Washer Fluid Spray Bottle for Ice Free WindowsLiving in a very cold climate I found this to be a very useful tool for winter days. Purchase a gallon jug of the re-fill windshield washer fluid and fill a small spray bottle with the liquid.
Prevent Your Car Doors from FreezingSpraying the rubber gaskets on your car doors with PAM or similar cooking spray will keep the doors from freezing shut.Just spray and then rub in with paper towel.
Prevent Frost On Car Mirrors With Plastic BagsIf you do not have a garage for car during the stormy winter months, cover mirrors with a baggie. (The best are Hefty Ziplock Gallon Freezer bags). That way your mirror stays frost and snow free.
Ice Proof Car WindowsThere is an easy and cheap way to make sure you don't end up with iced over windows every morning on your car. Vinegar! Just fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way with vinegar and the rest with room temp water.
Passing Car Smog Check (California)Last year, one of our cars did not pass smog the first time around. We had to pay the regular smog fees, then a retest fee when the car passed the second time around. It would have passed if we knew the basic knowledge so this year, we made sure our car will passed before going.
You Don't Have to Buy a New Car If You Have a ToyotaI am a female, through and through, old fashioned, not old, old enough to know better, so I know very little about cars. I have a "new" transmission in my 2000 Chevy Malibu when it was the motor mount that was doing something--and didn't need replacing!! After that, I'm scared to DEATH of any mechanic. I finally said, Hey, I'm going to buy a better car.
Check Street Signs ThoroughlyHere is my lesson learned that resulted me in paying a $60 ticket that I wanted to share with you all. Be sure to check street signs carefully, especially street signs on both sides of the road even if you plan to park on just one side.
Find Parking Meters With Time LeftIf there are parking meters in your area and parking is not limited, try to pull into a parking space that still has some money left from the previous car.
DIY Windshield Defroster and Water RepellentYou don't need to buy expensive window treatment solutions to repel rain, nor do you have to spend your whole morning trying to scrape ice off your car windows before you go to work. All you need is a spray bottle, rubbing alcohol, and water. Save time and money!
Car CurtainsHere is a way to add shade in your car inexpensively and without tinting or obscuring the driver's view. It helps to give everyone including baby and pets extra shade, plus great for road trips. All it takes are simple curtain rods with small hooks and screws and semi-transparent kitchen window curtains. Some cars may already have hooks in the back, like our van. Stay cool and enjoy!
Motorcycle Sissy Bar AlternativeI love riding on my boyfriend's motorcycle but the passenger seat isn't too passenger friendly. Without installing a sissy bar, you will be sliding around the back which may cause the wheel well to rub or, worse, you can slide off. My boyfriend doesn't like the sissy bar look, and mounting/detaching one every time I ride with him can be a hassle. To purchase a detachable sissybar was far too expensive.
Free Road Maps and Other Travel InformationNo need to buy a road map from the gas station convenience store. Go to the website for the Department of Transportation for your State. Request a free state road map and it will be mailed to you. You will receive the map very quickly in the mail. I live in Michigan and this was my experience to receive the map.
Which Side of the Car Has the Gas Cap?If you switch cars, rent a car, or just cannot remember, this is a useful tip. The icon of a gas tank on your dashboard will have a triangle on the right or left. That shows you what side of the car you put the gas in. The picture shows my car takes gas on the left.
Get Gas Before the HolidaysTry to fill up your gas before the holidays. Gas prices usually increase by the holidays or holiday weekend, so don't delay and get your gas the last minute.
Take Pictures of Cars in Parking LotWhen I park my car, I always ensure that I am parked in the middle of the lane as possible. Unfortunately being nice and considerate of others, doesn't mean other people are also. I have had a couple of incidents of minor hit/run incidents where the cars parked beside me hit my car as they reversed.
Remember Where You ParkedUse your phone so you do not forget where you parked. Go to your maps setting menu, and scroll down. You will see a toggle option labeled "Show parked location". Turn that feature on. The maps app will show you a notification that it has dropped a pin for your car location.
Don't Store Anything on Your Car's Passenger SeatYour car will sense the weight on the seat. If you are in an accident, the passenger airbag will deploy. It is expensive to replace airbags. This can make the difference in your insurance company deciding whether or not to total your car or repair it.
