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Motoring Feature - May 15
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| Mahurangimatters 15 May 201318
www.warkworthdrivingacademy.com
Make a booking today!Phone: 09 425 0557 Mobile: 021 182 [email protected] Rivendell Place, Warkworth
Neil Collings - Driving Instructor
Warkworth Driving Academy
Warkworth - Matakana - Omaha Wellsford - Orewa
All your Car and Motorbike Training Needs!
See me about your driving intenSive courSe today!
NZTA Approved to carryout basic handling skills for motorcycles
– why go to Auckland!!Unlimited Kilometres
Toyota Genuine Parts & Service
AA Roadservice Cover
A Toyota ‘No Worries’ Extended Warranty givesyou the following benefits:
Some conditions apply - please contact us to discuss further
Wilmot Toyotawww.wilmot.co.nz
Corner Whitaker Rd & Mill Lane WarkworthService DDI 09 425 1090
get a gripMotoRInG FeAtuRe
If there is one season of the year that puts a vehicle’s performance under pressure, it’s winter.In fact, more vehicles and car components fail more often during winter than at any other time of the year. Some factors contributing to this include rougher running conditions, less time and incentive for upkeep, and the simple fact that cold weather causes a lot of wear and tear on engine and transmission components.However, a little extra effort in car maintenance can save on costly repairs.Beaurepaires Warkworth owner Brendan Woolley says a good place to start is the tyres.“It’s the emergency situations you want to be prepared for and these situations are more likely to occur in winter,” he says.“One of the commonest tyre issues we see is under- inflation. It’s one of the major causes of tyre wear and tear, and lower fuel efficiency.“For every 1.3kg that your tyres are below their recommended pressure, your fuel economy drops one percent – it’s called “rolling resistance” which is a measure of how easily the tyre rolls down the road, while minimising energy wasted as heat.”Brendan says the benefit of properly inflated tyres, with good tread, was graphically brought home to him about three months ago.“I was driving through the Dome when the driver of an oncoming car fell asleep and crossed the centre line. If I hadn’t swerved as quickly as I did, then he would have hit me in the cab, rather than the tray.
Winter vehicle maintenance no place to cut corners
He missed me by centimetres and I’m sure I have the four new tyres on the truck to thank.”Brendan says proper alignment can extend the life of a tyre by 30 percent, increase fuel efficiency, improve cornering and handling, and reduce driver fatigue.
Spending a little more on a good quality tyre can also reduce road noise, a major complaint from drivers.“It’s also important to make sure brakes are checked every 10,000kms and suspension is regularly checked.”
Tyre specialist Brendan Woolley says worn tyre
tread can be a killer.
18
Mahurangimatters 15 May 2013 | 19
Snells BeachMOTORS
– 2 0 0 8 L I M I T E D –
425 53551 Hamatana Road - Snells Beach
Tyres Wheel Alignment WOFs & WOF Repairs Servicing Transmission Flushes Motorcycle WOFs Battery Sales MTA Pre-Purchase Inspections Tractors & Small Engines
Plus all other mechanical repairs and maintenance
get a gripMotoRInG FeAtuRe
A smart tyre that knows when its pressure is getting low and then pumps itself up may sound far-fetched, but last year Time magazine named just such a tyre one of the best inventions of 2012.Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) will help ensure the optimum tyre pressure is maintained and as a result, could mean substantial savings at the fuel pump. All of its components, including the miniaturised pump, will be fully contained within the tyre.As soon as the pressure in the AMT
tyre gets too low, it knows it. An internal pressure regulator opens to allow air to flow into a pumping tube and, as the wheel turns, the flattened part helps squeeze air from the tube through an inlet valve into the tyre.Goodyear chief technical officer Jean-Claude Kihn says a tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years.The AMT tyre is currently under development by Goodyear in Akron and Luxembourg and is not yet available for purchase.
