Owning a vehicle is a huge responsibility, with a strict set of driving and maintenance rules to follow to ensure everyone is kept safe – but are drivers cutting corners when it comes to ensuring their vehicle is up to scratch?
Vehicle repair costs have risen 40% since 20181, so many drivers have taken to social media to find easier and quicker solutions to get their car back in prime condition.
With #vehiclemaintenance racking up more than 28M TikTok views, is following social media DIY hacks useful and cost effective, or is it best to pay a little more to get a certified engineer to take a look?
Fuel card expert and Sales Director at Right Fuel Card, David James, breaks down some of the common car maintenance hacks shared on TikTok:
- WD40 it away
Having a clear view of the road in darker conditions and remaining visible to other drivers is crucial so TikTokkers such as @thediytraillsuggest using WD40 to clean the headlights.
David comments:
Do: “Using household products can be a popular choice because it can be convenient and cost-effective. Test this trick with a small section of the headlight first, then leave it for a few hours to see if the results are as expected before rushing for full use. To prevent a build up of residue, wash off the oils with a mild soap.
Don’t: “Avoid constant use of WD40 as the oil can leak into your headlights, causing an even bigger problem than before. Most modern headlights are plastic covers and overtime, this could dry out the plastic.”
- Soapy windscreen
A clean windscreen helps prevent obstructions in your view of the road and even though there are conventional screen washers out there, TikTokers such as @LearnCar are opting for their household washing up liquid instead for a squeaky clean view.
David explains:
Do: “Apply a small amount of washing up liquid directly onto a cloth and wash away any noticeable dirt. Remember to wash the foamy residue away effectively with clean water as your view could end up being more obstructed than before.
Don’t: “Avoid pouring the washing up liquid directly onto your windscreen or into the screen wash reservoir and keep well clear of the paintwork. Household washing up liquids contains harsh chemicals that aren’t made for cars and therefore could cause damage to your motor.2”
- Scratchpaste
Although scratches on the outer body won’t affect your motors overall driving ability, it can devalue your vehicle and also set you back anywhere between £60 – £250 to fix.3 @LearnCar advises applying toothpaste to the scratches and rubbing them off with a cloth until they disappear.
David suggests:
Do: “Toothpaste is a mild abrasive and can help remove minor scratches. Do use a small amount (the size of a 2p coin) onto a dampened cloth and using just enough pressure, rub in circular motions onto the scratches until clear. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly using water before and after application.
Don’t: “Repeat this process into the same area more than twice to avoid any further damage to the paintwork.”
- Potato head
Some food products have multiple purposes beyond being edible. TikTokkers and online commenters advocate fog free windows by cutting a potato in half and rubbing the inner side onto the window in a circular motion.
David comments:
Do: “Utilise leftover potatoes and ensure that the potato is clean from soil. A thin layer can prevent condensation from forming on the window, but ensure that there are no potato streaks.
Don’t: “Buy potatoes for this sole use. It can rack up costs in the long run and cost you more rather than saving anything at all.”
- Toilet cleaner on tyres
Rusting cars can have long term implications and on average, could cost around £300 to repair4. Home cleaning products seem to be a popular choice with TikTokers and @skillfuldrivers propose using toilet cleaner to remove rust build up on your tyres.
David says:
Do: “Research the ingredients before adopting this hack as some cleaners can erode the rims even further. Always rinse the product off after use as leaving chemicals to set can be a disaster waiting to happen.
Don’t: “Use anything you find in the cupboard. Bathroom, kitchen and floor cleaners for example, all have different chemicals and purposes so may not be useful at all and can actually worsen the problem rather than provide a solution.”
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