Sleeping With Your Car KeysThe red panic button on our car keys is a useful safety protection when we are in our homes. I bring my car keys into my bedroom and leave them on my night stand. In an event of an emergency, I will know where my car keys are immediately.
Perfect Parking in your GarageNot good at predicting how far to drive into the garage to park? Fear no more. This easy tip will help you get the perfect parking every time.
Check your License Plates RegularlyIt is very important to be familiar with your license plate number, or at a glance, know your license plate. Sometime last year, we had our rear license plate stolen and replaced with a different license plate. We noticed because when we went to close the trunk, the license plate rattled because a screw was loose.
Bread Bag to Store Paper Towel RollUse a clean empty bread bag to store paper towels in your car. The towels stay clean and can't unroll.
Proper Disposal of Motor OilThere are many local auto shops and recycling centers that will accept your used motor oil and oil filters so they can be properly recycled - refined, reconditioned or reprocessed. It is completely free to you. Do not toss into the trash can or recycle can at your home.
Drive on Econ Mode to Save GasMost newer cars have an Econ mode to save gas. This is great for driving long distances on the highway. It is not ideal for going on hills, when your air conditioning is blasting or you have a full load of passengers in your car. I have noticed when I drive on Econ mode that my car gets better gas mileage.
Mark Tires To Verify Correct RotationBeing a woman (even a man) you can feel that you're being taken advantage of when it comes to maintaining your vehicle if you have no car experience.
Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioning (Freon)Summer's here and having cold blowing air conditioning is a must have! It isn't the greatest time to refill air conditioning at the auto shops or dealership now because they'll charge a leg and an arm for a 15 minute simple recharge of freon.
Use Caution When Connecting A Smartphone to a CarWhen a smartphone is connected to a car, you are basically sharing your personal information. It is best to not connect your smartphone to a car that is not yours, especially a rental. If you do, please make sure to erase all your information and clear the history.
Quickly Cool a Hot CarThis is the most annoying situation, parking your car under the heat of the sun. When you get inside, it feels as if you were inside the oven! It burns all over! I hope that this tip can contribute to lessening the heat inside of your car.
Snap a Photo of the Gas Pump Instead of a ReceiptFor as long as I have been driving, I would always get a receipt just in case there is a bill discrepancy. Instead, now I snap a photo as my proof and it'll be on my phone just in case, plus the time and location on the photo.
Check Your Car's Lights RegularlyIt is important to check all your headlights, blinkers, brake light and signals to see if they are working properly. I do this bi-weekly, just a few minutes out of your day.
How to Safely Sell Your Used CarThere are several ways you can sell or get rid of your used car.
Keep Your Car Clean with Little Money and EffortCleaning your car, especially any dirt and grime, and keeping it clean can be a very daunting task. Usually it involves a significant time, and often, money expense. Due to Ubering, which I discussed earlier, I have found a need to keep my car as clean as possible in as easy and inexpensive a way as possible.
Don't Use Metal Valve Caps on TiresI learned my lesson the hard way. Don't use the metal valve caps on your tires. It can end up costing you a lot of money! The tire shop told me that they see a lot of metal valve caps that corrode during the winter due to the salt on the roads.
Dog Food as Weight for Snow DrivingMany of us add weight to our vehicles during the winter months if there is snow. This gives us better traction when driving in the snow. A friend of mine was complaining about having to buy sand bags every winter, because she had no use for them after winter and no place to store them until next winter. I advised her to get large bags of dog food and use them for weight.
Benefits of Coasting When DrivingMost people hate to see people 'coast' through life and put a negative tag to such a thing. But when driving, I've found it to be an essential tool every driver needs to utilize.
Hand Sanitizer for Frozen Car DoorTake some of that hand-sanitizer that you bought that one time and put it on the key to unlock it (with the keyhole, not the button) or the outside of the door and the hand-sanitizer should get rid of that frost.
Coin Purse for Broken Keyless RemoteMy keychain/car remote broke. The small end that had a hole that allowed the metal ring to loop through it broke so I couldn't hook the key ring to the remote anymore.
Store Large Trash Bags in TrunkKeep a couple of big plastic trash bags in your car - trunk, tool box, or gear box - they will help keep the grease and grime off your clothes when you need to change a tire, attach or detach a trailer to the hitch, or add oil/radiator fluid under the hood.
