Car Care Tips

Safer Antifreeze

There is a less toxic antifreeze available made of propylene glycol instead of the more common ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is safe enough to be a food additive; ethylene glycol is toxic enough to be considered household hazardous waste. Quite a difference. Propylene glycol antifreeze is available from automotive supply stores.

Caution: Ethylene glycol antifreeze has a sweet smell that is attractive to animals but will poison them if they ingest it. Do not pour it down the drain if you have a septic system. If you are on municipal water , dilute the antifreeze with large quantities of water before pouring it down the drain. Some service stations recycle antifreeze; try to find one. Otherwise, save it for your community's household hazardous waste pickup day.

Windshields - Glycerin Windshield Fluid

A solution of 10 percent glycerin and 90 percent water has a freezing point of 28°F. If the glycerin percentage is increased to 58 percent, the solution's freezing point drops to -10°F. A solution of 5 percent denatured alcohol has a freezing point of 25 degrees F, if the percentage of alcohol is upped to 35 percent, the freezing point drops to -16°F. Combining glycerin and denatured alcohol in a 20 percent solution each with 60 percent water has a freezing point of -23° F.

Bugs Off

This formula can be used on painted surfaces and chrome.

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Enough liquid soap to make a paste
  

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop onto a sponge and scrub over splattered bugs until they are loosened. Rinse well. Makes 1/2 cup.

Preparation Time: A few minutes
Shelf Life: Make only enough to use at a time; it will dry out

Variation:

Oil Away Bird Droppings - Dab some vegetable oil on a rag and wipe off the droppings. Wash with soapy water, th...