Check Your Tyres Before You Leave
Look, Hamilton roads aren’t getting any smoother. Nobody wants a flat on State Highway 3 heading out to Te Awamutu, or to be stranded when you hit a pothole just past Rototuna. So, before you take off, give your tyres a decent once-over. Kick the pressures up to what’s on your door sticker — trust me, the Corolla or the Hyundai Kona you drive will ride heaps better and chew through less fuel. Make sure there’s proper tread — if it’s looking close or you aren’t sure, get a tyre health check done. We see loads of Mazda CX-5s and Suzuki Swifts roll in with uneven wear after months of Hamilton’s stop-go traffic and speed bumps, so better to sort it out now. You can always check out our tyre health checklist if you want to know what to look for.
Don’t Skimp on Your Brakes
When you’re off to Cambridge for the weekend, you want to know your brakes are up for it — especially with all the stop-start stuff along Victoria Street at rush hour. Loads of Honda Civics and Nissan Navaras come in with worn-out pads, rotors on their last legs, or brake fluid that’s basically brown goo. If you feel a squeal, hear a grinding, or it just doesn’t feel right, it’s worth getting your brakes checked. It’s not worth risking a dodgy stop when that sheep truck cuts across near Morrinsville. Got dodgy brakes or want to spot problems? This article has some top signs.
Plan Your Trip — and Where You’ll Have a Breather
Here’s the thing — trying to do Hamilton to Raglan in one hit might sound easy, but everyone gets tired. Plug your run into the GPS and map out a couple of good stops. We always tell folks: every two hours, pull up somewhere, stretch your legs, grab a coffee at Tamahere, check the kids aren’t fighting in the back. Fatigue sneaks up fast, especially heading for a long drive in winter fog on the way into Pirongia. Planning ahead can also help you dodge roadworks — we all know how often Borman Road gets dug up.
Emergency Gear: Just Chuck It in the Boot
You don’t want to be stuck in Ohaupo with nothing but a phone and wishful thinking. We always tell drivers to bung a basic emergency kit in the back. Jumper leads, torch, first-aid kit, bottled water, warm blanket — the lot. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a tidy Isuzu MU-X or an old Peugeot 308, breakdowns happen. Check out this solid guide for more tips on handling roadside dramas.
Check Your Lights and Battery
It sounds simple, but you wouldn’t believe how many people end up on the back of a tow truck just because their battery carked it outside Dinsdale at 7pm. Before a big drive, run a quick check of all your lights — headlights, tail lights, indicators, even the reverse if you want. Drum up the bonnet and make sure the battery terminals aren’t furry with corrosion, and if it’s cranking slow on those cold Hamilton mornings, think about a test or swap. Our battery maintenance page can give you a few pointers.
Get Comfy Behind the Wheel
If you’re stuck in a Toyota Hiace crawling through Claudelands traffic or heading up the Expressway past Huntly, you’ll be glad you set your seat up right. Slide it to where your legs don’t cramp, and the steering’s in a good spot for your arms. I see a lot of drivers (especially in SUVs like the Kia Sportage or Ford Ecosport) jump in and crank out three hours to Matamata with the seatbelt cutting into their neck — not much fun. Could be worth bringing a travel pillow for the longer hauls.
No Distractions — Stay Sharp
Too many drivers try to change playlists on their phone as they’re rolling down SH1. Honestly, set your tunes or sat nav before you take off. If the phone rings, hands-free only — or just let it ring out. We’ve seen the aftermath of a little distraction at a busy intersection like Five Crossroads and it’s never good. Stay focused, and save the texts for when you’re at a servo grabbing a pie.
Long trips are heaps easier when your car’s sorted and you’re thinking ahead. If you’re thinking about a check-up before the big drive — or just want peace of mind for your next WOF in Hamilton — we’re here to help. At Grimmer Motors, we get plenty of different makes and models through the doors, and we know the quirks whether you’re driving a tidy Lexus RX450h, a hybrid Prius, or a classic old Mazda Demio.
Why trust us? Simple:
- Top mechanics — we know NZ car problems inside out, from diesels to hybrids.
- Full service — brakes, batteries, you name it. We take care of it all.
- Your safety comes first — always has, always will.
Have a yarn with us today and enjoy your next drive — wherever the road takes you.