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.
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.
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.
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.
Remove Condensation from Car WindowsWhen your windshield steams up on you, a clean blackboard eraser kept in the glove compartment of your car or truck can be quite handy for wiping off the moisture. The eraser is less bulky than a cloth and doesn't shed lint on the glass.
Another Use for Tomato CagesInstead of using cones to help a teen learn driving maneuverability; we used the tall tomato cages, upside down of course...
Cooler in My VanI keep a large ($10 at Dollar General) cooler in the back of my van for cold grocery items such as milk and meats. It lets me continue my shopping and not worry about something spoiling.
Buying Blemished TiresWhen going to buy new tires for your vehicle, ask if they have any "Blem" tires. These are tires that have blemishes on the sidewalls, nothing wrong with them otherwise & they sell them cheaper than the others.
An Emergency TwentyFor emergency purposes, stash a $20. or more, somewhere in your car, so only you know where it is (maybe your spouse, too), in case you leave home with no money in your wallet, purse, or are pickpocketed.
Keep a Copy of Your License and Insurance HandyIn case of leaving the house in a hurry for one reason or another and you do not have your purse, clip a twenty to the inside of the sub visor and a xerox copy of your licenses and insurance in the glove box for those terrible panic stops by your local law enforcements, it helps to keep you free of a ticket, if the explanation is reasonable enough.
Travel Safely this SummerYesterday morning I heard news that a friend and beautician who cuts my hair had been killed in a car wreck. Normally I wouldn't post an article about something of this nature, but in spite of the tragedy and loss to her family, there is a valuable lesson for drivers which should be passed along.
Parking Beside the Cart HoldersI have parked beside the cart holders in the parking lot for years for several reasons. At first I did it because I had an infant carrier, and rather than carry it into the store and then get the cart, I put it on the cart and pushed the whole thing inside. Now I use it so that I cut my risk of a door ding in half, and I can put the kids in the van and put the cart away without leaving them!
Disposable Cameras For Fender BendersKeep a disposable camera in your car's glove box. In the event you are involved in a car accident, you can take photos of any cars involved as well as the scene of the accident to protect your interests.
Power Steering LeaksIf your power steering is leaking from the seals, try using a power steering conditioner. It worked for us.
Tips for Finding a Good MechanicThe best time to locate and check out a repair shop is when
you don't need one! Don't wait until you have a serious
problem and are in a panic ... that can make you a prime
candidate for making a costly mistake.
Use A Toothpick For Car Touch UpsPaint chips and minor scratches can be repainted using a toothpick for a brush. First, use a typewriter eraser to clean away the rust from the damaged spot.
Keeping Bags from Rolling Around in the TruckI use a small truck to shop at stores. In the past all the packages used to tip over and roll out of reach.
Saving Gas with One TripI live a distance from the town where I shop, have a part time job, work out, and do other errands. To save time and gas money, I accomplish everything with one trip. Sometimes this means I have to buy my groceries first to fit into my time allotment, so I always carry an ice chest or two in the back of my van or in the trunk of my car.
