Yes, you may be familiar with your vehicle’s controls. You may not have read your car’s manual, but you know how to operate the wipers, air conditioning, radio, and hazard lights! Hopefully, you also know how to change the tires on your car. What you don’t seem to realize, however, is that all you need are these simple but life-changing car hacks, which we’re confident you won’t find in any car manual. We’ve covered everything from minor irritations to major annoyances, and you can rest assured that these pointers will make your life easier. Check to see if you’ve already completed any of the tasks on this list.
What’s The Importance of Cleaning your Car
Cleaning your car should be part of your priority as a car owner. But take note, cleaning your car doesn’t just mean cleaning the exterior. Many individuals allow their automobiles to become too unclean inside. If you lived in your house under the same conditions, people may know why cleaning the inside is necessary. The inside of a car cleaning prevents dangerous germs from building up on steering wheels, tapestry, and dashboards.
Is it Really Possible to do it in a Cheap Way?
There’s always a loophole to everything. You can always manipulate things and do it in a way you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. There’s always a cheaper way to do things. Cars are really expensive to fix, and there are times that we know, there’s another way rather than calling a mechanic or purchasing accessories.
Lastly, Before We Start…
Lifehacks are here to guide you, but not all of them can fix all your car problems. If it is not working, don’t push it and call an expert to do it for you.
Fixing A Dent With Hot Water & A Plunge
Does your car have a ding on the side? Don’t be concerned! We’ve got your back! Dents are fairly common, and contrary to popular belief, they are relatively simple to repair. All you have to do is boil some water in a teapot or saucepan, pour it over the dent, and pull the plunger. If the car’s body isn’t badly damaged, the dent should pop right out; it won’t look as good as it did before, but it will be less noticeable.
Dirty Headlights And Toothpaste
Don’t rush to the nearest auto store for a special solution if your headlights are foggy! You might already have a solution to your problem at home. Because toothpaste contains mild abrasives that clean enamel, it turns out that it works just as well on headlights as it does on teeth. With a little toothpaste and elbow grease, your headlights can be as clear as day again! (As a side note, this might not always work.) If the inside is yellowing, you may want to consider replacing it.)
Opening Your Keyring With A Staple Remover
You don’t have to break your fingers trying to get a new set of keys onto your clumsy metal keyring. Simply separate the end pieces with a staple remover and slide them in! It’s so straightforward that we’re sure you’re wondering why you’ve never thought of it before.
Put A Shower Caddy In The Trunk
If you’re the type to plan ahead, you probably have oil, a funnel, a rag, a flashlight, and other emergency car supplies in your trunk. Consider investing in a shower caddy to keep all of your important items organized and out of the way when you need them — and to keep everything else in the trunk clean.
Are you Tired of your Garage?
Your garage can be one of the reasons why your car has those scratches. Annoying, right? If we can make our garage larger to avoid bumps and scratches, we might have the perfect hack for you! Of course, not all of us can afford fancy garages like rich people have. After all, you won’t be here if that’s the case. Let’s take this simple life hack for you!
Use Pool Noodles To Prevent Car Dings
When you get out of your garage, do you frequently hit the door on the side of your garage? Cutting a pool noodle in half and taping it to the wall where the door swings open is a simple solution (the scuff marks should make it easy enough to tell). Bolts or simple command strips can be used to secure it, but your car and the wall will be safe!
Trash Hack
Aren’t you tired of all your trash lurking inside your car? Are trash bins too big for your car? We got you covered! Let’s not jump to the conclusion first, we will not let you buy small trash bins in the supermarket if you can just do this lifehack we have for you. See it for yourself!
Need A Trash Bin? Use Cereal Bins
We throw trash in our cars without thinking about it, but did you know that the smells from that trash can linger in your car for a long time if you’re not careful? With a trash can, you won’t have that problem. One of those small cereal-holding plastic containers will suffice. Simply line it with a plastic bag to make a small, easily sealed trash can that keeps your car odor-free.
