Sneaky Car Maintenance Hacks That Dealerships Won’t Tell Us

Car troubles can really put you through the wringer. Not only can they be exceptionally expensive, but these issues are often stressful and time-consuming, too. Don’t panic, though. There are some very handy maintenance hacks that, once you know them, are really easy to remember and will make a big difference. Fasten your seatbelts!

40. Don’t rev the engine during start-up

When you start your vehicle in the driveway, do you rev the engine? Well, now might be the time to stop that. It might make a satisfying sound, but this one move can age the car’s motor in no time. And the issue will only be compounded if you insist on doing it in cooler conditions as well. Nothing good can come of it.

39. Auto log

The next time you plan on visiting a fuel station, bring a notepad with you. Mark down the date, and then make note of the mileage as the days and weeks progress. That way, you’ll be able to notice any fluctuations in the measurements. Poor petrol mileage is a potential red flag when it comes to your vehicle’s health.

38. Touching up nicks

Don’t you just hate it when chips appear in your car’s paintwork? It’s really frustrating! But don’t stew on it for too long. Those areas can become rusty quite quickly, and new coats won’t be as effective at sticking to the surface as a result. So, cover them up as soon as possible.

37. Cleaning the dash gauges

While they might not be the easiest things to keep clean, it’s vital that you give the dash gauges a regular rubdown. At the same time, though, don’t go too crazy with it. Over-exuberance can cause scuffs, obscuring your view of the dials. To swerve that issue, just gently dab the surface with moistened fabric.

36. Don’t carry too much

Regardless of how big and bulky your motor might be, there’s only so much it can carry at a time — especially up top. For average-sized vehicles, the maximum figure is usually about 200 pounds. It’s well worth remembering this going forward to avoid potential structural damage, especially to your car’s suspension, as well as handling issues.

35. Fender cover

Looking to do some vehicle maintenance in your garage? Well, it might be an idea to keep this tip in mind. To shield your fender from any unwelcome scuffs, buy a specialized cover at the store. Trust us, it’ll be worth it! You don’t want to give yourself more work to do buffing out a load of marks.

34. Tire inflation

If you want to keep your tires in tiptop shape, then listen up. It’s imperative that you keep them inflated to the proper pressure, otherwise they’ll wear faster, and could even rupture. Either way, that’ll hit your wallet hard! To avoid difficulties, carry out monthly checks with a specialized pressure gauge. By the way, cooler wheels provide more reliable figures.

33. Maintaining the transmission

It’s not cheap to fix a busted transmission, folks. So maintaining the gearbox is an absolute must. If you’ve got an automatic motor, you’ll probably need to swap out the filter and liquid 5,000 miles into its life. Then repeat the process roughly every 25,000 miles after that — but check your vehicle’s official handbook to be sure of these intervals.

32. The timing belt

It might not be the most noticeable part under the hood, but you’ve still got to be mindful of your timing belt’s condition. Eventually, it’ll need to be swapped out once you hit a certain mileage. An old belt can devastate your motor, and you don’t want that. We’re talking thousands in repair costs here!

31. AC and winter

This will probably sound a little strange at first, but bear with us. During the colder months, switch on your vehicle’s air conditioning from time to time. That simple move will keep it ticking over before you need it in the spring and summer. The last thing you want to do is replace a busted unit then.

30. Check your windshield wipers

There’s nothing worse than being caught in the middle of a storm with old, faulty windshield wipers. How can you cut this danger off at the pass? Spray the windshield with water and turn on the wiper blades. If they leave streaks, then it’s time for an upgrade. Luckily, you can buy windshield wipers and install them on your own via the package's instructions, all without the pricy assistance of a mechanic.

29. Flush the cooling system

Over time, your car’s cooling system will require a thorough cleanse. Why? Well, the coolant-antifreeze usually lasts for a couple of years before going bad. From that point on, it can cause havoc with the water pump, heater core, thermostat, and radiator if left alone. Yikes. So don’t ignore it, folks.