Nibble to Stay Awake on Long TripsOn those long trips where time is of essence, fight sleep by nibbling on any type of food/snack. The act of chewing uses face muscles that affect your eyelids. As long as you are using the muscles it takes to chew on something your eyes will stay focused and your eyelids will not droop.
Check Your Car for RecallsAutomobile manufacturers offer free repairs called "recalls" for many problems which affect their cars. These repairs are generally available from the nearest dealer whether a car has had one or many owners.
Baby Oil for Foggy HeadlightsIf your headlights are already damaged as in you've used sandpaper and/or restorer and NOTHING is bringing them back from the fog, you can use baby oil on a paper towel and buff until clear after you wash them well.
Hide Extra Key in PurseIf you happen to accidently lock your keys in your car, just hide an extra key in your purse and use that one. Works every time!
Black Pepper For Radiator LeaksIf your radiator or heater core in your car/truck has a leak, pour some black pepper in there. It immediately stops it and lasts for a while too. Guaranteed!
Tips for Staying Alert and Awake While DrivingDriving your car for long periods of time, especially at night, can be tiring and even the most careful and attentive driver can become sleepy and less alert.
Ping Pong Ball for Pulling Into the GarageTake a ping ping ball and pierce a hole in it on each side. Thread a string through it and tie in your garage against the car windshield to the exact place where you need to pull in the garage for a perfect fit.
Remove Pine Sap from CarWe were "rained on" by a newly trimmed pine tree. Not much seemed to work and the sticky gunk got everywhere!
Ajax for Water SpotsMy brother parks his car on the street and every night the sprinklers go on. When he wakes up in the morning, he has water spots on the right side of his car. He tried washing his car but the spots would not come off.
Coca Cola For Car MaintenanceIf your car battery terminals are corroded, get that can of Coke and gently pour over the corroded terminals to get rid of the corrosion.
Look for Working Self Serve Car WashesWhen in doubt about whether a do it yourself car wash is working, look for the wet ones. Because it has been used recently, it is more than likely a working one.
Keep Sun Hat in CarI am often driving into the late afternoon sun, and since I am short, the sun visor is not much help. Now I keep a hat with a floppy brim in the car so I can just pull the brim down on my face where I need it.
Electronic Key ReplacementWho knew it would be so difficult to replace my car keys? Electronic keys are not as simple to replace as other car, home or other keys. If you don't already have a spare, you might want to get one before you need one.
Repairing Foggy Yellowed Vehicle HeadlightsMy car headlights were horribly yellowed after 12 years of ignoring them. I could barely even see when driving at night because that's how bad they were!
Keep a Blanket in your Car for EmergenciesI find that keeping a blanket in your car for emergencies is a wonderful idea. I used to keep a sleeping bag when I lived in areas that would have snow in the winter for warmth.
Disposing Junk CarsFirst, let me say that metal is money. Don't throw it away just because it looks bad. That said here are a couple of options.
Homemade Windshield Wiper CoversTake a pair of old socks and keep over your wipers. Then if it snows or rains the ice won't get stuck on them.
Reduce Your Chance Of Auto TheftHere are several ideas I've learned over the years. Many of these are everyday common sense things to keep in mind that we already know about but others are, "Why didn't I think of that?" to use as added protection ideas.
GPS Instead of a SpeedometerWe have an old car, and it needed a new speedometer. We were told by our friend who works on cars to just get a GPS and use it. GPS's tell your speed along with directions.
Preventing Love Bugs From Damaging PaintI use The Love Bug Solution. It's a new product that is sprayed on the car. It forms a cellophane-like barrier that traps the bugs before they can damage the paint.
Memory Foam Bath Mats for Leather Car SeatsI found our leather seats so cold during the winter, and when I wore shorts or a dress in the summer, I stuck to the seat. Ouch! You can buy seat covers, but they are quite a pain to put on and take off.
Use CarTalk To Find a Good MechanicI think www.cartalk.com is by far the best solution to finding a good mechanic and figuring out what is wrong with the vehicle. I have been able to find good mechanics for my kids when they've been 3,000 miles from home.
Finding a Good Auto MechanicI found an excellent mechanic on the NPR radio auto mechanics, The Tappett Brothers site. They do not recommend anyone but provide a list for your area of the top mechanics according to the feedback they receive from satisfied customers.
