February is the month of LOVE…
Valentine’s Day is different from other holidays. You know what to expect on New Year’s Day, Heritage Day or maybe even Mandela Day, because if all else fails there is always The Braai, but Valentine’s Day is more a roll of the dice thing. There isn’t any sort of natural gathering of friends and family and you always have to figure out what you’re going to do. Even if you are single, you have to plan your strategy for how you’re going to ignore it all. There are plenty of ways to distract yourself from the fact that the 14th of February will make you even more acutely aware of your singleness than the other 364 days do. You don’t need a hangover just because other people are in love. Rather take a “safety in numbers” approach, gather your friends together and celebrate the fact that your 4X4s might be the best relationship you’ve had in years. Discuss your mutual sympathy for couples, having to face the problem of “what to GET” and “where to GO”. For us at N1 4×4 the answer is clearly sung by Stephen Stills: “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with!” so GET your keys and GO make memories!
Here are a few ways to love your car, and suggestions for songs to add to your playlist while illustrating the level your commitment to your favourite travel companion:
- “You light up my life” by Whitney Houston
Restore the headlights. You may not realize how dramatically fogged headlight lenses reduce your forward visibility. A Headlight Restoration Kit includes almost everything you need to make your headlights clear again.
- “I can see clearly now” by Jimmy Cliff
Replace the wiper blades. Wiper blades degrade over time, so you may not notice any loss of functionality until you replace them. A new set is relatively inexpensive and you’ll love the clear, clean view you get as a result, especially next time when you’ve traverse a strip with fresh mud.
- “First time ever I saw your face: by Roberta Flack
Remember that feeling when your two first met, and wash your vehicle to bring back the sparkle again. Better still, find a professional car wash or retailer and pay for the Full House. Remember to wax on, wax off.
- “Can’t take my eyes off you” by Frankie Valli
Treat the dash and trimmings with leather cleaner and care cream, and fall in love all over again. But when you drive, keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road!
- “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi
If you those scented balls or mini-crocs dangling from your rear view mirror gets on your nerves, rather get fresh with vent clip air fresheners or a few drops of aromatherapy under the seat. If you don’t want to smell like you’ve been in a confrontation with fruit salad in a laundry basket, try to avoid the florals, lavender and pineapple! Stick to earthy aromas of cedar, sandalwood and leather.
- “These boots are made for walking” by Nancy Sinatra
No Valentine can resist new shoes, and your 4X4 will be ecstatic too! You wouldn’t wear a pair of flip-flops to go hiking, nor would you wear hiking boots to the beach. The same principle applies to 4×4 footwear, with off-road tyres specifically manufactured and constructed for an assortment of lifestyles, from long-distance touring to serious mud- and rock-crawling, and everything in between.
- “I don’t want to miss a thing” by Aerosmith
Invest in a dash cam that will capture all those special moments you have together, forever.
- “Make you feel my love” by Adele
Cross out some maintenance items on your list. Changing filters, changing or refilling fluids, and replacing spark plugs are all little things you can do to keep your vehicle purr like a kitten. If you don’t have the space or just want a professional to do the work, let N1 4×4 help you!
After all this pampering, have some fun and take things to the next level: pretend that someone has spoilt you on Valentine’s Day and park your cleaned and cared for 4×4 where it is visible to the neighbours, tie an enormous ribbon around it and add some heart shaped balloons for drama. Be prepared for smiles, questions and congratulations. Maybe even sympathy!
Show how much you care, and bring your 4×4 to us for a service or repairs: https://n14x4.co.za/category/rmi-certified-workshop/
N1 4X4 is one of South Africa’s biggest suppliers of new, used & reconditioned parts for Cruisers and Toyota 4WD’S.