Car & bike

61 tips · Small tricks. Big impact.

A frame lock alone is not enough – use it only together with a U-lockAdd a second kickstand to a lowrider rack to support the luggageAdjust the headset: loosen the stem bolts before tightening the top capAdjust the rim brake pad so it never touches the tyreCarry bikes on a tow-bar rack instead of the roofChange disc brake pads before the backing plate hits the rotorCheck saddle height: knee straight at the lowest pedal positionCheck the brake rotor minimum thickness stamped on the discCheck the inside of the tyre for thorns and glass before refitting the tubeCheck tyre pressure regularly to keep rolling resistance lowClean alloy wheels with a non-abrasive toothpaste-type creamClean the gaps between the spokes of a wheel with a toothbrushClean wiper blades with spirit on a microfibre cloth and oil the rubber lips with silicone sprayClip a tyre lever onto the rim to hold the bead in placeClose a broken bike chain with a quick link by pedalling against a held wheelCoffee beans or grounds overnight in the footwell against stale car smellCover a small paint scratch with sticky tape first, then seal it with clear nail polishDrive 130 instead of 160 km/h on the motorway to save fuelDrive a temporary spare wheel at most 80 km/h and replace it quicklyDrive ahead: coast and use engine braking instead of hard brakingFind a bike tube leak in a water bath by watching for bubblesFree a seized seatpost: let penetrating oil soak for 24 to 48 hoursFrozen car door: press evenly against the frame instead of yanking itFull-length mudguards with flaps keep spray off your feet and backIn steady rain, slip plastic bags over your socks before the overshoesKeep a bike passport and record the frame number before theftLevel the saddle with a spirit levelLock the frame and a wheel to something fixedLook up the jacking point in the owner's manual before changing a tyreLower tyre pressure by 5 to 10 psi on wet roadsMeasure chain stretch with a chain wear gaugeMount a tyre starting opposite the valve, finishing at the valveNo ordinary oil in the car lock, use a dedicated lock-care productOil the chain sparingly so less grit sticks to itPack heavy items low in the panniers and light, frequently used items on topPack the luggage evenly on both sidesPatch small cracks in a plastic bumper with filler and polishPolish cloudy car headlights with toothpaste on a damp clothPull test: check bike chain wear without any toolReplace quick-release skewers on saddle and wheels with tamper-proof fixingsRest the chain on the bottom bracket shell while riveting to relieve tensionRevive faded black plastic bumper with black shoe polishRub alloy wheels with margarine about every two weeks after cleaningRun the air conditioning and rear-window heater only when neededSeal a tyre with the sealant kit from the repair set, valve at the bottomSet chain tension at the rear hub: centre the wheel, tighten the axle lastShift some weight forward when a loaded bike struggles on switchbacksSpoke rule for wheel wobble: tighten the opposite side in quarter turnsSpot a loose fan belt by its screeching noiseSpot wheel wobble without a truing stand using a zip tie as a pointerStack luggage wide rather than high in the carSwitch off power consumers on short winter trips so the battery stays chargedSwitch the engine off during long waits at traffic lights or level crossingsTemporarily stop a dripping radiator with chewing gum (reader tip, only to the workshop)Test headset play by pulling the front brake and rocking the bikeThaw iced-up car doors with lukewarm water, never boilingTreat the inside of the windscreen with dish-soap water against foggingUnload unneeded luggage before driving to save fuelUse only plastic tyre levers and lever in short stepsUse wet lube on the chain when riding in rainWet and dirty roads wear brake pads faster, so check them earlier