Why safety is the number one priority
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.
Nothing compares to helping to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe. Our car services at Mt Roskill Collision Centre begin and ends with safety.
We offer a range of services to help you customise and enjoy your vehicles, but we factor safety into all of our work.
Modern technology in motor vehicles these days is developed to help prevent crashes and to protect people in the event of an accident. But that doesn’t replace the need to look after your vehicle and keep it regularly serviced to stay safe on the road.
Check all the main car components
Staying safe in your vehicle begins with trying to prevent crashes, collisions and breakdowns. We do this by regularly checking that all of your main car components are functioning properly.
Car seats and seat belts
At Mt Roskill Collision Centre we can check that the seats of your vehicle and the seat belts are all in good condition. These play a key role in keeping you safe should you be involved in a collision.
There’s no harm in reminding people that seat belts must always be worn – and worn correctly. The shoulder strap must be used, and the seat belt must be snug, as it is designed to keep you safe when used correctly.
If there are any defects in how your seats move or adjust, or how your seat belts coil and retract, you may be putting yourself and your passengers at risk. We can check all of these details for you when your car is serviced.
But don’t hesitate to contact us if you suspect something isn’t working right. Don’t underestimate the importance of these seemingly small features in your car safety.
Windscreen, windows and mirrors
While you’re driving it’s essential that you maximise your visibility and your ability to see objects around you. The way to do this is by making sure your windows, windscreen and mirrors are clean and clear, and free from any cracks or broken bits.
Driving around with duct tape on your windows or mirrors is one of the most unsafe things you can do. Immediately this blocks out a percentage of your ability to see your surroundings. This in turn can affect your reaction time on the road, causing a collision.
If there is a window or wing mirror that needs repairing or replacing, get your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as possible. Don’t wait until your service appointment.
Similarly, if you get a stone chip or crack in your windscreen, book in to have it repaired immediately. If left alone, that one small chip can potentially turn into something more expensive and more dangerous.
Lights are working
There are several lights on your car – headlights, taillights, brake lights, fog lights, indicator lights, low beams, high beams. They all serve a purpose in keeping you safe.
Checking the safety of your vehicle involves making sure that all of these lights work correctly. They help ensure that you are seen on the road by other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. They warn other drivers of your movements. They help you see clearly through bad weather conditions and at night.
It’s important to check that all of your lights are working properly to keep you safe on the road. We recommend checking your lights on a regular basis, with another person standing outside the car as you test each light.
This is particularly important to do before any long drive or road trip. Again, if anything isn’t working, don’t worry about how minor it seems. Get in touch with us and have it fixed right away. It could save your life.
Brakes are functioning correctly
You rely on your brakes over and over again when you drive. They’re a top priority when it comes to safety on the road. Your brakes help you avoid obstacles and help you control your speed – key things in road safety.
It’s not an all or nothing thing with brakes. You don’t go from having functioning brakes to having no brakes at all, despite what you may see in the movies.
There are all types of brake conditions that affect the performance and safety of your car.
Worn brake pads, low brake fluid, loose brake pedal, juddering brakes – these are all things that can affect your braking response time. In a collision, seconds count. So don’t wait until there are obvious issues with your brakes. Make sure you have your brakes checked regularly as part of your vehicle servicing.
Tyres are in good condition
By law, your car tyres must be kept at a minimum tyre tread depth (currently 1.5mm for most cars). But there are other aspects of keeping your tyres in good condition to ensure your safety on the road.
It’s essential to have your tyres rotated, wheels aligned and balanced, as well as other checks for tyre damage and wear and tear. Your tyres are your main point of contact with the road.
You need to have your tyres checked regularly and to replace them as needed. If you’re not sure how often that is, the experienced team at Mt Roskill Collision Centre can take a look and give you some professional advice. Our tyre care package is just $165.
Make sure that you have serviced your car
One of the easiest ways to maintain safety on the road is to service your vehicle regularly. At Mt Roskill Collision Centre we have a range of service options to look after your car.
Our car servicing options include checking essential components such as:
- engine
- fuel system
- steering
- suspension
- braking system
- interior
- exhaust system
- tyres, wheels, hubs
- electrical system
- heating and ventilation
- many other details and components that will help keep you safe on the road.
You cannot drive without a WoF
In New Zealand, it is illegal to drive your vehicle without an up-to-date Warrant of Fitness (WoF). A WoF is a manual check of your vehicle to ensure that it meets the required safety standards to be driven in NZ.
Once your vehicle has passed its WoF, you are issued a WoF label that you must display in the front of your vehicle.
Privately operated cars, utes, vans and four-wheel drives must have a current WoF. Commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles must have a current certificate of fitness (CoF).
The experienced team at Mt Roskill Collision Centre can do your WoF check for just $50 including GST (excluding charges for work required to pass your WoF). It is our top priority to help ensure that your car is as safe as possible.
If you have any concerns about the safety of your car (or a vehicle that you are considering buying), call us on 0800 227 762 or email [email protected] for professional and friendly car servicing advice.