We’re sure you know how to drive your car, even though you haven’t read your car’s manual. And yes, you know how to operate your wipers, AC, radio, and signal lights. But do you know how to change tires? Not only that but do you know how to maintain your car? If not, be glad you’re reading this!
These simple hacks cannot be found in your car’s manual. But we’ve got you covered! Maintaining a car isn’t as complicated as you think, and performing these simple tricks regularly will significantly extend your car’s lifespan. Have you ever done anything on this list?
Hot Water & A Plunge For Dents
Are you fed up with dents on your car? This may be the solution to your issue. Dents are very common, and everyone gets them from time to time, but thankfully they’re a very simple repair. What you must do is as follows: bring water to a boil and pour it over the dent. Then, grab a plunger and pull it. Remember that if your vehicle is severely damaged, this will not work. However, for tiny ones, this will make the dents pop out! Your car won’t be as flawless as it once was, but the issue will be considerably less apparent.
Toothpaste On Dirty Headlights
Do you have hazy headlights? Dropping by the car shop may be inconvenient, particularly if you’re in a hurry. The solution lies in a common household product – it’s only toothpaste! It is effective on teeth because it contains mild abrasives that polish the enamel. If you don’t mind a little toothpaste and elbow grease, your headlight will be clean again. But if it’s yellowing, you should consider replacing it.
Opening Your Keyring With A Staple Remover
You don’t have to break your fingers trying to fit a fresh set of keys onto your bulky metal keychain. Use a staple remover to separate the end pieces and slip them in! It’s so simple that we’re sure you’re asking why you didn’t think of it sooner.
Put A Shower Caddy In The Trunk
Are you making plans ahead of time? We’re guessing you have some emergency car supplies in your trunks, such as oil, a funnel, a cloth, a flashlight, and other items. Purchase a shower caddy to securely store all of your important items so they don’t slide all over your trunk when you need them — and so nothing else in the trunk becomes muddy.
Use Pool Noodles To Prevent Car Dings
You’ve probably struck your garage door more times than you’d like to admit! A pool noodle split in half and attached to the wall where the door swings open is an easy fix (the scuff marks should make it easy enough to tell). You may fasten it with bolts or simple command strips, but either way, your vehicle and the wall will be protected!
Need A Trash Bin? Use Cereal Bins
We always throw away tiny bits of garbage without thinking twice. If you’re not cautious, the odor may stay inside your vehicle for a long time. So buy a garbage can and you’ll be able to prevent such issues. You don’t need to purchase anything new; just collect your cereal plastic containers. Take out a garbage bag to compress the waste and quickly compact the stink.
Reduce Glare With A Tinted Plastic Sheet
You forgot your sunglasses and the sun is coming down. The sunset rays are angling in an awkward direction where it hits directly to your face. What would you do? The visor won’t work, but something can! Get a tinted plastic sheet and attach it to your car window. You don’t need glue, static electricity will do the work. Of course, you might need to change it after some time but the sun won’t bother you anymore!
Lessen Frost By Parking Your Car Facing East
In the morning, park your car facing the sun. This may seem like magic, but this one is pretty easy to explain. The sun’s rays will partially defrost your front windshield. So when you leave work, you can lessen the time waiting for your heater to warm up your car!
Extend Your Key’s Range By Holding Them To Your Head
As ridiculous as this might sound, some keys have a limited range and they can only get a signal a few meters away. If you position your keys under your chin, your body fluids will somehow widen your signal’s range. Crazy, isn’t it? You don’t believe us? Try it out yourself!
You Can Use Pantyhose As A Fan Belt
First of all, if you’re in a convenient situation where you can contact a tow truck, do it. Breaking fan belts are absolutely one of the most annoying that can happen. But trying to save money by avoiding tow trucks if you can help your bottom line. If you’re in a remote area where you have no one to call and you’re stranded, here’s what you can do. Use your pantyhose as a fan belt so you can head to a gas station, or somewhere with cell coverage!
Use Nail Polish On Small Scratches
It’s not worth it to get a new car paint professionally done if only a small area of your car was scratched. But who wants to drive around with a chipped car? Just do it yourself! Nail polish will solve this aesthetic problem. You probably had no idea this was possible, but a tiny touch of nail polish will hide the scrapes on your car. No one will notice unless they examine it closely. Of course, make sure it’s the same shade of color!
