Tips For A Healthy Car
Cars are always a big investment. They require insurance and a lot of money to keep them running.
If you’re a bit strapped for cash and your car is in desperate need of some maintenance, try these simple car hacks.
Toothpaste
It Still Runs
The worst thing is foggy headlights. They can be extremely hazardous to drive with. If you have non-glass headlights this trick can help you.
It would normally cost around $150 to fix this problem! But if you rub toothpaste over them and buffer it off they will be shiny as ever!
Nail Polish
ecosportdiyseries
This is definitely something you wouldn’t want to do on a prized supercar, but for your regular car you can fill in all the scratches with just a simple trip to the drugstore.
Just choose a nail polish that’s the same color as your car and voila! it’s as good as gone.
Dryer Sheets
Blossom
Air fresheners can be frighteningly expensive. got some coffee beans instead? no problem! Wrap the coffee in dryer sheets.
The sheets will be great at absorbing odors while the beans will create a pleasant aroma. Also try rubbing baking soda in the footwell and vacuuming it out.
Olive Oil
Buzz Ultra
The dashboard can get awfully cracked and discolored from all the sunlight always falling onto it.
Olive oil is a great way to help fix up the dash nicely. Just clean all the dust off beforehand. Then rub the oil into the dash with a cloth.
Toothpaste #2
The Carlton Zone
Here’s yet another toothpaste tip to clean off scuffs and scratches.
Only the biggest scuffs will stay but they’ll be significantly reduced. Small ones should become almost microscopic. In the long run, you’ll save hundreds if not thousands.
Mondays
Credit
Mechanics may be more qualified on some days compared to others.
For instance, Fridays aren’t good days to go to the mechanic because they just want to finish up and get on with their weekend. Mondays they’re fresh from the weekend and ready to start working.
Hand Sanitizer
Home Hacks
In some parts of the country, it’s a really good idea to have carry around a de-icer for frozen locks.
But it’s hard to always have one ready and often it’s always when you need one that you don’t have one. Well, hand sanitizer would work just as well, just squirt it on and it’ll melt in seconds.
A Flashlight
Hansel Auto Group
When an air filter gets dirty, it’s much less efficient and will actually cost you a lot more in fuel.
It can be hard to figure out if it’s costing you more money or not. But getting a mechanic to check will cost you extra money. When looking at the air filter, if it’s translucent like a lampshade, then it’s good. If not, then it needs to be replaced.
Hot Water
Credit
If there’s a dent in the car, don’t bother going to a mechanic for a costly fix.
Get a kettle and boil some water. Also, make sure you have a good toilet plunger. Just after pouring water over the spot, take the toilet tool, press it against the section (getting a good suction) and then pull. The dent should pop out.
Conditioner
Credit
If there’s no car polish on hand (or it’s essential to pinch those pennies), use some of that hair conditioner sitting in the shower.
It will work as a substitute. All you need is to mix ½ a cup of the product with 2 cups of water, and then use a microfiber cloth. Extra polish-points if it has lanolin in it.
Trunk Space
Credit
This hack is as free as you can get! Did you know that extra weight will make your car burn through gas faster?
Don’t use the trunk or back seat for storage space. Clear it all out and get a bit more mileage per liter. It will also put less stress on other car parts and therefore be a tiny bit cheaper in the long run.
Car Mats
Amazon
If someone gets stuck in the snow (you know the spinning wheels problem), take the floor mats out of the car, flip them over (rubber side up) and place them under the wheels.
It should give enough traction to get out. This way, there’s no expensive tow truck fee – and if the mats are ruined, it’s still going to be cheaper to replace them.
A Penny
Les Schwab
There’s an easy way to see if tires need to be replaced or if it can go a little longer (and save money).
Stick a penny (head-side-down if it’s an American one). If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tread is too worn and it needs to be changed out. Useful!
Clear Polish
angieslist
Don’t let a tiny windshield crack turn into a bigger one.
If you spot an imperfection, and can’t get to a repair shop in the next few days/weeks, a drop of clear nail polish will keep things from getting out of control. It’s not ideal, but still a very useful hack.