Category: Driving Tips
Should I buy an automatic or a manual?
There are a lot of pro’s and con’s to each option. Put simply, if you love driving, love being involved in driving, and like to work out both legs – then a manual is for you. If you like to get in your car, turn the key, put it in drive and then switch off
How far can I drive with my fuel light on?
There was a time in my life when driving around with the fuel light on with fairly common practice. Looking back now, I feel it was probably more an indication of my priorities at the time, of which keeping my car in good nick was pretty low on the list in those student days. There’s
Everything you need to know about trailer sway
If you’re towing a trailer or caravan, one of the worst things that can happen is for your trailer to wobble precariously back and forth, eventually falling on one side and dragging your vehicle down with it. Trailer sway can be a major problem for many trailer owners, especially with New Zealand’s winding roads, and
Caravans: a driver’s guide
Whether you’re heading away on a road trip or just heading out for a summer cruise, it’s safe to say the time is right to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re of the nomadic persuasion, you’ll no doubt know the allure of New Zealand’s many camping grounds and all the good times
How to manage your kid’s driving habits
As a parent, knowing your children are safe behind the wheel shouldn’t just stop at thinking about the sorts of driving situations they might find themselves in. In fact, it’s almost impossible to pre-empt any situation these days. With plenty of wild driving tactics being portrayed (by professional stunt people, mind you!) in action movies,
Expert’s guide to safely using a mobile phone in the car
Oh, so you don’t use your mobile phone in the car? Like, ever? Well, you, dear reader, are one of the slight minority, by my estimation. Despite all of the ads, posters and even legislation, it would appear that many New Zealanders are willing to shirk the law in the name of convenience. Frankly, it’s
Expert’s guide to keeping pets safe on a road trip
Whoever came up with the term “fur baby” knew exactly what they were on about. Okay, maybe not that guy up there – but he’s someone’s angel! As a pet owner, I know the guilty feeling that occurs when you need to leave your pet at home. In our case, it’s our French Bulldog, Sydney,
Zen guide to finding where you parked your car
At My Auto Shop, we like to keep it real and relatable. We also like to do what we can to make things as stress free as possible, from the workshop to the wheel. But what about those driven-related moments that don’t place in the actual vicinity of your vehicle? Say, like, looking for your
Expert’s guide to handy car tools and accessories
One of the exciting things about heading out on a road trip is the idea of being in uncharted territory, responding to the conditions and circumstances as they arise. Part of being a smart driver is having your bases covered if anything goes awry. You wouldn’t be the first person to be caught out in
Roadtripper’s guide to NZ’s best apps for drivers
With technology featuring in almost every corner of our lives, from making our love lives easier to getting takeouts, our smartphones are always there to help guide us our decision-making. If you’ve ever been out on the road and found that your phone battery was on red and quickly dwindling in its charge, you’ll no
