How to get your car date-ready for Valentine's Day

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like stuffed teddy bears in the service station, over-priced chocolates in every shop, and florists charging $50 for a red rose. Love it or loathe it, February 14 is a make-or-break event for many, with the ability to destroy a budding romance, rekindle an old fling, or light a new flame. The possibilities are endless.

All we know is, there are some sure-fire things you can do to ruin a V-Day date pretty quickly. Pooping your pants is pretty high up on that list, so try to avoid that...

We’ve put together a guide for you to get the most out of Valentine’s Day and ensure your car is date-ready because it only comes around once a year.

Nothing will ruin date night faster than your date reaching under the seat for their handbag, only to find something that belongs to last year’s V-Day date…

Needless to say, the first step to getting ready, is to get your affairs – ahem, vehicle – in order. If you need help, we’ve got an endless supply of cleaning hacks and how-tos, so get a rubbish bag, get cleaning up all those takeaway cups and souvenirs from other dates, and get your ride looking spick and span.

Make sure you do a quick vehicle check, too. Are you up to date with servicing? Have you checked your tyre pressures, engine oil, and other fluids? The last thing you want is for your hot date to be stuck on the side of the road, waiting for a tow-truck.

You want your date to look back on the night with positivity, so choosing a memorable fragrance is key. Just don’t make it too overpowering and if you’re thinking of reaching for the Dior Sauvage, do us all a favour and chuck it straight in the bin instead.

Let’s try something less headache-inducing this year. Please. If you don’t own – or like wearing – perfume or cologne, opt for a nice air freshener to spice up the cabin.

Remember, scent is the most powerful memory trigger, so for good or for bad, when they smell this scent again, they’ll remember this night.   

You don’t have to go over the top here, and frankly, if you handed over a colourful bouquet of garden weeds most people will be thrilled you went to the effort of trawling through someone’s garden just to make them smile. After all, it’s the thought that counts. 

If the budget allows, red roses will also do the job.  

For extra points, get your date’s favourite type of treat (if you know what it is) and if they’re a lactose/sugar intolerant person with a severe pollen allergy, or you just hate those ideas, how about you write them a nice little poem or hand-written card? It’s better than nothing.

Make sure you cover your own basics, too. Get some breath mints, or some caffeine-infused gum, if the nerves kept you up last night. Whatever you do, you don’t want to have bad breath and you don’t wanna fall asleep mid-date.

Now is not the time for Nicki Minaj’s greatest hits or whatever playlist you have on while you hit weights at the gym. We suggest keeping it as calm and classy as possible, but really, music is at your discretion, as long as you get the volume right. 

You want it playing low enough in the background that it’ll drown out any awkward silences, but not so loud that you need to shout at each other. It's a car ride, not a rock concert.

There are common items (or ‘essentials’) many people keep in their car for a rainy day… like an umbrella. Or a first aid kit, flashlight, a blanket, spare phone charging cables, grocery bags, tissues, a few water bottles, the list goes on. You never know what could happen, especially on date night. Always be prepared.

Related: Five ways to show your car some love this Valentine's Day

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