February has been celebrated as the month of romance for thousands of years. February 14th remains the focal point of that tradition, as a day set aside to express affection and love in all kinds of creative ways. Today, we wanted to give you some savvy love advice – for your car – so you can sustain a long-lasting and satisfying relationship with it. It’s weird, I know.
Just go with it.
Here are 5 ways to give your car a little extra TLC this month.
It’s What’s Inside that Counts.
New relationships are exciting! I’m sure you remember the day you signed the papers and took your car home for the first time. And while that shiny exterior certainly attracted you, your vehicle's inner beauty should not be overlooked! Dirt, dust, and food particles create an interior environment full of potential bacteria and allergens affecting you, your car, and your passengers. Leather and fabric surfaces also wear down from exposure to bacteria, spills, and UV rays.
The great news is you don’t have to trade up for a new model to get that new car feel again. Why not love what you already have?! A comprehensive vehicle detailing will protect and preserve your car’s interior, restoring it to a like-new state.
Super Shine Car Wash and Detail offers different service levels to fit your needs. Along with an exterior hand wash, chamois dry, and engine wash & shine, you can include a deep cleaning of all fabrics, a complete interior shampoo, vinyl machine polishing, and vacuuming.
Like any relationship, there’s usually one thing you could do without. While we can’t fix your partner for you, did you know that we offer a spot-cleaning option so you can get that ONE stubborn coffee removed forever from your otherwise squeaky-clean interior?
Now is a great time to invest in your car; don’t wait until it's too late.
One last tip to kick things up a notch. There are some super creative products that you can quickly and discretely attach to different areas of your cabin, making it easy to keep your interior clean. Purchasing a small portable automobile trash can or backseat caddy & organizer can make a substantial difference in keeping your car clean after you’ve gone to all the work of detailing it.
Love Is In the Air.
It’s cliché, I know, but I mean it quite literally. Loving your car means ensuring your air filters are replaced yearly or even more frequently, depending on your make and model. Did you know modern vehicles have two air filters?
Your car has an engine air filter that removes dirt and contaminants from entering the engine, preventing premature wear and tear. Over time, just two aspirin tablets worth of dirt can cause wear equivalent to 120,000 km! The second is your cabin air filter, sometimes called a pollen or HVAC filter. It cleans the air entering your car’s cabin, removing pollens, dust, and other contaminants to keep you breathing fresh, clean oxygen.
Check your air filters at your next Oil Change or Spring Car Care service! Replacing them on a yearly schedule contributes to your car’s longevity and ability to...wait for it ...smell the roses.
Light Up Your Life.
Love creates a spark that brightens your life and everything in it. You know what else does? Your vehicle's headlights. Now, if the flame has gone out, you need to rekindle it with a new bulb immediately. But even if your bulb is still hanging in there, your headlights can become cloudy or discolored over time due to UV rays and exposure to the elements, dust, and pollution. This damage can significantly reduce visibility, especially at night or during inclement weather.
So, if you’ve had your bulbs replaced and you are still finding your headlights are cloudy or foggy, it’s time to get them professionally cleaned. While there are ways to clean them yourself, be sure to know which products will prevent scratching the exterior surface of your lights, further impairing your vision.
Keep the flame alive by checking your lights at your next oil change or rolling into our cleaning bay for a quick, professional exterior wash!
Keep Your Tank Full.
Long-term relationships are about consistency. Constantly pouring into your partner with the right kind of stuff will keep them from running empty. A relationship can’t survive on just fumes. Flirting with the red line will eventually leave you stuck on the roadside of life. I can’t stretch this metaphor further and retain any semblance of dignity. Obviously, I’m talking about filling your car with fuel.
Did you know that keeping your gas tank as close to full as possible has several critical benefits for your vehicle's longevity? Maintaining a full (ish) tank of gas dramatically reduces the risk of damaging the fuel pump. As a rule of thumb, running on less than a quarter tank of gas can cause the fuel pump to overheat or fail prematurely.
When your tank is nearly empty, condensation can form in the empty space. This moisture can freeze in the fuel lines in colder temperatures or cause corrosion and rust. In winter, try to keep your tank at least half full at all times.
Make Memories Together with a Road Trip.
Our last piece of advice is to treasure and enjoy your vehicle! After all, it gets you wherever you need to be, day in and day out, rain or shine. Giving your vehicle the yearly TLC it needs will allow you to trust your ride in any season. Why not start that commitment this month?
Our goal at Super Lube has always been to make Car Care Easy. And while we didn’t make the car you drive, we love to make the car you drive, drive forever! Or as close to it as we can get.
After you get your car cleaned and detailed and your filters replaced, go fill that tank with gas, choose your favorite playlist, and head out for a road trip (we've got a Road Trip Report checkup if you want total peace of mind) with someone you love. And if you need us for anything else before you head out, you know where to find us!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, your car, and all of your loved ones.