It is likely that you are already acquainted with how to utilize the controls of your vehicle, such as the wipers, air conditioning, radio, and warning lights. You may not have gone through the car owner’s manual, but you are aware of the procedure of changing the tires of your car. However, what you may not comprehend is that seven basic, yet life-altering auto hacks are all you need. These hacks will not be found in any car manual and can extremely modify your life. There is something for everyone, from the smallest annoyance to the bigger vexation, and you can be certain that these ideas will make your life simpler. You can ascertain if you’ve already done any of the tasks on this list by executing a search.
1. Fixing A Dent With Hot Water & A Plunge
Did your car receive a dent or a bump? Don’t be concerned. We got your back! Making a dent on a vehicle is a regular occurrence, and it’s not as tough to repair as people think. Get a teapot or a pan and heat water to the boiling point. Then pour the boiling water over the dent and use a plunger. If the car has not been severely damaged, the dent should easily come out; it may not look the same as before, but it will be less visible.
2. Avoid Crumbs
People who have toddlers know all too well how dirty a car can get. It’s like your automobile is a trash can. What’s even worse is that kids can drop lots of things in between the car seats, making it hard to clean. Put a sheet under the booster seat to catch any objects that fall through the cracks. Subsequently, any potential problems, such as melted treats, juice spills, or even dog slobber, will not be a problem for your vehicle.
3. Use A Newspaper To Clean Windows
Even though we just talked about one way to clean windows, it’s best to have a few more options. This technique has been put to the test and surprisingly, nothing is better for cleaning windows than an old newspaper. Apply window cleaner to the windows, then use a sharp brush to rub the newspaper.
4. Download a Parking App to Find Your Car
Struggling to remember where you left your car? You’re not the only one. Gone are the days of aimless wandering around the car park; there are various apps that can help you find your car quickly. You won’t have to spend ages looking for it; there are a plethora of applications that can help you track down your vehicle.
5. Warm Up Your Windshield Wipers
To avoid the hassle of removing frost from your windshield wipers each morning, here is a useful tip. All you need is an old pair of socks and a few minutes in the evening. Put one sock over each wiper and by the time you’re ready to go in the morning, the ice will have melted and your wipers will be ready to use.
6. Use Scented Wax Cubes As Air Fresheners
If you’d like to make your own air freshener, you can put some fragranced wax cubes in a Mason jar with a lot of tiny holes in it. Place the jar in your vehicle and the wax will melt as the temperature of the car rises, leaving a lovely scent in the air.
7. Check Your Tire’s State With A Penny
To ensure your safety, you can use a coin to check the depth of the treads in your tires. Flip the coin so that President Abraham Lincoln’s head is facing down and insert it into the tire’s tread. If the head sinks halfway in, your tires are in good condition. However, if none of the president’s heads are covered by the tread, you will need to replace the tires.
8. Make Grocery Shopping Easier With Laundry Baskets
The next time you go to the grocery store, make sure you have an empty laundry basket in your trunk. When you come back, you can put all of the groceries in the basket, which will help lessen the amount of trips you need to make between the store and your car, making your shopping experience much more straightforward!
9. Silicone Cupcake Liners
People who adore driving tend to appreciate the unique gratification of possessing a car more than anything else. Having a car is thought of as a privilege and some may have an emotional attachment to their vehicle, while others may simply use it to get from one place to another.
10. Lowering Your Insurance Costs
If you’re seeking to reduce your regular expenses and particularly car-related costs, you now have an option: hone your defensive driving skills. Doing so will not only sharpen your driving capabilities, but will also bring down the cost of car insurance in many countries. If you’re uncertain about whether investing your time and money in defensive driving is worth it, think about the potential insurance savings.
11. What Side Is The Tank On?
Many times individuals are not aware of which side of their car the fuel tank is situated. They might not know that the solution is right in front of them. Have a look at your car’s petrol gauge, can you spot it? A figure of a petrol pump will have a pointing arrow beside it, which indicates the location of the filler cap.
12. Long Ride With A Messy Kid? MagnaDoodle Got You Covered
When planning a lengthy car ride with a small kid, you need to worry about them making a mess and getting bored. Luckily, a MagnaDoodle can help with both of these problems. It is one of the most entertaining toys for children, since they can draw and erase without needing any extra materials. You can also use it as a tray table for them to eat without spilling or dropping crumbs. This can be a great solution to prevent messes.
