Garage

[The March Hare]

One way to free rusted nuts and bolts, particularly on aluminium parts, is to pour on a small amount of fizzy cola drink. The acids and carbon dioxide in the drink will help to eat away the corrosion and release the hold on the threads. Wait until dry before trying again to move the nut.
Cola is is ideal for loosening jammed parts but ensure it is cleaned off properly as it can cause corrosion.

[The March Hare]

Another method of cleaning chrome is a little household ammonia in water. Rinse and dry the chrome well afterwards to polish it up. This also removes grease and insect marks. On really stubborn marks use a little neat ammonia on a damp cloth.

If you don't have ammonia paraffin or toothpaste on a damp cloth are quite good substitutes

[The March Hare]

If you get stuck in snow or on ice, don't spin the wheels as this will melt the frozen surface making the problem worse.
Place gravel, an old sack, or twigs, etc. under the front of the driving wheels, select second gear and let the clutch in slowly with minimum acceleration.


If you have trouble starting your car due to dampness on winter mornings, try using a hair dryer (no, not to get to work on but to dry out the engine!)

[marmaris98]

good tips there bob, don't think i will drink much cola after those

[juicyjude]

The hairdryer tip was very good Bob, thanks

[The March Hare]

Cat litter can be used for absorbing oil spills in garages etc. Dilute any spills with paint thinner or white spirit, sprinkle with cat litter and sweep up when the liquid has been absorbed.



Never work on your car in a closed garage with the engine running. The carbon monoxide fumes from the exhaust can kill.

Never wear loose clothing, ties, jewellery and keep long hair tied back when working over a running engine. It is amazing how quickly accidents can happen.

[The March Hare]

To stop a radiator leak in an emergency, place a piece of chewing gum over the hole. If the hole is in a hose you can wrap with insulating tape, elastoplast or even sellotape to get you a little further.

Alternatively cracking open an egg and putting into the boiling radiator will seal the hole on a short term basis.



(Be careful when opening a hot radiator though!)

[The March Hare]

To remove tar from your car, take baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and add enough water to make a paste, then rub on tar. Works great!
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Use baby wipes on car dashboards, they clean like new and leave an anti-static layer.

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To remove surface rust from chrome bumpers and for those people who have them on the overrider, crumple up some aluminium foil into a ball, dip it in water and rub on the rust area, rinse with clean water. This does not work on pitted rust areas.

[The March Hare]

Clean windscreens with a cloth dipped in a bucket of warm water containing a couple of tablesthingys of white vinegar. Polish with a clean, dry cloth. Smears can be removed with a cloth moistened with methylated spirits.



Don't be tempted to use washing-up (dishwashing) liquid to wash your car. They can contain salt which corrodes metal.

[The March Hare]

If windscreen wipers stop working and you happen to have a potato handy!!!! cut the potato in half and rub the face up and down the windscreen in front of the driver. For a short time, this prevents the pattern of drops which is impossible to see through. Repeat the process if travelling further.

Small paint brushes or toothbrushes can be used to clean the crevices on dashboards.



If you get a hole in your petrol tank you can fix the problem by sealing the hole with soap (carbolic is the best). This can last up to three days

[The March Hare]

You could also lay a piece of old blanket or carpet under the bonnet, over the engine but you must remember to remove it before driving off as it could go up in flames with disastrous consequences. If you use this method it is best to leave the bonnet (hood) slightly open with the material hanging out to remind you to remove it.



Broken fan belts on some cars can be replaced in an emergency with tights (pantihose) or stockings. Simply put it around the pulleys on the engine and fan (leaving out the dynamo is easiest). This will allow you to travel further but the battery will not be charging. The belt must be replaced quickly

[juicyjude]

Have taken many a pair of tights off in a car in my time!!!



hussy

[The March Hare]

juicyjude said:

Have taken many a pair of tights off in a car in my time!!!



hussy

You are so naughty

[jj]

You are a Cheecky Hussy Jude ;D ;D ;D ;D

[The March Hare]

CHANGE A FLAT TYRE

Firstly place the vehicle in as safe a place as possible, being aware of traffic and placing a red warning triangle to warn other motorists.

If your wheel nuts have plastic covers, remove before using wheel brace. The wheel brace may be incorporated in the jack handle.

