Slightly Strange but Extremely Effective: Car Tricks Every Driver Should Know!

Headlocking Anyone?

Ok, this is a little magic trick, and an extremely useful one at that. If you are trying to unlock or lock the car and you are just slightly too far away from it for the key fob to work, then, wait for it… your own human head can help as a stand-in satellite. The body’s fluids can actually increase the wireless signal in the fob. Just put the key fob beneath your chin, open your mouth, press the button, and voila! You know you want to try it now…

Headlocking Anyone

A Kiddie Car Meal Tray

Combat Fog with Aircon

Ok we know this might sound counterproductive but this is an easy fix for defogging your car more quickly. If you are driving to work in the morning and the screen and windows are all fogged up, blurring your view, simply get your air conditioner on full blast and you will soon see the road again clearly with the windows clearing up. Trust us, this works a lot faster than just turning on the ‘defrost’ setting in your car.

Combat Fog With Aircon

Shield Your Windshield

Whether it is summer or winter, keeping your windshield covered up can really help in more extreme weather. A sunshade is great for keeping your car cool in the summer, making those first moments in the car on a hot summer’s day much more bearable – but a winter version is just as useful, if not more, depending on where you are. Use a blanket, a tarp, or even a plastic tablecloth would do the trick nicely, and place it on the outside of the windshield, and hold it in place with something heavy on the sides, or tie over the wing mirrors. Put something over the windshield wipers so as to keep them away from the glass – and your windshield is sorted.

Shield Your Windshield

Nail Polish to the Rescue

For at least half the population it is common knowledge that clear nail polish can help stop tears in pantyhose from getting bigger. But what everybody doesn’t know is that you can use clear nail polish as another prevention strategy, and for something which could also prevent some serious injuries. Tiny cracks can appear in your windshield, from a pebble on the road, something falling from a tree, or any other unexpected tiny occurrence. The problem is that if you leave these cracks unattended to, they could get bigger and worse still, the glass could crack completely. For a temporary solution that comfortably buys you time, apply a generous amount of the clear nail polish to the fractures as soon as possible which should prevent the windshield from cracking further. Obviously, this is not a long term solution and is not a solution at all for any major damage.

Nail Polish To The Rescue

Another Purpose for Hand Sanitizer

So obviously hand sanitizer is a really useful prop to have with you while you are out and about, and for those of us who were less familiar with it in general, recently we all had no choice but to get to know this product better than ever. But here it can come in handy for another time-wasting problem – de-icing your car lock! Other tips for de-icing the lock are applying WD-40, using a lighter to warm the key, or for more effort, breathing warm air onto the handle.

Another Purpose For Hand Sanitizer

Pool Noodles Car Protection

This may sound strange, especially if you are one to think of the garage as your sanctuary of tools and metal and nuts and bolts, then brightly colored pool noodles on the walls may sound a little off-putting or just plain weird. But if you love your car and your garage space doesn’t give you much wiggle-room, then save yourself the worry of scratching your car (or worse!) and simply place a couple of pool needles (either whole or cut into two) on the walls of the garage, making sure you can’t scrape or bump into the walls.

Pool Noodles Car Protection

Hot Seat Takeout Preserver

You know when you go pick up a takeout and rush home to eat it before it goes cold? Well if you have seat warmers, here is a little but oh so tasty, trick to keep you cool while your food stays hot. Simply put the take-out (works especially well with pizza boxes!) on the seat with the warmers working their magic, and take your time to drive home worry-free.

Hot Seat Takeout Preserver

Ask the Delivery Guys!

Some of you may remember what it was like to be driving somewhere and having to pull over multiple times on the side of the road to get the road map out to figure out how to get to your destination. Nowadays, of course, we have things like Google maps and Waze and all sorts of other apps to help us get where we are going and even whether to expect traffic and roadworks. But even with all that, just sometimes, you can be somewhere where it’s so out of the way even Google hasn’t got the info, or the internet is down, especially when abroad, then remember this; just keep your eyes open for local food delivery outlets or the pizza joint because the delivery people are the best people to ask for directions.

