With Valentine’s Day this month, you go all out and lavish your special someone with flowers and chocolates. But don’t let the focus completely slip away from your non-human companions. That’s right-cars need love too, and unlike humans, they’ll never tell you that they’re just not that into you.

Here, then, are four heartfelt ways to renew your bond with your vehicle and show it how much you care.

Buy New Tires
Spring isn’t far away, which means a tire swap could be in order. It’s time to think about changing out snow tires, switching to a good all-season tire or maybe adding a high-performance tire to a sporty car. Or maybe the tread on your current set has worn away. New tires can dramatically improve everything from ride comfort and handling to ambient noise on the highway, and they’re much more resistant to blowouts than the aging rubber that we too often see on the road. There’s a tire to fit virtually any budget these days, so why not do some research and price out a new set? Cars love new tires, and that’s what the Valentine’s Day spirit is all about.

Clean It Up!
You’ve already seen a few winter months pass by, and that layer of grime on your car has probably gotten pretty thick. Here’s a thought: don’t just take your car through the mechanical car wash for eight bucks, as this can scratch your paint and leave filth untouched in some areas. If you don’t want to get the sponge out yourself, we recommend anteing up for a professional hand wash. It’s like a spa treatment for your car; you’ll be amazed at how refreshed it looks afterwards. If you’ve suffered through a particularly nasty winter, however, you may want to spring for a full detailing job, which is akin to a full-body rejuvenation. Is your car worth it? Of course it is; it’s your valentine!

Take a Road Trip
If you’re like most American drivers, you might feel like you’ve been stuck in a chilly commuting rut all winter. So how about hitting the road for a weekend getaway? It’ll be good for you, of course, but your car will appreciate it too, and here’s why. You know how used-car classifieds will claim a vehicle has driven “mostly highway miles”? Well, that’s because a steady cruise on the highway is just about the least stressful experience a car can have. Cold starts are a killer for engine components; ditto short trips, prolonged idling and stop-and-go traffic. Chances are you’ve been doing that stuff all winter. So don’t keep abusing your car with the usual routine; take it out on the open road and get its heart singing again.

Install a USB-Compatible Stereo
Are you still listening to CDs in the car? Or maybe an iPod with a shaky connection? Well, check it out: there’s been a digital-music revolution over the past couple years, and a growing number of head units are being now equipped with an honest-to-goodness USB port-just like a new car’s stereo. Having a USB port is great because you can play your iPod/mp3 player through it with superior fidelity (compared to an auxiliary input jack), or you can insert a flash drive with a bunch of mp3s on it and enjoy an exceptionally portable jukebox full of your favorite songs. It’s a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you’re already accustomed to using mp3s in other contexts. And, having received a new technological lease on life, your car will likely be your loyal valentine for years to come. Flowers and chocolates not required.

February 2012 by DriverSide

Our February Charity of the Month is the Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Breast Cancer Foundation.

Tveten’s will donate $5.00 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every online appointment scheduled this month. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping us support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Breast Cancer Foundation!
Learn more about this charity at http://ww5.komen.org.

Click on coupon for details and printable version.
To receive your savings please mention whether you saw this offer on Facebook
or our BLOG when making the appointment and/or bring a copy with you!

If you don’t control your money, your money will control you. Today let’s focus on getting control over the cost of auto repair and maintenance.

The Cost of Owning a Car

Here’s a look at all the budget categories you may want consider when attempting to nail down your auto expenses:

• Purchase price – payment (cash and/or financing and interest) to acquire the vehicle
• Taxes - paid when you buy or sell the vehicle
• Fuel - the gasoline/fuel you need to make the vehicle run
• Insurance – all levels auto insurance including personal liability, collision, comprehensive, roadside assistance, etc.
• Tags and registration – state vehicle registration, license plates, and renewal tags
• Repair and maintenance - tires, oil changes, and all other repairs and maintenance necessary to keep your vehicle operational

Benefits of Controlling These Costs

Many of the benefits of controlling your auto maintenance costs are similar to those you experience when gaining control over any area of your money, so let’s focus on those that are specific to the topic. Proper budgeting for auto repair and maintenance will allow you to:

• Have a better relationship and better communication with your auto mechanic
• Prepare/plan better so you don’t have to race to get oil changes before your next trip
• Reduce your maintenance expenses going forward
• Relax in the knowledge that you’re prepared

You can achieve all of these things simply by setting aside enough money to cover your expenses. That way you won’t have to stress or worry about where the money is coming from – if it can be found at all.

Our January Charity of the Month is the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club.

Tveten’s will donate $5.00 to the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club for every online appointment scheduled this month. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping us support the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club!
Learn more about this charity on their website.

From Your Friends at Tveten’s Auto Clinic

Our December Charity of the Month is the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club.

Tveten’s will donate $5.00 to the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club for every online appointment scheduled this month. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping us support the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club!
Learn more about this charity on their website.

Our November Charity of the Month is the Coastal Conservation Association, a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of our marine natural resources.

Tveten’s will donate $5.00 to the Coastal Conservation Association for every online appointment scheduled this month. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping us support the Coastal Conservation Association!
Learn more about this charity on their website at www.ccapnw.org.

Subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter and stay in the loop with helpful vehicle tips, offers and rewards just for you!

Visit our website and sign up at the bottom of any page under “Sign-up for our Email Program.”

Remember, you can also Follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter too!

Our October Charity of the Month is the Coastal Conservation Association, a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the conservation
and restoration of our marine natural resources.

Tveten’s will donate $5.00 to the Coastal Conservation Association for every online appointment scheduled this month. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping us support the Coastal Conservation Association!
Learn more about this charity on their website at www.ccapnw.org.