DIY Life

Save money at the gas pump with these tips

Bethany Sanders — 2008-04-21T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, money

Yesterday, I put $20 worth of gas into my car. I can remember the day when that would have filled it up, but instead it gave me just over 5.5 gallons. Gas prices are definitely at a high point, and it's predicted they could rise further by summer.

Though you can save money at the pump by reducing the number of miles you drive, sometimes it's impossible to cut back enough to make a difference. You can, however, save a few bucks by following these few tricks from Yahoo Finance.

Consider checking a website like GasPriceWatch.com, which is fed by tipsters but also has a Certified Pricing Program. (Driving all over town looking for low prices, however, will burn any pennies you save. Look for a station near where you'll be anyway on your daily travels.)
Fill up at low peak times when prices are likely to be their lowest -- before sunrise, late at night, and -- in some states -- mid-week.
Fill up when you hit 1/4 tank. Make sure the price on the sign matches the one on the pump and that it's set to zero when you begin fueling.
Investigate ways to improve your gas mileage.
Take good care of your car. Check your tire pressure regularly and unload seasonal items such as snow tires.
Though many financial experts don't recommend using credit cards, according to Yahoo Finance, using a credit card with cash rewards can help you earn rebates when you buy gas.

It may not take all of the sting out of today's rapidly rising gas prices, but by planning ahead, you may be able to save a few dollars off your monthly gas bill.

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Recall: Master Lock's Lock and Leash product violates lead paint standard

Anna Sattler — 2008-04-04T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, recalls and safety

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Master Lock is voluntarily recalling about 27,000 Lock and Leash locks, due to the fact that the red surface paint on the locks contains an excessive amount of lead, violating the lead paint standard. No injuries have been reported.

Manufactured by Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Co, Ltd. and sold by hardware stores and internet retailers from March 2007 through January 2008 for about $8, this recall involves only red Lock and Leash locks with model number 1551D. Please check the CPSC press release for more information about the recalled locks.

Consumers should stop using the recalled red lock immediately and return it to Master Lock Company Return Goods, c/o All in One Warehouse, 2050 North Smokey Lane, Suite B, Nogales, AZ 85621 for a full refund. For more information, contact Master Lock at (800) 464-2088 or visit the firm's website at www.masterlock.com.

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Your briefcase: home away from home

Kelly Smith — 2008-03-25T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, organization and storage, electronics, health

Everybody's on the go today. Nobody sits still to do anything; things have really changed in the past decade. From the moment the alarm clock goes off, life is just one big multitasking episode. And any time you step out your front door and turn the key, any number of things could conspire to prevent you from returning that night.

No, I'm not talking kidnapping (although that might not be beyond doubt). I am talking massive traffic jams, delayed or canceled flights, a rush deadline. But those necessities that you inevitably need are at home - in the medicine cabinet, in the closet, or on the bedside table. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Make your briefcase or backpack your home away from home for all those unexpected situations. Kevin Connolly has done the homework for you and lists the eleven essential things to pack for your daily adventure in Businessland. He covers medical must-haves, tech requirements (cell phone charger), emergency food, and more.

Check out the above link for the whole scoop. It's not only Boy Scouts that are "always prepared." It can be your motto too!

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Wiring diagram primer

Kelly Smith — 2008-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, fix-it, weekend projects, electrical, lighting, electronics

Have you ever had an electrical problem with your appliances, car, boat, or motorcycle and thought, "Hey, I'm handy; I do mechanical work on my ride all the time. I can handle this." So you grab your book of wiring diagrams and unfold the page.

And then it sinks in. It's a totally foreign language and looks suspiciously like the spaghetti you had for dinner last night. Wiring diagrams can be tricky to trace through when troubleshooting an electrical circuit.

Don't despair; it takes a process and a bit of knowledge about electrical symbols. This Temperature Control Division site will guide you through the process of tracking down the problem. It makes the "overwhelm factor" a bit more manageable and gets you started on the road to electrical recovery.

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Repair your tire's slow leak, cheap and easy

Matt Robinson — 2008-03-18T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, fix-it

Ah, the slow leak. It's infuriating when you constantly have to stop at gas stations to keep your tire properly inflated. Since the roads are full of hazards, it's easy to pick up nails, screws, or other objects that puncture your tires and create slow leaks.

