Media post: Stuck in a DIY Rut? Here are 6 Car Hacks to Save You
Let’s be honest, car maintenance can feel like a never-ending battle. Major repairs are one (expensive) thing, but minor day-to-day fixes can mount up and leave you scratching your head.
But what if there’s a better way?
Sometimes all it needs is a little trick to get you back on the road. The six simple car hacks that follow are guaranteed to save you time, money, and maybe even a little bit of sanity.
So, grab your tools and let’s get started!
1. Condition your wiper blades with rubbing alcohol
Worn-out wiper blades are easy to spot: they streak your windshield and reduce visibility.
Instead of replacing them immediately, however, you can give them some of their former glory back with a little rubbing alcohol. Soak a cloth or cotton ball in the alcohol and run it along the length of the blades to remove grime. You’ll see that they get some of their old flexibility back.
This trick will extend the life of your wipers, especially if you do it regularly and particularly during winter.
Combine this with regular windshield cleaning using vinegar and water and you’ll get crystal-clear views all year round.
2. Use a dedicated manual website (or ChatGPT)
Google search has improved a lot, to the point that you can often just type in your car model and the word “manual” into the search engine and up will pop the PDF for it.
However, sometimes that doesn’t work. This is where dedicated search websites come into play. These are huge databases that benefits from improved indexing to store tonnes of information online: there are similar versions in the entertainment world: think films and online casinos.
CarCareKiosk is one example, with over 60,000 videos showing you how to carry out DIY tasks ranging from replacing a battery to changing the windscreen washer. Just type in your car’s info – make, model, and how old it is – and the site will show you what needs to be done. The videos are super helpful, like having a mechanic right there with you, walking you through every step.
3. Use hair condition to get a post-wash shine
Who knew your hair care products could double as car care essentials?
A squirt of your everyday hair conditioner, mixed in a bucket of warm water, can give your car that extra shine. The conditioner contains lanolin, a natural oil that leaves a smooth, protective film on your car’s paint.
This DIY solution not only makes your car sparkle but also helps repel dust and dirt, so that future washes are easier. Just apply the solution with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, rinse thoroughly with water, and admire the results.
4. Protect from garage bumps with pool noodles
Scratched walls and dinged car doors can ruin your day, but pool noodles offer a clever solution.
Slice a pool noodle in half lengthwise and attach it to your garage walls where the car doors might hit. Adhesive strips or screws hold the foam securely in place, so that you get soft protection every time you open your doors.
You can also place another noodle along the garage floor or wall to shield your bumper from accidental scrapes.
Available in various colors, pool noodles are an affordable, DIY hack that prevents damage and keeps your car looking pristine. To really round off your garage space, you can also get baking soda treatments to tackle garage odors that won’t go away.
5. Use a small coin to check tire tread
A simple way to check tire tread depth is with a small coin, like a penny/cent.
Insert the coin into the tread grooves with the head facing down. If you can see the top of the head, your tires are worn and need replacing. To be double sure, tires should have at least 2/32″ of tread depth.
Regularly checking your tires helps ensure better traction, especially in wet or snowy conditions, and can prevent expensive repairs down the road (so to speak) by identifying issues early.
6. Fix a squeaky engine belt with baby powder
A squeaky engine belt can be annoying and signal a need for maintenance.
To temporarily silence the noise, apply baby powder directly onto the belt while the engine is off. The powder absorbs moisture and reduces friction, which stops the squeak.
This hack is not a permanent fix, though. It’ll only provide temporary relief until you can replace the belt or have it checked by a mechanic.
Yet, it’s an easy, quick solution for those pesky engine noises on the go.