Reduce Glare With A Tinted Plastic Sheet
We’ve all been there: you’ve forgotten your sunglasses, the sun is setting, and you’re driving west. Your visor won’t be able to protect you at this angle, but there is something that can! A simple tinted plastic sheet will stick to your car window with static and can be moved around as needed, ensuring that you never have to deal with the sun again!
Lessen Frost By Parking Your Car Facing East
This may appear to be a strange witchy trick, but it’s actually quite straightforward and logical. The sun’s rays will defrost your front windshield first if you park your car facing the sun in the morning. If you leave for work after the sun rises, you’ll never have to wait for the defroster to warm up again!
Extend Your Key’s Range By Holding Them To Your Head
We know it sounds crazy, but it really works! Place your keys under your chin and press the button again if your keys don’t have much range; the fluids in your head will change the signal’s range slightly. Try it out for yourself if you don’t believe us!
Long Ride With A Messy Kid? MagnaDoodle Got You Covered
There are two obvious issues when taking a long car ride with a young child: they are messy and easily bored. Thankfully, having a MagnaDoodle in your toy collection can help with both of these problems. They’re one of the most entertaining toys, for starters, because kids can draw and redraw without running out of (or dropping) materials. You may not realize it, but they can also be used as a tray table for kids to eat meals from without crumbs and spills all over the place.
Clean Your Wheels With Coke
You’ve probably heard the phrase “use Coke to clean this” a million times, but a mixture of cola and dish detergent will clean your rims and leave them gleaming. Some people worry that baking soda will just make things stickier, but the detergent you use prevents this.
You Can Use Pantyhose As A Fan Belt
First and foremost, if you have any other options when your fan belt breaks (such as calling for a tow), you should take advantage of them. Saving money isn’t worth risking your engine catching fire. A pair of pantyhose can be used as a fan belt to get you to a gas station or an area with cell service where you can get help if you’re really stuck.
Use Nail Polish On Small Scratches
It’s usually not worth the money to have your car’s paint professionally repaired when it gets a small scratch or chip. Of course, the disadvantage is that your vehicle will be covered in unsightly scratches. We’re sure you had no idea you could do it yourself! It only takes a smidgeon of nail polish. If the paint on your car is close enough to match, a little nail polish will hide the scratches well enough that no one will notice them unless they are looking for them.
De-Ice Your Keyholes With Hand Sanitizers
If you’ve ever had frozen car door locks, you know how difficult it can be to unfreeze them. The answer is hand sanitizer, which you may not have guessed. Although pouring something into a broken lock may seem counterintuitive, the alcohol in the solution will melt the ice, allowing you to turn the lock. On your car, it’ll dissolve in the same way it does on your hands.
Keep Your Seats Buckled During Hot Weather
Trying to buckle your seatbelt in the summer is a dangerous game. Your hands will be irritated by any metal part of your car that has been exposed to sunlight and heat, but you can at least avoid the seatbelt issue by buckling it in after exiting the vehicle and leaving it there until the next time you enter. If the sun can’t reach it, it can’t get hot enough to burn!
Use Over-The-Door Shoe Racks As Backseat Organizers
If you have kids, this one is especially useful: All of the backseat essentials, such as sippy cups, toys, chargers, and snacks, can be stored on a simple over-the-door shoe rack. All of the pouches are easily accessible, and they’re much easier to spot than the pouches that come standard with some minivan seats.
Window Chips? Clear Nail Polish Could Help
Once more, the magic of nail polish is here to save the day! If a crack or chip appears in your windshield, it will almost certainly spread and crack further, making driving dangerous. If you can’t afford to replace your windshield right now, a few drops of clear nail polish, applied like a run in a pair of stockings, should keep the crack from spreading until you can.
You Can Use Rubber Bands As Phone Holders
It’s extremely inconvenient when you need to look at your GPS but don’t have a co-pilot to hold it up for you or one of those windows or air vent holders to hold your phone (and potentially dangerous). Using a rubber band to achieve the same result is actually quite simple. If you loop it through a couple of vents in your center console and around the top and bottom of your phone, the tension will keep it in place.
