Like violins, cars announce their need for a tune-up by squeaking shrilly and leaking oil every time you play Mahler. Keep your ride purring pleasantly with today's Groupon: for $39, you get a pre-winter vehicle inspection plus $100 toward tires and tire service at Initial Tuning (a $139.99 value).

Initial Tuning's able technicians tour vehicles' essential parts to approve wintertime safety and stability and install the shop's stock of brand-name tires. During the one-hour winter inspection, techs scrutinize the brakes for safe stopping power, then check the suspension, inspect the exhaust, and make sure the battery hasn't been replaced by a hamster wheel. After refilling windshield washer fluids, mechanics confirm the stability of snow-swiping wiper blades and monitor the car's heating and cooling systems for optimal passage before approving the condition of heaters and defrosters. Finally, techs fiddle with lights to determine optimal illumination, check the oil, and inspect tires.

Customers also receive $100 toward winter or all-season tires and installation, such as 14-inch Bridgestone Blizzaks ($359.99 for four wheels) and other brand-name tires. Initial Tuning can also perform additional tire services, such as wheel alignment ($84.99) to ensure no single tire stages a coup.

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