Luckily, there's a quick and easy way to fix your tire without having to go to a tire repair shop. Most good auto parts stores will carry a small kit (here's an example of one brand) for tire repair, which includes a rasp, a needle, and several thick, sticky black threads. The tools have either a T-handle or a screwdriver-type handle (T-handles are best, in my opinion).

Get the kit, and get ready to fix your tire. First, block the other tires for safety. This should be done every time you raise your car, to prevent accidental slippage.

Read on for detailed instructions on how to fix your tire.

%Gallery-15341%Remove the tire, and inspect it for "foreign objects." Double-check the tire once you think you've found the puncture point, just to make sure you don't have more than one.

Once you have found the object, pull it out with pliers. You might need to work at it for a while, especially if the nail is between the treads of the tire, or if you have driven for a while and the outside part has been ground down. Don't give up!

Once it's out, you're ready to repair the tire. Let the air in the tire drain out, so it's easier to work with. Get the rasp from the kit (it's like a file, designed to be pushed into tire holes). Force the rasp into the hole and work it in and out for about 20 to 30 seconds. This will remove any bits of metal or whatnot that might still be in the tire. It also prepares the hole to be plugged. Some kits have rubber cement or vulcanizing fluid, and if so you can apply some of it to the hole. I've never used that, and I've plugged many tires successfully.

After filing the hole, take a thread from the kit (about 5 inches long, sticky and black) and work it onto the needle (the other part of the kit). Pull the thread about halfway through the needle. Knead the end of the thread so that it will go through the eye of the needle.

Once the needle is threaded, force the tip into the tire's hole. It will take a bit of work, but if you twist and maneuver the needle, it will go in. DO NOT force the thread all the way into the hole; you will need to leave about a quarter to a third outside the tire so it will plug properly.

Now that the thread is in the tire, you'll need to pull the needle out. Give it a firm tug. Don't yank it; it should come out with a bit of effort. It must leave the thread in the hole.

Now, trim the thread that remains outside the tire. Just clip it even with the tread of the tire.

Inflate the tire to the proper psi, re-mount the tire, and, just for good measure, once the car is down from the jack check the pressure again. All should be well, and now you are good to go. Keep an eye on the pressure for the next few days, just to be sure you got the leak.

Voila! You just fixed your tire and saved yourself a bit of money, and you can brag to your friends about your new mechanical skill. Beware, if you do it right, your friends may demand you do it for them, too...

A last word: I've been told that newer tires don't accept the threads to plug holes, and that this technique only works for steel-belted radials.

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Recall: Portable air compressors catch on fire

Anna Sattler — 2008-03-12T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, fix-it, recalls and safety, tools, remodeling

The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, in cooperation with All-Power America, has announced a voluntary recall of about 64,000 Strike Force portable air compressors.

The motor on the compressor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard. The cover might not prevent internal components of the compressor from being touched, posing an electrical shock hazard. Although no injuries have been reported, the firm has received four reports of fires.

The recalled twin air tank compressors were manufactured in China and exclusively sold nationwide at Advance Auto Parts stores, and online at www.partsamerica.com, from October 2006 through December 2007, for about $90. The model and serial numbers for the recalled compressor are located on the compressor's housing.

Stop using the air compressor and return it to any Advance Auto Parts store for a full refund. For more information on the recall, contact All-Power America toll free at (888) 896-6881 or visit www.allpoweramerica.com, or www.advanceautoparts.com.

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WD-40: the Swiss Army Knife of Lubricants

Kelly Smith — 2008-03-10T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, fix-it, household hacks, preventative maintenance, seasonal, outdoor, cleaning

Most of us have a can of WD-40 sitting around the house. Got a squeak? Give it a spray. Tight bolt? Squirt, squirt. But it might surprise you to see how many other uses it has (one of my favorites is the removal of adhesive goo).

I once worked for a very small company whose owner was, um, a bit peculiar. Shortly after moving into the new office, we were having a little house-warming party in the conference room. There was a huge white board on one wall.

During a particularly inspirational moment, the owner went over and wrote her name on the white board in five foot tall letters. The problem? She used a permanent marker. The solution? WD-40, a rag, and elbow grease.

But the uses of WD-40 don't stop there...

