My Auto Shop Info Hub

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 […]

There really is nothing quite like a car wash to get you (and your car!) feeling incredible when you’re out on the road.   That said, if you’re not necessarily thrilled about the idea of manual labour in the name of getting your car looking tip top, then you’re probably no stranger to the local carwash […]

Is there a car part that better expresses the driver’s attention to detail, or not, as the case may be, than its wheels?  Now, we all know you’re out there washing your car twice a week (or maybe not?), but there are some great ways to ensure that you’re getting the best mileage out of […]

Okay, we realise the headline might seem a little bit paradoxical, but here at My Auto Shop, we know the importance of staying calm no matter what situation you’re in, especially when it’s of the automotive variety. So you’re driving along, music blaring (invariably, right?) and you spot a red light up ahead.  Coolio.  Happens […]

Oh man, we all have that one friend.  You know, the one who doesn’t take the corners too well on a long road trip, and before you know it, you’re pulled over and they’re dry-retching into a ditch. Well, safe to say that you better be quick when that request is made known, because we […]

If you’ve been following our series of zen guides to driving, you might remember an article which extolled the infinite values of keeping your car clean and free from clutter out on family roadtrips and the like.   Now, I feel like every time I step into someone else’s car, there’s always an apology – “really […]

Okay, hands up, who’s been here before?  You’re peacefully driving along, minding your own business, and then – “Crrrrchhh!” – it’s suddenly all gone pear-shaped.  You, my friend, have just been in a car accident. No worries though, right?  You’re smart, you got car insurance cover, and it’s time to inform your insurer that yes, […]

It always starts so innocently.  A sweet, perhaps little sheepish, call from another area of the house, echoing its way into my innocent ears, “Baaabe, do you know where the car keys are?” So, truth be told.  I often do know where they are (on my desk, or on the bench), and that’s why my […]

To be fair, much like the term ‘tune up’, the terms oversteer and understeer might seem a little out of date.  But, we humans like familiarity, and while the meanings have evolved, the words seem to stay the same. Basically, oversteer and understeer are motoring dynamics which remain with us, despite the profusion of electric […]

Okay, so you’ve read our Zen Guide to Peaceful Road Trips, you learnt all about how heat can bring about car motion sickness, and now you just want the cold hard facts – “How the hell do I cool this car down?!” Whether you use sun shades on the windows or window tinting to keep […]