My Auto Shop Info Hub

What happens when your spark plugs call foul?

/ - 3 mins read

When a spark plug is ‘fouled’, it basically means it’s becoming too worn or contaminated to work properly.   While they’re a lot more reliable in modern cars, there are still things inside your engine (like fuel and carbon) which can build up onto your spark plugs, and eventually render them ineffective in either firing or […]

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What is a egr valve and how does it work?

/ - 2 mins read

An EGR valve sounds like it belongs in your heart. It doesn’t involve ventricles or aortas, it involves exhaust gas, the intake manifold, air and fuel, and emissions. EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation, it is a valve that car makers turned to in the fight against emissions and for fuel economy. It sounds really […]

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What the hell is a ‘tune-up’?

/ - 3 mins read

Okay, so truth be told, the term tune-up is a little redundant these days.  It only really applies if you’re talking about a pre-2000s car, although I still hear it bandied about today, so it seems like it’s loosely interchangeable with service or routine maintenance. The way modern cars are built has changed and so […]

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What is a sway bar and how does it work?

/ - 4 mins read

When you hear sway bar, you assume it has something to do with swaying. You’d be on the money. Also known as an ‘anti-roll bar’, it helps to distribute weight transfer and reduce body roll during cornering. It is a fairly simple idea but the engineering boffins make it an excellent one. A sway bar […]

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Expert’s guide to dashboard warning lights

/ - 4 mins read

Here at My Auto Shop, we like to face the facts when it comes to all things automotive.  Whether it’s making it easy to see a mechanic, or handy hints to de-stress while you’re on the road, we’ve got you covered. Today we thought it’d be useful to cover off what it means when your […]

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Zen guide to finding where you parked your car

/ - 5 mins read

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 […]

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Is a mobile mechanic the same as a workshop?

- 2 mins read

If you’ve got a million things on the go and zero time to make it happen, then the convenience of a mobile mechanic can’t be understated.  In fact, they’re a lifesaver.  If you’re in need of some basic servicing, a mobile mechanic works a treat.  They’re able to work to the exact same standard as […]

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Expert’s guide to handy car tools and accessories

/ - 4 mins read

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 […]

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Roadtripper’s guide to NZ’s best apps for drivers

/ - 4 mins read

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 […]

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Do airbags have an expiry date?

- 3 mins read

Thankfully, I’ve never been in a situation where airbags have been needed, although it’s reassuring to know I’m always equipped if there is an accident.   I had a guy bump his SUV up against the back of our little hatchback last week, and it got me thinking, do airbags have any expiry date?   So I […]

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