You don’t have to rely on a mechanic for all of your car maintenance needs. You can easily perform these effective solutions yourself with items you may already have at home.
Instead of spending a fortune on monthly visits to a mechanic, there are some old-school DIY solutions that can save you time and money while keeping your car in top shape. Discover these classic car maintenance tricks that your grandfather knew and you should too.
Make Your Wiper Blades Last Longer with These Easy Tips
Over time, wiper blades can lose their effectiveness in clearing windshields, leading to decreased visibility. Luckily, you can make them last longer using items found around the house.
Begin by cleaning the area under the wiper blades with window glass cleaner, followed by wiping down the blades with rubbing alcohol using a damp paper towel. This quick and easy trick will help improve their performance, giving you a clearer view on the road.
An Easy DIY Method to Check Your Tire Treads and Ensure Your Safety on the Road
It’s important to have adequate tire treads for a safe ride. You can check this easily at home by placing a penny with Lincoln’s head down into the tread. If you can see his head, it’s time to replace your tires.
Give Your Headlights New Life with This Simple Trick Using Toothpaste
As time passes, the surface of your car’s headlights may become foggy or yellowed due to oxidation. Instead of purchasing expensive products, you can use toothpaste as a gentle abrasive to clean them.
Start by washing the headlights with soap and water, and then apply toothpaste on a soft cloth to rub in a circular motion. Continue adding toothpaste and water as necessary. Finally, rinse thoroughly, dry with a soft cloth, and apply a headlight sealant to maintain the results.
Say Goodbye to Stubborn Bug Residues with this Simple WD-40 Trick
With its versatility, WD-40 is a staple in most garages. Besides its many household uses, it can also effectively remove dried-up bugs from the front of your car.
Simply spray it on the affected areas and leave it for about ten minutes. Then, use a sponge or soft cloth to wipe off the bugs with ease. Follow up with a regular car wash for best results.
DIY Windshield De-Icer: An Easy Solution for Freezing Winter Mornings
During the winter, it’s important to be prepared for icy windshields. You can quickly and easily create a solution to help with this problem. Simply mix one part water with two parts rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) in a spray bottle, shake it up, and spray it onto your iced-up windshield. The frost and ice will start to break apart and melt.
Using a Cup Plunger to Remove Small Car Dents
You can easily remove small to medium-sized dents from your car using a cup plunger, the type typically used for unclogging sinks. First, wet both the car and the plunger to ensure good suction. Next, position the plunger over the dent and apply pressure as you push and pull until the dent pops out.
An easy DIY method to check your car’s wheel alignment with just a few tools
If you don’t have access to a professional wheel alignment tool, you can still check your wheels’ alignment using some basic tools and materials. All you need is some string, jack stands, and a tape measure.
Begin by parking your vehicle on a level surface, ensuring that the tires are evenly inflated and the steering wheel is centered. Next, place jack stands a few inches away from the wheels, both at the front and back of the vehicle.
Tie a level string to the jack stands and measure the distance between the front and back of the rims and the string. Based on your observations, you can make adjustments to improve the alignment of your wheels.
How to Test Your Car’s Shocks and Struts with a Bounce Test?
Your vehicle’s shocks and struts play a crucial role in stabilizing it while driving, preventing excessive bouncing when turning, accelerating, or braking. To assess the condition of your shocks, you can perform a simple “bounce test.” Stand at the bumper seam and push down firmly. If the vehicle bounces back two or more times, it’s a sign that your shocks or struts may need replacing.
How to Check and Adjust Your Car’s Headlight Alignment
Similar to wheels, headlights can become misaligned over time. You can easily check if your headlights are properly aligned by parking your car 25 feet away from a flat, vertical surface, such as a garage door. If they are shining unevenly, refer to your owner’s manual or consult with a mechanic for instructions on realigning them.
