AUTOMOTIVE

Summer driving in Canterbury is one of life’s quiet pleasures. Long golden evenings, open roads stretching from city streets to country vineyards, alpine passes and coastal bays. But while warm weather feels effortless, summer places real demands on our vehicles, and staying safe on New Zealand roads means taking those demands seriously.

Nicholas Henare reminds us that warm temperatures can be just as testing for a car as winter. Heat affects cooling systems, tyres, fluids and batteries, particularly when vehicles are fully loaded for holidays or clocking up kilometres on long Canterbury routes. In warm nor’westers, afternoon heat and sustained driving, even a vehicle that feels “mostly fine” around town can quickly show weaknesses once it’s pushed further afield.

The cooling system is one of the most critical areas to monitor during summer. Engines work harder in hot conditions, and low coolant levels, ageing hoses or a malfunctioning radiator fan can quickly lead to overheating. Nicholas advises drivers to act early by pulling over at the first sign of trouble rather than pushing on because continuing to drive an overheating vehicle can cause lasting engine damage. These checks are simple, but they’re essential.

Tyres are another summer priority that’s often underestimated. Hot roads increase tyre pressure, while long distances reveal uneven wear that might not be obvious day to day. 

Correct tyre pressure improves handling, braking and fuel efficiency, all particularly important on Canterbury’s open roads, where speed and distance demand confidence and control. Checking the spare tyre is just as important when travelling beyond urban areas.

Fluids and oil quality matter more in summer than many drivers realise. Sustained engine heat places extra strain on oil, and low or degraded fluids can compromise braking, steering and visibility. Nicholas encourages drivers to pay attention to warning lights and unusual behaviour rather than dismissing them as minor annoyances. Small signals often point to issues that are easily resolved if caught early.

Even batteries, commonly associated with winter failures, can suffer in warmer months. Heat shortens battery lifespan, and summer driving often involves increased use of air conditioning, infotainment systems and charging devices. If a battery is ageing, a simple test before holiday travel can prevent an inconvenient — or unsafe — breakdown.

For Nicholas, timing matters. A pre-summer or pre-holiday vehicle check isn’t about over-servicing, but about reassurance. It’s particularly worthwhile if your car hasn’t been looked at in the past six to twelve months, if you’re planning longer trips, or if anything feels even slightly out of the ordinary. Preventative care keeps vehicles running efficiently and reduces the risk of incidents that impact not just you, but everyone sharing the road.

That shared responsibility is central to summer driving in New Zealand. Our roads connect city to country, people to places, and communities to one another. From alpine routes to coastal highways, conditions can change quickly, and help may not always be close at hand. This is where roadside support and official resources matter.

A current Automobile Association New Zealand membership offers peace of mind with breakdown assistance, towing, battery support and travel help across urban and rural routes. 

Learn more or join at the official AA site: https://www.aa.co.nz/roadservice/ 

Members can access roadside support across all regions.

For official road safety guidance and travel planning, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (New Zealand’s land transport authority) provides tools, real-time traffic updates, and state highway information. 

Visit https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety for safety information, or https://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-and-travel-information for live state highway conditions and planning tools. 

If you need to contact Waka Kotahi directly, they offer a range of services including vehicle and driver licensing support: call 0800 108 809 or visit https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us for full contact options. 

Their 24/7 state highway travel line — 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) — provides current road conditions and allows you to report urgent issues affecting travel safety.

For concerns about unsafe driving behaviour on Canterbury roads, New Zealand Police advise that you can dial *555 from a mobile to report urgent (but not life-threatening) road incidents and hazards, or use the Community Roadwatch online form for non-urgent reports of unsafe driving. 

New Zealand Police

At its heart, summer car care is about respect — for your vehicle, for your passengers, and for the roads that carry us across this beautiful country. 

Looking after your car helps protect New Zealand’s road network and ensures that city-to-country driving remains a pleasure, not a risk. As Nicholas Henare puts it: caring for your vehicle is an extension of caring for the people and places around you.

This summer, preparation is part of the experience. Drive well, drive safely, and enjoy everything Canterbury has to offer.