Easy Way To Cool Down A Hot Car
Have you ever had to stand outside in the summer to allow your suffocatingly hot car to cool down just enough for you to BREATHE once inside? To expedite the process, roll down the passenger side window and open and close the driver’s side door quickly for a few seconds. This creates a fanning effect, allowing fresh air to enter while removing all of your vehicle’s hot, stale air.
Dryer Sheets As Air Freshener
Air fresheners that last only a few days, such as clip-on or over-the-mirror air fresheners, are a waste of money. A box of dryer sheets lasts much longer, is less noticeable, and absorbs odors effectively. They’re available in scented or unscented versions, and they’ll keep your car smelling fresh for months.
The Nanotech Car Scratch Remover Cloth
This isn’t so much a hack as it is a fantastic product that can save the day when it comes to the appearance of your vehicle. Advanced nanotechnology is used in these Multipurpose Scratch Remover Clothes to remove car scratches and stains, restore vehicle color, and protect paint surfaces. Each cloth, according to the company, can be used 10 to 15 times. If you’re not sure about their effectiveness, they also come with a one-year limited warranty. So you can try them out and get in touch with the company if you don’t like them.
Use Scented Wax Cubes As Air Fresheners
Aside from dryer sheets, there’s another DIY air freshener hack for your nose’s pleasure. Simply place a few scented wax cubes in a mason jar with some holes drilled in the lead. Place the jar in your car, and as the vehicle warms up, the wax will melt, filling the car with a pleasant aroma.
Check Your Tire’s State With A Penny
This next piece of advice may just save your life. Invert a penny and insert it into the treads of your tires. If President Lincoln’s head sinks halfway into the hole, you’re in good shape. If the tread on your tires doesn’t cover the president’s head, you’ll need new tires.
Keep Your Cup Holder Clean By Doing This
Pick up some silicone cupcake wrappers and stash them in your car’s cupholders. They’ll organize all of your loose change, and they’re easy to remove and clean, so your cup holders stay spotless. You’d be surprised at how effective this simple trick is at keeping things clean.
Save Space Using Carabiner Hooks
If you need to free up some space in your backseat, get some carabiner hooks and attach them to your headrests. They can be used to store bags, groceries, umbrellas, and other items. This will help you free up a lot more space than you think.
Use Muffin Pans As A Cupholder
Make sure you have a muffin pan and a basket on hand if you’re picking up a large fast-food order. What is the rationale behind this? Because it creates a much larger and more durable soft drink holder. Make a mental note of this tip the next time you place a large order.
Make Grocery Shopping Easier With Laundry Baskets
When you go grocery shopping, put an empty laundry basket in the trunk. When you get home, you can fill the basket with bags, reduce the number of trips back and forth to the car, and make your grocery trips much more convenient!
Keep Some Kitty Litter In Your Trunk
Even if you don’t have a cat, you should keep kitty litter in your trunk. You’ll need extra traction to get out of a deep snowbank or a slick patch of road, which kitty litter can provide. Pour some around your tires and go for a drive. It is advised that you buy the non-clumping variety.
Another Kitty Litter Hack
Another fantastic kitty litter hack is to put it in a sock and keep it on your dashboard. This may appear absurd, but it will prevent your windshield from fogging up. Yes, this is a serious suggestion. If you don’t believe us, ask around in some forums, they would tell you the same thing.
Need To Keep Things In Place? Use Command Hooks
Suppose you need a place to keep your purse, bag, or mask from flying all over the place. The best thing for you to do is hang a command hook at floor level. As a result, everything you need is easily accessible, neat, and tidy. Keep this tip in mind at all times, and you’ll never run out of space in your car.
Gauge Your Garage Parking With A Tennis Ball
Do you have trouble parking in your garage? It’s a good thing we’re here to help. For some, determining how far forward you’ve pulled into your may be a challenge. All you have to do is hang a tennis ball from the ceiling of your garage with a string. When you’ve driven far enough in, it should rest on your windshield. You won’t have to guess any longer. The pinnacle of precision!