13. Clean Your Wheels With Coke
People are often familiar with the saying “utilize Coca Cola to clean this”, but an amalgamation of soda and dish soap will get rid of all the dirt and dust from your wheels, leaving them shiny. Some folks are concerned that baking soda will just make matters worse, however the detergent can prevent this.
14. Clean Your AC Vents
During the sweltering summer and frigid winter days, the air conditioning in one’s vehicle can be a great blessing. Yet, most individuals take for granted the importance of cleaning their car’s air vents. A foam brush is a great tool for this task, which can usually be acquired from a local hardware store. Carefully brushing each individual panel will not only keep the air conditioning clean and fresh, but it will also help keep everyone in the car healthy.
15. Vaseline Tip
For a long time, Vaseline has been a dependable go-to in a variety of situations. It doesn’t just come in handy for colds or the flu, but can be used for a wide range of tasks. Have you thought of using it on your car’s interior? If your vehicle has a vinyl or leather interior, a cloth or cotton wool can be used to rub Vaseline all over it, helping to stop the leather from tearing. Vaseline can also be applied to rubber door seals during the winter months to prevent them from getting frozen.
16. You Can Use Pantyhose As A Fan Belt
If you have any other alternatives, such as asking for a tow, for dealing with a broken fan belt, it is advisable to take advantage of them. It is risky to try to save money by replacing the fan belt with a pair of pantyhose and it is not worth the risk of the engine catching fire. However, if you are truly stranded, the pantyhose can help you reach a gas station or a place with cell service.
17. Use Nail Polish On Small Scratches
Paying for a professional repair job on a minor scratch or chip in your car’s paint job may not be worth the money. Unfortunately, this means that you will have to live with the visible scratches on your car. Before you think you have no other option, you should know that you can use a bit of nail polish to disguise them. If you can find a nail polish colour that is similar to the paint on your car, you can use it to cover the scratches, and no one will even notice them unless they are searching for them.
18. Dryer Sheets As Air Freshener
Clip-on or over-the-mirror air fresheners are not worth the cost since they don’t last for more than a few days. On the other hand, a box of dryer sheets is much more economical, less visible, and does an excellent job of removing odors. Dryer sheets come in both scented and unscented varieties and can keep your car smelling pleasant for a long time.
19. The Nanotech Car Scratch Remover Cloth
These Multipurpose Scratch Remover Cloths make use of modern nanotechnology to erase car scratches and blemishes, bring back the original color of the car, and keep the paint looking new. It is said that each cloth can be used 10 to 15 times. The company is willing to guarantee the product for a one-year period, in case you’re not satisfied with their performance. This means you are free to give them a go and if it does not meet your expectations, you can get in touch with the firm.
20. Put A Shower Caddy In The Trunk
If you’re the person who likes to organize in advance, then you likely have oil, a funnel, a rag, a flashlight, and other emergency car supplies stored in the trunk of your car. Investing in a shower caddy can help to keep your important items orderly and out of sight when they’re required. In addition, it can help keep the trunk tidy.
21. Use Pool Noodles To Prevent Car Dings
Do you have a tendency to hit the side of your garage while exiting? If you would like a straightforward solution, you can take an old pool noodle and cut it in half. Adhere it to the wall with either bolts or command strips where the door swings outward (the scratch marks should be enough to indicate the spot). This way you can be certain that both your car and the wall are safe!
22. Use Muffin Pans As A Cupholder
If you’re taking out a big order from a fast-food restaurant, ensure that you have a muffin tin and a basket with you. The reason for this is that it will create a bigger and more long-lasting cup holder for your beverages. Remember this tip the next time you order a large amount of food.
23. Diagnose Your Own Car Troubles
It is no longer necessary to visit a mechanic to identify potential car problems – now, all you need to do is purchase an auto-code reader. This device can be connected to the car’s computer system utilizing the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) plug, and it will immediately decipher the engine’s trouble codes. This will tell you what is causing the check engine light to come on, where a faulty oxygen sensor is located, how to access improved data, and even the quickest way to get the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
24. Always Keep An Emergency Kit
It is without a doubt that all drivers should have a preparedness pack inside their cars. This should include a compass, jumper cables, a flashlight, additional batteries, and a medical aid kit. The most essential element to keep in the bag is a basic tool set. Additionally, wearing warm clothing, carrying a shovel, and having a reserve cell phone charger can be beneficial. You never know when a knowledge you have obtained could turn out to be advantageous.
