Be careful not to buy a flooded car. Click on link for more.
Author: Tony Allardyce
Demerit Points
In addition to the risks associated with speeding, it’s useful to be aware of the demerit points you will also collect:
Not more than 10km/h – 10
More than 10km/h but not more than 20km/h – 20
More than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h – 35
More than 30km/h but not more than 35km/h – 40
More than 35km/h – 50
Fuel Octane
A useful article from Z Energy below:
When times are tough, it’s natural to look for savings, but before you reach for the lower octane – and lower-priced fuel – make sure you understand what you’re putting into your vehicle.
Simply put, it is vital you use the fuel recommended by your car manufacturer. Using the wrong fuel can cause damage to your vehicle, lead to dangerous situations on the road, and it’s more costly in the long-run.
So, if your car requires 91 octane then you can use that, or if you’re happy to pay a little more for enhanced performance, you can use 95 petrol.
The advantage of higher octane fuel is a greater stability under pressure – it is less likely to combust in the chamber before it’s supposed to do so.
Remember, the golden rule is to use the recommended octane as a minimum. While it’s always tempting to save money, if your car requires 95 octane, you must not use 91. Check your car’s manual, or the inside petrol flap, for guidance on which fuel is best for your vehicle or fleet.
But what do the fuel grades mean?
You will have noticed different fuels have different names and numbers attached. Simply put, these correspond to their research octane ratings. The ratings are an indication of how well the fuel resists burning too early inside the car’s engine. In New Zealand the minimum research octane number must be displayed on the dispenser pump.
At Z, there are three types of fuel to choose from: Z91, ZX Premium Unleaded and Z Diesel
When it’s 91 octane you need, choose Z91 Unleaded. It includes a multifunctional additive package sourced for Z petrol, keeping your engine clean and protecting your fuel systems against corrosion. The good news is a clean engine can help improve vehicle drivability and reduce emissions.
For cars that require minimum 95 research octane fuel, ZX Premium Unleaded also contains a high quality specially formulated multifunctional performance additive. This Z95 unleaded fuel is designed to have superior engine cleaning capabilities so the engine can perform at their best.
Z Diesel is a special purpose fuel for use in high-speed diesel engines (diesel engines operating at speeds above 800 rpm). Z Diesel is well suited to be used in private vehicles as well as commercial fleets and for marine and industrial applications.
While it’s not a fuel, it’s important to mention Z’s emission-reducing AdBlue - a diesel exhaust fluid used in vehicles with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. A growing number of manufacturers are employing this technology to help their modern trucks, buses and other diesel vehicles to reduce emissions and meet stringent Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission standards. AdBlue is kept in a separate tank in each vehicle and added to the engine exhaust gas after combustion has occurred. Remember, this is not a fuel additive and must not be put directly into a diesel tank as this can seriously damage the vehicle.
What happens if I put the wrong grade fuel in my tank?
If 91 is used in cars requiring higher octane fuel, you run the risk of pre-igniting or “knocking”. This occurs when the petrol combusts early and pushes down against a piston while it is still moving upwards during the compression stroke. This is noticeable as a knocking sound in your engine and can cause major damage if left unchecked.
Getting the most out of every tank
Some excellent tips from Z
RUC Reductions Extension
| Further extension to temporary RUC (road user charges) reduction The Government has announced that it is further extending the temporary transport relief package. The package includes cuts to the cost of public transport and fuel excise duty, and a reduction in RUC rates by 36 percent (equivalent in savings to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents a litre). RUC rates were initially reduced from 21 April to 21 July 2022, and that reduction was then extended until 21 September 2022. The latest announcement means that the temporary reduction to RUC rates will remain in place until 31 January 2023. www.nzta.govt.nz/ruc-reduction-scheme |
EV Tyres
An interesting article (click on link below). Worth asking the question when you’re purchasing an EV.
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/05/ev-owners-face-challenges-when-its-time-for-new-tires/
RUC Discount Extension
Extension to temporary RUC reduction On 19 May, the Government announced in the Budget that it was extending the temporary transport relief package. The package includes cuts to the cost of public transport and fuel excise duty, and a reduction in RUC rates by 36 percent (equivalent in savings to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents a litre). RUC rates were initially reduced from 21 April to 21 July 2022. However, the Government has now announced the temporary reduction will stay in place until 21 September 2022.  |
| What to do If you buy a RUC licence up to and including 21 September, you’ll be buying a licence at the reduced rate. When buying a RUC licence during the discount period, you’ll need to complete a declaration to confirm you’re only buying enough RUC to cover the discount period. Waka Kotahi can charge you the non-discounted rate if you buy an excessive amount of RUC. |
| Already have a RUC licence? If you bought a RUC licence before the discount was introduced, and it will cover you for the discount period, you can still take advantage of the discount by buying a new licence starting at the current distance reading showing on your vehicle’s odometer/hubodometer. When you buy your new licence, our system will automatically credit you for any unused distance. You’ll be credited back at the RUC rate you originally paid. You must use all of this credit when you buy your new licence. An instructional video on our website shows you how to buy a new licence that overlaps your existing licence. We have full details of the RUC discounts and more on overlap licences at www.nzta.govt.nz/ruc-reduction-scheme. We’ll be updating our website, so check it for the latest information. Remember, you can buy your discounted RUC licence online at www.nzta.govt.nz/buy-ruc until 21 September. |
Common Problems
No make or model is without its quirks or issues. Google ‘common problems with’ the vehicle you’re looking at to get some independent feedback from owners and critics
20 Drawbacks of Electric Cars
We are not anti-EV per se. However, it is important we have the facts to make informed decisions which affect us, future generations and our environment. Our view is that improved public transport systems are the best way to get vehicles off the road and the only way with current technologies we will make lasting inroads into the issues we are trying to solve today
RUC Concessions 21 April to 21 July 2022
 RUC discount The RUC part of the package involves reducing RUC rates by 36% between 21 April and 21 July 2022. The Government set this figure because it offers equivalent savings to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents a litre. In general terms, if you buy a RUC licence between 21 April and 21 July 2022, you’ll be buying a licence at the reduced rate. You should buy only enough RUC for the distance you intend to travel during the three-month discount period. You’ll need to complete a declaration confirming this when you buy your RUC. Waka Kotahi can charge you the non-discounted rate if you buy an excessive amount of RUC. |
| Already have a RUC licence? If you already have a RUC licence that will cover you for that period, you can still take advantage of the discounted rates by buying a new licence from 21 April, starting at the current distance reading showing on your vehicle’s odometer/hubodometer. When you buy your new licence, our system will automatically credit you for any unused distance. You’ll be credited back at the RUC rate you originally paid. You must use all of this credit when you buy your new licence. An instructional video on our website shows you how to buy a new licence that overlaps your existing licence. We have full details of the RUC discounts and more on overlap licences at www.nzta.govt.nz/ruc-reduction-scheme. We’ll be updating our website, so check it for the latest information. Remember that from 21 April you can buy your discounted RUC licence online at www.nzta.govt.nz/buy-ruc |