Heading off on a road trip? Whether you’re heading down SH3 towards Te Awamutu or taking the Coromandel route up past Morrinsville, you want your car to run sweet the whole way. Trust me, we see plenty of folks show up at Grimmer Motors in Hamilton with cars that aren’t quite ready for the long haul — and most of these dramas could’ve been avoided with a few basics beforehand. Here are the 7 main things I always tell customers to check before hitting the road.
Check and Change Your Oil
Engine’s best mate
Think of oil as your engine’s lifeblood. Especially around town here in Hamilton — with the stop-start traffic on Hukanui Road or the odd crawl past The Base — engines work hard. Had a lady in with her Nissan Qashqai the other week, overdue for an oil change and the oil was nearly black. If your oil looks grubby or you can’t remember your last service, get it changed. Clean oil = smoother drive, better fuel economy, less chance of engine grief. Learn more about oil changes.
Inspect Your Tires
Tires are your only contact with the road
With all those potholes in Nawton and speed bumps through Rototuna, Hamilton eats tires. We had a VW Passat in after a trip to Raglan — the tread was legal but only just, and a bulge was hiding on the inside edge. Always check your pressures (including spare), check tread depth (aim for more than 1.6mm if you can), and look for cracks or funny lumps. Don’t skimp on tires — a blowout outside Cambridge is no fun. Need new tires?
Test Your Battery
Don’t let a dud battery ruin your trip
Batteries don’t last forever — especially with the cold Waikato mornings and boiling summer days. Had a late-model Mazda Axela in last winter, owner was stuck at the BP on Greenwood Street because the battery just gave up. Pop the bonnet, have a look for corrosion on the terminals, and if your battery’s past 3-5 years, get it tested before you go. Battery maintenance tips.
Top Off Fluids
Don’t forget the fluids
Brake fluid, coolant, power steering — these all need to be checked. A customer with a Peugeot 308 ran low on coolant last summer, nearly cooked the head gasket in Tirau. Check for leaks, top up anything low, and don’t forget washer fluid. Foggy Waikato mornings and dirty screens don’t mix! Why fluid checks are crucial.
Inspect Belts and Hoses
Catch a worn belt before it snaps
Belts and hoses don’t always look dodgy, but when they go, they can take your trip with them. One of our techs just swapped a split radiator hose on a Honda Odyssey before a family mission to Tokoroa — saved a massive hassle. Have a squiz under the bonnet for cracks or fraying, and if in doubt, replace before you leave. Identifying wear and tear on belts and hoses and when to replace them.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Bit of Kiwi common sense
We always recommend stashing a few basics: jumper leads, a tire repair kit, torch, water, snacks, basic tools and a first aid kit. Just had a young couple with a Subaru Forester get stuck out past Ngaruawahia on a public holiday, no kit, stranded for hours. Your future self will thank you. Items for your emergency kit.
Plan Your Route and Stops
Don’t just trust the GPS
Roadworks on SH1, holiday traffic through Taupiri, random detours — these can all throw a spanner in the works. Use Google Maps, but look up rest stops, fuel stations, and alternative routes too. Schedule stops to stretch your legs and let your car cool off — plus, half the fun is those little out-of-the-way towns like Gordonton and Ohaupo.
Before you hit the open road, give us a bell at Grimmer Motors for a quick once-over. Good prep makes the trip safer, cheaper, and less stressful. We’re locals — we know all the classic NZ car problems, and we’ll have you sorted whether you drive a Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Swift, Skoda Octavia, or something a bit less common. Our team offers good old-fashioned service, smart diagnostics, and quality advice. Check out our full range of services and see what our customers say. Your road trip should be about adventure — not fixing breakdowns on the side of the road!