It’s never a bad time to care for your car. Vehicle maintenance is an ongoing must for any vehicle owner. Last year, Americans spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day festivities. This year, why not include your vehicle in your Valentine’s plans? 

Professional Cleaning

Not all of us want to be outside in February in Michigan, cleaning our vehicles. It’s cold; it’s dirty; it’s wet. That alone makes the thought of a really good car cleaning not worthwhile. Thankfully, there are alternatives! Contact a professional vehicle cleaning service to handle it for you. Your vehicle and your sweetheart will love it!

Vehicle Maintenance

Regardless of the time of year, regular maintenance is always a good idea. Request an appointment, and we will check your oil, replace filters, hoses & belts, battery, windshield wiper blades, cabin air filter, check your tires and brakes, and any other parts that need attention. 

Organize the Interior

Clutter inside your car may not seem like a big deal, but it might matter to your Valentine. Clear out the trash, and organize visible items to look neat instead of chaotic. Your Valentine will appreciate the effort (especially if he/she has seen your car as it normally looks), and you might even enjoy it yourself!

Give Your Car A Bath

Everyone likes to be clean and sparkly once in a while. That includes your car. Don’t fall into the “it’s winter – it will get dirty as soon as I leave the car wash anyway” mentality. Michigan winters wreak havoc on your car in many different ways. The body needs to be washed during the winter months to remove the dirty salt and debris that contributes to rusting. Don’t forget to wash the undercarriage! Us mechanics will appreciate that!

Get Some Shiny New Tires

Your Valentine will surely put a little prep into him/herself for date night. Detailing your car is a good start, but how about those tires? When was the last time you checked the tread? If unsure, grab a penny and use it to check your tread depth. If you find that your tread is less than 2/32” in depth (or your tires fail the penny test), you need to replace your tires. There are other things to look at with your tires. Check for any bulges or areas that don’t look right. Check the air pressure and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Check Your Fluids

Checking your vehicle’s fluids will help your vehicle to run smoothly and improve the longevity of your vehicle. You should regularly check the following:

 

  • Engine oil
  • Transmission fluid
  • Wiper fluid
  • Brake fluid
  • Steering fluid

 

These fluids help different systems to do their job easily. Without it, your vehicle might be missing some important things, such as keeping your windshield clean. Other fluids are vital to driving safely, such as brake fluid. And without other fluids, your vehicle will cease to function. If you know your vehicle has a fluid leak, you might want to carry an extra container in your trunk. You might not be near your mechanic or a store when you need it!