Given the practical and technological investment that a modern automobile is today, it makes good sense to take care of it.

"Good car care is essential," Arielle Richardson, market director, Pacific Automotive Service Center (www.mysvecenter.com), said.

Located at 12001 Pacific Hwy SW, the center is new to Lakewood.

"Car owners must do the basics - change the oil, check tire pressure and inspect the fluids."

Not only does Pacific Automotive Service Center offer free oil changes in order to build its customer base, but it also features special offers covering maintenance and repairs.

"The better care shown a car, the longer it will last," Richardson concluded.

Meanwhile, Tveten's Auto Clinic - the oldest car care center in Lakewood - offers customers experience and value.

The clinic is located at 5425 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW.

"If an car owner follows the manufacturer's specifications on care, that vehicle will last a very long time," Scott Tveten, co-owner, said.

"It's simple.  You want to keep foreign debris out and reduce the wear on the components."

As an example, Tveten explained that having the transmission fluid or brake fluid changed on a regular basis is a way to reduce costs and increase the car's usefulness.

"Vehicles are made better than they have ever been before.  This applies to the technology as well," Tveten continued.

"The key is to keep impurities out of the system."

While Tveten and his trained staff work to educate their customers about practicing preventive car care, he has also introduced a Lifetime Repair Program.

The objective is to decrease the cost of car ownership by helping owners properly maintain their vehicle.  The goal is to provide a service that allows owners to keep their car for 200,000 miles and beyond.

Studies show that the average length of car ownership has increased to over nine years.

The plan protects the six key systems in automobiles (engine, transmission, brake, power steering, cooling and drive line) for as long as an individual owns the car and remains current with the manufacturer's service plan.

"This make financial sense," Tveten continued. 

"If you take stay on top of your car's maintenance program, it will continue to run reliably and safely for many years."

What's more, the program is transferable to another owner, and it is nationwide and is accepted in Canada.

In the three years that Tveten has had the program in effect, he has had no problems with meeting customers' expectations.

For more information on the Lifetime Repair Program, visit www.tvetensautoclinic.com.

"Look at it this way," Tveten said.  "You can budget for repairs or you can budget for service."

Tveten's is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.  For an appointment, call (253) 588-5201.  Pacific Automotive Service Center is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday, 8 am to 9 pm on Monday thru Thursday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Friday.  For an appointment, call (253) 582-2982.