Have you read your car’s handbook? well, who does anyway? But seriously, there are important things in there. Not just how to change a tire and where the windscreen wipers are, but information on your car that can help prevent big problems down the line. So we’ve found some of the most crucial pages for you and summarized what they say.
We all know that feeling when something goes wrong with our car. That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you wonder how much it’s going to cost to fix. But what if we told you that there are things you can do yourself to fix your car without Mr. Mechanics? below you will find a list of tips to help keep your vehicle in perfect condition.
1. Hot Water & A Plunge for Dents
If you have a small dent in your car and you want to avoid taking it in for repair, try this little trick. Boil a kettle of water and pour it over the dented area (being careful not to burn yourself). Reach behind and pop the dent out. Once it’s cool, use a plunger to suck out any water that’s left behind.
2. WD-40 For Your Door hinges
If your door is creaking when you open or close it, there’s a simple fix. Just spray some WD-40 onto the hinges and wipe away any excess with a rag. This will help to lubricate them and stop the creaking noise.
3. Baking Soda & Vinegar for A Clean Car Battery
If you’re having trouble starting your car, it might be a build-up of sulfur on your battery terminals. To clean them, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and use an old toothbrush to scrub the terminals. Then rinse with water and dry with a rag.
4. Toothpaste On Dirty Headlights
If your headlights are looking a bit dull, try this tip. Squeeze some toothpaste onto a rag and rub it into the headlight. Then use a separate clean rag to wipe away any excess. This will help to clean and polish the surface of the headlight.
5. Use A Hanger To fish Out Small Objects
If you’ve dropped something small like your keys down the side of your car seat, you can use a hanger to fish them out. Just straighten out the hanger and use the hook to snag the object. Then pull it out.
6. Coffee Filters For A Fog-Free Windshield
If your windshield is fogging up, try this tip. Get a coffee filter and dampen it with vinegar. Then wipe it over the inside of your windshield. The coffee filter will absorb the moisture and help to keep your windshield clear.
7. Tinfoil Behind Your Radiator
If your car is overheating, it might be because the radiator is blocked. To clean it, remove the radiator cap and pour in a mixture of water and vinegar. Then put a sheet of tin foil behind the radiator and replace the cap. The tinfoil will help to reflect the heat and keep your engine cool.
8. A Tennis Ball For A Scratch-Free Car Wash
If you want to avoid scratching your car when you wash it, try this tip. Cut a hole in a tennis ball and put it over your car wash sponge. Then use the sponge to wash your car as usual. The tennis ball will help to buffer the sponge and avoid any scratches.
9. A Penny In Your Tire To Fix A Slow Leak
If you have a slow leak in your tire, try this fix. Remove the tire valve cap and insert a penny into the valve. Then screw the cap back on. The penny will help to seal the valve and stop the air from escaping.
10. Lessen Frost By Parking Your Car Facing East
If you’re worried about frost on your windshield in the morning, try this tip. Park your car facing east so that the sun will hit it first and melt any ice or snow.
11. Use Nail Polish On Small Scratches
You may repair a small scratch on your automobile with clear nail polish. Simply apply the nail polish to the damage and allow it to dry. This will assist to seal the scratch and prevent it from growing larger.
12. Use Over-The-Door Shoe Racks As Backseat Organizers
You may keep a number of items in your car organized by placing them on over-the-door shoe racks. You can use these racks to keep things like shoes, toy boxes, and shopping bags out of the way and organized.
13. Place A Plastic Bag Over Your Windshield Wipers
When you know that snow or ice will be on your windshield overnight, place a plastic bag over each of your windshield wipers. This will help to prevent the wipers from freezing to the windshield and tearing.
14. Use A Hairdryer To Thaw A Frozen Lock
If you’ve ever had trouble opening a frozen door lock, try this tip. Use a hairdryer to direct hot air onto the lock. This will help to thaw out the ice and allow you to open the door.
15. A Rubbery Door Stopper To Keep Your Car From Rolling
If you’re parking on a hill, make sure to use this tip. Place a rubber door stopper under the wheels that are on the downhill side of the car. This will help to keep your car from rolling and prevent it from getting damaged.
16. Window Chips? Clear Nail Polish Could Help!
If you have a small chip in your windshield, try this tip. Apply a layer of clear nail polish to the chip. This will help to seal the chip and prevent it from growing larger.
17. You Can Use Rubber Bands As Phone Holders
It’s inconvenient (and potentially dangerous) when you need to check your GPS but don’t have a co-pilot to hold it up for you, or don’t have one of those windows or air vent holders to keep your phone. A rubber band may be used in an easy method to create a similar impact. If you loop the band around several vents on your center console and around the top and bottom of your phone, the tension will keep it in place. If you don’t have a co-pilot, this works just as well to prop up your phone on the passenger seat.
18. Check Your Tire’s State with A Penny
This technique may possibly save your life one day. When do you need to change your tires? Insert an upside-down penny into the tread of your tire. You’re good to go if the president’s head slips halfway in Lincoln’s profile. If the tread does not cover the president’s head, however, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible.
19. Get Rid Of That New-Car Smell
If you don’t like that new car smell, try this tip to get rid of it. Place an odor-absorbing sachet under your seat or in other areas of the car. This will help to remove the new car smell and make your car more pleasant to drive.
20. Remove Pet Hair With A Rubber Glove
You know how difficult it is to keep pet hair out of your automobile if you have a shedding pet. This technique can help you get rid of pet hair from your seats. Wearing a rubber glove and going over the upholstery will attract the hair.
We hope you found these tips helpful! Do you have any car maintenance tips that you swear by? Share them with us in the comments below!