Tips on cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats and Rvs

	Tips on cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats and Rvs
	If your job is too far away to bike…. Try pedaling to the train or bus station and use your bike to run errands in your neighborhood. This can result in significant savings on gasoline (and the exercise will be good for you).
	If you live reasonably close to where you work…. Commuting on a bike will cut travel expenses significantly. AND, you’ll be healthier!
	Consider carpooling to church or a game Carpools are not just for commuting to work. Anytime you can find a group of people who all want to go to the same place at the same time, start a carpool. Destinations include school, sporting events, extracurricular activities, church or temple, choir, dance groups, and clubs.
	Short trips of 5 miles or less reduce mileage and…. Are harder on your engine, especially in cold weather. That doesn’t mean you should drive farther, but it does mean you should take the time to warm up your car.
	Some conditions that can affect your car’s fuel efficiency include…. Harsh wind, weather, terrain, a heavy load, stop-and-start traffic and rough road conditions.
	A faulty transmission linkage means that…. The information the car needs to work efficiently is not getting to the computer. This can significantly reduce fuel economy, especially at highway speeds.
	Tires affect fuel efficiency Big tires have more road contact, resulting in more friction and more gas burned. During cooler months, a tire that’s inflated correctly at 70° F will be under inflated by as much as 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) at 20° F. This also produces more friction with the road.
	Every time you switch on an electrical device (headlights, defogger, etc.) You use more gas. The greatest gas-sucking device of all is your car’s air conditioner. The more you use it, the worse your mileage.
	If your brakes are rubbing even slightly…. You can burn extra fuel without even noticing the excess heat or wear on your brakes.
	Keep your tires properly inflated Soft tires use up a great deal of extra energy. Set the pressure within the range recommended by the car’s maker; it’s listed on a label on the doorjamb, engine compartment, or glove-box door.
	Don’t buy premium gas If your car’s engine isn’t designed for high-test fuel, buying premium is a big waste. With the exception of a few high-end cars, most cars today are designed to run on regular gas. If a car requires high-test fuel, it will be noted under the gas gauge on the dashboard.
	Most cars today don’t need regular tune ups A general engine checkup done once a year by your mechanic should pick up any potential problems. If your car was made before 1980, you’ll probably still need to have it tuned up once or twice a year. For newer cars, it’s a good idea to have the manufacturer’s suggested major servicing at 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, etc.
	Avoid duplicate insurance protection Increasing life-insurance coverage is cheaper than buying it with car insurance. And, disability insurance may already be covered by your employer. Ask at your office.
	Car insurance premiums Premiums vary by as much as 50 percent for identical coverage for the same drivers. If you find a company with substantially lower rates, check with your state insurance department to see if it knows of any consumer complaints filed against the company.
	Put old windshield wipers to work Keep an old windshield wiper under your car seat and use it to wipe the dew from the car windows.
	Make your own windshield washer solvent that won’t freeze Combine one quart rubbing alcohol, one-cup water, and two tablespoons liquid detergent. This formula is guaranteed not to freeze down to thirty-five degrees below zero.
	No more windshield freeze-ups Place your rubber floor mats over the windshields and secure them with the windshield wipers. You will save yourself the chore of scraping.
	Start your car with a hair dryer Before you call a mechanic to start your car on cold mornings, blow hot air on the carburetor with a hair dryer. It works!
	Opening a frozen lock Heat the key with a cigarette lighter or match. Never force the key. Turn very gently.
	Prevent doors and trunks from freezing Wipe or spray the rubber gaskets with a heavy coating of vegetable oil. The oil will seal out water, but will not harm the gasket. This is especially good before having your car washed in the winter.
	Back into your garage On cold days and evenings, back your car into the garage. If needed, your car will be in a good position for using jumper cables.
	Remove rust spots from your vehicle Briskly scrub the rust spots on your bumpers with a piece of foil that has been crumpled or use fine steel wool. A soap filled steel wool pad also works.
	Plastic net bags clean car windows Use plastic net bags (the kind onions come in) to wash windshields when insects have accumulated. Simply tie a few bags into one bag and rub away.
	Wash your car with kerosene (NO JOKE!) Wash your car with a bucket of water and one cup kerosene followed by a good wiping with soft cloths. No matter how dirty, it will not need wetting down before starting, nor rinsing once you have finished. When it rains the car will actually bead off water. It helps prevent rust. Use NO wax with this method.
	Make an anchor for your boat Fill an empty bleach bottle with cement. Tie a long rope around the handle for an inexpensive boat anchor.
	Clean your boat with bleach For a quick and easy clean up of your boat, mix a solution of one-half bleach and one- half water. Put in a spray bottle and spray boat. After five minutes, spray with a hose. It’s a done job!!
	Fix car radiator with pepper You can repair your car radiator inexpensively by pouring a can of coarse black pepper into the radiator. It will plug and repair small holes.
