15 'Car Hacks' Every Drivers Needs To Know

1. Find Out if You Need New Tires the Easy Way

One great trick that every car owner should know involves finding out how to tell if you need new tires - it'll only cost you a penny!

The next time you're curious about whether or not it's time for new tires, take a penny and insert it into your tire's tread groove. Make sure that Abe Lincoln's head is upside down and facing towards you at the time. If you can see all of Honest Abe's head, that means that your tread depth is less than the recommended 1/16 inches (1.6mm) - meaning that it's time to head to the store and pick up a new set of tires before you get yourself in some trouble.

2. Clean Crumbs, Lint and Dust with Slime

Because of the slime’s natural malleability, it can clean otherwise hard to reach crevices and crannies without making a mess.

3. Keep a Roadside HERO in Your Car Recommended

If you've ever been involved in a serious car accident, you know just how traumatic it can be. In the United States alone nearly 40,000 people per year are killed in car accidents. That’s why it’s imperative that every American have the RoadSide Hero in their cars. It has 9-in-1 Multi-Function life saving tools. It can function as a belt/rope cutter, glass breaker, hammer, compass, mounting magnet, flashlight/strobe/emergency light, powerbank and solar panel. This is the ultimate tool that should be in every vehicle.

4. Know Which Side Your Gas Tank Is

If you're driving a new car in particular, you may have a hard time remembering which side your gas tank is on. You shouldn't, however - as that information is right on your dashboard! Just look at the fuel indicator and search for the little "gas" icon. Whichever side the arrow is pointing to is the side of your car that your tank is on! This trick is particularly helpful if you're ever driving a friend's car or happen to be in a rental for a few days.

5. How to Jump Start Your Car Battery Recommended

Make no mistake: you should always know exactly how to jump start your car, no question. This is especially true if you live in an area that experiences all four seasons, as dead batteries are very common during the cold winter months and hot summer months of the year especially.

But more than that, you should always have a tool that lets you jump start your car battery on your own - which is exactly what the Portable Car Battery Jump Starter and USB Power Bank with LED Flashlight was built for. You get a portable 12 volt, 12000 mah 400 A portable battery jump starter AND the ability to charge your mobile devices at the exact same time. Not only will this make sure that you're ready for anything, but it's also another example of something that is compact enough to keep in your glove box as well.

6. New Uses For Your Floor Mats

Thick, rubber floor mats are a great way to prevent your car from getting too dirty in the winter - but they're also a great way to get yourself out of a jam, as well! If you're ever stuck in the snow (or in the mud during the summer), take the floor mats out of your car and put them underneath your tires. This will help give you the traction you need to get out of even the stickiest situations.

7. Don't Forget About Your Tire Pressure

Another important thing that you're going to want to know involves exactly how to check your tire pressure. Again, this is something that will vary not only depending on the model of car you drive but also the specific type of tires you own. If you're still driving around on the factory tires that came with your car, this information will be in your manual. If you upgraded to a newer set, you'll want to Google the specific type of tires you own for more accurate information.

The next time you pull into a gas station, head on over to the "Air" machine and take a look at the nozzle. One end lets you inflate your tires, while the other end is usually a pressure gauge. Not only will keeping an eye on your tire pressure help significantly in terms of fuel efficiency, but it'll also increase the general performance of your car as well.

8. Know What Your Car Is Trying to Tell You

The “Check Engine” light is probably one of the most important warning indicators in your car. There is a multitude of reasons why the check engine light can come on. While many of these reasons can be rather harmless, you can risk serious damage to your engine if you continue driving not knowing what it is for. A new device has been creating a lot of buzz for consumers that can actually give you an insight as to why the light is on, potentially saving you thousands in repairs. It’s called FIXD and it is available for most cars manufactured after 1996. This device has the ability to tell you exactly why the “Check Engine” light is on, saving you the trouble of relying on a mechanic’s word, which often times can be dishonest and lead to unnecessary and costly repairs. Why waste your hard earned money if you don’t have to? Give the FIXD a try and see why hundreds of thousands of consumers like you are getting smart about repairs.

9. Check Your Fluid Levels - ALL of Them

One of the most important things that any car owner should know - even if you don't consider yourself a "gear head" - involves how to change your fluids. Not just your windshield washer fluid, because everyone knows how to find the clearly labeled container that is usually right under the hood of your car. No, you need to know how to change ALL of your fluids - because there's nothing worse than getting stuck on the side of the road somewhere because of a problem that you should have been able to easily fix yourself.

