Cars are supremely convenient. They give you complete freedom to go where you want when you want it without having to wait for public transport. But there’s no denying that they don’t come cheap. There’s the insurance, the road tax, servicing, technical checks… and that’s even before you’ve set a foot in it. Then you’ve got petrol costs and, if you are unlucky, paying for repairs.
So here are a few tips that can help you save some money in other areas, or simply clever life hacks you probably didn’t know about!
Use toothpaste to clean headlights
Over time, your car’s headlights will be gradually dimmed by a misty glaze. No need to buy specialised products to get rid of it, toothpaste will do the trick! Apply it on your car’s headlights liberally, brush it in vigorously and leave it to act for a while. Then rinse with clean water and voilà, your car’s headlights are looking as good as the day your bough it!
Removing scuffs
Saved by toothpaste again! Rub some toothpaste on the scuff, then wipe it clean. In the case of small cuffs, you might manage to remove it completely but even bigger scuffs will be considerably improved.
Fixing paint chips with nail polish
Even a small paint chip can be expensive to repair depending on where it is located. If you don’t fancy forking out hundreds of dollars, head to your local supermarket and buy nail polish matching the colour of your car as closely as possible. Of course, up close, it will show but not from afar and it will also protect the previously exposed bit from rusting.
One stone, two birds: unclogging toilets and fixing car dents
A good old plunger will do more for you than just unclogging your toilets. Thanks to the vacuum it creates, it will also work wonders for dents – only those that are not too big though -saving you a trip to the mechanic and some money too. You can also use this trick on appliances like fridges, washing machine or dishwashers!
Park facing East
Winters aren’t too harsh in our corner of the world, but still, it’s pretty annoying to have to get rid of condensation first thing in the morning when you are already in a rush. Well, you can use Nature’s goodness to give you a hand: park facing East. The sun rises from the east so your car will benefit from its warmth and will start drying or defrosting on its own. How awesome is that?!
De-icing keyholes
If it’s a chilly morning and you find out that the keyhole of your car is frozen, here is a simple solution: hand sanitisers. They contain alcohol which will melt the ice. Get it in a small travel bottle so that you can squirt it into the keyhole more easily.
Extend the range of your key fob by holding it against your skull
As bizarre as it may sound, it actually works!
Fluids are very good conductors so holding your remote next to your head - which is filled with liquids - when you use it will transform you into a giant antenna and extend the range of your key fob. Of course, there is the small matter of you looking really weird in public but isn’t it a neat trick?! You could try scratching your chin inconspicuously with your key fob if you really feel too embarrassed!
Keep Your Takeaway Pizza Warm
You’ve just picked up a delicious takeaway pizza and every minute counts. But no matter how fast you drive, how many red lights you ignore, how many near-miss you’ve had on the way back home, your pizza will just be lukewarm when you finally sit down to eat it.
For those of you who have seat warmers, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Turn them on when you pick up your takeaway food and place it on them. It won’t keep it piping hot but it will definitely help.
Use a mesh net to tidy up coats
In the winter, it’s always tricky to know where to put your jacket or coat. Get yourself a mesh net and fix it to the ceiling of your car by using the ceiling handles and you will have a handy storage space for clothes.
Organise your trunk
Staying with the theme of organising space in your car, if you can’t fit anything more in your trunk because you have a shapeless pile of ‘stuff’ preventing you from putting anything else in, buy a laundry basket or small crate. It will contain all the mess and free the rest of the space in your trunk.
Make back seat organisers
No need to buy car-specific organisers. Grab a shoe organiser and some shoe laces and you will suddenly have a fantastic way to tidy away all those things you need, especially once you have children. Drinks bottles, fruit, snacks, crayons, favourite toys will stay neatly organised.
How to stop little bumps in your garage or parking space
If your parking space is a bit tight and you can’t help hitting the walls when you open your door, pool noodles are the answer. Fix them to the wall of your garage at door height and they will act as a bumper so you don’t damage your doors.
How to remove bumper stickers
Maybe that sticker that you found hilarious 5 years ago is now embarrassing you and you want to remove it… Peeling them is easy enough, except they tend to leave a residue behind which is unsightly. Dampen a sheet of newspaper and place it over the residue for about 15 minutes. It will soften the glue and you will just have to wipe it away.
If you are looking for an experienced and reliable company to ship your vehicle to or from Australia, get in touch with us on +64 09 309 1163 or request a quote online.
Our easy - 3 step shipping process
×Tell us the pick up location and we'll arrange a date & time
We handle all customs & shipping including insurance
Enjoy your toy, after it's delivered to your door anywhere in NZ.