	Teens who share a car with a family member have fewer accidents Teens with their own cars are more likely to get into accidents than teens who share a car with a family member. 25% of teens who had their own vehicles had been involved in accidents, compared with only 11% of those who shared a car.
	A slick windshield repels rain Put a handful of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe your windows for a slicker windshield that will repel the rain.
	Shampoo washes your car! Baby shampoo is mild enough to wash your car.
	To remove the flies stuck on the car To remove the mosquitoes and another insects stuck on the car, you only have to use nylon stocking rather than a sponge. Everything will disappear easily.
	Keep a fresh scent in your car Stash dryer sheets under your car seats and floor mats, your glove box and trunk for fresh scents as you travel.
	Scrub the bugs from your car Remove residue of bugs from your auto’s body and windshield. Simply wet your car down and use a dryer sheet to scrub away carnage with ease.
	Clean the interior of your vehicle Wipes work well for a quick cleaning of your car (the dashboard, center console, door handles, windows).
	Keep track of oil change On a piece of tape write the mileage down when the next oil change is due. Attach this to your upper windshield or another convenient place to remind you when it's time to change the oil.
	Remove rust from your car bumper Coca-cola and aluminum foil will clean rust off your car bumper.
	Baking soda does great job on cleaning car Clean headlights, chrome and enamel with baking soda.
	Best way to clean white sidewalls Steel wool pads with soap cleans white sidewalls the best. When white walls are clean use a little vinyl top wax to keep them clean longer.
	Keep an auto maintenance book Write down dates that repairs or maintenance was done along with where the work was done or by whom.
	Prevent streaking when washing your car Never wash your car in the sun to prevent streaking.
	Wash your car with a dust mop head A dust mop head, worn as a mitten is great for washing your car.
	Prevent rust by keeping the underside of your car clean Place a lawn sprinkler under your car and turn on full blast. Move it occasionally so it will reach all areas. This is a good way to remove all salt and road grime.
	Protect carpeting in car trunk Line your car trunk with a plastic rug protector to protect the carpeting. It will make clean up easier if dirty or greasy objects are placed in the trunk.
	Clean road salt from cars carpet Remove road salt from carpet with equal amounts of vinegar and water.
	Remove tar from rubber car mats Dab a generous dose of linseed oil on tar. Let it soak for about fifteen minutes and blot with a dampened cloth.
	Remove tar from car’s finish Laundry pre-wash liquid removes tar from your car's finish. Peanut butter has been known to remove tar from car finishes also.
	Clean windshield wipers A good scrubbing with baking soda and water will clean your windshield wipers.
	Protect car doors from dings Use carpet strips, foam rubber, or pieces of rubber tire around support studs or framing that car doors open against.
	Hubcap serves as makeshift shovel A hubcap can be used as a shovel if your auto gets stuck in the snow, mud, or sand.
	Luminous paint helps to park car straight Paint a bright color strip or use luminous tape on center of back wall to aim the car down the center of garage.
	Baking soda solution freshens RV water tanks Flush your RV water tank periodically with one cup of baking soda dissolved in one gallon of warm water to freshen and sweeten it. Drain and flush with clean water before refilling.
	Clean car with baking soda Make headlights, tail lights, mirrors, license plates, windshields and wiper blades sparkle. Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge sprinkled with dry baking soda. Rinse with water and dry with a soft towel. It removes road dirt, tar and grease and it won’t scratch any surface.
	Clean chrome bumpers and trim with baking soda A baking soda solution is great for removing salt deposits and grime from chrome bumpers and trim. For extra tough spots, use dry baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge. Rinse with water and polish with a soft cloth.
	Clean fabric car upholstery with baking soda Sprinkle dry baking soda on spots and stains while a spill is fresh, then brush it off after all the moisture is absorbed.
	Use baking soda to clean car mats Clean car mats with a baking soda solution, or use baking soda sprinkled on a soft-bristled brush if they’re badly soiled. Scrub, rinse and dry.
	Clean battery terminals with baking soda Use a baking soda paste to neutralize corrosion buildup from automobile battery terminals without having to use a wire brush. Re-connect the clamps to the terminals and wipe with petroleum jelly to prevent further corrosion.
	Eliminate stale tobacco smell in car with baking soda Pour ½ inch of baking soda in the ashtray. It’ll also help extinguish cigars and cigarettes. Empty regularly and replace the baking soda.
	Use wasted space above your car hood To utilize the space above your car hood, string a hammock from screw eyes fastened to exposed joists. Use it to hold sports balls, exercise mats, and other light, bulky items.
	Emergency ice scraper If you don’t have an ice scraper, in an emergency use a credit card.
	Cleaning vinyl car seats To clean vinyl car seats make a paste of water, lemon juice and baking soda. Wipe down the seats with this mixture and a soft, damp cloth. The lemon juice will leave the car smelling fresh.
	Remove gas odors In the glove box, keep a few Handy Wipes to remove gas odor from your hands from filling the tank.
	Shine chrome with vinegar Chrome will sparkle when cleaned with a rag soaked in white vinegar.
	Bounce dryer sheet prevents static shock in car Place a sheet in your coat pocket to avoid the shock you get getting in and out of the car in winter.
