Household Hints - Automobile
Ashtrays
Ashes that continue to burn in the car ashtray are a nuisance. Prevent this by placing an inch of baking soda (or gravel) in the bottom of the tray.
Batteries
Scrub battery terminals and holder with a strong solution of
baking soda and water. Then smear with petroleum jelly. This is a battery corrosion-proofer.
Carpeting
To remove salt residue left behind from winter, combine equal
amounts of vinegar and water.
Deodorizing
A vanilla bean under your car seat gives a fresh aroma and
helps eliminate musty odors.
Doors
To prevent them from freezing, wipe or spray the rubber gaskets with
a heavy coating of vegetable oil. The oil will seal out water, but will not harm
the gasket. This is especially good before having your car washed in the winter.
Also, use this idea for trunks.
Gaskets
Prevent doors and trunk from freezing by wiping or spraying the
rubber gaskets with a heavy coating of vegetable oil. The oil will seal out water,
but will not harm the gasket. This is especially good before having your car washed
in the winter.
Identification
Drop a business card or file card with your name and address
down the window slot - just in case you have to prove the car is yours someday.
Locks
To open a frozen lock, heat the key with a cigarette lighter or match.
Never force the key. Turn very gently.
Octane Booster
Submitted by Ron Henslee, Missouri ~
My dad taught me
this. Drop two (2) moth balls in the gas tank and it will boost your octane. Don't
put more than that in or it will burn your valves.
Parking
If you have bumped the front fender of your car into the back wall
of your garage, suspend a small rubber ball on a string from the ceiling of the
garage so that when the ball strikes your windshield you will know the car is far
enough in to close the garage door.
Radiators
Submitted by Ron Henslee, Missouri ~
If you have a small leak
in your radiator, let it cool down and then pour a small box of black pepper into
it. When the pepper gets to the hole it swells up and clogs the hole. Nothing hurts
the other parts of the motor.
Starting
Your car will probably start on a cold morning if you blow hot
air on the carburetor with a hair dryer.
On cold days and evenings, back your car into the garage. If needed, your car will be in a good position for using jumper cables.
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