Ask The Delivery Guys

Plunge that Dent Out

So here is a little trick that is worth trying in order to save you both time and a fair bit of money. If you have a small dent in your car and you don’t want to drag down to the mechanic’s for a little cosmetic lift (such trips are rarely cheap), then try getting rid of the imperfection by using a plunger first. There are plenty of sizes of plungers available (as long as we are still talking small to medium-ish sized dents).

Plunge That Dent Out

Herby Fresh

The sight of air fresheners in the shape of fir trees, hanging in the rearview mirror, is a familiar sight to so many from so many places across the world. But here is another little DIY trick that could both look more attractive, help you save some cash, and help you avoid artificial smells. For this natural alternative all you need is either your favorite smelling herbal tea bag which you can hide behind the rearview mirror, or spill out its contents into a breathable cloth and tie with a little string or ribbon, or you could mix yourself you own concoction (break up some cinnamon sticks, add cloves and shave some nutmeg for example). You can even add some drops of your favorite oil to the cloth, and voila – natural herby freshness in your car.

Herby Fresh

Cola to Remove Rust

Most of us know that one of the reasons soda is so bad for our teeth (and not just our teeth!) is its high acidity levels, but it is for the very same reason that it is actually so good for something else. Cola is fantastic at removing rust, the high acidity levels help corrode the rust that builds up over time without regular maintenance. Remember though, it does the same to paint, so make sure you avoid that mix. So give it a go, and don’t forget to keep it away from the engine obviously!

Cola To Remove Rust

Cupcake Liners Saving Hassle

Here is a totally underused, maybe even underrated hack, which can save people a fair bit of hassle when it comes to keeping the car clean and even add a splash of color to your ride. Silicone cupcake liners are the perfect savers for keeping all your change in one place, as well as other little parking-lot tickets and the like, and generally save you time and energy for things like cleaning drink spills and all the gunk that accumulates in those crevices over time. Choose whatever color or design suits your fancy, and just slip them into the drink holders, and just pop them in the dishwasher every so often.

Cupcake Liners Saving Hassle

Ziploc your Side Mirrors in the Winter

Driving in the winter is not something most of us enjoy too much, and a large part of that is not even to do with driving! Just starting up the car, shoveling a path, getting the engine warm, defogging the car, and scraping off snow or ice from the windows and windshields, and all while your hands are getting colder and colder, can make the prospect seem like a mission. But there are things that can make it slightly easier; to save some time on de-icing the wing mirrors, tie a ziplock bag on each of them when you park your car for the night (in a pinch, you could try regular plastic bags, just make sure to tie as tightly as possible).

Ziploc Your Side Mirrors In The Winter

An Innovative Use for a Remote Control Caddy

If you have kids and you have a car then the scenario of finding books, toys, pens, juice cartons, and other STUFF all over the car, will most likely be quite familiar to you. You may have also never thought you would have a use for a remote control caddy, but trust us, it may be worth investing in one. Just hang it on the back of the seat and see the difference made by your new clutter-cutting organizer.

An Innovative Use For A Remote Control Caddy

Air Vent Assistance

Having clean air vents is really important both for the heating and cooling air systems to work better as well as help keep the air you breathe cleaner. To do this, just grab a regular art paintbrush (the smaller ones for painting pictures, not walls!), preferably a long bristled one, and you are ready to go. And you don’t need any artistic skills, so don’t worry, it is just a quick and easy way to keep those air vents clean.

Air Vent Assistance

Home Solution for Cleaning Car Seats

Most of us can probably go a while before we get around to cleaning our car seats, meaning that a good layer of dirt and gunk has accumulated there already. For a handy DIY trick that can save you some money on a trip to the car wash, we have a solution that involves materials many of us already have at home. Combine some dish soap with hot water and baking soda, or washing soda, and give the seats a scrub, making sure not to use too much water but just on the outer layer of fabric.

Home Solution For Cleaning Car Seats

A Trick for Tight Spaces

We got this tip from the Family Handyman, and it’s to do with the small crevices and gaps in your car, all the gunk that accumulates there, and an easy hack for getting rid of it. It can be so frustrating trying to clean those tight spots, but they gave us a tip we could all do regularly and pretty much effortlessly. Take a flathead screwdriver and place a piece of cloth on its head and secure in place with a rubber band, then just spray some cleaner on the cloth and use your new contraption to get into those annoying corners and crevices. You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar as cleaner too.