25. Need A Trash Bin? Use Cereal Bins
We may have acted carelessly when throwing our rubbish into our cars, but we must be aware that the smells from it can linger for a long time and bring about malaise. A bin hire is the way to go if that’s a problem. All you need is a little plastic box similar to the one used for holding cereal. Putting a plastic bag inside the bin will help keep it tight and free from nasty smells.
26. Reduce Glare With A Tinted Plastic Sheet
We all have experienced the situation where we unintentionally leave our sunglasses behind, it’s dusk outside and we are driving in the direction of the setting sun. In this predicament, there is still something that can be done to protect ourselves from the sun. A simple solution would be to attach a tinted piece of plastic to the inside of the car window. That way, the sun rays won’t be an issue anymore.
27. Handy Towel Holder
We are confident that this is one of the best tactics out there, especially for parents with younger kids. Attach a paper towel roll to your vehicle using a bungee cord. This way, you don’t have to search the whole car for the roll, you can just take it fast. Isn’t it true that usually, one of the people in the car is either spilling something or has a runny nose?
28. Vinegar To Defrost Your Windows
In the event that you have to thaw your car on a cold morning, it’s not something to joke about. Why not give it a try? It works, trust us! Instead of spraying water on your windshield, blend vinegar with water. After that, put all the ingredients into a spray bottle and apply it over your windows. The vinegar helps to thaw the ice quicker, and you can use a spray bottle to evenly distribute the mixture to get rid of any icy spots blocking your view.
29. Don’t Weigh Down Your Key
While you’re driving at a speed of 65 km/h or more on a straight road, if your tire suddenly bursts, try not to panic and hit the brakes. Doing so will cause your vehicle to swerve and may lead to an accident. Instead, put your foot down on the gas pedal, as this will help you to regain control of your car and keep it moving forward. This should only take a few seconds.
30. Prevent Car Sickness
This isn’t a way to hack your car but instead a warning. Too many keys or keychains on your ring can damage the ignition switch and cause it to eventually not start as easily as it should. It is recommended that you only have three essential keys or keychains on your keyring. If at any point you feel the switch is too tight or your key gets stuck, take it to the dealer right away. Otherwise, it may cost you a lot of money in the future.
31. Use Over-The-Door Shoe Racks As Backseat Organizers
If you have little ones, an over-the-door shoe rack is an especially helpful item. It is able to store the items that you need to have within easy reach in the back of the vehicle. This includes such items as sippy cups, toys, charging units, and snacks. The pockets that come with the shoe rack are much easier to see than the pockets that come as standard with some minivans.
32. Window Chips? Clear Nail Polish Could Help
The fascination with nail polish is back! If there is a fracture or chip in your windshield, it is likely to get worse and become drastically more extensive, rendering driving hazardous. If you are not able to purchase a new windshield right now, a few drops of transparent nail lacquer applied like a ladder in a pair of pantyhose should stop the crack from spreading.
33. Keep Your Cup Holder Clean By Doing This
Utilize silicone cupcake wrappers in the cupholders of your car to keep all your coins together. These are easy to take out and clean, so there won’t be any mess in your holders. You’ll be stunned at how effective this straightforward strategy is for keeping things in order.
34. Save Space Using Carabiner Hooks
Equip your headrests with carabiner clips and you’ll have a lot more space in the back. You can then store your items such as bags, groceries, umbrellas, and other items. This will give you far more room than you may have anticipated.
35. Get More Gas From The Pump
If you want to fill up your gas tank, it is best not to press the gas pump all the way down, even though it may seem like an easy solution. If you do, then bubbles will form in your tank, fooling the nozzle into thinking you are done. The truth is, there is still space to add more fuel; you just need to be patient and press the pump at a slower pace. Although it will take more time, you will end up with more gasoline in your car.
36. Blow Away Bumper Stickers
If you are reading this, chances are you possess a vehicle that has at least one bumper sticker. It is simpler to take them off than you may have imagined. All you need is a good-quality hair dryer. By directing the heat from the dryer to the edges of the sticker, the adhesive will begin to come undone, enabling the sticker to be removed. Now is the time to say goodbye to those bumper stickers you had in 2006.
37. De-Ice Your Keyholes With Hand Sanitizers
If you have ever experienced a frozen car lock, you know how hard it can be to unfreeze it. Surprisingly, hand sanitizer is the answer. Even though it may sound counterintuitive to put something into a faulty lock, the alcohol present in the solution will thaw the ice, providing you with the ability to rotate the lock. It will dissolve on your car like it does on your hands.
