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How to maintain your car

If it’s the daily commute to work, a Sunday drive or a holiday road trip, you need to be able to rely on your car. Find out here how to look after your car.

Maintenance Check

Get your Maintenance Check done at VTNZ to ensure your car is safe and reliable. A Maintenance Check covers 14 features that aren’t included in a Warrant of Fitness inspection and will help to:

  • Improve the life, efficiency and safety of your vehicle
  • Minimise major and potentially avoidable repair work
  • Keep you and your passengers safe
  • Retain your vehicles value

 

 

Why VTNZ?

A VTNZ Maintenance Check covers the essential maintenance basics that you might not have the time for. At just $49, or $28 when added to your WoF, it’s great value and could save on repair bills down the track.

14 Features of a VTNZ Maintenance Check

*Additional costs may apply if fluids are required. We’ll be sure to ask you first.

 

  • checked

    Engine

    Listen for unusual sounds

  • checked

    Drive Belts

    Condition of drive belts tested (excludes cambelt)

  • checked

    Radiator

    Inspect the radiator and radiator hoses for leaks and deterioration

  • checked

    Engine Coolant

    Inspect levels and report on condition. Top up if required*

  • checked

    Battery

    Test and assess condition. Please note, we are unable to assess electric/hybrid vehicle batteries

  • checked

    Brake Fluid

    Inspect fluid level and report on condition. Top up if required*

  • checked

    Steering Fluid

    Inspect fluid level and report on condition. Top up if required*

  • checked

    Clutch Fluid

    Test fluid level and report on condition. Top up if required*

  • checked

    Oil

    Test oil level and report on condition. Top up if required*

  • checked

    Tyres

    Inflated to the correct pressures and top up if required*

  • checked

    Emergency Kit

    Ensure the car jack, toolkit and spare wheel are present

  • checked

    Wiper Blades

    Inspect condition. Replace if necessary (wiper blades at extra cost)

  • checked

    Windscreen

    Inspect windscreen washer level and top up if needed

  • checked

    Front Windscreen

    Inspect for any chips or cracks and give it a good clean

review

My car was really low on oil and at risk of seizing up. The VTNZ Automotive Technician topped it up for me.

VTNZ Lower Hutt Customer

review

Went at a peak time, but the line moved really fast. Being my first time there, the staff were really friendly guiding me through the process. Receptionist upsold me on the maintenance check, which led me to get a top up on oil. Well worth it whilst getting my WOF.

VTNZ Kingsland Customer

review

Maintenance check, all that for that much, that’s a good deal!

VTNZ Nelson - Pascoe St Customer

review

My car needed oil which I was unaware about until the maintenance check up. Was a good feeling to know those things were all checked for me.

VTNZ Nelson - Pascoe St Customer

Annual Maintenance

VTNZ recommends your car gets a full vehicle health check every 6 to 12 months or 20,000 kms (whichever comes first) to keep your car running at its best.

You should have your car assessed by a professional if it:

  • Keeps pulling or drifting to one side
  • Leaks fluids after being parked up for several hours or overnight
  • Makes funny noises like clicking, clunking or scraping; or squealing when you use your brakes; or popping coming from the exhaust
  • The steering wheel starts slipping or is really hard to turn

When to see a Repairer

We recommend your car gets an engine oil and filter change every 12 months or 20,000 kms (whichever comes first). You’ll need to book in with a repairer to have this done.

 

If you don’t have a preferred repairer, try a VTNZ Certified Repairer in your area, or ask our staff for some other local options.

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How to maintain your car

If it’s the daily commute to work, a Sunday drive or a holiday road trip, you need to be able to rely on your car. Find out here how to look after your car.

Regular Maintenance Checklist

Owning and maintaining a car is a big responsibility and it’s a good idea to give your car some regular care. We recommend you do a bit of car maintenance every month or two and especially before any significant road trips.

 

 

We’ve put together a list of basic maintenance tasks you can do each month when you visit the petrol station.

 

  • Make sure your tyres are pumped up and have good tread depth (over 1.5mm). Don’t forget to check the spare!
  • Check all your lights are working, including the indicators
  • Check the engine oil level is above the minimum indicator on the dipstick
  • Check the condition of the engine oil. It shouldn't appear dark, thick or sludgy
  • Check and, if necessary, top up the window washer fluid level
  • Clean the front windscreen and check there are no chips or cracks

 

 

You can do all your regular car maintenance at your local petrol station. Or, if you’d like someone else to take care of it, pop into your local VTNZ branch and we’ll be happy to help. One of our Automotive Technicians can do a Maintenance Check any time. We can even do this at the same time as your Warrant of Fitness inspection.

 

 

Add a Maintenance Check to your WoF for only $28

Watch a quick video on how to check the condition of your tyres.

Tip: Use less fuel and save money by checking your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. The pressure details can be found on a plate inside the driver’s door, the fuel flap or owner’s manual.

Come and see us

Add a Maintenance Check to your WoF for only $28