A Trick For Tight Spaces

Peace of Mind

The Kids Activities Blog gave us this idea. Instead of opening your trunk and having to rummage about every time you look for something in there, install a cargo shelf in your trunk which will allow you to organize your things, save tons of space, and save time and hassle in looking for things in a messy trunk. If you have little children, this trick is truly a game-changer. You can do the same with a small crate or plastic box, with some small sections inside.

Peace Of Mind

Hubcap “Scour Off”

Have you ever taken your car in for a proper clean, and noticed the difference a bit of shine on those hubcaps makes to the way your car looks? If you have then you will know what an improvement clean hubcaps can make, and if you haven’t then give this a try and you will totally see the difference. On the Ring Around the Rosies blog, they recommend using Scour Off to clean tire rims. Looks pretty good to us.

Hubcap Scour Off

Windshield Soda Scrub?

Ok, this may sound a bit weird and you have to make sure you are careful to avoid critical mistakes, but if you have any sticky stains on your windshield that refuse to budge try rubbing the stubborn spot with a rag with a little bit of cola on it. The acidity and the bubbles of the soda will work their wonders, then just wash off with water. Just make sure you don’t use too much, as you don’t want it to too be too sticky to clean, and we strongly recommend putting a rag or a towel at the base of the windshield so it doesn’t leak onto the hood of the car and ruin the paint.

Windshield Soda Scrub

Prevent Bugs with Dryer Sheets

Depending on where you live, you might be familiar with the pesky business of having bugs gather on the front of the car, something which can really make the car look its worst. We read a new tip on The Sugar Spice and Spilled Milk blog which they say should help you get rid of the bugs. They advise that dryer sheets can help with this. Just wet the regularly affected areas slightly, soak the dryer sheet in some warm water, and place them on the vents.

Prevent Bugs With Dryer Sheets

Trick Two for Dryer Sheets

Most traditional air fresheners often use strong artificial chemicals to achieve such a strong scent, one which can often be quite overwhelming in a confined space like a car, especially for those with more sensitive noses. Here is our second tip for naturally smelling air fresheners, and our second dryer sheet tip too. Just attach one or two dryer sheets to the air vents or place them beneath the seats for a lighter in-car sweet odor.

Trick Two For Dryer Sheets

Preventing Wipers from Freezing and Cracking

In freezing temperatures it is not uncommon for wipers to become stuck to the frozen windshield, which then can easily lead to them ripping or cracking when trying to release them into use again. One solution is to shell out $20 on wiper protectors, but if you are on a budget or just like easy, money saving, DIY tricks, just use a couple of long socks instead. This will do the trick just like these blade covers can, just $20 cheaper.

Preventing Wipers From Freezing And Cracking

Fixing Broken Wiper Blades

If you didn’t get the memo yet about the previous trick – protecting the wipers from freezing and sticking to the windshield – and you’re at the stage when the wiper blade has already cracked, then this tip can help. All you need is a bit of pantyhose! Cut a part of the pantyhose and wrap it around the broken wiper as tightly as possible, which will prevent the wiper from scratching the windshield.

Fixing Broken Wiper Blades

‘Low on Gas’ Planning Prevents Panicking

If you are driving and the gas tank suddenly shows that it is nearing ‘E’, don’t panic, you still have some time, but just make sure you follow the next steps carefully. First off, pull over as soon as possible and check the quickest and best route to the nearest gas station so as to avoid making any wrong turns which could cost valuable gas at this point. Also, turn off the air conditioning and heat, and the stereo, and try to drive at a slow and steady rate as much as you can.

Low On Gas Planning Prevents Panicking

When Does ‘E’ Really Mean Empty?

