The Most Useful (And Curated) Auto Care Tips From A Dad: @Dadadvicefrombo

Maintaining your car over time takes practice. Some tips and tricks you can find online rather easily. Yet, if you want to save yourself the trouble of learning some things the hard way then check out @DadAdviceFromBo on Instagram.

He has a ton of great tips and advice for how to drive and maintain your vehicle. We’ve taken the time to collect our favorite tips that he shares below to get you started. Don’t forget to give him a follow!

Check to see if your 4-wheel drive is actually working

Like all of his other pieces of advice, Bo gives a great way to check if your 4-wheel drive is on. Simply drive up to a curb, place your vehicle against it, and if you are in 2-wheel drive you won’t be able to drive over the curb. If your vehicle is in 4-wheel drive, then you will be able to drive over the curb.

If you need extra traction during the winter, here’s how to put tire chains on

Tire chains and tire cables provide additional traction for vehicles in snowy or icy conditions. They can help prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding on the road, making it safer to drive. You may need to put tire chains on your tires when driving on roads that have been plowed but not treated with salt or sand, or when the snow is particularly heavy.

For those of us who will be on the road during the winter season, this helpful video from Bo will show you step-by-step instructions on how to add your tire chains or cables to your car.

Another Winter Driving Tip: The Still Water Excercise

Bo reminds us to drive slow when we are driving over slow or ice. A great way to practice this (even when it isn't snowing) is to put a full glass of water on your dashboard and practice driving without spilling any water. This is a great way to teach new drivers who haven’t driven during the winter, how to navigate the roads (warning: we cannot guarantee your car will stay dry doing this, so proceed with caution😅).

This advice from Bo is our personal favorite. Replacing your wiper blades for the first time can seem like a hard task to do, so much so that you may put it off. Here’s why you shouldn’t though:

1. Visibility: Worn out wiper blades can leave streaks and smears on the windshield, reducing visibility and making it difficult to see while driving.
2. Safety: In poor weather conditions such as rain, sleet or snow, worn wiper blades can impair your visibility, increasing the risk of an accident.
3. Damage to the windshield: Worn wiper blades can scratch the windshield, causing damage that is not only unsightly but can also weaken the structure of the windshield.
4. Noise: Worn-out wiper blades can produce a loud, annoying noise that can be distracting to the driver.
5. Reduced efficiency: Worn-out wiper blades are less efficient at cleaning the windshield, so they need to be replaced more frequently, which can be costly in the long run.

If you don’t want to deal with any of these problems in the future, Bo explains how to change your wiper blades in less than 60 seconds. His step-by-step instructions include:

1. Pick out your blades (your local auto parts store can help you find the right ones)
2. Replace your blades before while parked in the parking lot of the store
3. If you need help, go back to the store and ask for help (but try to install them yourself first)

You have to regularly clean your headlights

Summer heat brings its own driving challenges. In the case of your headlights, the strong summer heat can cause them to get foggy over time. If this gets to a certain point, your vision at night will get reduced, even with your high beams turned on. Fogginess gets even worse if you live in humid climates.

When you visit a local auto parts store, try and get a headlight restoration kit. In this demonstration, Bo shows you how to clean your headlights so that you have better visibility when driving at night.

How To Clean “Exhale Scum”

Cleaning your car is important—especially your car’s interior. In this video, Bo explains why you should clean the inside of your cars windshield and what cleaning equipment you need to get the job done right.

How to handle the T-Interection

This advice is targeted at new drivers but, all of us can benefit from this quick reminder from Bo. When entering an intersection with the chance to enter by either making a left or right turn, take your time. Even if making a right turn is easier since you’re entering the flow of traffic and only need to go into the nearest lane, don’t rush your turns. If traffic behind you is honking their horns, don’t feel the need to rush. Always take your time when turning into a T-intersection.

How Sales Tax Works When Trading In A Vehicle

Sales tax can vary depending on the state you live in. However, to make trading in your car easier and to have a better sense of how much you’ll pay in taxes, Bo gives a quick example to show you how the math works.

How to get better gas mileage during the summer

Everyone wants to get better mileage while on the road. In this video, Bo explains the benefits of using fuel additives and why you should regularly change your air filter.

The benefits of using fuel additives

Fuel additives are chemicals that are added to gasoline or diesel fuel to improve the performance and efficiency of your vehicle’s engine. They can help increase gas mileage by improving the combustion process, cleaning the fuel system, and reducing friction in the engine.

It's important to note though that not all fuel additives work for all vehicles, and some may not provide any benefits. We recommend checking the compatibility of fuel additives with your vehicle before using them or asking your local auto parts store for help.

Why you need to change your air filter

Regularly changing a car's air filter can improve engine performance, protect the engine from damage and reduce emissions. A dirty air filter can reduce fuel efficiency and cause wear to the engine, it is recommended to check the vehicle's owner manual for the recommended replacement intervals. Regularly changing the air filter can help to prolong the life of the engine, save money on fuel costs and reduce emissions.

It's recommended to check the vehicle's owner manual for the recommended replacement intervals of the air filter, which can vary depending on the vehicle model, usage and the environment. In general, a good rule of thumb is to change the air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or every 12-24 months whichever comes first.

The Best Way To Teach New Drivers How To Parallel Park

Parallel parking comes naturally to some drivers but not all of us. Bo shares his method to teach new drivers how to parallel park, and all you need is plastic garbage cans and an empty parking lot.

How to change your car oil

For the adventurous among us (who don’t want to spend the extra service fees at a dealership or auto body shop), Bo explains how to change the oil in your vehicle. The specific type of oil you should use will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, so it is important to read your owner’s manual carefully before doing this on your own.

How Car Dealerships “Step On Your Rate”🥓

While frying some good ol’ bacon, Bo shares why he recommends you get pre-approved for car financing before going to a car dealership.

A Tire Changing Hack You Need To Know

To make changing your tires easier, Bo recommends purchasing a “star bar” to help you remove lug nuts. Star bars give you more leverage when rotating the lug nuts and loosening them to remove your tires.

Basic Car Tools Everybody Needs In Their Trunk

Bo provides a basic toolkit you can have in your trunk for any car emergency, which includes:

• Flashlight
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Channel locks
• Crescent wrench
• Eletrical tape
• Duct tape

If you want a deeper dive on do-it-yourself car repair tips, check out this blog post.

How To Drive At Night When High Beams Are Blinding You

Bo gives advice for how to drive safely at night and not get blinded by headlights and get “night blindness.” Using the fog line at night (or when it’s foggy or raining) is one tip to definitely remember.