Automotive tips and tricks

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: Warstud
My tip of the day:
When using gasket maker such as when changing the differential fluid...it can be difficult to get that stuff out of the tube. So take a old soup can and fill it with hot water and drop the gasket maker in it for a few minutes. It will come out much easier.


There is a tool that you can get that rolls up the tube from the end. It just slips on the end and as you twist it rolls up the tube pushing the stuff out. It works on toothpaste tubes too for minimal waste. I don't know what the proper name fot this tool is, but I call it a "fish key." If I'm buying something from the local toyota dealer I usually ask for a tube of RTV as well, not so much because their RTV is anything super wonderful, but because they always throw in a free fish key.

Once a tube of RTV "burps" there's no point in putting the cap back on and hoping to save the rest of it for another job. That little bit of gas that just escaped is the inhibitor that keeps it from setting up. Once it burps, use what you're using and throw it out.


http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Art-Metal-Tube-Squeezer/dp/B002RTVLGY/ref=pd_sim_bt_1

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: morepwr
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
They say you really only need two tools in the toolbox:

Vice grips, for things that are supposed to move but don't, and
Duct tape, for things that aren't supposed to move but do.


I like that! And dont forget the zip ties!


And Hammer.

 

[Kestas]

For pre-OBD2 cars, keep a code reader and a list of what the codes mean in you car.

For cars that have an open-grille design, place 1/4-inch hardware cloth just behind the grille to protect the condenser from road debris.

 

[Lyman]

I keep a canvas tool bag in my trunk. I have a ton of tools and this is where all my one off & odd tools go. Along with a cheap socket set and duct tape, Zip ties and so on. I also keep a pair of mechanics gloves in there. They save you from having to drive around with filthy hands after a roadside repair. A good flash light is a must too.

One more tip: Never plan major repairs right before a trip. To many repairs are done wrong and come back to haunt you. Try to plan them a few weeks before any planned trip. This way if problems arise your trip wont be ruined.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

Originally Posted By: Blkstanger


One more tip: Never plan major repairs right before a trip. To many repairs are done wrong and come back to haunt you. Try to plan them a few weeks before any planned trip. This way if problems arise your trip wont be ruined.


This is a great tip whether you do it yourself, or bring it to a professional. I can't tell you how many people I've had bring me the day before their vacation only to find they need something major that makes their car unsafe or parts are a few days away.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
A pipe wrench can be a saving grace when things aren't working in your favor. I put one on my inner tie rod so I could pound off the rusty outer tie rod end without it spinning. Also handy at hooking difficult to get to oxygen sensors if you don't have a crows foot tool at your mercy.


Pipe wrenches have saved me countless times, especially when doing suspension work. A pipe wrench can solve problems that even a 1/2" drive socket wrench hit with a shot-filled hammer cannot

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
A pipe wrench can be a saving grace when things aren't working in your favor. I put one on my inner tie rod so I could pound off the rusty outer tie rod end without it spinning. Also handy at hooking difficult to get to oxygen sensors if you don't have a crows foot tool at your mercy.


Pipe wrenches have saved me countless times, especially when doing suspension work. A pipe wrench can solve problems that even a 1/2" drive socket wrench hit with a shot-filled hammer cannot

couple changes ago, i had a filter that wouldn't budge. even after driving a screwdriver through it. ended up using a pipe wrench. came right off..

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
They say you really only need two tools in the toolbox:

Vice grips, for things that are supposed to move but don't, and
Duct tape, for things that aren't supposed to move but do.


i thought it was wd-40 & Duct tape....

 

[morris]

TO: chevyboy14 "A rag under the hood" one time my uncle left a rag under the hood, when his wife was driving it caught fire. and no harm done, but the fireman wasnt happy. so just tie it down real good.

 

[TooManyWheels]

A paper in the car with towing and roadside assistance numbers for any distant city I drive to.

 

[Kestas]

My dad taught me, that for long trips, it is sometimes a good idea to bring a copy of the car's title along (hidden in a good place). If you were unfortunate enough to get into an accident and the car was totaled, you could more easily settle with the wreck. This advice is some 30 years old. I don't know if it really applies today.

 

[azjake]

Really dumb question folks. Why would you stuff paper towels in the engine bay (risking a fire) when you can put them in your trunk, or back cargo area of an SUV or hatchback? They don't take up a lot of room.

 

[Kestas]

For convenience. The real question is why place it in a hot spot? There are lots of safe areas under the hood where paper won't catch fire.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Most of my old tricks don't apply any more, but these 3 I've used in the last 5 years or so.
1- Keep a set of jumper cables and rubber gloves: I had a battery cable get broken from hitting a huge pot hole and it shut the car right down. I used the cables as a temporary fix with the gloves over the clamps. It got me home.

2- Have a large outdoor type extension cord: I had to work on the side of the road at night and flashlight didn't work. I removed the highbeam light and plugged it into the socket of extension cord, then plugged other end into socket for headlight. It works, at least on my sealed-beam lights.

3-Let the engine work for you: When changing a timing chain, I put the breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt and crank the engine just a little. Works great if you don't have an impact gun handy.

 

[The_Jeff]

Bring a spare wiper blade. If one breaks randomly it'll drive you nuts with metal stuff scratching your windscreen.

You can use an ice scraper or similar sized stick wedged between your seat cushion and brake pedal to check your brake lights without a helper. Adjust the seat if necessary.

 

[Cujet]

If you own a Nissan Leaf electric car, keep a Harbor Freight 2 stroke generator in the back. It's lightweight, reasonably powerful and in a couple of hours, you'll be back on the road again, for a few miles. Or, let it run overnight and you can probably make it home.

More seriously, I like to keep a tire plug kit, and a can of fix a flat in with my spare tire.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Went to Harbor Freight for the first time to buy 1/2" Drive 25" breaker bar. It is made in Taiwan, not China, seems to be reasonable quality. Tried it and seems to work well removing a couple 14mm bolts which I could not with 1/2" ratchet.

 

[Benzadmiral]

At age 17 on my W126 Mercedes, the rubber hangers for the exhaust rotted out. The pipe and muffler were fine. With the little rubber donut hangers ready, I jacked the car up -- and then couldn't get the rubber donuts to stretch enough to get them over the chassis hook and the exhaust pipe hook!

I went back inside, boiled up some water, then soaked the rubber donuts. It softened them just enough so I could slip them over the hooks. Once the rubber had cooled and stiffened, I let the exhaust down. All done.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: Rand
10$ harbor freight breaker bar with socket.= flat tire change.

the monkey bar thats in most cars is not so good.


That's why I torque all lug nuts at 95ft lbs. I can always get them off.

 

[Loobed]

A roll of toilet paper for when you need to use a public rest room and they are out of paper.

some things to keep in your car

A gallon jug of bottled water (to drink), and an empty jug to pee in or use as a gas can.

Large heavy garbage bag. It makes a great rain poncho or can be used for other things.

A T-handle tire plug kit, and a compressor.

Radiator leak fixing tablets

An old style road flare because being broke down at night is a great excuse to play with fire.