The effects of the petrol crisis in New Zealand - overview

The effects of the petrol crisis in New Zealand

This past in December week has been an absolute nightmare for most people living in or traveling through the country’s more populated regions. With every passing hour, the price of fuel escalates higher and higher due to a lack of supply. 

Airlines fuel supply have also been affected.

New Zealand has started rationing jet fuel to major airlines in December 2022

Many small businesses have had to close down completely because they can no longer afford to run their vehicles. Many workers now find themselves either being let go as employers are unable to cover her/his wage including transport costs, or having to take time off unpaid since they cannot get to work.

Not only does this pose major problems for employees, but it also hurts local economies by depriving them of income.

Gasoline is one of the main ingredients used to make almost all types of engines function, so when there are not enough supplies we begin to feel the effect immediately.

Nearly every vehicle needs gasoline at some point, which is why running out becomes a problem if you don’t own a tank full already. Technically speaking, you could still drive around looking for gas stations, but how well would that work?

It seems like everyone you meet will be doing the same thing! Luckily, however, technology offers us certain solutions. There are ways to earn money via the internet selling your unwanted car parts, and other methods using your skills to make money.

How to repair a petrol engine - overview

How to repair a petrol engine

When your car is not starting or you are getting very little power, it’s time to do some troubleshooting. It will take some dedicated effort, but hopefully you have left this situation for now!

It would be helpful to know what makes up normal combustion in an internal combustion engine. In fact, you should already know most of these because they apply even when your vehicle doesn’t seem to want to start.

If you need help defining some terms, check out our article here. That way you’re more prepared if someone asks you about them while you're working on your car.

When something isn't functioning properly, there's usually a key part that keeps failing. In the case of a car that won't start, the fuel pump is one such component. It pumps liquid fuel into the engine where it can be burned.

So how does it work? An electrical current runs through the fuel as it moves from the tank to the engine. This current creates an electric field which pulls electrons off of the molecules of fuel. These electrified atoms then become ions with either a positive or negative charge depending on whether they had lots of electrons before being pulled away by the electric field.

The negatively charged ion goes somewhere else to spend its life, but the positively charged atom is leftover and needs to get rid of itself somehow. If it stays longer than needed, it could eventually lead to corrosion or explosion.

Tips for petrol maintenance - overview

Tips for petrol maintenance

Whilst fuel quality can be influenced by a number of factors, such as what kind of oil you use to blend with the petrol, how your engine uses the fuel, and whether or not there are additives in the fuel, one of the most important things to check is if your car needs new hoses.

If you notice that your cars hose clamps have gone soft or melted away, it may be time to say goodbye and get some new ones!

A common place to start looking is under the vehicle hood where many parts connect to water or air. If you feel any sort of fluid coming from these areas, make sure to change them soon!

Luckily, buying new fidded laces isn’t too expensive unless you buy really cheap ones, so don’t worry about wasting money just because they look a little bit worn out.

Auckland petrol station owner says NZ no longer feels safe after suffering third ram-raid | Newshub 

When fuel costs are high crime is also high, New Zealand has a very high gang membership across the country. Also recent surveys suggest crime is seven to ten times the official tally count.

New Zealand cities also fell in global rankings, they were the biggest losers, the least most liveable cities with Auckland and Wellington now 34th.

Are Kiwi cars less reliable? - overview

Are Kiwi cars less reliable?

Over the past few years, car manufacturers have been making vehicles that are more aerodynamic and feature-packed. These changes increase drag, which in turn decreases fuel efficiency.

The lower gas mileage is partly due to having to use more power to move the vehicle through the air, but also because of how much energy is lost when the car loses momentum and comes to a stop.

When a driver starts moving again, they must get back into gear and this can be quite difficult if the engine has to work harder to start moving again.

This is why most engines include something called an idle control valve. The valve works by allowing certain parts of the engine to deactivate while you are sitting still. When you do come to a stop though, these systems close off so that your engine doesn’t need to spend extra money burning fuel trying to stay running.

Many people think that it’s expensive for the manufacturer to create this technology, but what many don’t realize is that some of those costs are paid for by someone else!

The government pays half of the cost to make new engines function properly, and old ones are reimbursed if they are torn down and recycled. Head down to your nearest AA or NZTA to learn about what cars they recommend for New Zealand roads.

Famous Kiwi petrol brands - overview

Famous Kiwi petrol brands

As mentioned earlier, most of our major cities have at least one fuel station that has consistently good reviews. These are usually well known brands such as BP, Shell, Z Energy, Caltex, Mobil, Gull, Waitomo, Gas  - you probably know some of them!

But what makes these brands special is not just their products, but how they market themselves to customers too. They use clever marketing strategies to gain attention in order to promote their brand.

A lot of people talk about how expensive their car insurance is so these companies play up the value of being in the company fleet or buying a branded vehicle. A similar strategy is using cars with lots of chrome or flashy colours which appeal to the eye. Petrol stations in New Zealand offer value when buying petrol and incentives to shop at their station, fancy a free coffee or car wash?

The rise of the petrol industry in New Zealand - overview

The rise of the petrol industry in New Zealand

In early 2000, there were very few fuel retailers across the country. There was one major refuelling station per city with some rural areas also having a small number. This has now changed massively!

Now you can find large-scale fuel stations filling up entire townships at any time of day or night, and almost every town has a good quality fuel retailer within their boundaries.

This is due to two main reasons – the demand for fuel in New Zealand has risen dramatically over the past decade, and new regulations have allowed for more efficient operations.

Fuel companies have responded to this increase in demand by creating larger networks of fuel suppliers that they work with. These newer entrants into the market are able to supply enough fuel to meet the demands of all clients while retaining high standards of customer service.

There have been several instances where these well-run businesses have come together to create bigger, better organisations, which now operate under a single brand. However, not all successful collaborations result in such dramatic changes, often leaving both parties as adequate competitors within their field.

Z Energy Car Wash - 5th wash is free

 At Z Energy you can have your car washed - the 5th one is free. You can vacuum, and wash your car depending on the price and time of the wash you choose. You can choose between a standard wash to supreme, with a scented vacuum. The 5th wash is free when you use the Z App. You can also earn Flybuys and airpoints for washing your car at Z. Everytime you wash your car you collect stamps. Sometimes stamps can take up to 24 hours to appear in your Z App.

They have special offers whenever you shop with them and loyalty rewards for their customers.
Be sure to go to your nearest Z Energy station, to see what they are offering for your business or next trip, in New Zealand. Z is for New Zealand.