How Much Oil Does a Car Need?

Understanding how much oil your car needs is crucial for maintaining its performance and, ultimately, helping to retain its value.

22
Aug

Knowing how to charge a car battery is an essential skill for any vehicle owner. Your car battery powers your vehicle's electrical systems and starts the engine. Like any power source, though, they can run out of charge, [...]

05
Aug

Common Car Accidents & Collision Repairs

Being involved in a car accident can be a very stressful occurrence regardless of how minor or severe it is. You worry about your safety, the impact of other people or property involved, the cost of collision repairs, [...]

23
Jul

The Importance Of Front Bumper Repair

Having a collision in your vehicle is never a pleasant experience. There is the potential for someone to get injured. You worry about the extent of your vehicle’s damage. As well as stress over having to get repairs [...]

23
Jul

What is a hybrid car and how do they work?

What is a hybrid car and how do they work? There has been quite a lot of discussion online and in the media about electric vehicles (EVs) vs traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) cars. How much do you [...]

17
Apr

Why does my car shake when idling?

17
Apr

When Will Your Vehicle Use More Fuel?

Fuel consumption and fuel efficiency are factors that most of us consider when purchasing a vehicle. But did you know that there are several factors that influence how fuel efficient a vehicle is?

24
Jan

Can Car Tyres Be Repaired?

When your car has a tyre puncture, the first thing you think about is how soon your tyre will go completely flat. There is never a convenient time to get a flat, and having to replace a flat [...]

24
Jan

What are ABS brakes?

ABS brakes have been around for over four decades, believe it or not, but many of us still don't really understand what they are or how they work.

21
Dec

Can you bring your own car parts to a mechanic?

Over time you will probably develop a close relationship with your mechanic. They get to know you, your family, your driving patterns, what you like in a vehicle and what you need to keep safe on the road. [...]

21
Dec

How to tell if you have a bad starter motor?

The starter motor is a small electric motor that helps start a car. It “turns over” or “cranks” the engine to start when you turn the key in the ignition or press your car’s ignition START button.

03
Dec

Why is water leaking from my car?

It’s not unusual to see a puddle or stain underneath your car. Most people, in fact, see a puddle and just ignore it, thinking it’s nothing to worry about. Sometimes it is nothing to worry about – but [...]

03
Dec

Tow truck towing a broken down car on the street

Can You Tow An Automatic Car?

If you've been driving for a while, you've probably seen a car being towed on the road. Have you ever wondered why there are different methods used to tow a car?

31
Oct

Why Is My Car Juddering?

If you’re not a trained mechanic, any unusual sensation or noise that your car makes can be very unnerving. We get in our cars when we need them and expect everything to run smoothly.

31
Oct

How to Make Your Petrol Last Longer

One of the biggest expenses in a household budget (especially if you live in Auckland and spend a lot of time in your car) is the petrol expense. It can feel like our cars are using more gas [...]

20
Sep

Closeup picture, four black rubber automobile tire with protector

Does Tyre Fuel Efficiency Matter?

As fuel prices continue to rise and eat away at your budget, you may be looking for ways to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. One thing to look at is fuel-efficient tyres.

20
Sep

How Much Fuel Does Air Conditioning Use?

We’ve all been told to be mindful of turning on the air conditioning when driving because it uses more gas. Is that true? If so, how is that possible?

12
Sep

How Long Does A Car Service Take?

One of the reasons people avoid or delay car service appointments is because of the perceived inconvenience to their schedule. In Auckland, we can be so dependent on our vehicles that the thought of being without a car [...]

12
Sep

Car Brakes: Everything You Need To Know

We’ve all seen that dramatic moment in a movie when a car’s brakes fail and the hero has to save the day by stopping the car in time. How does that even happen? In reality, chances are that [...]

22
Jun

Winter Car Tips and Trips

Wherever you are in New Zealand, there are things you should know about winter driving and winter car maintenance. Even if you live in a region that doesn’t see any snow, winter temperatures can affect your car maintenance, [...]

22
Jun

5 Things That Will Damage a Car Engine

The engine is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Keeping it running efficiently and preventing engine damage is the best way to keep your vehicle running longer. It’s always better (and cheaper) to prevent any [...]

26
May

Why Does My Engine Coolant Keep Disappearing?

As the engine is the main source of power for your vehicle, it’s normal for it to get quite hot. One of the ways we prevent the engine from overheating is by using engine coolant. Coolant also lubricates [...]

