Top 5 Uses of WD40 in Your Car (Life Hacks)

Wendy K. L
Feb 16, 2021

WD-40 is one of the most well-known penetrating oils, but did you know it’s also a super lubricant and a cleaner for lots of vehicle parts? YouTube maniac-mechanic Scotty Kilmer explains how the classic WD-40 formula has evolved to do all three at the same time.

So, which of #savagescotty’s life hacks earned its way onto the Top 5 uses for WD-40 in your car?    

  1. Door locks and ignition switches 
  2. Water dissipation 
  3. Loosening stuck wheels 
  4. Unsticking brake drums 
  5. Temporary paint shine and cleaner 

As always, #savagescotty says it just the way it is. So, rev up your engines and we’ll look at how WD-40 can transform the way you maintain your vehicle and keep it in high-performing shape.

Scotty Kilmer’s Top 5 Uses of WD-40 in Your Car

  1. Door Locks and Ignition Switches

The number one way to use WD-40 in a car is with door locks and ignition switches. If they need a little cleaning, you’re in luck because it shines them right up and removes built-up residue. It also lubricates and protects the locks so that they continue to function properly.

Some mechanics bristle at the idea of using it on locks and switches, thinking that it clogs the locks. But, Scotty Kilmer says that’s just not true. It actually cleans and lubricates them for consistent functionality and easy maintenance. And guess what: It keeps locks from freezing in winter!

  1. Water Dissipation

Have you ever stopped to wonder where the name WD-40 came from? According to WD-40 Company, the WD stands for “water displacement,” and the 40 refers to the number of attempts it took to perfect the formula. After the developing chemist finally got it right, it’s worked like a charm for decades.

That brings us to Number 2 in Scotty Kilmer’s YouTube video: WD-40 dissipates water. Say you drive through a giant puddle, the electronics get wet, and the car starts missing or stalls out. Just spray the electronic parts with some WD-40, which displaces moisture from the car wiring, and you’ll be up-and-running in no time.

  1. Loosening Up Stuck Wheels

When it’s time to rotate your tires or change out a busted one, it’s common to discover that the wheels won’t budge. If they’re stuck and difficult to remove, WD-40 comes to the rescue. Put a few squirts in the spot where you removed the lug nuts, give it a kick, and you’ll be good to go.

To keep the wheels from sticking again, spray some WD-40 on the inside of the mating surface before putting it all back together again. Fortunately, as #savagescotty notes, the WD-40 company has replaced the old plastic straws with metal articulated ones that bend into whatever position you need for the job.

  1. Unsticking Brake Drums

Car Brake Drums

When working on your brakes, you obviously need the drums to come off. But how many times have you found them stubbornly stuck and refusing to budge? Spray them in the middle with WD-40 to eliminate that problem right away.

After lubrication, just whack them a couple of times with a hammer or mallet and they’ll slide like butter. Remember to coat the inside section of the brakes with WD-40 before putting them back on (you’ll thank yourself later when it comes time for brake work again).

  1. Quick Shine and Paint Spiff-Up

We all want our rides to shine and glide. WD-40 keeps you looking good by removing scuff marks, cleaning pinstriping, and removing tar and mud from highway driving. It also revitalizes car paint for at least a short period of time.

Spray WD-40 on faded car paint, buff it out, and watch blotches and scrapes even out. Since it resists water, your paint sparkles brilliantly in the rain. The effects diminish over time, but it definitely improves appearances if you’re selling your car or cruising to a special event.

Helpful hint: WD-40 lets you easily clean residue from bumper stickers that have outlived your passions of the moment.

Now you’re privy to Scotty Kilmer’s Top 5 uses of WD-40 in your car, but there are loads more that you’ll discover on your own. To keep your ride in tip-top shape, read up on your Vehicle History, do some preventive maintenance, and store up savvy tips and tricks from fellow automotive junkies.

avatar Wendy K. L
Wendy L. is a full-time journalist with a secret passion for vintage Mustangs. While road-tripping the world for more than 10 years, she’s published features and content for clients such as USA Today, NBC Universal and King 5 News.
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