Before raising the car, remove the hubcap, by using a screwdriver or wheelbrace or these may just pull off. Slacken the wheel nuts or bolts slightly by unscrewing in an anti-clockwise direction. This is easier to do with the weight of the car holding the wheel firm. If the nuts are extremely tight, put your foot on the wheelbrace and stamp on it if necessary.

Slowly operate the jack until the car tyre is well clear of the ground, remember to leave enough clearance to allow for a fully inflated tyre to be put in its place.

If the car or jack show any sign of instability, lower and reposition either the car or jack.

Remove the wheel nuts completely and put them in a safe place where they won't roll away or get dirty - the hub cap is ideal.

Remove the wheel, fit the spare and replace the nuts* or bolts*.

*Wheel nuts - some cars have the bolts fitted to the hub. The nuts have one conical side which goes on TOWARDS the wheel.

* Wheel bolts - Some cars have wheel bolts that fit into the holes in the hub. It can be difficult to align the bolts with the holes in the hub. Support the wheel with the jack handle placed under the tyre so that one hole is aligned and screw that bolt in by hand, it will then be easier to fit the remaining bolts.

Using only moderate pressure, tighten the wheel nuts or bolts diagonally, this will ensure the wheel is correctly centred. Lower the car, remove the jack and tighten the nuts or bolts with your full strength (in a clockwise direction), standing on the wheelbrace if necessary. Replace hub cap

[The March Hare]

ge

JACK UP THE CAR

Before you jack up a car put the handbrake on fully and put the car into 1st gear (or PARK on an automatic).

If possible, put the car on firm, level ground, however, if the only ground available is soft, use a board or carpet from the boot (trunk) under the jack to prevent it sinking into the ground under the weight of the car.

Try to find something to use as a chock in front of the opposite wheel to prevent it moving.

Find the appropriate fitting point for the jack nearest to the wheel you want to change.

There are two main types of jack, the post type which has a metal tongue that fits into a hole at the jacking point on the car and the scissor type that has a pad which fits under the jacking point.

If necessary clear out any debris which has accumulated in the hole to ensure the jack fits snugly into the jacking point. When using a post jack, tilt the base slightly towards the car when it first touches the ground then, as the car is raised, it will lean slightly allowing the jack to sit squarely on the ground.

It is worth remembering jacks supplied with cars are intended for changing wheels only and therefore do not place any part of your body under the car whilst it is raised. Do not use the jacks to hold up the car during maintenance work.

[The March Hare]

GET OUT OF SNOW OR MUD

Once stuck do not accelerate as this will dig you in further.

To prevent the driving wheels from spinning use 4th or 5th gear and partly disengage the clutch to start the car rolling.

If this fails, try 3rd gear and reverse alternately to get the car rocking backwards and forwards until you feel the tyres grip as the car rolls.

If the driving wheels have dug right into the snow or mud, put the floor mat from the boot (trunk) or even an old coat or car rug, under both driving wheels to provide a grip for the tyres.

[The March Hare]

HOW TO



If your hands are dirty, squeeze some washing up liquid into the palm of one hand, add a teasthingy of sugar and then rub your hands together. When the sugar has dissolved, rinse well and your soft, white, delicate hands will be restored!!

UNFREEZE DOOR LOCKS

Squirt de-icer into the lock, using the extension nozzle to push aside the protective inner flap.

Soak a sponge or cloth in hot water and apply it to the outside of the lock.

Heat the key with a flame, this may take several tries, but never force the key as this may result in it breaking off in the lock.

If you have nothing else available to help try placing a warm hand over the lock and keeping it there for a couple of minutes, changing hands every so often.

As prevention is better than cure, to avoid door locks freezing in the first place, they should be lubricated with a graphite based lock lubricant, which will also prevent the locks from wearing

[juicyjude]

Change a tyre Bob said, change a tyre.......................... Oh no Bob, just hitch my skirt a bit higher and look pathetic like!!!! Not getting my hands dirty for anything.

[The March Hare]

The best way to free jammed steering locks is to remove the load from the steering mechanism. To do this jack up the front of the car in the middle of the axle. Then normally the steering wheel and lock will be no longer under load this allows the key to be turned as normal.