Vehicle maintenance
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use powdered graphite to lubricate sticking car locks rather than WD-40.
WD-40 leaves residue that gathers dirt and hardens over time, while dry graphite does not attract dust.
- Graphite powder can make a mess and may not help in some cases.
- Do not use graphite on electronic locks or ignition switches as it is conductive.
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- Avoid using WD-40 on car locks.2
Do not drink and drive.
It is not worth it.
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To open a frozen car door, pull the handle slightly to unlatch, then grip the gap between the door and roof to pull the rest of the way.
This method allows you to apply force without breaking the door handle.
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Remove all rings before putting on gloves to prevent losing them when removing the gloves.
Moisture can cause rings to slip off fingers or get trapped inside the glove.
- Be especially careful with family heirloom rings.
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Use at least two plastic bags when preparing for potential vomiting to ensure leakproof containment.
Single bags are not leakproof and can cause bad odors if they fail.
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Choose winter tires over all-wheel drive for better safety in snow.
Do not use petroleum jelly on door seams or locks.
It is messy and can gum up the locks.
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Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Resting creates hot spots that cause far more damage than holding the pedal down at stoplights.
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Roll a button-up shirt tightly in your backpack, then stretch it across the dashboard with the defrost on high to remove wrinkles.
The heat removes wrinkles and warms the shirt.
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Be skeptical of BMW's long oil change intervals, as one ex-tech reported they destroy engines.
An ex-BMW tech confirmed this destroys engines.
- This is based on one person's confirmation.
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If the car fails to recognize it is in Park, hold the gear selector firmly in the 'Park' position while turning the key.
A worn spring may cause the sensor to misread the gear position.
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Keep lock de-icer in a pocket or outside the car so it is accessible if you are locked out.
Keeping it inside the car makes it useless if you are locked out.
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Use shop towels or clean lintless rags to check engine oil instead of paper tissues.
Paper fibers can stick to the dipstick and shorten the motor's life.
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Guide the shift knob lightly into gear rather than gripping it tightly or yanking it.
Forcing the shifter causes gear grinding and wears out synchros, shift forks, and linkage.
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If you drive a manual transmission car and the accelerator sticks, engage the clutch and brake until stopped.
The clutch prevents the car from accelerating even if the revs are redlining.
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Avoid using Armor All on interior plastics.
It can dry out hard plastics over time.
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Avoid black cars if you want to cut down on maintenance effort.
They show every speck of dust, water stain, and bird droppings.
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Keep work gloves inside the house rather than in the garage during winter.
This prevents them from being freezing cold when you put them on.
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Blow water away from door seals using free air at car washes.
This helps prevent freezing.
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Remove rubber gloves by turning them inside out to contain germs before disposing of them.
Germs on the gloves are contained inside when removed properly.
- Not everyone does this.
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Use a Teflon-based dry lubricant, such as Blue Works, on car locks and hinges.
It is non-conductive and effective for electronic locks and hinges.
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Replace the tiny factory lug wrench with a full-sized one for easier use.
A full-sized one is easier to use than the tiny one that came with the vehicle.
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Tighten the new oil filter by hand only until it is snug; do not use tools.
Using tools can make the filter impossible to remove by hand later.
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Learn to drive a manual transmission while you are a teenager, as it is easier then and allows you to operate any vehicle.
It enables driving both automatic and manual cars; learning from parents during teenage years is reported to be much easier than in adulthood.
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Keep microfiber rags in your trunk for heavy soaking needs.
They provide more soaking power than other materials.
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Check if the drain plug washer is still intact before deciding whether to replace it.
You do not need to replace it every time.
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If your car has been broken into repeatedly, try leaving doors unlocked and posting a sign asking people not to break the window again.
One person reported this approach seemed to help deter further break-ins.
- This is based on one person's experience in San Diego.
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Choose winter tires over all-wheel drive for better safety in snow.
All-wheel drive helps acceleration, but only tires improve stopping power; winter tires on two-wheel drive also perform better and cost less than four-wheel drive with regular tires.
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Avoid using winter tires when temperatures exceed 50°F to prevent rapid tread wear.
Winter tires will be worn down quickly if used in temperatures above 50°F.
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Attach a grabber tool to your riding mower using velcro or bungee cords to pick up debris without dismounting.
It saves time by allowing you to retrieve toys, sticks, rocks, or hoses without getting off the mower.
