10 best car hacks

Everyone gets annoyed with their car for one reason or another. It may not have all the features you would like to have. Perhaps, with age, he develops small flaws. Maybe it's not the car at all, but the environmental situation.

Whatever is bothering you about your car doesn't mean you have to put up with it. There may be a car hack that is applicable to your situation, effectively simplifying your life and driving experience at virtually no cost.

When we talk about hacking a car, we don't mean taking control of a car through a computer. We are talking about real, easy-to-use solutions that use elements that you either have on hand or can buy inexpensively.

Here are the top 10 car hacks to make your life easier:

10. Use a built-in pizza warmer

Is your favorite pie shop in another county? Do you usually have to reheat your pizza before putting it on the dining table? If that's you, use a feature that's probably built into your car (unless you drive the base model).

Place the pizza box directly on the passenger seat. Turn on the heated seat and voila! Your car already has a built-in pizza warmer. Carry a passenger in the front seat? Send them to the rear, because warm food is still important.

9. Cover light scratches with clear nail polish

There is nothing more frustrating than finding a new scratch on your car when you leave the store. You're trying to keep your car in top condition for as long as possible, and the scratch still happens. If the scratch isn't too deep, you can fix it almost imperceptibly with clear nail polish.

Here's what you do: Wipe the scratch well with a damp alcohol wipe. Remove any dirt and loose paint from the scratch, then evaluate to see if the scratch is down to the metal. If it hasn't gone through the paint, use clear nail polish to fill in the scratch. While it's wet, wipe the raised part with the edge of the card for an almost seamless repair. It may not be perfect, but it's cheaper and takes less time than a proper clear coat repair.

If the scratch remains on the metal, follow the same procedure, but use the shade of nail polish closest to your car's paint.

8. Hold your drink upright with your shoes

Do not use the shoes you are currently wearing. If your car is over ten years old, chances are it doesn't have a cup holder. However, this will no longer prevent you from getting a drink with your valuable meal.

Use your spare shoe as a cup holder in your car. Place it between the front seats with the shift lever, or even in the passenger seat until it's occupied. The shoe provides a wider base for the cup, keeping it upright while you keep both hands on the handlebars. Just remember to deodorize your shoes before using them as a cup holder.

By the way, sandals, flip-flops and cowboy boots are not very suitable for cup holders.

7. Charge your devices while driving

At any number of gas stations, dollar stores, and convenience stores, you'll find electronic charging cords and plug-ins to replace the ones you've lost or broken. One such device is an adapter that plugs into a cigarette lighter with one or two USB ports.

It's really self-evident. In an age where everyone has a phone or tablet that can be charged via USB, it makes sense to charge them in the car. Just don't use the device while driving.

6. Use GPS to Save Fuel

Are you burning gasoline in vain, driving around in circles, because you are too proud to ask for directions? Use your GPS device to get where you want with the most direct route.

Most smartphones are also capable of navigating to your destination, giving turn-by-turn directions and recalculating routes when you take a wrong turn. Combine your phone's GPS navigation with a USB charging port so your phone doesn't run out of power before you arrive at your destination. Nowhere to put your phone? Put it in your boot next to your switch.

5. Replace your broken belt with pantyhose.

This hack is as old as the world and tights are getting rarer, but it is still one of the most effective car hacks. If your car's V-belt has broken, use a pair of stockings as a temporary belt replacement. It won't last long other than getting you to safety, so keep in mind that this is temporary.

Tie the pantyhose tightly around the pulleys that the belt passed around. The hosiery will keep critical parts moving, like the water pump and power steering pump, at least at minimum power until you contact AvtoTachki for a belt replacement.

4. Park facing the rising sun

In winter weather, icing on windshields can take forever before your car's heater clears. The simple solution is to park with the car facing east. That way, when the sun rises in the morning, it will dissipate the frost and fog, and you can cut down on downtime to clean your windows.

3. Use a tennis ball to perfectly park in the garage

If you own a garage, you know it's almost impossible to perfectly align the inside of a car to leave room to maneuver around it. You can install laser pointers on the roof to see if you've parked correctly. However, there is a cheaper car hack.

Attach the piece of string to the tennis ball with an eye screw. Insert another eye screw into the ceiling of your garage, right above the center of your car's windshield. Tie the rope to the loop on the ceiling so that the tennis ball touches the windshield, but just barely. Now every time you drive into your garage stop the car when you touch the tennis ball and every time you are parked inside for sure.

2. Extend your range with your head

If you've ever seen someone hold a keychain to their chin and press a button, you've probably wondered about their mental state. But it is an effective way to increase the range of your key fob by several vehicle lengths.

The fluid inside your head acts as a conductor for the signal, amplifying it slightly. Especially if your key fob's battery is low, it may be enough to open a car when it's otherwise not strong enough.

1. Line the garage walls with pool noodles

If you've ever slammed your car door against a garage wall while parked inside, you know how frustrating that can be. Damaging your own car only makes things worse. An easy and cost-effective solution to prevent doorbells from ringing is to attach half of pool noodles to the garage wall.

Cut the noodles in half lengthwise, then attach them to the wall with long wood screws at the height where the door would normally meet the wall. Place one on the passenger side on the garage wall so your passenger doesn't offend you either. Now when you open doors you don't have to be very careful not to damage them.

These and other automotive hacks make your life easier, but they are not a substitute for proper vehicle maintenance or repair. If you need car repairs, such as timing belt replacement (and not just pantyhose), AvtoTachki can take care of it for you.