26
May

5 Signs You Need to Replace Worn Engine Mounts

We spend a lot of time and effort making sure that our vehicle’s engine is running properly and efficiently. One of the ways to ensure this is to make sure that the engine mounts are also in good [...]

16
May

Are Flood Damaged Cars Worth Buying?

If you’re thinking about buying a secondhand car in Auckland (or anywhere else in NZ, for that matter), it’s worth remembering the severe weather events we’ve experienced – and the effects that excess rain and flooding can have [...]

16
May

Guide to Identifying and Addressing Car Fluid Leaks

It's annoying to see puddles or mysterious stains underneath your car. You leave your car parked for a while and come back to it to find odd looking or smelling fluid under your vehicle. It's a sign that [...]

14
Apr

Ace Your WoF: Inspection Prep Tips

In order to drive a private vehicle (car, ute, van and four-wheel drive) in New Zealand, it must display a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) label in the front of the vehicle. To get a WoF label, the vehicle [...]

14
Apr

10 Essential Car Service Tasks to Do Before a Road Trip

We Kiwis love a good road trip. Whether you’re making the weekend drive to the bach or setting out for a holiday roadie to enjoy all that NZ has to offer, here are the top 10 car service [...]

14
Apr

What To Do After A Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident is not a pleasant experience. You may come away with injuries. You may be worried that you caused someone else’s injuries. You might stress about the financial implications of the accident. Perhaps [...]

14
Apr

Can Chassis Damage Be Repaired?

If you've spent any time around a mechanic or a panel beater's workshop, you'll probably have heard the word "chassis". You may have wondered what they're talking about when they use this odd, French-sounding word.

23
Mar

Signs of a Failing Alternator

The alternator in your car is an essential part of the vehicle’s electrical system. In fact, it generates most of the electricity in your vehicle, powering everything from the radio to the taillights.

23
Mar

How Does An All-Wheel Drive Car Work?

If you’re shopping around for a car, you will likely hear the terms all-wheel drive, or AWD, used in vehicle descriptions. So what does all-wheel drive mean? AWD is a computer-based system in the car that automatically distributes [...]

23
Mar

Petrol vs Diesel vs Hybrid Cars: Which Is Better?

If you’re a new or used car, you may be wondering which is better – a petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle. What are the pros and cons of petrol vs diesel vs hybrid cars? Let’s look at the [...]

23
Mar

Car Maintenance Tips

“Timely maintenance of the car is the key to its long and trouble-free life” is how the saying goes. There is no doubt that car maintenance should be second nature for all car owners, but with everything that's [...]

07
Mar

What To Do If You Misfuel Your car?

Whether you’re in a hurry, renting a car, or simply not paying attention, accidentally putting the wrong fuel into your car is a common mistake that happens a lot. Much more than you probably think. Sure it's an [...]

07
Mar

Electric Cars: The Future of The Automobile

Everyone is well aware of the utility of electric cars, otherwise known as electric vehicles (EV). These vehicles are rapidly solidifying their position as the futuristic, environmentally-friendly and high-performing automobile, with ambitious forecasts stating that in 2030, 40% [...]

07
Mar

Which Engine Oil Do I Need For My Car?

There are an abundance of safety measures, maintenance tips and general guidelines to maintaining your car, but having the right engine oil is definitely up there in terms of importance. Cars require oil to function properly, and choosing [...]

07
Mar

5 Essential Car Parts to Service

At Mt Roskill Collision Centre, we offer a range of car service options to help improve your car’s performance and to keep you safe on the road.

01
Feb

Common Car Problems

The warning lights on your dashboard give you early warning when some part of your vehicle needs attention. They are there to keep you safe, not to annoy you. So don’t ignore them.

01
Feb

Making Sure Your Car is Safe for The Road

We get great enjoyment from different types of cars and the driving experiences we have here in beautiful New Zealand. Our number one priority, however, is safety on the road.

01
Feb

Reduce the Risk of Engine Overheating

Most newer cars have built-in systems that stop them from overheating, but it occasionally does happen.

01
Feb

How To Service A Diesel Car

Servicing your diesel car is the best way to keep you safe on the road and keep your vehicle running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible. A diesel car service is also one of the [...]

25
Dec

Car Tyres: Everything You Need To Know

Safety on the road begins with your tyres. As the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, your tyres are a critical part of keeping you, your passengers and other road users safe.

25
Dec

What You Should About Restoring Car Headlights

Headlights are a type of lighting system that is mounted on the front of a vehicle and is used to illuminate the road ahead when driving at night or in low-light conditions. Headlights are an important safety feature [...]