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Avoid heavy degreasers on interior plastics.
They will cause staining and show drip marks.
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Avoid buying tools or appliances with soft grip handles made of TPR.
TPR degrades over time and becomes sticky fairly quickly.
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Focus on understanding the mechanical function of the clutch when learning to drive manual transmission.
Understanding what the clutch actually does made driving stick shift no longer a problem.
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Do not over-tighten ratchet straps.
Over-tightening can cause mechanical failure or dent your roof.
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Choose tools with acetate, timber, hard plastic, or vinyl handles for greater longevity.
These handle materials can last for generations.
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One person reported that buying an oil filter at Walmart resulted in a defective product that ripped engine threads and caused burning oil smells.
- This is a single anecdotal report of a specific incident.
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Use a clay bar on windows to remove stubborn film and contaminants.
It removes everything.
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Always avoid potholes to protect tires and wheels.
Potholes are damaging to tires and wheels.
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Do not rely on manual transmissions to stop distracted driving in teenagers.
Manual transmission does not prevent distraction and makes the act more dangerous, especially on highways where shifting is infrequent.
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Do not leave the handbrake engaged for extended periods of inactivity.
The mechanism can get stuck.
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Do not use nitrogen or helium for tire inflation; regular air is enough.
The benefits are imperceptible.
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Switch between synthetic and conventional oil freely if using good quality products.
Historical seal swelling problems that caused leaks when switching back should no longer be a concern.
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Switch to storage insurance rather than canceling coverage if the car is not being driven.
Canceling insurance may require de-registering the car and returning license plates.
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Use dedicated seasonal tires instead of all-season tires for better braking performance and ride quality.
The performance difference in braking and overall driving experience is significant, even for non-spirited driving.
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Follow the gear shift diagram exactly without taking diagonal shortcuts.
Solid mechanical objects inside the transmission prevent moving one object through another.
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Avoid short engine oil intervals because opening the system introduces opportunities for contamination.
Opening the system creates an opportunity to introduce contamination.
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Always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning, even if you think no one is around.
Keep your headlights and taillights on while driving.
It helps other drivers see you.
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Use bow and stern lines when transporting long items like kayaks on an SUV roof.
This prevents the item from sliding off.
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Shake out your shoes even indoors to check for scorpions.
Scorpions often sneak inside.
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Note the offending vehicle and avoid it for the rest of your drive rather than engaging in road rage.
Road rage has only negative effects.
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Pay for roadside assistance to outsource the danger of changing tires near traffic.
It outsources the danger associated with being near traffic.
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Raise your car's hood to signal distress when you need assistance.
It serves as an international sign of distress that signals people with mechanical knowledge to stop and help.
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Park 'head-in' at airports that require it for license plate tracking.
Some airports ticket cars that do not park head-in because they track rear license plates.
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Keep straws in your car to avoid removing drink lids at drive-thrus.
This prevents the risk of spilling if a straw is forgotten.
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Remove cushions from couches before transporting them on a roof rack or in a truck.
You will lose them and they can become a hazard.
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Check all exterior lights, including brake lights, before a trip.
Many cars on the road have broken lights.
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Pull forward to straighten out if the trailer is not moving where desired while backing.
It saves frustration.
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- Make small alternating steering adjustments ('little S's') when backing a trailer straight to maintain alignment.1
Hang a repurposed shopping bag via bungee cord from the passenger seat headrest to hold more volume of trash.
It holds more volume.
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If you have a permanent AWD vehicle, do not tow it from the rear.
Towing a permanent AWD vehicle from the rear can destroy the transmission, including the gearbox, differentials, and shafts.
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Carry dog poop bags in your car for disposing of trash, handling sick passengers, or other impromptu uses.
They are great for road trips when passengers get carsick or for general cleanup.
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Install a hidden GPS tracker with SMS capabilities and enable geofencing to alert you when your car moves.
SMS is cheaper than data costs.
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Always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning, even if you think no one is around.
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Check for a light above the rearview mirror to identify undercover trucks like F150s.
This feature was described as a dead giveaway in Florida.
- Specific to observations in Florida.
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Practice going sideways in snow if you need training, as ABS makes inducing spins harder.
ABS has made this maneuver much harder to perform.
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Verify you are in your own vehicle before attempting to start it.
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Delete saved locations and Bluetooth pairings from a vehicle's navigation system before selling it.
