WD-40 Can Save You Thousands in Car Repairs

Amanda T
Feb 18, 2021

WD-40: It’s likely a part of your home improvement arsenal, and after you check out these tips from Scotty Kilmer, it’ll become a part of your car arsenal as well. Check out what the automotive phenom has to say about how you can use WD-40 to fix everyday issues with your vehicle.

Can you use WD-40 to fix issues with your vehicle? 

For some things (like removing rust and fixing sticky locks), WD-40 is perfect, but others (like shining tires and creating a just-waxed look), don’t lend themselves toa quick fix.  

Scotty shares his decades of automotive experience on his YouTube channel, and if you’re not a subscriber yet, you’re going to want to click the “Subscribe” button today. Following his tips can save you time, money, and countless trips to the mechanic or the dealer.

Here, we’ll go over Scotty Kilmer’s reasons why WD-40 can work wonders on your vehicle. We’ll go over what you can and can’t use WD-40 for, and then we’ll touch on where you can find all the information you need to keep your car, truck, or SUV running smoothly.

WD-40 and Your Car: What Drivers Need to Know

WD-40 can come in handy for all sorts of reasons, and car repairs are no exception.

First, check out what you don’t want to use WD-40 for on your vehicle:

  • Squeaking fan belts – These are meant to run dry, and it’s not a good idea to use anything on the belts. If they’re squeaking, your belts may need to be tightened or replaced.
  • Tires – While it may be tempting, don’t use WD-40 to polish your tires. Use a spray or cleaner specifically made for tire cleaning / polishing instead.
  • Polishing your car – WD-40 will give your car an incredible shine, but it will also irreparably damage the paint of your car.

Now that you know what not to use WD-40 for, let’s take a look at what you can do with this multipurpose item:

  • Dispersing water – If you made the mistake of spraying your engine with water and you’ve gotten water into the electronics, you can use WD-40 to remove water from the area.
  • Removing rust – Rusted-on bolts stopping you from completing repairs on your vehicle? WD-40 can work well to remove and loosen rust, allowing you to complete repairs. This can also work well on door hinges that are rusty and squeaky.
  • Rust prevention – If you live in an area with a climate that makes rust a frequent problem, pre-treating the underside of your vehicle with WD-40 can prevent rust from forming in the first place.
  • Sticky locks – When your locks for your doors (or your ignition) become sticky, spraying a little bit of WD-40 can go a long way to unstick locks.

Working on Your Car? Get the info You Need Before You Start

If you’re working to complete car repairs on your own, it’s key to do your research. Check out Vehicle History for all the information you need to forge ahead with getting repairs and upgrades done on your own.

avatar Amanda T
Amanda T. is a freelance writer, mom, and health nut who refuses to drive anything other than a Nissan. She has six years of automotive writing experience, and loves providing drivers with well-researched information to help them make informed decisions.
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