Why It Matters: Good Oil & Decent Filters Make a Huge Difference
Alright, so you’ve ducked in for a yarn about “what oil and filter am I actually getting in my car when I book in for a service at Grimmer Motors?”. Fair question, honestly. All that stop-start driving through Hamilton traffic – like heading down Te Rapa Road in the morning, crawling around Wintec, or dodging potholes through Nawton or out Morrinsville way, can be brutal on engines. Doesn’t really matter if you’re in a Toyota Aqua heading out to Tamahere, or an old Fiat 500 getting your groceries round Dinsdale, every engine needs decent oil and a filter you can trust.
Now, the job of the oil? It’s all about stopping metal bits inside your engine rubbing the wrong way. Good oil keeps everything slick, so when you’re stuck at the lights on Peachgrove Road or hitting those speed bumps in Rototuna, your motor isn’t wearing itself out. Thing is, high quality synthetic oils (the proper stuff, not supermarket cheapies) last longer and handle those hot Hamilton summer days, plus those foggy Cambridge mornings when the engine is c-c-cold.
But here’s the kicker—over time, your oil picks up little bits of metal, carbon, dust, and whatever else is floating around. That’s where the filter steps up. Cheap filters don’t catch much, and clog quick, leaving all that rubbish floating in your engine. Pay a little more for a better filter? You’ll get a cleaner engine, fewer headaches, and less risk of running into those typical NZ car problems that pop up when things gum up.
What Oils Do We Actually Use Here?
Simple answer—we use Penrite oils. Not the cheap stuff. Proper, top-grade oils built for tough conditions. Why Penrite? They blend their oil with special zinc which is awesome for engine protection. One of our techs was just saying last week, those zinc additives actually help keep older Subarus and even newer Suzuki Swifts running sweet for ages—even after all those cold morning starts near Matangi or the short trips out to Horotiu.
Penrite oil has extra stuff in it to help stop sludge and rubbish building up in your engine. That’s especially good for late model Nissans, Mazdas, and even the odd Peugeot 308 we see. Less gunk means less risk when you’re due for your next car service Hamilton.
And the filters? Only top-spec brands that keep the oil clean for longer. You won’t catch us putting a knock-off filter in your Kia Sportage or Honda Jazz.
- Extra zinc in the oil = way more engine wear protection, especially useful with all the start-stop on Victoria Street and motorway runs to Gordonton.
- Additives to stop sludge and carbon—handy for Euro cars and hybrids doing short trips or lots of cold starts.
- Proper viscosity = oil stays the right thickness regardless of whether it’s a frosty winter morning or a scorcher out at Raglan Beach.
Servicing That Never Voids Your Warranty
Plenty of folks think, “Ah, new car, better go to the dealer for each service or I’ll lose the warranty.” Don’t stress about that. We know our stuff and every oil change or filter we use meets or beats the manufacturer’s specs. Even the fancy stuff for newer Volvos and SsangYongs! That means, when you book your servicing packages with us, your warranty stays sweet AND you’ll likely save a chunk compared to what the dealer tries charging you for the same thing.
Need an Oil Change or Car Service in Hamilton?
If your car’s about due for a service, oil, or filter, just flick us a message or drop in. We’ve been in Hamilton since before Ulster Street was even busy. Doesn’t matter if it’s your first oil change or your hundredth—we’ll sort it, so you can get back on the road to Huntly, Raglan, or wherever you’re off to next.