Take a look at the manual that came with your car (remember that?) or look online to find out the appropriate locations and levels of your oil, your coolant, your power steering fluid and your brake fluid. You don't have to know how to tear a car apart and put it back together again, but you should at least know how to check and change these fluids if the going gets tough. The locations will vary depending on the model of car you drive, which is why it's always important to learn specifically based on the vehicle you're actually driving. When the going gets tough - and rest assured, it occasionally will - you'll be very glad you did.

10. All About Engine Temperature

Another essential tip that every car owner should know involves your engine temperature - meaning its current status and what temperature it SHOULD be operating at. Never assume that the fuel temperature warning light is going to save you in the event of an emergency, as usually by the time it pops on you've already got a major problem on your hands.

Knowing what your optimal engine temperature is will not only help guarantee the best possible performance out of your vehicle at all times, but it can also help immediately clue you into small problems before they become much bigger and more expensive ones down the road (pun absolutely intended).

11. Get Rid of Nasty Odors Using Baking Soda

If your car smells bad, it ruins the whole driving experience, plus it’s embarrassing when you’re giving someone a lift. Use the baking soda to absorb and neutralize the nasty smells and be proud of your fresh-smelling vehicle again.

12. You Need an Emergency Roadside Kit Recommended

Again - so much of being prepared involves making sure that you have the right tool by your side for any situation that you find yourself in. For that reason alone, you need an emergency roadside kit and you need one now.

The Ultimate Auto Emergency Kit, for example, includes everything you need to stay as safe as possible on your next road trip. You not only get everything you need for first aid and general car maintenance in one compact, resealable and waterproof storage bag, but you get ALL of the following items: Tow Rope - 10 ft., Car Battery Jumper Cables, Reflective Triangle, Tire Puncture Seal, Oil Funnel, Compact Multi-Function Shovel, Reflective Safety Vest, Bungee cords, Roll of Duct Tape, Tire Pressure Gauge, Pair of Leather Palm Work Gloves, Three AAA Batteries

The included 37-piece portable bandage kit and pocket tissue pack ALONE is more than worth the price for most people, let alone all of the other incredibly valuable items that are also included!

13. Renew and Refresh Your Windshield Wipers with Alcohol

No, we’re not suggesting that your wipers take shots, but clean windshield wipers are a must to avoid streaks and scratches on your windshield. Cleaning your wipers with a little rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth is a cheap, but effective way to keep them in great shape.

14. Your Glove Box is For More Than Just Your Manual

One of the most important tips that every car owner needs to know involves exactly what to keep in your glove box. Most people tend to keep their manual and other documentation inside, but it really does serve a much more important purpose. Items like the Roadside HERO and Ultimate Auto Emergency Kit are compact, in part, so that they can fit directly into the glove box on your vehicle. This helps to make sure that the items you need are well within arm's reach at all times.

The Stealth Angel Survival Compact Survival Kit is another great example of something that you should keep in your glove box. In one compact, waterproof, rugged and easy-to-carry case you get all of the following items: A Professional Tact Flashlight - 350 Lumen XML Q5, A Heavy-Duty Tact-Pen with Carbide Tip, An 11-in-1 Multi-Function Pocket Survival Card, A Dual Chamber Aluminum High Frequency Pealess Whistle, A Large Ferrocerium Rod/Flint with Striker, A Lightweight Compass With Dual Scale Ruler, An Ultra-Bright 2-Mode Keychain LED Flashlight, The case itself, which is compact, durable, waterproof AND shockproof

With over 1000 combined uses between them, it's easy to see why this is one product that is worth keeping by your side.

15. Use Your Smartphone as a Heads Up Display

Huddy is a dash mount for cars that uses your phone to display navigation info in your line of view without obstructing your view. Having a transparent digital display glass, that will display the navigation information from your smartphone and transforms your car into a somewhat jetfighter cockpit. It can displays details such as the current speed, navigation direction, traffic conditions and so much more. It all depends on what app you are using on your phone.

Conclusion & Top 3 Recommendations

Most of these tricks are super simple to do with everyday items that you may have around the house. Below is the list of our top 3 recommended products.

Roadside HERO

Portable Battery Jump Starter

Ultimate Auto Emergency Kit