	Retire your old telephone directory to the car When you get your new telephone directory, put the old one in your car. It comes in handy when you’re driving and need an address.
	Keep car tidy with ‘storied’ plastic bags Stuff plastic grocery bags in a cardboard tube and keep under the car seat. They’ll stay neat and out of sight, but are sure to come in handy.
	Remove smoke and other odors from car upholstery Sprinkle baking soda on your car’s upholstery and carpeting before vacuuming to remove smoke and other odors.
	Iodine removes rust Here’s an Rx for rust in the garage or tool shed. Apply iodine to nuts or bolts, wait a few minutes, then apply more if necessary. Wait 15 minutes longer before loosening. For easy application, keep an extra medicine dropper with the iodine.
	To kill cigarette odor in a car Leave a shallow pan of ammonia in the vehicle overnight or all day. Then remove the pan, roll down all the windows and allow the car to air out before driving. Repeat if necessary but usually clears out 90 percent of the odor.
	Use potpourri to freshen car Fill an unused ashtray with potpourri to freshen up your car.
	Homemade emergency lights for car Wrap reflector tape around coffee cans to use as emergency lights. Fill them with sand or salt and large candles, and store in your trunk. While you’re at it, toss an old pair of nylons in the trunk. If you have a bulky item to transport, you can use the stockings to tie down the trunk lid.
	Windshield cleaner Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
	Frozen locks To introduce more easily a key into a frozen lock, heat your key with a lighter.To avoid this kind of problem, before the winter lubricate the lock with glycerin.
	Pet hair removal The cling of a dryer sheet is perfect to wipe up pet hair from your furniture, or even your own hair from your bathroom.
	Odor-free car Place a few briquettes of charcoal under the seat of your car to absorb odors and keep it smelling fresh. Make sure to use the type without the starting fluid on them or your car will smell of fuel.
	Foggy auto windows When you start the car to heat it, consider opening the window to avoid fog from forming on the windows.
	Clean auto greasy hands Remove auto grease from hands with baking soda and water.
	Measure tire wear It’s time for new tires when a penny inserted into the shallowest tread doesn’t go past the top of Lincoln’s head.
	Rotation of tires When rotating tires, identify on the tire the place of position when removed (right front, left front, etc). When remounting, you will know the proper rotation that allows a uniform wear of the tires.
	Worn windshield wipers If your windshield wipers are beginning to wear down, you can extend their life by rubbing them briskly with sandpaper.
	Proof of vehicle ownership In case you ever need to prove vehicle ownership, drop a business card (or file card with your name on it) down the window slot.
	Oil drip pan To make a pan to collect oil drips, place corrugated cardboard in a cookie sheet or fill a cookie sheet with kitty litter. Change as needed.
	Steamed car windows If car windows tend to steam up on the inside, carry a blackboard eraser in your vehicle. Wiping the condensation away with the eraser.
	Steering wheel cover For steering wheels in terribly cold weather that don’t want to warm up, use regular foam pipe-wrap, tape the joins (take two pieces) then run tape around the entire steering wheel, making the wraps about 2-1/2" apart. It doesn't get cold and it's cheap.
	Cleaning chrome To remove rust from chrome, wipe it with aluminum foil dipped in Coke. To polish chrome, use a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil and rub.
	Chipped car paint If you chip the paint on your car, clean promptly and apply clear nail polish to area to prevent rust.
	Corroded battery terminals If battery terminals are heavily corroded, the quickest and easiest way to clean them is to pour carbonated soft drink over them. It will eat the corrosion away. Baking soda mixed with water will also do the trick.
	Better gas mileage When tuning up your car, set the gap on spark plugs using the widest gap that the manufacturer recommends. Your car will run better, idle better, and will give you better gas mileage.
	Putting air in tires Avoid putting air in your tires if the temperature is below 10 degrees F. The valve could stick and let all of the air out of the tire.
	Removing snow from a car A broom is the quickest way to clean snow from a car. You can cut the handle down on the broom and store it in the trunk.
	Battery posts Apply Vaseline to battery posts for better contact.
	Emergency gas funnel When you run out of gas and don’t have a funnel, use a manila envelope with a corner cut to the size opening you need.
	Traction for tires in ice or snow When you get stuck on ice or snow, place rubber floor mats under the tires to gain traction.
	Adjusting headlights After replacing headlights and having them adjusted, mark on your garage wall exactly where the point of the beam hits. Then if they get out of adjustment you will spot it quickly.
	Pouring oil and gas from can When pouring from a rectangular oil or gas can with a small opening on one end, pour with the spout up for a nice even flow. When the spout is down, air is trapped in the container by the liquid.
	Reading oil dipstick made easy If you have difficult seeing the add and full lines on the oil dip stick, drill tiny holes at the lines or scribe with a file to make them easier to read.
	Oil spots in carport To get rid of fresh oil spots in the carport, cover with kitty litter and sweep up after the oil is absorbed.

Tips on Dealing with LA Traffic

Tips on preparing your car for winter

Oil spots in carport

Reading oil dipstick made easy

Pouring oil and gas from can

We need Tips!
Become a TipIsland writer and grow your readership by writing on topics that are in demand. Here JUST SOME of the top topics requested by TipIsland users:

Home | Article Sitemap | About TipIsland | Contact Us | FAQ