FAQ

Yes, most modern refinishes are cured when they come out of the oven. The oven? Yep! Auto Body Shops are equipped with car sized ovens! No, not for giant cookies though that’s not a bad idea. The materials that are used to paint your vehicle are actually cured when heated at a certain temperature for a certain amount of time. When the vehicle comes out of the booth it may feel “tacky” but should be a workable surface immediately including wet sand and polish. So if you just picked up your vehicle after it has been painted or repair it’s safe to say you can wash and wax it at your leisure. No shop should give you a vehicle back that can not be. If they say you can’t wash or wax it for any period of time, most likely they’re either using inferior techniques or products.

Yes. Diesel fuel quality in New Zealand meets strict standards, but it can still vary slightly by supplier and region. Modern diesel engines—especially Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles—are very sensitive to fuel quality. Poor or contaminated diesel can lead to injector wear, blocked fuel filters, and DPF issues. Regular fuel filter changes and using reputable fuel stations are the best ways to protect your diesel engine.

There are many reasons why your bumpers and adjacent panels (fenders,quarter panels) may look like different colors. The most common is, that’s the way the factory made it. Believe it or not your car that is in one piece in your driveway was in a thousands of pieces all over the world. Your painted parts are no different. A lot of factories may paint your bumper in texas and your fender in detroit. Therefore the variants in color between different people mixing it, environment, how long it’s stirred and sprayed all are factors. Some people believe that when you spray paint on a plastic bumper and it’s next to a metal part there may be a slight color difference even if it’s the same paint. This holds true in certain circumstances especially for pearl paint. It essentially can make the beautiful pearl color you see change direction therefore changing the way it looks in the sun.

Yes. In New Zealand, you have the right to choose your own repairer, even if your insurer recommends a preferred workshop. While insurers may suggest repair networks, the final decision is yours. Choosing a trusted repairer ensures quality workmanship, correct parts, and proper repair methods—especially important for modern vehicles with advanced safety systems.

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to the nearest, trusted auto repair facility.

DPFs are required on most modern diesel vehicles in New Zealand to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. The filter traps soot particles and periodically burns them off during a process called regeneration. If your driving is mostly short trips or stop-start city driving, the DPF may not regenerate properly, leading to warning lights or limp mode. Occasional longer motorway drives or professional DPF cleaning can help prevent issues.

Many late-model diesel vehicles in New Zealand use AdBlue (also known as DEF) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. AdBlue is injected into the exhaust system—not the engine—and helps the vehicle meet emissions standards. If your AdBlue runs out, most vehicles will either limit power or refuse to start. Regularly checking and topping up AdBlue is essential for compliant and trouble-free driving.