Nine simple DIY car fixes

Owning a car requires you to be not only responsible, but to constantly maintain and fix small damages to your vehicle. On average, you may need to spend at least P1,000 a month for regular maintenance work which can include a car wash, oil change, and checking of brakes, spark plugs, coolant, transmission, and fuel filter, etc.  To lessen this cost, we have listed some simple DIY car fixes that will benefit every car driver.

Increasing your car's remote range

Say you have forgotten where you left your car in a crowded parking lot and the only way you can find it is through your remote. You can actually hold it underneath your chin to increase its wireless range. This may sound crazy at first, but there is a science behind it. Our heads have a large volume of fluid which act as a signal conductor.

Adding more space to your cabin

Running out of space in your car’s interior? Perhaps the cubbyholes and side compartments are already full. If so, do this- tie a mesh bungee to your car’s handle bars and you've got yourself instant added storage space. You can actually put anything in it from hats to gloves to t-shirts, etc. Note, however, that you can only do this above the rear seats so the driver will not be distracted when driving.

Alternative solution to cleaning your car

Adding cola to your preferred dishwashing liquid can do wonders when cleaning your tires. You just have to combine 200 ml of cola and 200 ml of dishwashing liquid. Shake the concoction and place a small amount on a sponge. It will make your wheels look shiny and almost brand new.

Easy parking in your garage

Do you find it hard to park in your garage, especially if your car just barely fits inside? If you find your car is always grazing the wall, you can use a tennis ball to solve this problem. Simply hang a tennis ball from your ceiling at the front of your garage, so when your car’s windshield hits it, you will be informed that it’s time to stop your vehicle.

Asking for directions

Admittedly, men rarely ask for directions. But, if you find yourself lost in an unfamiliar area, make sure you ask the right people who know the place. For starters, business establishments that do deliveries (example: local pizza store, food chains) will likely know the location you are looking for as opposed to those who do not travel around as part of their job, such as gas station personnel.

If you are tech savy and driving in Metro Manila, you can use navigation apps such as Waze, to assist you in getting to your destination. What is exciting about this app? It also shows you the traffic volume in the areas where there are other Waze users.

Dent quick fix

Dents are like pimples to your car. While they are often negligible, they can sometimes be an eyesore (especially for the meticulous owner). Try using a plunger to clear out small dents on the panels of your car. This is fairly self explanatory; you put the plunger where the dent is and by pulling back, the vacuum that is created pulls the dented part back into place.

Cleaning your headlights

Ever wonder why your headlights get foggy or yellowish as time passes? When your headlights get cloudy it means oxidation has built up in their lenses. Replacing them will cost you several thousand pesos. Toothpaste (especially the whitening kind) can clean your fog lights. Simply apply toothpaste to the plastic lens with a cloth, rub it thoroughly and rinse it off with clean water before drying. To add UV protection, you can apply car wax or furniture polish.

Removing registration sticker

Stickers, especially if you place them inside, can be irritating. Out-of-date registration stickers should be removed upon expiration. To do this, you will need a wet newspaper. Simply put warm water on the newspaper and place it over the registration sticker for approximately 10 minutes and, hey presto, sticker residue gone!

Protecting your car door

For cramped garages, slamming the car door on the garage wall is very common. To prevent your car from getting scratches, you can attach half a pool noodle to the wall.