DIY tyre inflation on its way
Smart driving advice onlinewww.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditionsThis site provides road, travel or traffic information, which is likely to affect your trip. On the day of travel, check out real-time updates before you leave to find out about any unexpected road closures or delays. The site also includes highway webcams where drivers can see how current traffic is flowing around some areas of the country.www.metservice.com/national/homeNZ’s weather can be unpredictable, especially in winter, so it’s a good idea to monitor the weather conditions and forecasts before you leave and note down any areas expecting heavy snow, rainfall or hail.maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatchThis is a great information hub for travellers. As well as updates on traffic flows, there is general tourist information including sights to see and accommodation options, and information on driving times and distances, and directions.
Warkworth14 Mill Lane, Warkworth
09 425 8661
SEE US FOR EXPERT ADVICE• Wheel Alignments (25 years exp)
• Suspension & Shocks• Brakes - Disc & Drum Machining
QUALIFIED STAFF TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE
0800 4 TYRES
AWESOME DEALS ON TYRESAWESOME DEALS ON TYRESAWESOME DEALS ON TYRES
TYRES FROM$12 PER WEEK
APPLY ONLINE www.beaurepairs.co.nz
NEED A BATTERY?GREAT PRICES FREE TESTING FREE FITTING
QUAD & TRACTOR
TYRES
LIGHT & HEAVY TRUCK
NEED 4WD TYRES?
Talk to us!ADVANCED AUTO REFINISHERS LTD
20A Glenmore Drive, WarkworthContact Andrew 021 425 928
09 425 7563www.spraypaintersauck
lan
d.co
.nz
| Mahurangimatters 15 May 201320
Puhoi River MotorsProfessional Service from your local garage
Director – Russell Green
All mechanical repairs, WOF, servicing, tyres & small engine servicing & repairs
1 Ahuroa Road Puhoi www.puhoirivermotors.co.nz
Phone: 09 422 0777 Mobile: 021 655 461
FOR ALL YOUR AUTO MECHANICAL REPAIRS
WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE, THIS IS YOUR ONE-STOP AUTO MECHANICAL REPAIR SHOP
Call Clive & the team at:
C & J MOTORS 126 Rodney Street, Wellsford • 09 423 8244
If it’s local, let us know!Mahurangi Matters 425 9068
Where do old rally drivers go to reminisce? Ask BNT manager Dennis McConnell that and he’ll tell you the answer is the classic motor racing circuit.At 59, Dennis has spent the best part of the past 40 years racing cars of some description.As a teenager in West Auckland, he started out in a 1967 model 105 Anglia, competing regularly in rallies between Tokoroa and Kaitaia. In 1977, he finished rebuilding an Escort competing in the Motogard Rally of 1979, which consisted of 1500kms of special stages between Auckland and Wellington.These days he’s running a ’69 twin-cam Escort, with a 1600cc motor. It’s got a full steel Lotus engine, runs side draft carburettors, a straight cut five-speed gearbox, steel limited slip, and floating axles and discs all round. “It took 18 months to strip it back to its shell and do a bare metal rebuild,” he says. “This involved removing every nut, bolt and fitting, then soda blasting the shell, panel-beating and painting, and a refit with better suspension and an authentic dash.“If you built it in pieces from scratch, it’d probably cost about $130,000.”Dennis laments that the cost of motor sports has
Ex-rally driver’s lifetime love of motor sports turns classic
increased to the point that many enthusiasts can no longer afford to compete.“When I was racing, the costs were pretty minimal because we did all the work ourselves and entry fees were cheap. These days, one rally could cost around $3000.“Classic circuit racing is more about enjoying our cars and socialising. We’ve definitely left the smoke-‘n’-rubber and biff-‘n’-bash days behind us.”Many of the cars on the classic circuit are irreplaceable, either because of their racing history or just the age of the car.“NZ’s probably got the biggest carpark of former
Dennis’ pride and joy, the Lotus engine he installed in his ’69 Escort.
MotoRInG FeAtuRe
get a grip
Warkworth’s Dennis McConnell on the
classic cars circuit.