Download a Parking App to Find Your Car
Are you one of those people who can’t seem to recall where they parked their car? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one who feels this way. Finally, those forgetful days are over; there are now a plethora of helpful apps that can instantly assist you in locating your vehicle. There’s no need to waste time walking around the mall parking lot looking for your car. You can choose from a number of applications, all of which will assist you in keeping track of where you parked.
Warm Up Your Windshield Wipers
Another hack to get you ready for the upcoming winter months. You’ll never have to waste time trying to thaw out your windshield wipers in the morning. All you need is an old pair of socks and an evening to put them over each wiper. As a result, by the time morning arrives and you’re ready to start the day, your windshield wipers will be free of ice and stuck to your windshield.
Handy Towel Holder
If you ask us, we think this is one of the best tricks out there, especially for parents with small children. All you have to do is use a short bungee cord to secure a roll of paper towel to your car. This allows you to quickly grab the towels instead of searching the entire car for the roll. Isn’t it true that at least one of our passengers in the car always spills something or has a runny nose?
Vinegar To Defrost Your Windows
This hack will come in handy for people who live in areas where it gets extremely cold in the winter. It’s no laughing matter if you’ve had to defrost your car in the morning. Why not give this a shot? It works, believe us! Rather than pouring water on your windshield, combine it with vinegar. Then combine everything in a spray bottle and squirt it on your windows. The vinegar helps burn through the ice faster, and you can apply the mixture evenly with a spray bottle to avoid icy patches blocking your view.
Get More Gas From The Pump
Although it may appear to be a simple task, there is a better way to pump gas than simply going full throttle. If you just press the gas pump all the way down, bubbles will form in your tank, fooling the nozzle into thinking it’s full. In reality, there is still room for more gas; you just need to go slower. You will have to wait a little longer for the gas to come out if you only press the pump halfway, but more will actually go into your tank.
Blow Away Bumper Stickers
The majority of you reading this have at least one type of bumper sticker on your vehicle. It turns out that getting rid of them is a lot easier than you might think. For this trick, all you’ll need is a well-functioning hairdryer. Heat the sides of the sticker with the hairdryer, and the glue should start to lift within a few minutes, making it easier to peel. It’s time to put all those bumper stickers from 2006 to rest.
Slime Is Your Savior
Who’d have guessed a child’s toy could be used for one of the most ingenious car hacks? The truth is that slime and automobile interiors are a match made in heaven. If your children’s playroom is out of slime, you can easily purchase some at the supermarket. Use the slime to clean all of the hard-to-reach areas of your car, such as the air vents and the sides of your chair. Any dirt or dust that you’ve been unable to remove is easily picked up by the slime.
If Your Tires Blows, DON’T Brake
This isn’t so much a hack as it is a great piece of advice; if your tire blows out while driving at least 65 km/h on a straight road, do not stop. Even though it may be instinctive, try to resist the urge. Why do you ask? If you hit the brakes, you’ll fishtail and possibly lose control of your vehicle, which could result in a collision with anything. You should instead keep your foot on the gas pedal. Isn’t that strange? We understand, but this will assist you in regaining control of your vehicle and maintaining a straight line on the road. It should only take a few seconds.
Don’t Weigh Down Your Key
This is more of a warning than a hack. The ignition switch can be damaged by having too many keys or cute keychains. That is, your car will not start as easily as it should over time. Experts recommend having no more than three keys or keychains in your bunch. If you notice a tightness or your key locking while in the ignition, you should take it to a dealer as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will cost you a lot of money before you realize it.
Prevent Car Sickness
This next suggestion is fantastic! Simply keep some fresh bay leaves in your car to help prevent car sickness. Bay leaf is an excellent way to avoid car sickness, especially on long journeys. Simply place the leaf under your tongue, and you will feel much better almost immediately. This is suitable for both children and adults. It can also save you from having to pull over or buying medicine at the pharmacy, and it’s all-natural.