Keep snow from messing up your satellite dish: spray the dish and the snow will slide off.
Got a snow plow? Spray a coating on the blade and the snow won't pack up on it.
Make it easier to remove light bulbs: spray the threads lightly before you install the bulb.
Roofing tar on your hands from fixing a leak? WD-40 will get the tar off!
Use WD-40 to remove grease and road crud from your car's fenders.
Bug splats on your car's grill and fenders? WD-40 works better than expensive sprays.
It kills weeds too!

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10 ways (OK, maybe a couple more) to increase your vehicle's fuel economy

Bill Volk — 2008-02-22T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, fix-it, preventative maintenance, weekend projects

Let's visit the topic of vehicular fuel economy. It's not realistic to believe that the cost of a gallon of gas is going to markedly decrease, given the politics and economics of the world's available supply of petroleum. This feature won't cover alternative fuels, hybrids, water or compressed air cars; we'll hit common sense stuff you can do to stretch your mileage. Admittedly, some of the items are not in the "gee whiz" category, but every little bit helps, right?

Francesca Clark, in her excellent post, covered a number of tips; I'd like to explore a couple of those in depth and add several more that are (perhaps) off-beat or not generally considered when thinking about saving fuel in your daily drive.

But first, the gallery!

%Gallery-16221%

Don't idle your engine excessively -- a no-brainer; if you are stopped in heavy traffic, you are getting zero miles per gallon; if I am going to be stopped more than 60 seconds, I shut the engine off.
Cruise control -- if you've got it, use it on flat ground (if you drive a bunch in hilly country, the cruise will cause excess fuel use trying to maintain your selected speed); it prevents the engine from "hunting" to find the appropriate engine speed versus road speed; same goes for automatic overdrive, keeping the engine speed lower versus road speed.
Don't drive excessively fast; we know (intuitively) that high speed driving uses extra fuel; aerodynamic drag is a major cause of excess fuel use. About 50-60% of engine power, at highway speeds, is used to overcome drag; it increases, roughly, at the square of the vehicle speed.
"Time" your traffic lights; on my long trips, I try to slow down enough such that I don't come to a complete stop at a light; the downside here is that you tend to irritate the folks behind you, who want to rush to the light to use their PDA's or engage in mindless chatter on a cellphone.
Trucks: several things. There has been much discussion about whether or not to leave your tailgate up or down -- even the Mythbusters hit this one; leave it up, according to a number of folks. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but facts are facts (I'm guessing the folks who make tail gate nets are not too happy with Adam and Jamie); tonneau covers reduce drag, also.
Roof racks are a great convenience for trips, but aerodynamically, they are a real drag; at least get one of those babies that is streamlined, and remove it after your trip.
Fuel economy is significantly affected by the weight of the vehicle (other things -- horsepower, for example -- being equal) so lets take a look at that. If you live in the northern climes and your vehicle is subject to snow and ice loading, or you tend to keep a bunch of junk in your car or truck, or you have a van that has extra back seats that are never used, clean them out. Gasoline is heavy (about 6 pounds per gallon); if feasible, only fill your tank half full each time; if you have a 30 gallon tank, the last 15 gallons costs you about 90 pounds of dead weight, although you gradually burn it off.
Another significant factor in reduced fuel economy is rolling friction. Examples of this causing fuel waste are: four wheel drive engaged when not required; poor wheel alignment, where the tires are not pointing straight ahead when under load; improper inflation; brakes dragging; worn or improperly lubricated driveline components.
Engine and driveline friction decrease your fuel economy; using "energy conserving" oils, keeping the engine and driveline fluids clean, and warming your vehicle properly (especially in cold weather) will all stretch your fuel mileage.

OK -- there you have it; I've done my best to enumerate some (certainly not all) of the tips to help you keep your bucks in your pocket. It's up to you now.

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Car charging units recalled due to injury hazard

Anna Sattler — 2008-02-05T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, recalls and safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with The Wenzel Co., has issued a voluntary recall of about 3,900 car charging units. The batteries in the unit can overheat and cause the unit to burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers. Although no injuries or property damage has been reported, The Wenzel Company has received one report of the batteries in the car charging unit overheating and bursting.

The car charging units, included with all LL Bean Raised Insta-Beds, were manufactured in China and sold at L.L. Bean Stores nationwide and catalog from June 2007 through August 2007 for about $150. Please check the CPSC press release to see the model number and the recalled car charging unit.