All drivers know that ‘E’ means ‘Empty’ and is not a good sign on a long drive. But not all drivers know that you actually have longer than you may think when this sign appears and the gas tank is truly empty. This doesn’t mean ignore it, just don’t panic immediately, and take the tips on the previous page. But having a chart such as this miles-to-empty estimation chart is also really useful in being prepared. Although it is not always accurate as there are so many factors to consider, it can be pretty helpful.

When Does E Really Mean Empty

Dog Hair Solution

If you have a dog, you will know what a pain it can be trying to clear your car of dog hair, and how quickly it accumulates – everywhere! This is a brilliant hack all furry pet owners should know. Just put on some rubber gloves, and lightly spray the interior of your car with some water, now just rub the surfaces with your gloved hands and the hair will stick to them.

Dog Hair Solution

When you Have to Drive Through Water

Obviously, most of us sane people avoid driving through water when we can, but occasionally you may be confronted by a huge puddle or a flooded part of the road that you have to drive through (maybe one not quite as big as in the image here!). If this happens, the goal is to prevent water from meeting the air intake, so hold the gas down gently and move forward slowly, trying to keep the vehicle itself off the ground as much as possible, and if you are driving a manual do not change gears in the process.

When You Have To Drive Through Water

Stubborn Sticker Solution

Do you also have old stickers on your car, such as the test sticker from 2003 and every year since then, or a bumper sticker you once thought was funny but now you’ve grown up, as it just seemed like too much of an effort to start trying to tediously peel them all off? Try this trick which could lead to an easy-peel solution. Just lay some damp newspaper flat on top of the sticker for about 15 minutes, which should soften the adhesive making it easy to peel or wipe off afterwards.

Stubborn Sticker Solution

Hassle-Free Cleaning

The floor mats in our car really go through a lot! Whether you have children or pets or not, the car’s floor mats get the worst of it, and deserve a good clean from time to time – a deep clean that will also really help in giving your car a little cosmetic lift. A vacuum cleaner, if you are lucky enough to have a portable one with a disconnecting head, is still not going to do much for all the grime and dirt that has been trampled into the mats over time. The easier and much more effective solution is to put them in the washing machine occasionally

Hassle Free Cleaning

A Kiddie Car Meal Tray

Kids tend to be messy eaters at the best of times, so in a car there really is no telling where sauce will end up or if you will find a chewed up carrot stick on the floor mat, and if you are thinking about going through a drive-thru you should be prepared for the upcoming mess. But kids gotta eat, especially on long drives, so save yourself the mess (or at least a large part of it) and get a couple of cheap organization buckets, and you have yourselves a kiddie car meal tray.

A Kiddie Car Meal Tray

DIY Dog Seat Cover

If you travel a lot with your dog in your car, then you know what it is like when they traipse their muddy paws onto the back seat, leaving dirt and dog hairs everywhere, making it pretty unpleasant for the next passengers and making you work every time you take your pooch on a little road trip. Save yourself the hassle and just stretch out a twin-sized bed sheet over the back seat and tuck it in well on all sides.

DIY Dog Seat Cover

First-Aid Car Kit

It probably goes without saying that safety should be the first priority when traveling. Of course, your driving safely comes first and foremost, but don’t overlook the other things either. This is a nifty tip that really comes in handy in the most unexpected times. Just put together a little first aid kit that can stay in the car with anything you might need on the go, such as allergy meds, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, and band-aids.

First Aid Car Kit

Camper Car

Obviously if you want to go camping properly then a camper van and/or proper camping equipment is best, but if you want to be on the road and just stop somewhere for one night without all the hassle of putting up a tent, just lay back the seats to make a kind of sleeping nook – though this does work best if you have an SUV, a van or a crossover, in which case you could comfortably do this for more than one night. We recommend using sleeping pads or sleeping bags, extra blankets and eye masks, to get a better night’s sleep.

Camper Car

Shine your Car with Conditioner

So, conditioner is there to use after shampoo to make your hair all soft and nice and shiny, right? Right. But you might be surprised to hear that it can also help in making your car look nice and shiny too. The conditioner is actually also great for making the paint smooth and silky, just dilute it with water and rub in, leave on for five minutes or so and then wash it off.

