1. Regular Oil Changes
Right, let’s get stuck in. First thing — oil changes. Can’t overstate how important this is, honestly. We get all sorts through the workshop, from folks in Morrinsville commuting down State Highway 26 to tradies doing daily runs out Te Rapa Straight. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a late model Toyota Aqua hybrid, a Suzuki Swift, or a 2003 Peugeot wagon—fresh oil is like a lifeline for your motor.
Old, dirty oil just doesn’t lubricate things properly. That’s when you get all sorts of gunky buildup, friction, and wear. Your engine has to work overtime, which means it’ll burn more gas and probably throw a tantrum sooner rather than later. Saved plenty of engines from early graves just by keeping on top of oil and filter changes, especially after a rough winter’s worth of cold starts! Best to check your handbook for how often your car needs it.
Read more about the importance of oil changes
2. Keep the Air Filter Clean
Might sound boring, but having a clean air filter makes a real difference — especially if you’re driving heaps of stop-start in Hamilton city, or getting dust in Cambridge and Tamahere. We see a lot of Nissan X-Trails and Hyundai Tucsons come in with filters choked up after a string of foggy mornings or summer roadworks on Cobham Drive.
Your engine needs good airflow for a decent petrol burn. If the filter’s clogged, it can choke the engine, make it feel sluggish and force it to gulp more gas. If you’re losing power, or it just feels a bit tired going up Dinsdale hills, this could be the culprit. Many cars want a new filter every 12,000–15,000 miles — or just when it looks filthy.
Learn how to replace your car’s air filter
3. Get Your Fuel Injectors Cleaned
Seen a few Honda Fit hybrids and those little Isuzu Bighorns come in running rough, gulping down more petrol than usual, especially after some dodgy gas station fill-ups or lots of short trips around Rototuna traffic. Sometimes it’s just dirty fuel injectors.
If you’re noticing sluggish acceleration on the expressway, or the car’s stuttering a bit, your injectors could be clogged up. Getting them cleaned out professionally has sorted plenty of headaches — it helps your fuel burn right, which keeps emissions down and can mean fewer trips to the petrol station. Try every 30,000 miles or if you’re getting those symptoms.
Discover more about fuel injector maintenance
4. Swap Out Your Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are another small thing that’s actually massive for smooth running. Had an older VW Golf and a newer Mazda Axela in last week, both with random engine shudders—problem? Worn-out plugs.
You really notice it in town when you’re crawling down Victoria Street in traffic, or when the engine’s cold on a foggy Hillcrest morning. If you’re getting misfires, rough idling, or a loss of grunt heading up the Hamilton Lake hills, might be as simple as a spark plug swap. Most cars want them checked every 30,000 to 50,000 miles — don’t leave ‘em till they’re toast!
Find out when to replace spark plugs
5. Book Regular Engine Tune-Ups
Tune-ups aren’t just for old-school Holdens or Subarus—every car can benefit, whether you’re driving an Audi Q5, a Kia Carnival, or your trusty old Corolla. The roads around Nawton and Melville can be hard on cars, with all the potholes, speed bumps, and quick runs to The Base. Lots of short trips and stop-start through town means engines cop a fair bit of punishment.
A proper tune-up checks it all — ignition, fuel system, emissions, you name it. We’ve caught things early plenty of times in the workshop before they turn into a much bigger headache or a failed WOF. Every 30,000 miles is a good shout for most, but if the car’s feeling off, sooner’s always better.
Explore the benefits of regular engine tune-ups
Final Thoughts
Look, keeping the engine purring doesn’t need to be a mystery. It’s all about staying on top of the basics. Makes driving around Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu — wherever — a heap more reliable, too. If you’ve got questions or the car’s just not feeling right, pop into Grimmer Motors. One of our techs will happily take a look and give you straight-up advice.