Formula 5000 cars in the world – Kenny Smith is a regular on our circuits although he races in cars that are well out of my league.”Dennis’ best performance in a rally was in the ’79 rally where he was running 10th overall until his gearbox blew up just 30kms short of the finish line. His only rollover cost him a car, although he says his pride hurt the most.“My race car was off the road so I was racing my road car which, after the accident, was written-off. I had 18 months of riding on the train until I could save up enough to buy another car.”
Mahurangimatters 15 May 2013 | 21
Phone 425 8723 • Fax 425 9526
Private & All Insurance Work
EDMONDS & MASONPANEL & PAINT
Ian Wayne
Contact Wayne 021 765 706 or Ian 021 977 729
Although you may think it’s easier on your car to let it sit and gently warm up in cold weather, it’s not a good idea for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it wastes expensive petrol. The vast majority of cars on the road today use electronic fuel injection. When the engine is cold, the computer tells the fuel injectors to stay open longer, allowing more fuel into the engine to help it run cold. As the engine warms up, the injectors let in less fuel and everything returns to normal.
Other handy winter driving tips: y Check that all your lights are working and drive with them on, even in the daytime.
y Drive smoothly, leaving a bigger gap between you and the car in front, and give yourself plenty of time to brake gently.
y If your windscreen wipers aren’t wiping cleanly, call in for new quality rubber refills. Don’t put your wipers on when the windscreen is icy, as it rips the rubber.
y If your car is a bit sluggish starting, get the battery tested.
Phone 425 7575 • Unit 3 / 6 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth
Peace of mind Motoring?
Cam
eron
Auto Services
22 years in business
and still going strong
•Ph 425 7575•Phone 425 7575 • Unit 3 / 6 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth
Peace of mind Motoring?WINTER IS A TIME OF EXTREMES.... It’s a time when any problems or weaknesses in your vehicle will show up – usually at the worst possible time. Is your vehicle approaching the time for its next scheduled service? If so, don’t put it off. Book your vehicle in for a pre-winter check with us TODAY. The experts know what to look for – oil and anti-freeze levels, wiper blades, fi lters and battery condition amongst other things. Get peace of mind in knowing that your vehicle is ready for winter.
Warkworth
Panasonic Batteries & Vehicle DiagnosticsCommercial • Marine • Air Con
Contact Benny2 Gumfield Drive, Warkworth
Ph 09 422 2162 • 0275 720 457 [email protected]
Warkworth
Snells Beach
Autos230 Mahurangi Road Snells Beach 09 425 5956 • 021 721 [email protected]
“Pop in and see Hayden” located under Snells Beach Gull
TRACTORS FOR FISHERMEN“My reputation has spread south”
We repair and restore
DESTINED FOR
CHRISTCHURCH
Dishonest drivers who don’t leave their contact details after hitting a parked car frustrate drivers the most, according to a new survey by AA Insurance. The survey, which polled 1000 regular New Zealand drivers aged 18 years and over, found that women drivers (70 percent) are more likely to find this frustrating than men (59 percent), as are North Islanders (72 percent) compared to South Islanders (65 percent). A recent AA Insurance claim involved a truck rolling down a hill causing $6000 worth of damage to a parked car. No note was left by the truck driver but a witness was able to provide details, which meant the owner of the damaged car didn’t have to pay the excess. “When a driver is frustrated he or she is more likely to lose their concentration and take uncalled-for risks that can
result in an accident,” AA Insurance spokesperson Suzanne Wolton says. “Driver frustration can quickly lead to an accident.” The second most frustrating behaviour was drivers who increase their speed at a passing lane and then slow down after the passing lane.When it comes to drivers who “steal” a car park from a waiting motorist (the third most frustrating behaviour according to the survey) women (60 percent) found this more frustrating than men (50 percent). Meanwhile, older people were more likely to be frustrated with drivers who illegally parked in disabled spaces – the 10th most frustrating behaviour. The results also suggest that road safety is important to New Zealand drivers. Behaviours such as tailgating, failure to indicate, and parents who don’t secure children properly were all sources of frustration to other drivers.
Lack of courtesy upsets New Zealand drivers
Just turn on your car and ‘go’
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