Lowering Your Insurance Costs
We’re always looking for ways to save money on our monthly bills, especially when it comes to our cars. All you have to do now is learn how to drive safely. It is extremely beneficial and also aids in the improvement of your driving abilities. Defensive driving can significantly reduce the cost of car insurance in many countries around the world. So, if you’re still on the fence about whether learning defensive driving is worth your time and money, think about the car insurance discounts.
What Side Is The Tank On?
People frequently pull up to fill up their gas tank and “forget” which side their tank is on. What they don’t realize is that the solution has been right in front of their faces the entire time. Take a quick look at the fuel gauge on your dashboard…do you see it now? You’ll see an arrow next to a picture of a gas pump. The side of the car with the filler cap is whichever way the arrow points. Isn’t it incredible?
Diagnose Your Own Car troubles
Gone are the days when you wished you could figure out what was wrong with your car without having to go to a mechanic. All you have to do now is purchase an auto-code reader. When you connect it to your car’s computer system via the OBD port, it will immediately assist you in reading your engine’s fault codes. You’ll learn what’s causing the check engine light to illuminate, where a bad oxygen sensor is located, how to read enhanced data, and even how to retrieve your car’s VIN in no time.
Always Keep An Emergency Kit
Every driver should, without a doubt, have an emergency kit in their vehicle. Jumper cables, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and sometimes even a compass should be included. A basic tool kit should be included in this kit as one of the most important items. Warm clothing, a shovel, and a spare cellphone charger are also recommended. You never know when something you’ve learned will come in handy!
Clean Your AC Vents
On a scorching hot summer day or a bitterly cold winter day, your car’s air conditioning is a godsend. On the other hand, the majority of people overlook the importance of cleaning their vehicle’s air vents. A foam brush, which you can usually find at your local hardware store, is one of the best ways to clean them (from the inside). After that, clean each panel gently. This will not only keep your air conditioning clean and fresh, but it will also keep everyone in your vehicle healthy.
Vaseline Tip
Vaseline has long been regarded as one of the most effective lifesavers. Not just for colds and flu, but for almost everything. Have you considered using it for the interior of your vehicle? If your car has a vinyl or leather interior, use a cloth or cotton wool to apply Vaseline all over it to prevent the leather from splitting. Vaseline can also be smeared on rubber door seals to keep them from freezing in the winter.
Avoid Crumbs
Parents with small children are well aware of how filthy their automobiles can become. It’s as if your car has become a garbage can. Or, even worse, they cram their entire belongings between the vehicle seats, making cleanup a nightmare. Place a sheet beneath the booster seat and let it catch everything to avoid a disaster! Your vehicle will be unaffected by future mishaps such as melted sweets, juice spills, or even dog drool.
Use A Newspaper To Clean Windows
Although we’ve already shown you how to clean windows, it’s always good to have other ways of cleaning. This method has been tried and true, and nothing cleans windows better than an old newspaper, believe it or not. Simply clean your windows with window cleaner, then scrape the newspaper with a sharp brush. This will give you spotless results almost instantly. Make sure the windows aren’t tinted, though!
Use Shoes to Secure Cups
Cupholders can be considered as one of the worst parts of cars. Why is it not enough? We have the perfect hack for you. You don’t need to buy any expensive cup holders on the market, you can just use your shoe! We don’t mean that you should literally put your drink in your shoe, of course! That will be gross! Just use it as your cupholder. No biggie!
put it between the seats and set your cup inside. It may not smell fantastic, but it’s definitely better than yet another spilled mug of coffee.
Is it all Effective?
Life Hacks are there to save you from a lot of things. Things may work for some but might not work for you. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you follow the steps correctly. All in all, it will be best to check in with other people before you do something harsh. This applies to all types of hacks. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Now, let’s talk about a little bit more interesting..
How About A Motorcycle?