Shine Your Car With Conditioner

Tennis Guidelines

When parking in the garage, it can often be hard to estimate the distance correctly, especially if it is into a dark corner of the garage. Here is a simple hack that will help avoid any accidents. You just hang a tennis ball from the ceiling so that it will touch the windshield when you have gone far enough.

Tennis Guidelines

Backseat Trash Can

Having a trash can in the car is really something everyone should do, and if you make it a little prettier and noticeable it will be hard for anyone to just litter thoughtlessly. If you have kids you will know how tiresome it is constantly picking up after them, and the car is one of the main battlegrounds for this. Just hang one behind the front seat and get them in the habit of throwing their own trash away.

Backseat Trash Can

Polished Dashboards

You can give your dashboards a little spruce which is both cheap and easy, but can go a long way cosmetically, and the solution is only as far as your kitchen cabinet in the form of olive oil. Just grab some of this natural goodness and put a splash onto a rag, and go ahead and give that dashboard a good polish. It can really give your car a sense of renewal.

Polished Dashboards

Old Tire Check

To check if your tires need changing there is this good old simple penny test. First, turn the coin upside down so that Lincoln’s head is upside down and facing you. Then, insert the penny in between the tire treads until you touch the bottom of the groove with the top of the coin. If the tread is adequate then the top of Lincoln’s head will disappear, but if you can see the whole of Licoln’s head then the tire tread has been worn too low and it’s time to get new ones.

Old Tire Chec

Easy Solution for Combating Icy Windshields

Getting rid of the ice from your windshield can be an unnecessary struggle, especially once you realize how easy it can be with this one trick. Make your own deicer that will save you a lot of time and effort by combining 70 percent isopropyl alcohol with one part water and a few drops of dish soap. Just spray this on the ice to quickly loosen the ice and make it effortless to remove.

Easy Solution For Combating Icy Windshields

Handy Roadside Hero

Serious car accidents are, sadly, far too common, with around 40,000 people being killed on the roads last year in the United States alone. That is why this RoadSide Hero tool is not called that for nothing and can really be a lifesaver piece of equipment. The multi-function 9-in-1 tool can operate as a glass breaker, hammer, cutter for belt or rope, magnet mounter, compass, emergency flashlight, and solar panel power bank.

Handy Roadside Hero

The Importance of Tire Pressure Checks

Making sure your tires have the right air pressure is not only vital for your safety but also improves your car’s general performance, and enhances fuel efficiency. If you haven’t done this before, you can do this on your own easily. Next time you pull into a gas station, look down the nozzle of the ‘Air’ machine. You will see one end that is meant for inflating your tires, and the other is usually the pressure gauge.

The Importance Of Tire Pressure Checks

Another Way to Clean Air Vents

As we have already covered, air vents can get pretty dirty and dusty, making the air you breathe less clean as well as impairing the performance of the car’s air systems. We suggested a paint brush before but this works too. You can find foam brushes (almost always for less than a dollar, and cheaper than most paint brushes!) at most local craft stores, and just use it to remove all that out-of-reach gunk.

Another Way To Clean Air Vents

Shine your Leather

This is another easy fix for amping up the aesthetics of your car easily and cheaply. Just get some olive oil from your kitchen cabinet, and add just a few drops to a microfiber cloth (not too much!), and just polish the seats in a circular motion. Don’t do this more than once every two months or so, as otherwise it can get greasy and build up gunk and stickiness.

Shine Your Leather

Knowing Fluid Levels

It is important to know the fluid levels in your car. The best way is to take a look at the manual that came with the car (if you didn’t throw it out already!), or online, and find your oil, your coolant, your brake fluid and your power steering fluid, and then check the relevant locations and levels. These are basics that knowing them could really save you, as it could be a simple fix and nothing to worry about.

Knowing Fluid Levels

How To Escape A Sinking Car

This is truly one of the worst nightmares many of us can conjure up, sinking in a car. Although this is an extremely unlikely event, it is worth knowing these simple steps which could both keep you calm and ultimately save your life. Staying calm is the first and most important part. Before the car is fully submerged, you want to make sure you quickly roll down at least one window fully so that you can climb out or open a door. Also, make sure you can quickly access and release your seat belt and free yourself easily.

