Handy Hacks Every Driver Should Know
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 18 days ago
4 min read
- Car ownership
WhoCanFixMyCar discusses the handy car hacks every motorist should know.
From alternative uses for cat litter to homemade air fresheners, we've compiled all the car hacks savvy motorists should know about.
1. Bungee cord to stop shopping falling over in the boot
We all know that dreaded feeling on the drive back from a big food shop when you turn a corner and hear all the bags falling over. Fortunately, you can avoid broken eggs and spilt milk using a bungee cord. Tie it at each side of the boot to keep your shopping bags in place.
2. Heated car seats to keep your takeaway warm
Picture the scene: you collect your usual order from the local takeaway, giving it pride of place on the passenger seat. You spend the drive home thinking about how delicious it will taste. But when you unwrap it, you find that it’s gone cold.
If your car has heated seats, you’re in luck - all you have to do is switch them on for the drive home to keep your food warm.
3. Old sock with cat litter to absorb moisture
Not many people know this, but cat litter is multi-purpose. You can use it to absorb moisture in many places, including your car, which is incredibly handy during winter. Stuffing some litter in an old sock will reduce condensation on your windows.
4. Socks on windscreen wipers to stop them from freezing
Now, to reuse another pair of old socks. Popping socks on your windscreen wipers will prevent the leg-like components from freezing up during those cold winter nights (even if you get a few odd looks from the neighbours). Doing this will make your frosty mornings easier and prevent windscreen wiper damage.
Find out how to clean and change windscreen wipers.
5. Spare change in a gum container
Even in today’s plastic world, where card payments reign supreme, you sometimes need a little cash to get by. From shopping trolleys to pick’n’mix, you never know when a coin might come in handy, and locating spare change is half the battle. You can make life easier today by storing change in an empty gum container.
6. Use toothpaste to clean your headlights
Never mind pearly whites; how about sparkling lights? Toothpaste doesn’t have to just be for your teeth. It’s also great for cleaning headlights because it contains mild abrasives that can remove tiny scratches.
7. Plunge those dents
Minor dents can be fixed using a plunger. Yes, really. All you need to do is place the plunger on the dent and pull; you may have just found a quick-fix solution. It won’t work for all dents, but it’s worth trying.
8. Boost your remote key's range by holding it against your head
Have you forgotten where you parked again? You can boost the range of your remote alarm key by holding it against your head. It works because the fluids in your head act as a conductor for the signal, allowing it to reach a little further.
Here's what to do if you lose your car keys.
9. Use a shoe organiser on the back seat
The back seats of a car can quickly become messy when travelling with kids. What started as some neatly packed bags and snacks can transform into a scene from Hoarders UK.
A quick and inexpensive car hack to fix this is fitting a shoe organiser or shower caddy to the back of the front seats to give you more storage space.
10. The IParked Here app
Locating your car in a busy car park can be a nightmare. The iParked Here app is a simple solution to your car park woes, telling you exactly where you left your vehicle, with no safety hazards. The Apple Maps app also has a feature that tells you where you parked.
11. Make your own air freshener
It’s easy to make a DIY air freshener. All you need to do is place some scented candle wax in a small mason jar and poke a few holes in the lid. When your car’s interior gets warm, the max will melt, releasing your chosen scent into the cabin.
12. Reduce grime with cupcake holders
Cup holders quickly become a hotbed for dirt and dust. One way you can make them easier to clean is by putting paper cupcake holders in the bottom to catch any crumbs. Then, when they’re dirty, you can simply replace them.
13. Use cooking spray to stop doors freezing shut
If you know the temperature is set to drop below zero overnight, coating the door seals with cooking oil or Vaseline will prevent them from freezing shut.
14. Park facing east
The sun rises in the east, so if you park facing this direction, your windscreen will defrost, and your engine will get up to temperature much faster in the morning.
Check out our ultimate winter driving guide for more advice.
15. Floor mats can help you get out of snow
Next time you find yourself stuck in snow, don’t panic. Instead, grab the floor mats from your car and place them in front of the tyres to help them gain traction. You’ll be on the move again in no time.
This guide discusses how to drive safely in snow.
16. Use an app to save money on fuel
There are a range of apps designed to help you find the cheapest petrol station in the local area. Use this hack regularly, and the money you save will soon add up.
17. Fill up when it’s cold
Did you know that heading to the fuel station early in the morning or late at night when it’s colder could save you money? Petrol is denser when it’s cold, meaning you’ll get more for your money.
Learn how to get the best fuel economy from your car.
18. Take photos of rental cars before driving
Although this hack might seem obvious, it’s easy to forget if you’re in a rush. Photographing a rental vehicle before you drive it anywhere provides solid evidence of the car’s original condition in case the company tries to charge you for existing damage.
19. Unfreeze locks with hand sanitiser
If you have to use a key to get into your car but the locks are frozen, a small splash of hand sanitiser will melt any ice and get them working again.
20. Use WhoCanFixMyCar
Money-savvy drivers can save money on car repairs and maintenance by using WhoCanFixMyCar to compare quotes.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is WhoCanFixMyCar’s Content Writer. She has a BA in English literature from Durham University, a master’s degree in creative writing, and three years of experience writing in the automotive industry. She currently drives a Suzuki Swift.