Motorcycles, just like cars, need to be taken care of as well. It doesn’t need much, since it’s smaller, but you still need to consider it. Just like cars, motorcycles are there to take us to places in a very convenient and safe way. Thus, we need to take care of it as well.
Don’t worry, we will just show you quick, short, and easy hacks to make taking care of it a little bit easier.
Baby Wipes for All Purpose Cleaning
Baby wipes aren’t just for cleaning buttocks anymore, it can also be one of the best ways to clean your motorcycle. And, you can also use it for your car. Use it to wipe simple dirt and to keep your motorcycle clean. For deep cleaning, baby wipes won’t do the job, of course! It’s only for minor cleaning. And, it smells good too!
Sharpie Paint for Touchups
Scratches can’t be ignored. It can be from other people, or you. It can also be from animals like cats who love chilling on the top of your bike. Worry no more! Things can be fixed with a very simple solution. A lot of people used nail polish to fix minor scratches, but there’s another way to do it. Use Sharpie! Sharpie is not for highlighting notes anymore, it can also be used to repaint your motorcyle.
Remember, this is only for touchups, if the scratch is too much, call a painter instead.
Conditioner for Extra Shine
Do you want to keep your motorcycle shining all the time? Well, conditioners can be your best friend for this. Take note, hair conditioners. You can add it as a mixture for dishwashing soap. Just mixed it up with water, wash your motorcycle, and get ready to have that extra shine that you always wanted to have. It can also be used for cars! Exciting, right?
Crushed Can Side Stand Support
Parking your bike on soft ground or an unstable surface?
Take an aluminum can, crush it, and put your kickstand on top of it. This simple hack should keep your bike stable on any surface. It’s time to get creative with hacks!
Toothbrush to Wash the Narrow Parts
Washing your motorcycle can be a little painful, but we all know that it is a must! In terms of cleaning your bike, you can use this very simple hack to reach the narrow surfaces and clean your chain! Yes, no more chain cleaner for you. No more expensive gadgets, all you need is an old toothbrush. Use this to clean your chain as well as lubricate it. Finally, a tool that can help you fully clean your bike!
Motorcycles also Need Care and Support
Motorcycles are considered dangerous and most people didn’t even want to ride them or be involved with them. But we can’t outcast it and say that it doesn’t need care as much as we do with our cars.
Unlike cars, motorcycles doesn’t need a lot of taking care techniques. It’s very simple and straightforward. A few hacks and maintenance can save your bike’s life.
Maintain your Car and Motorcycle
We talked a lot about hacks, but we still need to maintain it without hacks. Our vehicles needs oil change, tune-ups, and even deep cleaning in order for them to run as smoothly as possible. Remember, we can do all the life hacks we can think of, but in the end, we still need to accept that maintaining our vehicles requires mechanics and experts.
Look for a Guide
Whether it’s a motorcycle or a car, we need a guide that can help us through everything. Sure, internet lifehacks seems very interesting. But without any guides from people who knew what they are doing, we may cause nothing but bad results. Find someone who knows his/her stuff and gather a little to more information from them.
Is it a Lot?
I know, it’s a lot to take. Especially the parts which focus on making our life better. Who knew we can do a lot to save our cars from trouble, right? Do the hacks little by little and learn how to perfect them. Do not go harshly with your vehicle and try to take everything all at once. Remember, it’s much expensive to fix things that we cause. We don’t want to be bankrupt, right?
The Important Thing is…
A lot of information has been said, but the important thing is we take good care of our vehicles. They take sure safely to our destinations, and taking good care of them is the least that we can do. Do a combination of lifehacks and proper maintenance. Like food diets, our body also needs checkups to make sure that everything is good with our body, it’s the same with our vehicles. Do proper maintenance as well to avoid paying a lot more money for car reconstruction.
Bottom Line
We can search thousands of hacks as we want, but it still goes to one thing, take good care of your vehicle. It may seem a lot right now, and you might think, why should you bother. But we can assure you, taking good care of your vehicle can lead to good things, whether it’s a motorcycle or car, take good care of it and it will take good care of you.