How To Escape A Sinking Car

Engine Temperature Check

The temperature of the engine is another crucial thing every driver and car owner should know about. This means knowing its current status and what temperature it is supposed to operate at. You should try and avoid assuming that should there be an emergency the fuel temperature warning light will immediately pop up and save you, as by the time it will show you will already have a major issue on your hands.

Engine Temperature Check

Keep A Maintenance Log

If you haven’t before, then it is not too late to start a maintenance log for your vehicle. This is a great way to see your car’s upkeep and condition, as well as all the work that has been done already, all in one easily accessible document. That way, you won’t have to ever worry about forgetting when you last changed your tires or had your fluids checked, or how much things cost.

Keep A Maintenance Log

Refreshing your Windscreen Wipers

Clean windshield wipers are critically important for avoiding streaks and scratches in your windscreen. Just clean the wipers with a microfiber cloth and a little rubbing alcohol, both cheap and simple and easy to do it yourself. This effective trick will also save your money in the long run.

Refreshing Your Windscreen Wipers

Glove Box Uses

Glove boxes are infinitely useful, and really should not be underrated. Many people just keep their car manual there and other documents, but it can hold an even more critical position in your car, making it your easy-access useful tool box. We recommend keeping some kits such as the Roadside Hero, your first aid kit, or the Ultimate Auto Emergency Kit, which are compact in order to fit into your glove box.

Glove Box Uses

Cleaning with Slime

This might sound absolutely crazy, and it seems counterintuitive that slimy slime (hence the name, obvs) can do anything for cleaning, and you probably made sure to keep it away from the car as much as possible. But it is actually due to the slime’s natural malleability it can get into all the little nooks and crannies of the vehicle while picking up all the crumbs, dust and lint along the way.

Cleaning With Slime

Eliminate Bad Odors with Baking Soda

Nobody likes getting into a stinky vehicle, but there is so much going on in a car, and much of that gets soaked into the materials, whether from food being eaten in the car, drink spills, or just general dirt from our shoes, stinky smells are emitted over time. An easy way to neutralize the unpleasant odors is to sprinkle baking powder (not ungenerously) on the upholstery, leave it there for a bit, and then vacuum it out.

Eliminate Bad Odors With Baking Soda

Coffee Filter Hack

Here is an interesting little nugget for you; the lint-free material of standard coffee filters is actually perfect for cleaning interior parts such as the center console, the dashboards, and the like. Coffee filters are widely available and extremely affordable, making this a handy little trick to use. You can also use them in the drink holders or other places int he interior of your car to keep it clean.

Coffee Filter Hack

Know how to Change your Filter

This is another basic but important tip that all drivers and car owners should know. You don’t need an expert to do this, and knowing this kind of thing is important for the upkeep of your vehicle because it is an important part of increasing your overall fuel quality. When your filter has to work too hard it draws in more gasoline which significantly reduces the average miles per gallon provision.

Know How To Change Your Filter

Cockpit from your Dash Mount

This is a nifty gadget for the dash mount of the car which displays the navigation information from your phone in your line of vision without obstructing your view, and allowing you not to have to lower your eyes from the road to look at the map. Huddy comes in the form of a holder for the phone with a transparent digital display glass, giving you the cockpit feel. It can display information such as the current speed, navigation, traffic conditions, and much more, depending on the app you are using on your phone.

Cockpit From Your Dash Mount

Fully Organized

If you want the real thing and the remote control caddy didn’t do the trick for you, and you want to take it a up a notch more, then this backseat multi-pocket organizer, with multiple organized storage compartments, a cooler (you can even keep your drinks or sandwiches cool!), and tablet holder, this is the whole package. It has everything you need to make any road trip or car ride a little smoother and definitely cleaner!

Fully Organized

Make a Note

There you have it; we have presented you with some of the best hacks, tricks and tips that we know of that can come in handy for every driver. The final tip we are going to leave you with is; start making a little note of all the things that come to mind, whether helpful accessories or important tools. Remember that it’s best to be prepared in any situation and to know your vehicle well.

Make A Note