
-
Solid, reliable service
-
Skilled techs who know their stuff (lots of WOF Hamilton checks done here!)
-
Modern tools and diagnostics
-
We care about the environment, too
-
Straight-up prices, no surprises
Keep your car running right; do the basics, and if you need back-up or just want a pro to check something out, swing by or find out more about us. We’re always happy to yarn cars.