20
Dec

smashed front end of a car that is needing panel beating services

A Guide To Panel Beating

One of the reasons why panel beating is so important is because often there is often damage that goes deeper than just the exterior of your car. If your vehicle is involved in a collision or accident, regardless [...]

20
Dec

A Guide to Car Painting

Painting a vehicle is more complicated than most people realise. There is a lot of prep work that needs to be done to ensure the job is done well. And there is a lot of room for error [...]

27
Nov

5 Things You Should Know About Car Engines

We don’t expect you to do any repairs or maintenance on your car engine, however it is important to have a general understanding of how your car engine works. Learning a bit about an engine makes it much [...]

27
Nov

Understanding Wheel Alignment

One of the most important maintenance services you can have done on your vehicle is a wheel alignment. It keeps you, your passengers and everyone around you safe – and it is one of the easiest ways to [...]

27
Nov

How to Diagnose Car Air Conditioning

Understanding how your car air conditioning (AC) works and what happens when it’s not working is important for a couple of reasons. Not only does the air conditioning provide for a more comfortable ride, but it can also [...]

27
Nov

How To Jump Start A Car

If you get in the car, turn the key, and nothing happens, there’s a chance you’re dealing with a flat battery. A jump start– also known as a boost – will recharge the battery and get the car [...]

08
Nov

Buying The Right Used Car

Before you buy a used car in New Zealand, there are a few things you should know that will make the experience easier and probably save you money. The first thing to know is that you can buy [...]

31
Oct

What Does a Full Car Service Include?

Taking your car to the mechanic or panel beater is the best way to ensure that your vehicle will keep you safe on the road. It is also the easiest thing you can do to make your car [...]

31
Oct

Everything You Need To Know About WoF

A Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is a manual check of your vehicle to ensure that it meets the required safety standards to be driven in New Zealand. Once your vehicle has passed its WoF, you are issued a [...]

31
Oct

How To Test Your Car Battery

There’s never really a good time to discover that your car battery has gone flat. You certainly don’t want your car battery to die when you’re away from assistance. You can minimise the risk of this happening by [...]

06
Sep

How Much Does a Panel Beater Charge?

If your vehicle has been involved in a collision, or there’s something that doesn’t seem right on your car, you want to have a panel beater available who you trust. Often, one of the first things we look [...]

21
Dec

What Does a Panel Beater Do?

Panel beaters do everything to look after your vehicle. The word comes from the original work of beating out the dents in the panels of your car. (In some countries, a panel beater is referred to as an [...]

21
Dec

Everything You Need to Know About Side Panel Damage Repairs

Some of the most common types of unrepaired damage that we see are dents, dings and scratches on the side panels of vehicles. For some reason, too many drivers think there’s nothing wrong with continuing to drive around [...]

10
Dec

Car Touch Ups Auckland - Car Scratch Repair

The Importance of Car Scratch Repair

If you’ve ever owned a brand new car, you’ll know that incredible feeling of having beautiful, scratch-free paintwork. But then, at some point, you’ll know that gut-wrenching feeling of getting the first scratch on your pride and joy. [...]

08
Dec

The Most Common Types of Car Scratches

If you’ve got a scratch or two on your car, it’s tempting to think, well, it’s just a scratch – and then leave it. You might think it seems like overkill to take your car to the panel [...]

08
Dec

How to Maintain and Repair Electric Vehicles

If you’re considering driving an electric vehicle (EV), you probably already know about the benefits regarding emissions and fuel costs (or lack thereof). But did you know that electric vehicles can also be easier and cheaper to maintain [...]

01
Dec

Should I Get My Car Paint Professionally Touched Up? | Car Paint Repair

Over time, your vehicle will need a car paint repair, whether the whole car or just a touch up. You may have had a collision that has affected the paintwork. Perhaps someone who parked next to you has [...]

22
Sep

What Are the Risks of Driving without Car Insurance?

If you’re ever involved in a collision, you will be asked if you have insurance. The subject of car insurance in New Zealand can be a bit confusing. Mainly if you are a relatively new Kiwi and didn’t [...]

15
Sep

What Should You Do After a Minor Car Accident? | Panel Beaters Auckland

Be prepared. Boy scouts will remind you. Dieticians will remind you. Your mother will remind you. For most things in life, being prepared is half the victory. Knowing what to do when a minor car accident occurs, then, [...]

09
Sep

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car in Auckland?

There are different techniques involved, depending on which car paint service you require. The other main difference between these types of car paint services is the surface area affected. Generally speaking, touch up paint jobs involve a smaller [...]

08
Sep

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