De-Ice Your Keyholes With Hand Sanitizers
If you’re living in a cold city, you will understand how challenging it is to unfreeze the locks on your car door. Have you heard of this trick before? Hand sanitizers will make your mornings so much easier. Worrying about the alcohol damaging your lock should be the least of your worries. The alcohol in the solution is needed so that ice can melt right away. It will dissolve the ice on your car door the same way it does in your hands.
Keep Your Seats Buckled During Hot Weather
In the heat, trying to fasten your seatbelt is a risky game. Any metal part of your vehicle that has been exposed to sunshine and heat may hurt your hands, but you can prevent this by buckling your seatbelt when you leave and keeping it there until the next time you enter. It can’t become hot enough to burn if the sun can’t reach it!
Use Over-The-Door Shoe Racks As Backseat Organizers
This one is especially helpful if you have children: All backseat necessities, including sippy cups, toys, chargers, and snacks, may be kept in a simple over-the-door shoe rack. All of the pockets are readily accessible, and they are much larger than the bags that come standard with some minivan seats.
Window Chips? Clear Nail Polish Could Help
Magic nail polish strikes once again! If your windshield has a crack or chip, it will almost likely expand and crack further, making driving dangerous. If you can’t afford a new windshield right now, a few drops of clear nail polish in the affected area, similar to a run in a pair of stockings, should prevent the crack from spreading until you can.
You Can Use Rubber Bands As Phone Holders
When you need to check your GPS but don’t have a co-pilot to hold it up for you and don’t have one of those windows or air vent holders to hold your phone, it’s inconvenient (and potentially dangerous). A similar effect may be achieved using a rubber band in a very easy manner. The tension will hold it in place if you loop it through a few vents on your center console and around the top and bottom of your phone.
Easy Way To Cool Down A Hot Car
Have you ever had to wait outside in the summer to let your suffocatingly hot vehicle cool down enough simply to allow you to breathe when you got inside? Roll down the passenger side window and open and shut the driver’s side door quickly for a few seconds to speed up the procedure. This creates a fanning motion, enabling fresh air to enter while removing any heated, stagnant air from your car.
Dryer Sheets As Air Freshener
It is a waste of money to buy air fresheners that only last a few days, such as clip-on or over-the-mirror air fresheners. A package of dryer sheets lasts far longer, is less noticeable, and efficiently absorbs smells. You may get them scented or unscented, and they’ll keep your vehicle smelling good for months.
The Nanotech Car Scratch Remover Cloth
This isn’t so much a hack as it is a fantastic tool that may rescue the day when it comes to your car’s look. These Multipurpose Scratch Remover Clothes use cutting-edge nanotechnology to remove automobile stains and scratches, restore car color, and protect paint surfaces. According to the company, each cloth may be used 10 to 15 times. Furthermore, if you are not satisfied with their performance, they come with a one-year limited guarantee. As a result, you may test them out and contact the business if you are dissatisfied.
Use Scented Wax Cubes As Air Fresheners
Aside from dryer sheets, there’s another homemade air freshener solution for your nose’s pleasure. Place a few scented wax cubes in a hole-punched mason jar. When you place the jar in your vehicle, the wax melts and fills the interior with a wonderful scent.
Check Your Tire’s State With A Penny
The following advice may save your life. Insert an upside-down penny into the treads of your tires. You’re okay if President Lincoln’s head slips halfway in. You’ll need new tires if the tread doesn’t cover the president’s head.
Keep Your Cup Holder Clean By Doing This
Purchase some silicone cupcake wrappers and place them in the cupholders of your vehicle. They’ll keep all of your loose change organized, and they’re simple to remove and clean, so your cup holders will remain spotless. You’d be amazed how much this little technique contributes to keeping things tidy.
Save Space Using Carabiner Hooks
Get some carabiner hooks and connect them to your headrests if you need to make some room in the rear. Bags, groceries, umbrellas, and other items may be stored in them. This will allow you to clear up a lot more space than you may think.
Use Muffin Pans As A Cupholder
Bring a muffin pan and a basket if you’re picking up a large fast-food order. What’s the story here? Because it produces a larger and more durable soft drink holder. Make a mental note of this method for the next time you make a large order.
Make Grocery Shopping Easier With Laundry Baskets
Keep an empty laundry basket in the trunk of your car when you go grocery shopping. When you get home, you may load the basket with bags, reducing the number of trips back and forth to the vehicle and making your shopping trips much simpler!
Keep Some Kitty Litter In Your Trunk
Even if you don’t have a cat, kitty litter should be in your trunk. To get out of a thick snowbank or a slippery patch of road, you’ll need an additional grip, which cat litter may provide. Pour some around your tires and attempt to re-enter the road. It is recommended that you get the non-clumping variety.
