What actually happens at a car service?
Had someone this morning ask what goes into a car service, reckons her Toyota Corolla’s starting to sound a bit rough when she runs down Te Rapa Road to The Base. Fair question. Truth is, a car service is more than just popping in for some new oil and a quick look under the bonnet.
For a basic service, here at Grimmer Motors in Hamilton, we’ll do:
- Fresh oil and a new filter – good start for smoother running, especially after all those stop/starts near Chartwell or speed humps by Rototuna Shops.
- Check and top up all the usual fluids (coolant, brake, power steering, all that jazz). Good because, let’s be honest, most drivers don’t think about these till the dash lights up.
- Tyres and suspension – we have a squiz for any obvious damage, slow leaks, or just that typical wear you get hopping over potholes around Frankton or heading out towards Ngaruawahia.
- Your cooling system gets a solid once-over (pretty crucial after those stinking hot Morrinsville summers or freezing foggy mornings by Cambridge).
- Plug it into our scanner – an electronic test. You’ll get a printout with a real look at how the car’s running, handy for picking up sneaky issues before they turn into big ones.
- And plenty more, depending on what your car needs
How long does a car service take?
Now, we get this a lot. Some reckon it’s a quick in-and-out, but here’s how it usually goes: Most services take two, maybe three hours if it’s just a basic or standard package. If you’re after a full premium service, best to leave your car with us for half a day. It gives our techs enough time to give it a decent go-over in between jobs, especially when it’s busy season or there’s a queue of cars from Raglan, Tamahere, or even out as far as Huntly.
If you want to stick around and wait (some folks do, especially for a small car like a Suzuki Swift or Mazda Demio), for a basic service you’ll usually be out the door in a couple of hours – premium ones, allow a bit more.
Some cars just take longer. Had a lady drop in her Peugeot 308 the other week – European models and diesels, plus some of the newer hybrid Toyotas, they’re built a bit tighter under the bonnet so they chew up more of our time. That’s often why you’ll see a higher cost.
Bit of a bonus – if you book a premium full service and leave your car with us from 8:30am till 2:30pm, and spend over $100, you’ll get a free tyre shine, dash polish, and we’ll even run the vacuum through your interior. Makes it feel brand new for the run over to Hamilton East or after a blast around the open road to Gordonton.
- Free tyre shine and dash polish
- Free interior vacuum
Which service suits your car?
You don’t have to get the fancy package every time, but if you plan on keeping your Outlander or Honda Fit for another year or two (especially after all those WOF Hamilton checks and NZ road trips), a premium service really helps. Keeps the resale value up, and you’re less likely to get caught stranded on SH1 because something simple gave out.
We’ve got a bunch of car servicing options that suit how you drive – whether you’re mostly city runs through Dinsdale and Hillcrest, or doing big weekly hauls out to Cambridge or Te Awamutu.
Need your car serviced in Hamilton?
If it’s been a while since your last service or oil change, bring her in. Regular checks mean you catch small issues before they turn into big repairs (and bills!). We see all sorts roll through – Isuzu SUVs, Honda Jazzes, the odd SsangYong or even a Skoda. Every car, every driver, every job, done right.
For high-value, professional car service Hamilton drivers trust, just give Grimmer Motors a buzz or book online. We’ll sort you out.