The Valley Chronicle - Show your car love for Valentine’s Dayng

■ RICHARD PERRY / Contributed Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy, The people at VIP Autos are car people. So we say: we love our cars, we’re not exaggerating. Like a romantic mate, we depend on our vehicles and they depend on us. So this Valentine’s Day, we’ll show our cars and trucks a little love to thank them for always – or at least almost always – being there for us. You can show your car some love too. Just don’t forget to show the special people in your life that you love them first. Your car won’t notice if you’re a day or two late, but your girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse likely will. Here are some ways to love your car (whenever you’re able to): Replace your windshield wiper blades. Because your wiper blades degrade over time, it can be easy to overlook how poor a job they’re doing until you replace them. A new set is relatively inexpensive, and you’ll love the clear, clean view you get as a result. You’ll also wonder how you lived with those old ones for so long. Don’t forget the rear blade on hatchbacks, wagons, minivans and SUVs. Restore your headlights. As with wiper blades, you may not realize how drastically those hazy headlight lenses have reduced your ability to see what’s ahead. The 3M Headlight Restoration Kit includes almost everything you need to make your headlights crystal clear again. You just provide a cordless drill and elbow grease. (Have someone) wash your car. It’s winter, at least on this side of the Earth. So we’re not going to ask you to go out on the driveway with a bucket of soapy water and a soft sponge in the cold. Still, your car needs a wash. Find a professional car wash or detail shop and pay for a hand wash. It’s a treat for both you and your car. Get under the hood. If you have a warm place to work, knock out some of the maintenance items on your list. Replacing filters, changing or topping off fluids, replacing spark plugs and rotating tires are all little things you can do to keep your car running properly. If you don’t have the space or you just prefer to have a professional handle the work, get the help of an auto parts center near you. Valentine’s day is here, so forget chocolates; get your car a heart, box cleaner wax. Get ready for spring. If your baby leads a sheltered life and stays inside during the coldest months, start now getting her ready for warmer weather. One-Step Cleaner Wax from 3M combines the benefits of fine polish and wax. It removes light oxidation, fine scratches and stains while achieving a high-gloss shine. Your gleaming car will be ready to drive on that first warm day of 2019. Rock-and-roller Stephen Stills sings, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” Whether you drive an old beater or the supercar of your dreams, treat it well all year long. And once in a while, show it some love by doing something special that will benefit both you and your car/truck. But if you are just simply tired of your old ride, see the guys at VIP Autos for a sweetheart deal and tell them the Hemet Car Guy sent you. Happy Driving! Richard Perry is the owner of VIP Autos in Hemet and is known to his readers in the Chronicle as the Hemet Car Guy.