Nelson Automotive Solutions

12/10/2026

🎒 Back to School – Watch Out for Little People!

Back to school! 🎒🚸

Term 4 gets underway today, which means our roads around schools are about to get a whole lot busier again.

Keep an eye out for children walking, biking and scootering to school, allow a little extra time for the morning run, and remember to slow down around schools and pedestrian crossings.

Here’s to a safe and happy final term of 2026! 🏫

09/10/2026

🤝 Automotive Solutions — Better Together

Running an independent automotive workshop doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own.

Automotive Solutions brings independent workshop owners from around New Zealand together to share knowledge, ideas and experience — while each business retains its own identity and independence. 🔧🤝

From networking with other workshop owners and learning from industry experts to supplier relationships, group meetings and simply having other people in the industry to bounce ideas off, there’s real value in being part of a nationwide network.

Interested in finding out more about becoming an Automotive Solutions member?

We’d love to hear from you. 💙

06/10/2026

🛞 Give Your Tyres a Post-Winter Check

Winter roads can be hard on tyres, so spring is a great time to give yours some attention. 🛞🔍

Check the tread, look for uneven wear or damage and make sure your tyre pressures are correct — including the spare if your vehicle has one.

A quick way to check your tread depth is with a New Zealand 20 cent coin. Insert the coin into the main tread groove — if the tread doesn’t reach the bottom of the “20”, your tyre may be getting close to the minimum legal tread depth of 1.5 mm and it’s time to have it checked.

If you’ve noticed your vehicle pulling to one side, unusual vibration or uneven tyre wear, it may also be worth having the wheel alignment checked.

Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle actually touching the road. Looking after them matters. 🚗

05/10/2026

Has Winter Taken a Toll on Your Battery?

Cold winter starts can be tough on a vehicle battery — and sometimes the first sign of trouble is when it simply doesn’t start. 🔋😬

If your engine has been turning over more slowly than usual, your battery is getting older, or you’ve needed a jump-start recently, now is a good time to have it checked.

A quick battery check could save you from being stranded somewhere considerably less convenient later!

Talk to your local Automotive Solutions workshop if you’re unsure. 🔧

04/10/2026

Today (1 October 2026) 4 new road rules have become law. Here's what they are:

The aim of the new rules is to make people’s travel safer and better reflect how people already use the roads. From today 1 October:

• Kids 12-years-old and younger can now ride their bikes on the footpath. Parents and caregivers are now also allowed to ride with them. Keep an eye out for kids on bikes when entering or leaving driveways.

• You’ll now be able to ride your e-scooter in cycle lanes. This’ll mean e-scooter riders can get to where they’re going more efficiently. The speed limit still applies to e-scooters, and we highly recommend that you wear a helmet when riding.

• There’s now a minimum passing gap of 1.5m when passing people riding bikes, horses or e-scooters that are travelling in your lane and heading in the same direction as you. This only applies to people driving motor vehicles or riding motorbikes. The 1.5m passing gap doesn’t apply to parked cars or people that are travelling in a different lane to you. If it’s not safe to pass, then you’ll need to wait and pass when it’s safe.

• Everyone is now required to give way to buses that are signalling that they’re leaving bus stops, the roadside or bus lanes on roads that’re 60km/h or less. This new rule allows for buses to safely re-enter traffic.

Earlier this year we asked for your feedback on these changes. We passed your feedback onto the Minister of Transport – there was broad support for the changes the Government proposed, and the Minister decided on the above.

We’ll keep you updated here – follow us if you aren’t already to get updates. There's also more information on our website: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driving-skills/new-lane-use-rules

01/10/2026

🚗 School Holidays – Road Trip Ready

School holidays are here, and that often means a few more kilometres on the clock! 🚗☀️

Whether you’re heading away for a few days, visiting family, or just keeping the kids entertained closer to home, take a few minutes to make sure your car is ready too.

Check your tyres, oil and coolant, top up the washer fluid and make sure those lights are all working. And if anything doesn’t seem quite right, your local Automotive Solutions workshop can take a look before you hit the road.

A little preparation now can save a whole lot of hassle later. 🔧

30/09/2026

24/09/2026

🎒🔔 School’s out for the holidays! 🙌

The books are closed, the bags are packed away and two weeks of school holidays are officially here! 🎉

If your plans involve loading up the car and heading away with the family, a few quick checks before you hit the road can help keep the journey running smoothly. 🚗💨

✅ Check your tyre pressures and tread
✅ Top up your fluids
✅ Make sure your lights and wipers are working
✅ Check the spare tyre
✅ And don’t ignore any of those mysterious noises you’ve been meaning to get looked at! 👀🔧

Wherever the school holidays take you, take your time, drive safely and enjoy the break. ☀️🌿

From your local Automotive Solutions workshops, happy holidays and safe travels! 🚙💙

17/09/2026

🔧💰 Service now, pay less later.

It can be tempting to put off servicing when your car seems to be running just fine but small problems have a habit of becoming much more expensive problems when they're ignored. 👀

Regular servicing can help:

🔧 Pick up wear and tear before it becomes a major repair
🚗 Keep your vehicle running efficiently
🛞 Extend the life of tyres and other components
⚠️ Identify potential safety issues early
💰 Save you money in the long run

Think of servicing as preventative maintenance, a little attention now can help avoid a much bigger bill later.

Is your vehicle due for some TLC?

👉 Find your nearest Automotive Solutions workshop at automotivesolutions.co.nz/find-a-member/

10/09/2026

🚗🩺 CARTHRITIS: does your car need surgery? 🔧

Cars get aches and pains too!

Over the years, your vehicle’s suspension bushes and joints take plenty of punishment. As they wear, the cushioning between components deteriorates and can eventually lead to metal-on-metal contact.

We call it Carthritis. 😄

And just like arthritis in people, there can be some tell-tale symptoms that something isn't quite right:

🦴 Knocking or clunking when braking, cornering or driving over uneven roads
🦴 Unusual movement or vibration through the steering wheel
🦴 Unpredictable handling or stability
🦴 Uneven tyre wear

Ignoring worn suspension components can affect your vehicle’s handling, reliability and, most importantly, safety.

Recognise any of the symptoms? 👀

Bring your vehicle into your local Automotive Solutions workshop and let one of our “surgeons” give it a check-up. 🩺🔧

Find your nearest Automotive Solutions workshop at automotivesolutions.co.nz