Saving Money On GasolineWe own two Dodge Grand Caravans, and while they are not the most expensive vehicle to fill, they are far from the cheapest. Here are a few of the things we do to try to keep our gas costs down.
Area Rug For Auto CarpetingOur original carpet was looking tacky, and the rubber mats would not stay put, so we bought a 4.5 by 7 foot area rug for $22. We cut it to fit over the original carpet.
List And Plan Errands To Save GasThe night before you do shopping, errands, appointments, make a list of all of them and times of appointments and addresses. Then add the addresses and look at a map of city and plan accordingly, for example "Dr.'s appointment 10 am".
Furniture Polish To Prevent Freezing Car DoorsTo keep car doors from freezing shut, just wipe the inside door weather stripping with furniture polish. I use Pledge. Works great.
Use Online Maps To Calculate MileageI use an online-mapping program like Mapquest or Google Maps to find out the mileage from my house to all the places I go on a regular basis. That helps me calculate how many miles I would drive to get somewhere.
Removing Manufacturer Emblems from VehiclesWhen you need to remove any type of emblem, badging, sticker, etc. from a vehicle, consider using a piece of dental floss (waxed is best) and shimmy it back and forth slowly to release the unwanted item without damaging the paint.
Preparing A Suitcase Winter KitI used an old suitcase and put in extra winter clothes that don't normally like to wear, my store bought emergency roadside kit, and rubber dish washing gloves.
Check the Price at the PumpDon't trust the price on the sign at your local gas station. Always double-check that the price matches that on the pump you're about to use.
Keep Emergency Clothes in Your CarI was stuck in the Chicago Storm of the Century in January/Feb and literally could not get out my home doors. I was luckier than some who were stuck in their cars overnight and could not go home.
Dryer Sheets To Remove Love Bugs From CarsLiving in Louisiana we have many, many interesting insects. One of which is called a love bug. There is nothing loving about a love bug! They are extremely irritating, swarming around like a black cloud twice a year.
Keeping Cool on Car TripsOne year when my kids were small, we had to move from South Carolina to California in mid-August, including taking along a dog and a cat. Unfortunately I had no A/C in my car at the time.
Be Involved In Your Car's MaintenanceOne, read the vehicle's manual, specifically the maintenance section. I made a spreadsheet for mine, which reinforced what the "normal" maintenance intervals were for what; in months and miles, as it's "whatever comes first."
Tennis Ball ParkingMy garage has a work bench set up in it and all the extra doo-dads that one keeps stored. I can park my car inside when needed but there is not much space in front before the bumper meets the wall.
Tips for Keeping Your Car CleanKeeping the inside of your car clean can be a chore, especially if you have kids. Dirt, crumbs, and toys can build up pretty quickly. Here are some tips to help keep your car clean:
Remembering Where You ParkI always park in the same general location no matter what store. To sneak in a little exercise, I park in very back of the parking lot to the right of the door I intend to go into.
GDTYL - Gotta Drive, Text Ya LaterTelling the kids to ignore the texts while they're driving doesn't cut it because the person texting just keeps it up until they get a response. Tell your kids to text "gdtyl" at the next traffic light and then wait until they can safely have their texting "conversation."
Keep Manuals And Car Paperwork In Glove BoxI keep a folder in my glove box. It's one of those that's made to hold checks, only it's a little bigger than the usual ones. Also, it's made from a nylon type of fabric, not cheap plastic, so it lasts a long time.
Review: eBay Motors for Auto PartsUse eBay motors for car parts vs. local parts stores or junkyards. My car needs a headlight. A local junkyard quoted me $45 for the part. I recently bid on, and won the same thing on eBay motors for $5 plus $12.40 shipping.
Keep Mice From RVTo keep mice away from your RV, spread Bounce laundry sheets around the inside of your RV. I've done it for years and it works great.
Fix-a-Flat for Flat Tires I knew how to change a tire but I am 73 years old and didn't have the strength. I went into the automotive section and saw this can of "FIX A FLAT". I bought a can, just in case I did have a flat again.
Laundry Basket For Car ClutterKeep a plastic laundry basket in the back of your car. They're handy receptacles for kids' backpacks, shoes, empty cans, etc., accumulated while running errands or commuting. Baskets also work great for quick trips to the grocery.