Another Kitty Litter Hack
Another clever way to utilize cat litter is to put it into a sock and keep it on your dashboard. This may seem strange, but it will prevent your windshield from fogging up. And, yes, this is a serious proposal.
Need To Keep Things In Place? Use Command Hooks
Hang a command hook at floor level if you need a place to keep your wallet, purse, or mask from flying all over the place. As a consequence, everything you need is within easy reach, neat, and tidy. Keep this method in mind at all times, and you’ll never run out of room in your car.
Gauge Your Garage Parking With A Tennis Ball
Have trouble locating a parking spot in your garage? It’s a good thing we’re here to assist you. Determining how far forward you’ve pulled within yourself may be challenging for others. Attach a rope to the garage ceiling and hang a tennis ball from it. It should rest on your windshield after you’ve driven in far enough. You’ll never have to guess ever again.
Download a Parking App to Find Your Car
Are you one of those people that always forget where they parked their car? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Finally, those days are gone; there are now a variety of helpful applications that can aid you in quickly finding your car. You don’t have to spend time going up and down the mall parking lot searching for your vehicle. There are many apps to select from; in any case, they will all help you keep track of where you parked.
Warm Up Your Windshield Wipers
Another suggestion to help you prepare for the winter months. Never again will you have to spend time in the morning thawing out your windshield wipers. All you need is an old pair of socks to put over each wiper in the evening. So, by the time morning comes and you’re ready to leave, your windshield wipers won’t be blocked with ice or frozen to your windshield.
Handy Towel Holder
If you ask us, we think this is one of the most brilliant strategies available today, especially for parents with small children. All you have to do is tie a roll of paper towels to your car using a bungee cord. This enables you to grab the towels quickly without having to search the whole car for the roll. Isn’t it true that we always have at least one passenger who spills something or has a runny nose in our car?
Vinegar To Defrost Your Windows
People who reside in areas where it gets cold in the winter might benefit from this hack. It’s not funny if you have to defrost your vehicle first thing in the morning. What’s the harm in giving it a shot? Believe us when we say that it works! Instead of spraying water on your windshield, try spraying vinegar on it. Then mix all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and spray it on your windows. The vinegar helps to burn through the ice much quicker, and you may apply the mixture evenly with a spray bottle to remove any frozen areas that are obstructing your vision.
Get More Gas From The Pump
Although it may appear to be a straightforward task, there is a better way to pump gas than just operating at full force. Pressing the gas pump down can cause bubbles to develop in your tank, tricking the nozzle into believing you have filled it. In reality, there is still room for more gas; you just need to travel slower. You will have to wait a bit longer for the gas to come out if you press the pump halfway, but more will enter your tank.
Blow Away Bumper Stickers
The great majority of you who are reading this own at least one sort of bumper sticker. It turns out that deleting them is much easier than one may think. All you need for this approach is a nice working hairdryer. Heat the sides of the sticker for a few minutes with a hairdryer, and the adhesive should begin to loosen, making the sticker easier to remove. It’s time to say goodbye to those bumper stickers from 2006.
Slime Is Your Savior
Who would have thought that a child’s toy could be utilized to produce one of the finest car hacks? The fact is that slime and car interiors are a match made in heaven. If you can’t locate slime in your children’s playroom, you can easily get some at the grocery store. Use the slime to clean your car’s hard-to-reach spots, such as the air vents and the sides of your seat. The slime readily collects any debris or dust that you haven’t been able to remove.
If Your Tire Blows, DON’T Brake
The following advice is more of a suggestion than a hack. Don’t brake if your tire bursts when traveling at least 65km/h on an open road. Although this may feel instinctive, try your utmost to resist the impulse. Why you may ask? If you press the brakes, you will fishtail and perhaps lose control of your vehicle, potentially resulting in an accident into anything. Instead, keep your foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal. Doesn’t it sound strange? We understand, however, that this will help you recover control of your car and stay on the right side of the road. It should just take a few seconds.
Don’t Weigh Down Your Key
This one is more of a warning than a hack. The ignition switch may be broken if you have too many keys or attractive keychains. That is, with time, your car will not start as easily as it should. Experts advise keeping no more than three keys or keychains in your collection. If you sense a tightness or your key locking while in the ignition, however, you should take it to the dealer as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might end yourself spending a lot of money before you know it.