To prevent buyers from knowing where you live or places you often visit.
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Keep a safe following distance behind any vehicle so you can react and stop in time if the car ahead halts suddenly.
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- Keep a safe following distance to avoid reactive braking.1
If a tow truck arrives to recover your vehicle, step aside and let the driver work without offering unsolicited advice.
It prevents you from getting hurt or killed and respects that drivers do not want unsolicited input.
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Stay calm if the accelerator sticks to avoid panic-induced poor decision-making.
Panic is cited as the primary reason for negative outcomes in this scenario.
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Treat CarFax reports with skepticism because they only show reported incidents.
Unreported accidents do not appear on the report.
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Keep a box in your trunk containing napkins, toilet paper, water, aspirin, eye drops, toothpicks, a snack bar, hand sanitizer, socks, and rubber gloves.
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Join a roadside assistance service like AAA or check if your insurance includes free 24/7 assistance.
Pull fuses for non-critical systems to extend battery life when the alternator is broken.
It allows you to limp the car a little further.
- This is not a fix.
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Carry both jumper cables and a portable jump pack to cover all scenarios.
Having both is best.
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Join a roadside assistance service like AAA or check if your insurance includes free 24/7 assistance.
One service call often pays for the membership cost, and discounts on other services can cover the fee.
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Choose AGM, Glass Mat, or Gel Cell batteries when replacing your car battery.
They are more reliable, have better warranties, and are less affected by extreme conditions.
- They may be more expensive.
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- Replace standard wet-cell car batteries with AGM, spiral, or gel-cell batteries for longer life.1
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Keep your foot off the brake pedal when jump-starting a car to preserve starting power.
Brake lights drain available starting power.
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Learn basic car mechanics to identify problems and perform repairs yourself.
It can save you thousands of dollars.
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Know where your car's battery is located before attempting a jump start.
Many modern cars have the battery in the trunk or under the passenger seat, rather than in the front.
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Supervise anyone else who connects jumper cables to ensure they do not reverse polarity.
Reversing the cables can cause the battery to smoke within seconds.
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Use longer, thicker jumper cables to cut down on voltage drop and ease positioning.
Thicker wires reduce voltage drop; longer cables help when cars are not parked ideally.
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Check your owner's manual for a storage fuse to remove when parking long-term.
Removing it stops the parasitic draw of many electronics.
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Check the actual copper gauge of jumper cables, as thin insulation can hide skinny wires in seemingly thick cables.
Thin insulation can make wires appear larger than they are; real skinny wires were found inside 1 gauge wire scraps.
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Buy solid copper jumper cables and avoid those made from copper-plated aluminum.
Aluminum is less conductive and corrodes away over a few years.
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Remove the car battery and use a battery tender if the vehicle will be unused for an extended period.
Cars draw small amounts of power when off for systems like the ECM, stereo clock, and security features.
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Do not leave headlights or interior lights on when the car is off.
Computer parts that remain active with auxiliary power can drain the battery quickly.
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Start the donor car before connecting the final jumper cable.
This ensures the donor car has power and prevents its battery from being drained if it also has a weak battery.
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Research specific jump-start procedures for your car model, especially hybrids or those with unique layouts.
Some cars have difficult-to-find connections or require manual instructions.
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Carry a portable self-contained battery starter to jump your car without relying on others.
It allows you to start the vehicle independently, which is especially useful in remote areas where help may not be available.
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Clean corroded battery terminals with water and baking soda before jump-starting.
It ensures a good connection without needing to claw at the terminals.
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Use public transit or carpool instead of driving with a failing alternator.
It is safer than risking the alternator failing completely.
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Consider using a portable jump starter if you cannot position two cars close together.
Sometimes it is not possible to connect cars without really long cables.
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Replace weak car batteries before winter arrives.
Cold weather finishes off weak batteries.
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Check the serpentine belt before replacing an expensive alternator, as a broken belt can cause power loss by stopping the alternator from powering.
It powers the alternator
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Inspect the latch tab on the alternator field wiring plug to ensure it stays fully seated.
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Do not accelerate while turning.
That's where most people spin out
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Be aware that drought conditions lead to more severe flooding when rain occurs because water runs off rather than absorbing into the soil.
Most water doesn't go into the soil during droughts; it runs over as runoff.
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Carry a bottle of water in your emergency kit, particularly in warmer climates.
It will keep for years.
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