Consumers should stop using the unit immediately and contact L.L. Bean anytime at (800) 555-9717 for instructions on how to receive a free replacement car charging unit, or contact them at www.llbean.com.

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Sixteen year-old converts gas guzzling truck to electric

Heather Craven — 2008-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, staying green

Not all teens are caught up with video games and prowling the malls, one innovative sixteen year-old boy has taken his 1988 Mazda pickup truck and given it a new life as an electric car. Wow! Andrew Angelloti saved up a wad of $6,000 from his part time gig as a life guard and spent it on the required parts for his eco-conscious vehicle.

The process of converting the older car involved using 20 flooded lead acid batteries to create 120 volts, which he then coupled to a 60 HP 9" electric motor. The results are pretty impressive, Andrew can reach speeds of up to 55 MPH and can travel up to 40 miles at a time from one charge. Angelloti is so smitten with his first creation that he has decided to give his handy work another go and is currently overhauling a 1992 Toyota Tercel that will out perform his current creation.

What a refreshing bit of news. Not only is this young man using his time and talents in a productive manner but he is doing good things for the planet. A great example of some serious DIY initiative and teens everywhere!

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75 ways to keep your car running like new

Francesca Clarke — 2008-01-30T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, preventative maintenance

While I silently smirk when people refer to their car with endearing names, there is something to be said for giving your car the love it needs to love you back. A well maintained car will serve you faithfully for years. We all know the basics: Keep up on your oil changes and make the necessary repairs as they come up. If you really want to extend the life of your ride you'll want to take extra care, considering all the details and tending to some seemingly obscure tips.

These 75 ways to keep your car in top-notch condition will minimize your headaches and significantly extend your vehicle's life. The Reader's Digest article covers everything from the break in period, to sun protection and tire tread safety. I found this to be the most clear and comprehensive collection of tips. One of the easiest ones to implement and probably the most effective tool for easily detecting a problem is #8: Keep an auto log. More details about this tip after the break.
From the article:

Keep an auto log
Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.

Catching problems early could save further damage to your car and your pocket book. I would never have considered some of these pointers, but their argument makes perfect sense and the results are well worth the effort. A few of the quirky tips include running your AC in the winter, buying used tires and holding on to old hub-caps. Have a look through the 75 ways to keep your car new. What surprised you?

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Hang 'em high!

Mike Johnson — 2008-01-03T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, kids, organization and storage, weekend projects, cleaning

So you pulled out all the stops, put on your cape, and played Super Mom/ Dad for Christmas by getting the little one(s) a new bicycle with dual overhead thingys, quad turbo whatsits, and a unified theory of squidgybo. Congratulations on making their little dreams come true! Now that the bow is off and they have figured out that maybe deep winter isn't always the best time to go riding, where do you store the dang thing until the spring thaw where it won't get stolen, snowed/ rained on, or treated like a fire hydrant by every K-9 in a 10 block radius?

If you aren't lucky enough to have an out building or storage shed, and you garage is already full of either stuff or cars, what are you going to do? Do the kids park it where ever they can find room in the garage and hope it doesn't get run over or hit by one of the cars? Do you wind up like a contestant in the hammer throw and lob it on top of the junk pile and hope to not start an avalanche? Do you cover it up with a tarp outside hoping spiders and condensation don't reduce it to a small pile of rust before it gets ridden again?

My suggestion is to hang it from the garage ceiling. The kits to do so are moderately priced ($10- $25+), although I'm not sure I'd personally trust the $10 one to hang a bike over anything breakable. The only other guidance I would give besides reading the instructions completely before starting the job is:

1. Open the garage door and check clearances before you pick a spot! For some reason they don't mention this in the instructions.

2. Measure the height of the bike and do the math from the ceiling down to make sure you still have the vertical clearance you may need to get to the car, trash cans etc. I'm 6'2" and bending double to throw the trash blows!

3. Buy some good, heavy duty, weight rated anchors and screws as back ups because the idea of finding joists in the ceiling where you need and want them to be is laughable!

(No, I will not explain to you the mysterious scratches on my kids' bikes, the garage door, my windshield or the bruises on my forehead! I already did that for the wife and one time was enough. So don't ask again! Bitter, party of 1 your table is ready.)