Don't Use Cruise Control In The RainI use my cruise control on an open road. It saves gas. I would like to caution you about using cruise control on wet roads. Don't use it on wet roads! Your tires may hydroplane, and the cruise will keep increasing the speed of the car.
Cleaning Love Bugs Off Your WindshieldHow to get love bugs off your windshield. Use the sheet you put in dryer, it works great!
"Don't Text Me" App For Your SmartphoneIt's easy to make plans with text messages, but doing so while driving is unsafe, and in fact, illegal in many places. Download the free "Don't Text Me" app from Itunes. It will send an autoreply that says you can't pick up messages.
Correct Tire Pressure for Better Gas MileageMy grandson told me the other day, "You know Momow, I raised my gas level in my tank the other day by simply putting air in my tires. It works!"
Keep Emergency Supplies in TrunkI keep a small suitcase in my car's trunk with a change of clothing, personal hygiene products, and some spare money for emergencies.
Cleaning Between Car SeatsClean the crumbs, dirt, and coins dropped between the two front seats of your auto by using the long brush you clean snow off of your auto with. This makes vacuuming the front of your auto much easier.
What to Ask For When Buying a Car From a DealerIf you're thinking about buying a new or used vehicle, ask for these few things and you will save hundreds of dollars.
Save Gas By Keeping Engine ServicedKeeping the engine serviced on time will save you gas. Don't forget the transmission service every 20,000 miles, the rear axle every 20,000 miles, and rotate the tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles for long life.
Crack Camper Windows For Smoother RideI learned this tip from friends who not only camped, but owned a campground. It works wonderfully! When traveling with a travel trailer, always crack open a front window on the left side of the camper, and a right window on the back side of the camper.
Start Heater Before Car is WarmThis is especially for people who live in pretty cold climates, but it's probably a very good idea anywhere. When it is cold and you get in your vehicle to drive, turn your heater up all the way as soon as you start the engine.
Trash Bag For the CarI have been able to keep my car cleaned up, by hanging a plastic grocery bag on the back of the front passenger seat with a velcro cord holder. I put the holder around the metal head rest post and attach the grocery bag.
Preventing Static Shock in My CarTo keep from getting a static shock from your car whenever you exit, put a dryer sheet in your pocket. It negates the electric shock. Just keep one in your favorite jacket pocket during the "dry air" months.
Conserving FuelWith the price of gas soaring, here are a few simple tips for conserving fuel.
Spare Key For Car DoorI needed a spare car key in case I locked mine in the car. However, the price of a programmed key was over $100. So instead, I took my key to the local hardware store and got a regular key made, put it inside a magnetic box, and hooked it under the car.
Sticky Tack for the RVIf you own an RV or travel a lot, you know it's a constant battle to keep things secure so they don't fall or tip over in the process. If you are not using it yet, try sticky tack, also known as poster putty.
Oil Dry for Ice TractionTo provide traction on ice in your driveway or for your car, use "Oil Dry." It is usually used to dry up spilled motor oil, but has other uses. It will not break down or mush up like Kitty Litter. It will absorb water, oil, or other liquids. Sprinkle it on ice and it will provide traction.
Store Sewing Kit in CarMost of us carry a first aid kit in our cars or trucks. The other day my daughter ripped her coat while we were out shopping. I decided to put sewing materials in my car, but what to put in it and where to keep it?
Empty Gas Hose When you fill up your car with petrol or gas, hold the hose high above your head when you are nearly finished so the remaining petrol in the hose goes into to your car and not the ground or the next person's tank.
Use Free Auto Services At Auto Parts StoresUse free auto services out there, like Advanced Auto, or Auto Zone. Recently my battery went out. I went to Advanced, bought a replacement and they put it in for free. The other day, my 'check engine' light came on.
Keep Spare Gas for EmergenciesI had leftover gas in my containers for the lawn mowers and not enough gas in my truck. Instead of throwing this gas away, knowing it was still good, I used it in my truck to get to the closest gas station. It worked like a charm.
Store Extra Paper Towels in Glove BoxSince I am in and out of the car often and have a messy toddler, I have made it a habit to grab some paper towels out of the window wash station at the gas station and store them in my glove box while my gas is pumping. I have thanked myself later when I needed to use them!
