Easy Solutions for Common Car Interior Problems

Problems inside your car can be very frustrating, but don't rush to the auto repair center. A lot of the problems in your car can be fixed at home for much less.

The Heater has Stopped Working:

Check the Fan and Fill it with Coolant

If your heater is not working, check that its fan is still running by listening to its hum.

• If it doesn't, try replacing its fuse in the fuse box, which you'll normally find behind a panel at the end of the dash or under the steering column.
• If the fan is blowing, but there is no hot air, you are probably running low on coolant. Find the coolant reservoir under the hood and recharge to the "Max" indicator with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water.
• You can usually buy this premix at auto stores.
• You may need to drive a while for the coolant to work its way through the heating system.

The Car Radio Does Not Work:

Replace the Fuse

The most likely cause of a muffler sound system is a blown fuse.

• Consult your user guide to locate the fuse box. All fuses are numbered and match the numbers you will see in your manual and on the fuse box itself (or on the box cover).
• Remove the fuse marked "radio" and install a fuse of the same color (indicating its rated wattage) in its place. Many cars have spare fuses right in the box.
• If that doesn't work, the cables connecting the radio to the car speakers may have come loose and you will need professional help to rectify the problem.

My GPS has No Signal:

Mount an External Antenna

Some heat reflective or heated windshields can interfere with GPS signals.

• You can solve this problem by installing an external antenna to the GPS unit and securing the wire along the top, or in a corner, of the windshield where there is a gap in the heating system.

The Plastic Inside the Car is Scratched:

Try Some Petroleum Jell

Dangling keys or a loose seat belt buckle can scratch the car's plastic molding or trim near the doors.

• The plastics used by different manufacturers vary widely in their composition, but scratches on hard plastics can sometimes be removed by applying a little petroleum jelly to them with a finger, then buffing with a microfiber cloth.
• To avoid scratches, do not add your car key to your house keyring. Separating them will ensure that your car is not inadvertently scratched by your other keys.

There's a Tear in the Seat:

Using a Repair Kit

A small tear in your upholstery needs to be fixed ASAP - it will only get worse.

• If your seats are upholstered in fabric, your only choices are an iron patch or a needle and thread.

Vinyl and leather seats, however, can be repaired almost invisibly using patch kits available at auto stores.