New Year’s is a time for resolutions. The most popular resolution is to hit the gym and get fit, maybe take off a few pounds. Gyms and fitness centers will see an influx of new members. Unfortunately, within a month or so, the resolve that brought the new members in will dissolve and the ‘regulars’ will have unfettered access to the fitness equipment.

For those who fear their motivation may wane, Total-U-Fitness offers a solution. Owners Tony and Michelle Myatt are personal trainers who work closely with their clients. Their total approach to fitness includes addressing the mental and emotional aspects that get in the way of success for many.

While making a commitment to improve your physical condition is a worthy use of a resolution, if you’re in good shape already, or if you believe more than one resolution is allowed, you might want to make a similar resolution to keep your car in shape.

The Myatts will be the first to recommend someone you can trust as a personal trainer. They feel the same way about taking care of their vehicles. When they look for someone they trust they don’t even need to leave the confines of Ringwood; they look to Performance Unlimited.

“Your car will take care of you if you take care of your car,” said Denny Norton, owner of Performance Unlimited. “Preventative maintenance is low-cost insurance to avoid the kind of road-side breakdowns that only just start with a costly tow.”

Norton said that, more than just helping to avoid costly problems, maintenance also helps to maintain the value of the vehicle.

“I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” Norton said. “He could just as easily have been talking about cars.”

Norton said proper maintenance starts with timely oil changes. He described oil as the lifeblood of an engine. There are different types of oils and manufacturers have different recommendations about when to change the oil. Norton suggests car owners check their owner’s manual or call their trusted repair shop for answers.

Of course, maintenance goes beyond changing the oil. Brakes, suspensions, steering, electrical, the engine: all these and more are integral parts of a vehicle. Well maintained, they’re more likely to offer uninterrupted service. Without proper maintenance, it’s a roll of the dice every time an owner takes the car out for a ride.

Norton said he hopes people stick with their fitness resolutions. If they also make a resolution to maintain their vehicles in 2013, he said a quality auto repair shop can help.

For more information about Total-U-Fitness, call 800-559-UFIT (8348) or visit www.totalufit.com. For more information about Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.