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How to remove a broken key from a lock

Anna Sattler — 2007-12-26T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, preventative maintenance, doors and windows

Oh, happy day! Winter has arrived! Now is the time for sledding and snow skiing and making snow men. Along with cold, frozen noses and fingers, we must give precedence to all the frozen locks that hungrily eat our keys. Seriously, try inserting that worn out key into a lock and see what happens, but don't say I didn't warn ya!

The next time you are unlucky enough to break off a key, don't panic. Doityourself.com tells us how to remove a broken key from a lock. With a little bit of patience and the right tools, you can remove the broken key with little fuss. It pays to carry a needle nose pliers, some WD-40 or cooking spray, and a small saw blade in your purse, carry-all or briefcase, just is case a key break could happen.

The article is explicit in detail, telling you how to remove the broken key and how to check your key to make sure it is in tiptop shape so you never have to experience the agony of a broken key. I don't know about you, but I am going to lubricate all my locks and check my keys right now. I can't imagine anything worse than trying to get a broken key out of a lock when it is only 10 degrees outside!

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13 uses for cooking spray

Anna Sattler — 2007-12-25T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, household hacks, in the kitchen, preventative maintenance, cleaning

Heather brought us a great blog post on how she, her children and her brother use Pam cooking spray. As I was reading her post, I started thinking that there has to be more excellent uses besides cooking with the spray and the ingenious uses her loved ones have.

Gomestic writer Darlene McFarlane has 13 remarkable uses for cooking spray. Who knew cooking spray could keep debris from sticking to your car wheels or car grill, not to mention keeping your locks and mailbox free from sticking and freezing? Cooking spray is also great for keeping candle wax from sticking to the candle holders, cleans dirt and soap scum from your shower, quiets squeaky hinges, lubricates a bicycle chain, makes snow slide off the shovel easier if you spray your shovel first, and keeps wet grass from sticking to your lawnmower blades.

Please be careful with some of these suggestions. You will want to clean up the cooking spray very thoroughly before you take your next shower, so that you don't fall down and break your noggin. Also, be careful when using cooking spray on a putty knife. Using too much of a good thing, such as cooking spray, isn't always a good thing, if ya know what I mean. In other words, you could end up hurting yourself!

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Easy bike rack from PVC pipe

Diane Rixon — 2007-12-21T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, organization and storage

PVC pipe. It's affordable, easy to work with, durable. Not, it's not very pretty, but let me say again: it's affordable! PVC is sort of a wonder-plastic and can be used creatively in many a DIY project. (That is, if you're willing to overlook the fact that it's highly toxic and, therefore, not exactly a green choice.) Like this one, for example: build a bike rack using PVC pipe. I found this one on Instructables, offered up for public consumption by user "imarunner2."

This is a nice 'n' easy little project. If you have a halfway decent saw, you can make this. You will need a length of three-quarter-inch PVC pipe and a bunch of connecting joints -- six t-joints and six elbow joints. All the pieces are glued together using PVC cement. One Instructables reader tried it out and found himself out-of-pocket by a mere $5. Peanuts!

Interested in bigger, more elaborate models? Take a look at some of the pics people have uploaded to Flickr. You've got your king-size garage versions, and then you've got your mondo versions, too. That last one must've been a fun weekend project. Not.

Liking the DIY-with-PVC concept? Check out Gary's post on a DIY vehicle shelter made from PVC pipes.

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10 things you should have in your trunk - it could save your life this winter

Francesca Clarke — 2007-12-12T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, seasonal

Depending on where you live, winter driving can be anything from an adventure to just plain stupid. If you are going to be out on the roads there are some car preparation and driving tips that are crucial. How to Winterize your Car.....and your Brain for Winter Driving outlines important tips, from preparing your car for the season to safe driving behavior and habits in specific conditions. Along with their tips, they have a supplies checklist for a vehicle emergency pack.

Vehicle emergency pack

Flashlight
Flares
First-aid kit
Blanket
Warm winter clothes
Bag of sand or salt (to use for traction if your tires get stuck)
Snow-brush, ice scraper and snow shovel
Wiper fluid
Paper towels
Food and water

You might already have some of these things in the trunk, but have a look through and make sure everything still works. Add the items you're missing and throw them together in a backpack. Hopefully you only ever need to go in there for some sand or an ice scraper, but if you do ever find yourself needing flares or warm blankets, it could save your life.