38. Keep Your Seats Buckled During Hot Weather
Taking the risk of attempting to attach your seatbelt during the summertime can be hazardous. Any metal component of your vehicle that has been exposed to sunlight and heat may cause discomfort for your hands. Nevertheless, you can avert the seatbelt issue by attaching it after you get out and leaving it in place until the next time you get in. If it stays out of the sun, it won’t get hot enough to cause any burns!
39. Need To Keep Things In Place? Use Command Hooks
If you’re looking for somewhere to store your belongings such as a wallet, tote, or facemask, consider putting a command hook at the bottom of the floor. This way, all of your items are easily accessible and organized. Remember this idea, and your car will never be too cramped.
40. Gauge Your Garage Parking With A Tennis Ball
Are you having a hard time squeezing your car into your garage? We can help. It can be tricky to tell how far you’ve gone in. All you need to do is attach a line to the roof of your garage and hang a tennis ball from it. The ball will rest on your windshield when you have gone far enough.
41. Keep Some Kitty Litter In Your Trunk
If you don’t own a cat, you should still keep a bag of non-clumping kitty litter in your car trunk. You can use the litter to add traction if your car becomes stuck in a snowbank or on a slippery surface. All you have to do is sprinkle the litter around your tires and try to drive out.
42. Another Kitty Litter Hack
An interesting thought is to place cat litter in a sock and place it on your car’s dashboard. This might seem strange, but it will stop the windshield from becoming foggy. This is indeed a critical tip.
43. Dirty Headlights And Toothpaste
If your headlights appear to be fogged up, it might not be necessary to immediately head to the local auto shop. You could have a potential fix in your house already. It has been determined that toothpaste, containing mild abrasives that scrub enamel, can be employed to clean headlights in the same manner it is utilized to clean teeth. A bit of toothpaste and some effort may render your headlights gleaming and bright again! (Keep in mind, this may not always be successful. If the area inside is yellow, you should contemplate replacing it.)
44. Opening Your Keyring With A Staple Remover
You don’t need to worry about injuring your fingers while attempting to add new keys to your large metal keychain. All you need to do is use a staple remover to open the two ends and slide the keys in! It’s so easy that you may be wondering why you never thought of it in the past.
45. Lessen Frost By Parking Your Car Facing East
No matter how strange it looks, it is actually quite straightforward and logical. If you leave your car in the sun when the sun is rising, the front window will thaw out first. This means that if you head out to work when the sun is up, you won’t have to wait for the defroster to warm up.
46. Extend Your Key’s Range By Holding Them To Your Head
It may seem peculiar at first, but it works! If you put your keys beneath your chin and press the button again, your key range will be somewhat expanded; the liquids in your skull will slightly alter the range of the signal. If you still don’t believe us, just give it a shot!
47. You Can Use Rubber Bands As Phone Holders
In the absence of a co-pilot to hold a GPS device or a holder to attach a smartphone to a car window or air vent, it can be a challenge to check navigation instructions while driving. However, one can achieve the same result with a rubber band. All one needs to do is to loop the band through a few vents on the vehicle center console and around the smartphone’s top and bottom.
48. Easy Way To Cool Down A Hot Car
Have you ever been faced with the predicament of having to stand in sweltering temperatures to get some air into your blazingly hot car, so you can actually INHALE once you’re inside? Rolling down the passenger window and quickly opening and shutting the driver’s side door can help to accelerate the air exchange. This produces a fan effect, permitting cool air to come into the car while exhausting the stuffy, hot air.
49. Slime Is Your Savior
It may come as a surprise to many, but a child’s toy can be utilized for one of the most ingenious car hacks – a pairing between slime and the inside of an automobile that is positively a great match. If the playroom of your children is devoid of slime, you can easily get some at the grocery store. Use the slime to clean all of the hard-to-reach places in your car, like the air vents and around the sides of the seats. Any dirt or dust that you can’t seem to remove will be quickly taken in by the slime.
50. If Your Tires Blows, DON’T Brake
This isn’t a trick but rather a fantastic tip. On the off chance that you get a punctured tire while driving at least 65 km/h on a straight course, don’t stop. Despite the fact that it may be instinctual, strive to oppose the temptation. Why? If you brake, your vehicle could end up out of control and you may crash against anything. You should rather keep your foot on the gas. Bizarre, right? We get it, yet this will help you to regain control of your vehicle and stay on a straight line. It ought to just take a couple of moments.
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