Quick Way to Remove Frost
Instead of scraping frost from your car’s windows and windshield, spray them with rubbing alcohol when you go out to start up your car. By the time you come back to drive, the frost will easily wipe away.
You Might Not Need New Wipers!
Messy wipers are a safety hazard, and they’re also pretty annoying. If your wipers are smearing the windows, wipe the blades with some rubbing alcohol.
Keep Car Doors from Freezing Shut
It’s hard enough having to dig out your driveway and scrape off your car after a snowstorm. Save yourself the trouble of worrying about car doors freezing closed by spraying WD-40 in the lining. One spray in the beginning of the winter should be all you need to repel ice.
Stuck in Snow?
If your car gets stuck in an icy patch and your wheels aren’t getting any traction, help free it by using your car’s floor mats. Take them out and place under the tires, then drive to a safe place, retrieve the mats, and be on your way.
Keep Ice Off Your Windshield and Mirrors
If you have to leave your car outside overnight in the winter, you can still keep your windshields ice- and frost-free. When the forecast calls for ice or snow, protect your car by placing two old bath towels across your windshield, then wrap your windshield wipers and side mirrors with plastic grocery bags. When it’s time to drive, simply remove and you’re ready to go, no scraping!
Keep Locks from Freezing
Here’s an old tip that still applies to those who don’t have keyless entry: To keep your car’s door locks safe from freezing with ice during the cold winter months, place a refrigerator magnet over the lock. You can even take an old magnet (last year’s calendar from a local realtor, perhaps) and cut it into a circle that fits perfectly.
Increase Your Keyless Entry Range
Want to know how to increase the range of your car’s keyless entry by 30 percent? Just press it against your head as you use it. It will conduct the (perfectly safe) radio signal through your body, giving its travel power a boost. Strange but true!
Pay Less for a New Battery
When your car’s keyless remote needs a new battery, don’t head to the dealership for a replacement—depending on the kind of car you have, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. Instead, pry open your remote and check the size and type of battery you need. Then head to a hardware or electronics store for a much-cheaper alternative.
Use a Potato for Mud Stains
Especially in wetter months, it’s hard to keep mud stains off your car’s carpet. To get rid of dried mud, first vacuum up as much dirt as you can, or remove by pressing packaging tape against it. Then, using the cut side of a raw potato, rub the stains. The enzymes in the potato will help dissolve the dirt. Allow the area to dry again, then blot with a wet rag to remove the marks.
Keep Leather Supple
If your car has leather interiors, keep them supply by rubbing a bit of baby oil or olive oil on them. Oil is also great for scuffs and scratches on your dashboard. You can eliminate marks on most car plastic by rubbing them with a dry rap dampened with baby or olive oil.
Superpower Your Vacuuming
An hour before you vacuum your car, sprinkle the carpet and upholstery with baking soda. Its deep-cleaning enzymes will absorb odors and moisture, and when you vacuum it up you’ll take it with you!
DIY Vacuum Attachment
Trying to clean super-small between seats and in cup holders? Make your own vacuum attachment that’s perfect for the job. Get a thick straw like the kind used for cold coffee drinks, milkshakes, and smoothies and insert one end into the smallest attachment you have. Tape it in place, and you’ll be able to suck up dirt and dust in the tiniest of spaces.
Get Rid of Car Smells
Instead of buying a commercial car air fresheners that you hang from a rear-view mirror, stash some dryer sheets under car seats and in the truck (you can even use ones that have already been through the dryer!). They’ll fill the enclosed space with a fresh scent that greets you every time you open the door.
Remove Parking Permit Stickers
If your windshield is covered with parking permits and inspection stickers from years gone by, you’ll love this tip. Pour nail polish remover over the decals until they’re soaked. Then scrape with a razor blade and they’ll come off cleanly in seconds.
How to Get Rid of Bumper Stickers
Get those old bumper stickers off and bring your car up-to-date. Rub cold cream on the stickers and wait 10 minutes. Then say goodbye to your former slogan and peel the bumper stickers right off. Or try this: Set your blow-dryer on high and run it back and forth over the sticker until the adhesive softens. Then apply a bit of vegetable oil. Carefully lift a corner with a credit card, and peel it off.
Easiest Way to Clean a Windshield
One thing that never leaves our cluttered trunk (except when we’re using it) is a spray bottle filled with club soda. Club soda does wonders for getting grime, bird droppings, and bug guts off your windshield. Just spray on, wait a few minutes, and turn on the wipers.
Keep Headlights Clear
Car wax may strike some as a vanity, but in winter it’s important for safety. Layers of salt and slush on the roads leave debris on your car’s headlights that compromise their effectiveness. Keep them in working order by cleaning and coating them with car wax. Repeat monthly as needed.
Keep Bug Guts Off Your Car
Don’t you hate the smashed up insects that always seem to cover your car grille in the summer? The only thing worse than looking at them is trying to scrape them off, unless you try this trick: Before screaming down the highway, use a light coating of vegetable oil or nonstick cooking spray on your grille, and the revolting bugs will wipe off easily.
These tips are even better on our podcast, which you can subscribe or listen to on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar