The question “What does TLC mean for a car?” is among some of the first questions newbies ask in the automotive world. Car enthusiasts use this acronym often amongst of other enthusiasts, but it may provide some trouble for the average person to guess what it means when it pertains to cars.
This article will explain the full meaning of TLC as well as the actual meaning of the terminology. If you’re here to find out what TLC means for cars, please continue on to the next sections.
What Does TLC Mean for Cars?
TLC stands for “Tender Loving Care,” and “Tender Love and Care.” The two uses have the same meaning.
Tender Loving Care (TLC) with cars is about taking the time to perform complete maintenance on the car and repair any faulty parts to keep the vehicle in its best operating condition.
Driving can be so much fun until the vehicle suffers a significant breakdown. Some issues leading to a broken-down car come from neglecting regular maintenance.
So, what is an auto mechanic going to do? The mechanic can assess the vehicle and make his or her recommendations, which includes what a TLC would mean to that vehicle.
A TLC is going to involve complete maintenance, which means a full car wash, fix some faulty parts, and change fluids. The following is involved in a TLC with a vehicle.
Change the oil and filters
Tender Loving Care (“TLC”) begins with an oil and filter change. This is a recommendation shared by the manufacturers on the vehicle, as well as all auto mechanics. Changing oil and filters regularly will help ensure your vehicle functions properly.
Ideally, the oil and filter should be changed every 3 months or 3000 (whichever comes first). However, always refer to your vehicle manufacturer’s manual for the recommended interval to change oil and filters.
Rotate the car tires
TLC also involves rotating a car’s tires to gain even tread and balance on the four tires for better handling. Regular inspections of your car’s tires will help catch wear sooner rather than later.
Wait too long, and you may end up replacing a tire with a serious malfunction. Licensed auto mechanics recommend every other rotation of the tires to be every 6,000 – 8,000 miles.
Top off oil and coolant
Vehicles run smoothly when you check and add oil and coolant. This is because your vehicle’s engine performance relies on engine oil, while coolant helps to overcome overheating, freezing, corrosion, cracking, and many more.
Check Lights and Brake Pads
Lights on your vehicle are as important as any other TLC car part, especially at night. Make it a point to check your car’s headlights and taillights.
Also, you cannot overemphasize the importance of checking your brake pads. Be sure to look at the brake pads, especially if they make any type of noise when you apply the brakes. If you see cracks, damage, or uneven wear and tear, it make sense to check them.
Thoroughly wash the car
As the saying goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” The condition of your car reveals a lot about who you are. That is why it is important to take your car for a complete TLC car wash.
Always be sure to wash and to clean every area that collects dust, dirt, and contamination that can easily lead to corrosion or rust. Keep in mind that dirty cars belong to dirty people and neat people own neat cars.
FAQs.
Q: What does it mean when a car needs TLC?
When someone mentions TLC in reference to a car, they are telling you the car needs TLC, or tender loving care, and it needs; or requires some decent maintenance and repairs to faulty parts in order to work as intended.
Car enthusiasts occasionally use slang terms specific to their culture, one of which is TLC. Individuals new to cars, particularly if they are getting their first car may not understand the term TLC.
TLC is generally used when the conversation is around a used car that needs work. Some used cars simply need some quick tender loving care in order to be brought back to livable condition for the consumer.
Q: How much does car TLC cost?
A TLC for a car costs $550 to $625. If the car was driven less than 500 miles, it costs $550. If it was driven over 500 miles, it costs $625.
The TLC car costs include an inspection fee of approximately $75. If TLC is needed quickly and you are not sure whether the car has been driven less than or over 500 miles, find out to plan how much to set aside.
Q: What does TLC mean in mechanic terms?
In the automotive world, technicians use the abbreviation TLC frequently but it is also an acronym in other industries.
TLC stands for “tender loving care” when considering auto mechanics. When mechanics give TLC as their warning to a car owner they are simply saying that it is time to have your car maintained and repaired when necessary to repair the damaged parts.
Every car requires maintenance and service to maintain the vehicle in proper working condition. Therefore, if a mechanic tells you, your car requires TLC, he or she is simply saying, it is time to have some maintenance done and have repaired any failed parts so that the vehicle can work properly again.
Q: What does cosmetic TLC mean?
Cosmetic TLC means “quick fixer-upper.” In other words, cosmetic TLC refers to house maintenance of painting, carpeting, and refinishing of floors, as well as other minor maintenance that looks good.
TLC meaning in real estate relates closely to that of the automotive industry. In real estate, cosmetic TLC entails a quick fix on a structurally sound house or apartment to improve certain areas of the house to give it a facelift.
A home buyer may choose areas in their newly purchased home to work on, including painting the exterior and interior or replacing kitchen cabinets, toilets, etc.
Many real estate business people perform TLC before selling property to attract more value.
Q: Can you still get a TLC license in NYC?
Yes, you can obtain a Taxi and Limousine Commission, TLC, license within New York City. The state has mandated TLC licenses for all its drivers to remove any possible legal issues for driving in New York City.
Along with the TLC, the state will consider a current For-Hire Vehicle, FHV, license. A Medallion For-Hire Vehicle, FHV, license can also be considered in New York City.
If you are asking, “What is the TLC license?” The TLC license is a permit for taxi drivers to drive in New York City.
Getting the Taxi and Limousine Commission, TLC, license builds up. If you are going to drive a taxi in New York City, you must have the TLC license so you should consider it a requirement.
Q: How much do TLC drivers make in NYC?
TLC drivers in NYC earn a decent monthly or annual salary. The highest TLC earning monthly salary is $7,860, or $94,320 per year.
The 75th percentile of TLC drivers earned $4,753 monthly, which equals $57,036.
The average TLC driver earned a total of $3,727 monthly ($44,724 annually). The 25th yearly income for TLC drivers in NYC earned mentally earned $2,559 per month or $30,708.
Q: Do you need TLC for Uber?
While Uber drivers do not always need a TLC, New York City is one location where all taxi drivers must have a Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) license to operate legally.
Therefore, if you want to be an Uber driver in New York City, the first step is to obtain your Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) license.
To obtain it is a process, it involves completing and applying for the application online along with a 24-hour FHV – For-Hire Vehicle course with a test after the course.
The TLC application process is for persons 19 years old and older. Other prerequisites include a drug test, fingerprinting, defensive driving course, TLC medical examination, etc.
Final Words
If you were asking, “What does TLC mean for cars?” the terminology has been explained above.
But it is not enough to know TLC means tender loving care; you now have to be prepared to perform TLC maintenance on your car whenever it is needed.
TLC is quite simple for DIYers; however, if you are hesitant that you can do the TLC car repair perfectly by yourself, just call a local auto mechanic that can do it professionally while being budget friendly. Remember, all cars require maintenance to keep them working properly.