Ever feel like a prisoner when it comes to do-it-yourself car, truck, and SUV related improvements? Well, we're here to set you free. Sure, we only offer cool autothings that you can always take off and replace with even newer things we have, but why not do it all yourself? Heck, the most complicated thing we offer that requires any installation is our vehicle bulbs, lol. Check our tips below for non-decal related products.

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Well we admit, there's no installing stuff with these babies. We're not sure if we have recommendations on how to care for them- they are quite rugged and durable, so hmm... ok, we thought of some stuff! When it comes to all the classic key chain styles, they can be allowed to get wet, say if you are unlocking your car in the rain (in which case you should get a keyless alarm system, lol). The classic key chains have a material that we really would bet $20 is genuine leather, but it isn't- that's how good those key chains look! Now if you went premium and got the Premium Chrome tear-drop key chains, let us tell you all you can do to care for them is keep them so damn shiny that everyone stares when you pull your keys out, lol. You can just periodically wipe them with a lint-free cloth to keep them lustrous and all. That's it, really!

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The tire valve caps and whatever else we have offered in this category all have little maintenance- none, actually. Just stick them on your tires and you're ready to roll! In case you live next door to a bunch of kids who won't stay out of your yard or driveway and have a tendency to take anything NOT welded to your automobile or home, we have a suggestion to solve this: protect the valve caps with a cloth and tighten them onto your wheels using any wrench-like tool (or just get a Doberman!)

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Vehicle bulbs are simple to install, but only if you know how to, lol. We can't tell you specifically how to do this because it all depends on the vehicle you own, but we can give you tips on the bulbs during the actual installation procedure. We took the following replacement directions from a package of Sylvania bulbs that we offer on this site, so these instructions are directly from the manufacturer (and they apply to any bulb you purchase anywhere, even if not produced by Sylvania).

[1] Wear safety glasses and gloves. Bulb is pressurized and may burst while handling.
[2] For necessary protection, use only in a fixture designed for this bulb.
[3] Do not use if bulb has been dropped or is scratched.
[4] Protect hot bulb from liquid to prevent bursting.
[5] Turn power off and allow bulb to cool. Bulb operates at high temperature and pressure.
[6] Remove power cord, retainer ring, then bulb.
[7] Insert new bulb. Replace retainer ring and rotate to lock in place. Otherwise, pressure or vibration can push bulb out.
[8] Reconnect power cord. Turn on bulb only after fully installed in headlamp.

While we've never seen anyone wear safety glasses or gloves when installing a vehicle light bulb, we at least recommend (as a precaution) that you wash your hands well with soap so that no oils from your hands contact the bulb glass. Remember, improper installation voids the return-policy we offer on all our cool vehicle bulbs.

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All the awesome Blackouts from the Auto Vent Shade company (AVS) come with an instruction sheet, so follow those guidelines first and foremost. Let us begin with the fact that headlight and taillight Blackouts have a no-drill application, meaning they either snap onto the light fixture or, and this is usually a headlight application thing, you secure the Blackout lenses with a 3M stick-tab. Also, do not bend them because they are plastic and fit just right anyways. That is it, you would already be done installing these if you had them in your hands right now! Our personal note to you: do NOT use these Blackouts with our Nokya bulbs. If we were only interested in selling these great things we offer, we would not have told you that, but we want your vehicle to look awesome- really! The Nokya bulbs do have a blue tint like the Xenon bulbs on luxury cars; however, this blue tint does not go well with a pair of headlight Blackout lenses because the blue of the Nokyas and the smoked-tint of the lenses forms a greenish light, which ruins the point of the much-adored-by-us Nokya Arctic bulbs. Solution? Use only amber and white bulbs with Blackouts. It's a style thing! :D

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Installation of any license logo-plate, frame, cover, and/or screw fasteners only requires a screwdriver. Two tips for any of these: 1) Don't use an automatic screwdriver because if it turns too strongly, the screw you are using may burn or shred the plastic of your bumper (so just stick with the cave-man era technique of using a hand-powered screwdriver, lol) and 2) Don't tighten the screws on your acrylic plates too hard because a plastic frame will never be stronger than a steel screw (unless you bought our highly durable plastic screws, in which case there is little to worry about). Note that these tips apply to anything bumper-related you've purchased anywhere; hey, whether it's an Audi TT or a BMW Z3, we want the front and rear to look really great no matter what you personalize them with! Let us add that all Audi TT's must be purchased with the DUAL exhaust pipes and that you should only buy the M model of the BMW Z3 roadster- it's all about looks (ok, AND horsepower) here at autothing, lol!

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These Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades from Bosch are the ultimate in quality and performance, just like everything else here at autothing, lol. They literally snap right on via the supplied universal adapter (installation instructions are on every package) and they immediately perform their best when viewing the road ahead is the top priority during inclement weather. While these blades have no maintenance whatsoever, as a rule-of-thumb, you should replace them after about one year so you always have a clear view of the roadway without any blurring or streaking on your windshield.

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