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Paint race car flames on your lawnmower!

Diane Rixon — 2007-12-07T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: backyard science, cars and transportation

Oh, this is too cool! Make your lawnmower as fearsome as a NASCAR speedster with a racing car-style paint job. We're talkin' flames!

Find out how by visiting this Instructables post by Sam. There's a truly excellent slideshow at the site, demonstrating each step of the project. Basically, it involves the following:
1. Remove the lawnmower's engine cover
2. Sand and prime it
3. Apply a base coat. Ideally, in a color that creates a suitable contrast with the red, orange and yellow flames. In this case, the chosen color is bright blue
4. Apply a layer of painter's tape all over the area where the flames are to go
5. Draw out the flames with a pencil, then score their outline with a blade and peel those pieces off
6. Spray on the flames in red, orange and yellow. I think these guys airbrushed the flames to create a smooth, naturalistic look.
As you can see from the photo here, it looks totally professional.

Common sense tip: with all that spray painting and closeup work (drawing and scoring), good ventilation is a must for this project.

Sam: what can I say? This idea bears the mark of genius.

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How to paint your car for $75

Anna Sattler — 2007-12-03T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, weekend projects

In August, Ryan Carter told us how to paint our car for under $300. Yes, it can be done, and quite well, too. If you followed the step by step instructions, your car is now sporting a pretty new paint job.

If you don't happen to have $300 this Christmas season, Instructables user Styluss gives detailed step by step instructions on how to paint a car for $75. He used high density foam brushes to apply Rustoleum high gloss white paint to his 1989 Chevy Beretta. He didn't want to do much sanding, and discovered that using the foam brushes meant that he didn't have, thus making less work for himself.

I advise doing this at your own risk, and so does Styluss. If you don't have enough money to take your car to a professional, painting your car yourself is a great idea, but as with all do it yourself projects, proceed with caution. You don't want to end up with a crappy paint job because you failed to completely read Styluss's instructions.

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Homemade windshield de-icer

Anna Sattler — 2007-11-23T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, preventative maintenance, seasonal

Winter is here for some of us, and along with the cold comes having to scrape the car windows every morning. That is a serious pain for me, considering I am height challenged. I have a difficult time reaching the center of the windshield.

Surfing the net looking for de-icing solutions, I came across some reader tips on The Dollar Stretcher. Sue was looking for some remedies for a homemade window ice removal formula, and just happened to pose the question on stretcher.com. She received some helpful answers.

Marianne says to place 3 parts vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle, spray the windshield and all the windows and mirrors before you go to bed at night, and in the morning you should have ice free windows. You can also use rubbing alcohol if you don't have any vinegar.

Beejay says to use two parts rubbing alcohol to one part water, and you should have no more ice.

C.T. says to place a lightweight tarp or an old sheet over your car, and any ice buildup should quickly melt away. Sometimes this doesn't work though, because where I live, we get too much snow for lil ole me to just pull off the tarp with all the snow on it.

Ellie says to mix rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish liquid. Spray the windshield and in a few minutes, the ice will lift right off. Makes scraping much easier.

I will be sure to try these remedies the next time we are scheduled for a storm. What is your formula for removing ice and snow from your vehicle?

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Vehicle maintenance - Let Service Beacon track it for you

Francesca Clarke — 2007-11-08T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, preventative maintenance

We all know how important vehicle maintenance is. Keeping up on regular service appointments or doing the maintenance yourself is key to your car's continued performance. Most of you will diagnose and fix your car problems independently and quite successfully. The real problem is that if you wait for an issue, you've already lost time and money. Maintenance is key and it is so easy to lose track of our maintenance schedule. Dumb Little Man points us to the perfect solution: Service Beacon.

For car owners it's completely free. You can store all your car maintenance records on their site. While the idea is that you can book your service appointments through your dealer online, most of you will opt for the DIY method. I know it would be useful to us having a reminder each time we're due for a service. The site will also keep you up to date on all of the recalls and notifications relevant to your vehicle. Let Service Beacon track your car maintenance schedule so that your car keeps serving you. Take the tour, it's quite impressive.

[via: Lifehacker]

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