28. Power-steering fluid

How often do you examine the power-steering fluid levels under the hood? If it isn’t monthly, now might be the time to bring those intervals up. You see, should the reservoir be running low, that could be a sign of seepage.The liquid has to be above the indicated minimum mark to keep the system operating safely.

27. Spark plugs

Unsurprisingly, spark plugs don’t last forever. But when’s the best time to switch them? Apparently, 40,000 miles of use is a reasonable rule of thumb suggested by various manufacturers. That way, you can maintain the motor’s effectiveness and get optimum gas mileage out of it. So keep note of these parts’ age.

26. Don’t overfill the engine with oil

This is an important piece of advice — whatever you do, never pack the crankcase with excess oil. The fluid will seep inside the crankshaft, causing pockets of air to form. When they mix with the lubricant, that’s bad news for the pump: it won’t be able to function properly, meaning parts of your motor can reach damaging temperatures.

25. Brake fluid

Much like with the power steering, it’s also a good idea to inspect your brake fluid every month as well. Mind you, should it need a boost, don’t call upon any unsealed bottles in your garage. Brake fluid is hygroscopic: that means that — by design — it absorbs moisture, which in turn means it is easily contaminated.And it’s never worth taking a chance when it comes to making sure your brakes work properly.

24. Wheel cleaner

There’s no way around it — your wheels will get dirty with each journey. And that can make scrubbing them a very difficult task. Some of the marks refuse to shift! Don’t despair, though. Instead, get your hands on a specialized cleaning product that focuses on those parts of the vehicle. The grime should come right off.

23. Gas tanker rule

If you’re looking to head to a gas station, keep your eyes open for any tankers. Should you spot one pumping fuel there, turn around and reschedule your trip. Apparently, that process can bring about nasty deposits that sit in the gas. And by adding it to your car, you can damage the injectors and filters.

22. Cleaning the mats

How thoroughly do you clean the mats in your vehicle? If you don’t do a good enough job, the muck can eventually eat its way through the material, creating ruptures. To avoid that problem, douse each one with water after lifting them off the floor. A controlled burst from your garden hose should get the job done.

21. Leather hack

Does your automobile have a leather interior? Well, this tip is sure to pique your interest. In an attempt to keep it all clean, invest in a specialized product to massage into the surface. That’ll get rid of any lingering marks. But don’t stop there, folks. After that, add a “leather protectant,” too. It’ll shield the chairs from muck and prevent cracks forming.

20. Baby seat towel

As most parents will be able to attest, the area surrounding a baby seat in the car can get extremely messy. The area below it bears the majority of the brunt! Mind you, there is a way to stop that muck from ruining the interior. Just stick a plastic cover beneath your child’s chair, along with a towel.

19. Fabric upholstery

Fabric interiors aren’t always the easiest to wash. But it’s not an impossible task. To get the best results, pick up a bottle of Scotchgard or something similar from the store. Then, sprinkle the product across the surfaces. It’ll serve as a shield to muck, making your vehicle’s spring-clean a lot more straightforward.

18. Turning the steering wheel

During low-speed parking maneuvers, while rotating your steering wheel, how long would you say that you hold it on full lock? Several seconds? Well, you should probably cut that time down if you can. You see, the car’s power-steering pump can be adversely affected by “extreme” movement. It’s not the cheapest thing to fix, either. 

17. Torn seats

The only thing worse than dirty upholstery is torn upholstery. It's extremely uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous if you happen to get snagged on a ripped seat. Plus, upholstery shops are notoriously expensive! It's a good thing you can buy affordable repair kits for vinyl or leather seats at many auto parts stores. Your seats may not look professionally finished, but hey, they're safe — and at a fraction of the price.

16. Cleaning light sockets

To ensure that replacement light bulbs in your car don’t experience any issues, try to scrub the socket ahead of putting them in. A small wire brush or piece of steel wool should pick up lingering grime in no time.

15. Old blanket

Roof racks are perfect for holding large objects above your vehicle. At the same time, though, they won’t prevent said items from potentially scuffing the paintwork during a journey. So, to shield the top, secure an aged piece of fabric below the rack. It’ll save you a lot of stress!