Prevent Car Sickness
Keep some fresh bay leaves in your car to help prevent car sickness. Bay leaf is a great way to avoid car sickness, especially on long trips. All you have to do is place the leaf under your tongue and you’ll feel better almost instantly. This works for both children and adults. It may also save you from having to pull over or go to the pharmacy, and it is totally natural.
Lowering Your Insurance Costs
We’re always looking for ways to reduce our monthly expenditures, especially when it comes to our ride. One easy way is by practising defensive driving. It is really beneficial and can also make you a better driver. Defensive driving may dramatically lower auto insurance prices in several countries across the world. If you’re still on the fence about whether learning defensive driving is worth your time and money, take a look at those auto insurance reductions.
What Side Is The Tank On?
When people pull over to fill up their gas tanks, they frequently forget which side their tank is on. What they don’t realize is that the solution has always been there in front of their faces. Take a look at your gas gauge on your dashboard… can you see it now? You’ll see an arrow next to a petrol pump picture. Whichever way the arrow points, that’s the side of the car with the filling cap. Isn’t it incredible?
Diagnose Your Car troubles
The days of wishing you could find out what’s wrong with your car without seeing a mechanic are long gone. All that remains is to acquire an auto-code reader. Plug it into your car’s computer system via the OBD port, and it will immediately aid you in reading the problem codes from your engine. In no time, you’ll be able to figure out what’s causing the check engine light to illuminate, detect a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, read improved data, and even acquire your vehicle’s VIN.
Always Keep An Emergency Kit
Without question, every motorist should keep an emergency kit in their vehicle. Jumper cables, a lamp, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and, on rare occasions, a compass should all be packed. One of the most crucial components in this bag should be a basic tool kit. Warm clothing, a shovel, and a backup cellphone charger are also advised. You never know when one of these may come in handy!
Clean Your AC Vents
On a chilly day as well as a blazing hot summer day, the air conditioning in your car is a lifesaver. Most people, however, neglect the need of cleaning their vehicle’s air vents. A foam brush, which you can usually find at your local hardware shop, is one of the finest ways to clean them (from the inside). Then, thoroughly clean each panel. This not only keeps your air conditioning fresh and clean, but it also makes everyone in the car much healthier.
Vaseline Tip
For ages, Vaseline has been one of the most efficient life-saving substances. Not only for colds and flu, but for pretty much anything. Have you considered using it for the interior of your car? If your vehicle has vinyl or leather inside, apply Vaseline on a cloth or cotton wool and rub it over the leather to protect it from cracking. In the winter, you may also apply vaseline to protect the rubber door seals from freezing.
Avoid Crumbs
Parents with little children are well aware of how dirty vehicles may become. It’s as if your car has devolved into a rubbish can. Worse, youngsters throw anything they can get their hands on in between the car seats, making cleaning a living nightmare. To avoid this disaster, just lay a sheet behind the booster seat so that if anything falls through, the sheet will catch it all! Your car is now secure against future catastrophes like melting candy, juice spills, and even dog drool.
Use A Newspaper To Clean Windows
We’ve already spoken about one approach for cleaning windows, but it’s always a good idea to have a few options. This approach has been tried and tested, and believe it or not, nothing cleans windows better than an old newspaper. Simply spray your windows with window cleaner before scrubbing them with newspaper. This will immediately produce sparkling clean results. This only works if the windows aren’t tinted!
Long Ride With A Messy Kid? MagnaDoodle Got You Covered
When you go for a long drive with your kid, you have two big problems: first, they will get bored. Second, that means they’ll get messy. Do you know what helps? Having a MagnaDoodle toy collection! It’s not just one of the most engrossing toys for kids, it’s also fun because you can always redraw without running out of inks or crayons. And when all that’s done, you can use it as a tray so your kids can eat without messing with crumbs and spilling all over the place.
Clean Your Wheels With Coke
We’ve heard it a million times, but it’s true! Mixing cola with dish detergent will easily remove the dirt and dust on your tires and brakes. It will leave your rims sparkling clean. Don’t worry about making your car sticky, because the detergent will prevent this from happening!
Use Nail Polish On Small Scratches
It’s not worth it to get a new car paint professionally done if only a small area of your car was scratched. But who wants to drive around with a chipped car? Just do it yourself! Nail polish will solve this aesthetic problem. You probably had no idea this was possible, but a tiny touch of nail polish will hide the scrapes on your car. No one will notice unless they examine closely. Of course, make sure it’s the same shade of color!
