Ten ways to love your car like you love your wife

Ten ways to love your car like you love your wife

Carmudi Guest Author

Ronald Delos Reyes

Ronald de los Reyes has been covering the motoring industry for a decade now. He co-manages/produces the family-owned motoring and travel TV show, Auto Review - which has been on-air for more than 20 years. He also writes for the motoring sections of Business Mirror and Interaksyon.com. From time to time, this avid sportsman also organizes sports events and other adventure activities.


In the spirit of those little Cherubim in diapers playing with their love arrows, this writer has something in store for every married car guy out there. For the sake of this month of cuddling and smooching, I felt like sharing what my own marriage of five years has taught me, so far. For the record, I’m not really an expert. So please, bear with me on this one.

Here, I specifically adapted Aaron Gold’s tips on taking care of one’s own car—which I derived from his article “How to live past 150,000 miles…” and merged it with my own musings.

  1. To begin with, buy quality

Blue Mercedes -Benz © www.motorauthority.com

Actually, it’s a no brainer. Though I’ve heard that Japanese cars are still the most reliable, don’t dismiss the Americans and Koreans—not just yet. The quality of their cars are improving and they are often less expensive to repair.

On the other hand, most European cars could cost you a lot of money. To cut the story short — just get a quality car. It’s a simple as that.

Okay, let me be clear on this one. I’m not saying that we should get wives according to their ethnic background. If that’s the case I’d still choose a Filipina any given day. Hands down.

Just get a quality woman—period. For me, a quality woman is someone you know who will be with you for better or for worse; who’s ready to get down and dirty (think wholesome, please); who’s not just after your money; who has a strong sense of God, family and relationships; is self-less, and most important of all, someone who loves you for who you are.

  1. Do your homework

New car © cardealershipsvancouver.com

Many cars have known problems that tend to pop up under certain circumstances, after enough mileage, in due time, or God-forbid, a day after the warranty expires! If you really care about the longevity of your car, spending a few hours researching it won’t hurt. If you ask me, some information from websites and online forums can truly be gold mines.

Moreover, it also wouldn't hurt if you get to know your wife’s family and friends. Get to know her more through her best friend, brothers, sisters, mom, dad and even her dog or cat. She’d feel more loved since this also shows that you appreciate the people close to her. Besides, if certain problems do occur, you can approach them in case you might need their help.

  1. As the owner, follow the maintenance schedule in your manual

Fixing a car engine © www.squeakyswash.com

If your car has guidelines for service, make sure to follow them… or else.

As for your wife, it’s always helpful to know her past health concerns or medical woes. That way, you know when she should have her regular check-ups, tell when something’s amiss. This way you won’t be surprised if she gets rashes after eating that sumptuous Sinigang na Hipon that you lovingly cooked for her.

  1. Get insurance

Car insurance © www.bankingsense.com

Cars break. Can be stolen. Get flooded. Hit by a reckless driver. Even fall from a cliff. There are many other unwanted car situations you could think of.

And there’s no easier way to overcome them than to have yourself insured.

Conversely, the same thing could happen to you — or your wife. Knock on wood.

  1. Be sensitive

Wash me please © www.factslides.com

Be on the lookout for new noises, strange looks, bizarre smells — unless, of course, your dog left a nice present on the back seat or even worse, you absentmindedly left your age-old sweaty socks under the car seat for days… In short, if something seems muddled, talk to your mechanic or dealership right away.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but, in reality, most of us men do fall short in this department. A simple “it’s okay” while she crosses her arms and legs as she sits across the dining table is really not quite what it seems. Maybe simple four-play is just what she needs. Four-play, meaning: “do the four before you play” — do the dishes, take out the trash, walk the dog, and bathe the kids. Be a good listener too. Women really do love to talk — if not nag. It’s a form of how they process their emotions.

  1. Fix it right away

Mechanic fixing an engine © www.mymcpl.org

Here, don’t ignore seemingly unimportant problems like broken trims, torn upholstery or electrical glitches. You don’t want these growing to bigger problems in the near future. Solution: fix them immediately.

On the other side of the coin, it’s been a known fact: it’s harder to move people than that of things. It’s still important to fix minor glitches with your wife right away. And this might be harder since we always have to be the first to swallow our pride and seek forgiveness. Nonetheless, it’s one of the secrets of successful marriages, so they say. This way, we members of this testosterone-filled bunch can lead in humility and simultaneously show love—no, really.

  1. Give her quality

True—as what this article suggests: we should always treat our cars like the way we treat our wives or vice versa. Our car deserves only genuine manufacturer parts. And so do our wives.

  1. Keep her clean

Car wash © www.gizmag.com

Always keep your car nice, clean and cool. Besides, if my car were really like a full-blown wife, keeping her sleek and tidy would always remind her that she’s beautiful, she’s loved, she’s secure, and she’s always treated to a surprise spa day, a fancy night-out, a week-end getaway or a day to shop. Remember: happy wife, happy life.

  1. Drive her gently

Car odometer © www.sinnamonlawyers.com.au

You don’t have to be like Kimi on his Lotus at the 2013 Formula One Melbourne Circuit. Although, a pedal-to-the-metal can be good once in a while. Doing it often, however, could end up in a busted engine, blown up tires and the like. Read: waste of money. Now, I’m telling you, encounters with the wife could be very vicious, or could even get to a point of being too violent. But remember, handling her—still, with care (no matter what happens) could take you miles into the relationship.

  1. The grass is always greener on the other side

Even if you do get that “Perfect 10” car you've been dreaming about all these years, there will always be that new and much prettier car revving out from some street corner. This gets your attention for sure and you wish you could move heaven and earth and be the one driving and flaunting that sleek, low-riding, two-seater around town instead of that dork. I can’t blame you. Maybe your car came from modest budget, or because of its functional use, your wife’s personal choice, maybe for convenience, a hand me down item, a gift, or even a grand raffle prize you were lucky enough to win when you could only afford to buy a BMX. Whatever the reason for owning your current wheels, always remember that “the grass will always be greener on the other side”. And for those who can afford, for sure, you could buy two, three or ten of these. And no matter what you do, you can’t seem to be satisfied until one day you’ve realized that you’ve already bought the whole parking lot.

Valentine's day car © www.automotive.com

Needless to say, the same goes with our wives. Be content with what you have. Take care of her with all your heart. But mind you, it’s not—or rather, never going to be easy. Seriously, five years of marriage, and having known friends who have already quit the vow—honestly, to tell you truth, it can come to a point that there really are dreadful days that she would just scrape, shovel or even “bulldoze” you off from your manhood.

Yet, no matter what, there’s that divine phrase that I recently learned from the revered Bo Sanchez, and somewhat would like to take as my sole oath for married life:

“Love the package.”

Yes, according to this spiritual mentor, one should love the whole intricacy of it: the good and the bad. Embrace it. It’s the only way you can get through it.

Lastly, as Aaron Gold says: “Gloat!” Since if you get to follow these tips religiously, and if God allows it, have your car (or your wife) live past 150,000 miles, about 241,000 kilometers or so, you’d realize that there are a lot more reasons why you should. Wink.

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