14. Extra wax

Before you wax the exterior of your car, here’s a hack to remember. When you get to the front section, stick two layers across the surface. Why’s that? Simple. The hood and nose lose their sheen a lot faster than the other spots around a motor.

13. Rotate the tires

To make sure that you get the best out of your car’s tires, you need to occasionally swap them over. Usually, it’s said that the ideal time to do it is between 6,000 and 7,500 miles of distance traveled. That should extend their lifespan quite significantly, saving you money in the process.

12. Don’t mix coolants

Want to know why you should never mix various coolant liquids together under the hood? Especially if they’re different shades? Basically, you’re likely to end up with a thick goo that’s not fit for purpose. It’s a problem that can be easily swerved, though! Stick to a single, recommended formula.

11. Getting stuck

If your motor gets firmly lodged in snow or muddy sludge, ignore the urge to force it out. You could end up doing more harm than good to parts such as the clutch or transmission. Instead, contact a roadside service for some aid. Trust us, it’ll be much less hassle.

10. Wash during the winter

You really should consider cleaning your vehicle regularly across the colder months. Cars pick up a lot of salt, ice, and sand off the tarmac in that period. And that can lead to the formation of rusty marks on the body. So, to stop that from happening, grab a bucket and get scrubbing. Brave the chill!

9. Keep speed under 55 mph during break-in period

The running-in period is arguably the most important spell for a new motor. Your approach will help determine its health going forward. On that note, here’s a tip to keep in mind. In general, you shouldn’t exceed 55mph on the road before reaching 1,000 miles in the car. Long-term, that’ll give it a big boost.

8. Protect car paint from the sun

Due to the power of the sun’s UV rays, your motor’s paint job is under severe stress during clearer weather. The colors will quickly wane under the light, giving it an aged appearance. In a bid to avoid this problem, you should attempt to leave the vehicle in a shady spot. Or, as an alternative, why not invest in a specialized cover? That’ll make a major difference.

7. Don’t burn rubber

It probably sounds obvious, but it’s worth repeating anyway. Burning rubber has an adverse effect on your car’s tires, dramatically cutting down their lifespan. That’s not the only thing to consider, though. Traveling across nasty fractures in the tarmac and hitting sidewalk barriers won’t help their longevity, either. So, try to err on the side of caution!

6. Lighten your keychain

Got a hefty keychain? Well, you might want to think about downsizing it ahead of future trips in your vehicle. If the weight of your set of keys is excessive enough, it’s possible that having them bouncing around during the course of your everyday driving might create wear and tear on the ignition mechanism, eventually causing it to fail. That’s a pricey problem to fix.

5. Buy used tires when possible

New tires don’t always come cheap. With that in mind, you could save quite a bit of dough by opting for used wheels if you need some replacements. Providing that you visit a reliable shop, they should have plenty of mileage left in them. Your wallet will thank you — but definitely make sure they’re in good enough condition not to make this a potentially dangerous waste of money.

4. Changing the oil filter

When you switch out your car’s oil, don’t neglect the filter. In fact, to keep the contents of the tank clean, you should consider replacing it after every second change at a bare minimum. Apparently, close to a liter of grime can stick to the filtration tool as time goes on. 

3. Don’t dilute washer fluid with water

If your windshield washer liquid needs a top-up, avoid the urge to pour water into the existing mix. That’s one of the worst things you can do! Not only will it dilute whatever’s left in the container, but it puts the space at risk, too. You see, it might ice up when we get to winter, which’ll cause a lot of harm beneath the hood.

2. Don’t warm engine by letting it idle

Do you allow your motor to idle in an attempt to heat it up? If so, stop that right now. As it turns out, you could be doing the vehicle more harm than good. Letting the engine idle may result in not all the gas being burned in the combustion process in the motor’s innards. If that happens, particles can remain inside the engine that will eventually cause damage to its moving parts.

1. Repair interior leaks as soon as possible

Of all the things you should fix straightaway, leaks are arguably at the very top of the list. Think of the damage they can do to your upholstery! Usually, a specialized sealant will be good enough to plug the gap. It can no doubt be a fiddly job, but it beats getting soaked on the road!