Your Car’s Gas Tank Probably Has This Secret Feature You Never Noticed

For most drivers, the routine of filling up a car with a tank of gas has become muscle memory. It’s an expensive but necessary task for any daily driver, and if you asked most people, they’d probably say they have the process down to a T.

But what if I told you there’s a part of gassing up a car that many people are probably unaware of? Turns out, there’s a small but highly convenient feature hidden in plain sight on many gas tank doors— and it’s more common than you might think.

The Secret Cap Holder

Still don’t believe me? Let’s watch as TikToker Stephanie Booth shows exactly how this nifty little feature works (and where you can look for it on your own vehicle).

@stephanieboothhome Did you know your car has a gas cap holder? #carhack #lifehack #tiktokpartner #learnontiktok #carhelp ♬ Dandelions – The Young Ebenezers

As you can see, Stephanie highlights two metal brackets on the backside of her car’s fuel flap. While these might go unnoticed or ignored by many drivers, they’re actually a very intentional part of your vehicle’s design.

Most of the time, gas caps are connected to a car via a small plastic tether. Letting the gas cap hang from that tether while you fuel up might seem fine, but it’s not ideal. A hanging gas cap can bump into your car, causing scuffs in the paint, and it’s also more vulnerable to being damaged. And if that plastic tether connecting your gas cap to the car snaps, the odds you’ll end up losing it increase exponentially.

That’s why this secret cap holder exists. All you have to do is unscrew the cap and set it into the bracket. The metal will hold the cap in place, keeping it from scraping or scratching your vehicle and protecting it from any potential harm.

Another benefit is that when you put your gas cap in the holder, you won’t be able to close your gas cap if it’s still in there. That means you won’t have to worry about absentmindedly forgetting to put the cap back on your gas tank and driving away with it dangling from the side of your car— not that that’s ever happened to me, of course.

Related

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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These Car Accessories Could Be Killing Your Gas Mileage

Since the 1970s, I have only owned station wagons or SUVs, plus I do not mess with the looks of my cars. However, I am guilty of adding factory accessories that negatively affect fuel mileage, such as roof rack cross rails, mud flaps, running boards, wind deflectors, and towing packages.

All these accessories alter aerodynamics, weight, rolling resistance and load-lessening MPG, but adding a little pizzazz to my cars—sort of like jewelry, giving them a polished look. And I’m not the only one.

According to  Specialty the Equipment Market Association (SEMA), “U.S. consumers spent over $52 billion dollars accessorizing and modifying their vehicles” in 2024. Additionally, Research and Markets forecasts the Car Modification Market will grow to over $80 billion dollars by 2034. Custom car enthusiasts want to build something that reflects their style and taste. People customize their cars to express personality, increase performance, driving pleasure, or sometimes even to solve problems.

Unfortunately, adding accessories, even original equipment manufacturers (OEM) approved, and dealer-installed add-ons destroy gas mileage. Here, experts explain how common accessories quietly diminish MPG.

How Car Accessories Affect Fuel Economy

Manufacturers design and build cars to squeeze every mile out of a drop of gasoline to achieve maximum fuel economy. Everything from the headlights, hood, windshield angle, door handles to the antenna is mounted in such a way to increase cars’ aerodynamics.

Anything that adds drag or forces the engine to work harder eats away at MPG. For example, “JustAnswer” Auto Expert Chris Pyle, says, “Body kits and rear wings that state your car will become more aerodynamic, so you get better MPG. Actually, they grab more wind because anything that sticks out into the airflow increases drag, forcing you to apply more throttle, and making the engine work harder just to maintain the same speed as without these add-ons.”

Even glue on hood scopes causes turbulence that affects MPG.

“Mounted equipment can hinder vehicles from having a streamlined airflow over the vehicle cabin,” said Eliot Vancil at Fuel Logic LLC. Even small items such as window deflectors to deter wind buffeting or light bars affect fuel economy.

“While the effect of most add-ons is usually small, adding multiple accessories can quickly lower MPG,” said Vancil.

The Impact of Roof Racks

Because it sits in the cleanest, highest‑pressure airflow [area] on the vehicle, “even when not carrying cargo, car roof racks cause aerodynamic drag and reduce your gas mileage,” said Vancil. Even though I am a fan of roof racks, the increased head-on mass creates turbulence over the roof, forcing the engine to work harder to maintain speed, especially above 55 MPH.

To enhance my 1978 Pontiac LeMans station wagon, I added a factory rear wind deflector, even though I knew it would cut the fuel economy by one MPG. Added Vancil, “Roof racks can reduce fuel economy up to five MPG.” He suggests removing the crossbars when you are not using them. Always observe the roof rack’s weight limits and properly tie down the load.

Lift Kits and Vehicle Modifications

By raising the suspension, lift kits expose the body’s undercarriage, which creates more underbody turbulence. “If the vehicle frame geometry is changed due to a modification, the altered suspension [angles] increases rolling resistance and rotational mass,” said Vancil. Why do you think racing cars are so low to the ground? Being lower reduces air flow under the car, lowering turbulence and drag while increasing stability at high speed.

Even a small two-inch lift can result in one to three MPG loss. An aggressive off‑road modification [that includes heavier tires and added components] can result in a 20 percent MPG loss. Driving with the tailgate down doesn’t help improve fuel mileage either.

Heavy Aftermarket Accessories

Although they add visual appeal, as well as functionality, a custom truck bed storage system can weigh between 200 and 250 pounds, empty. Other weighty items, such as steel (chrome) bumpers, winches, skid plates, rock sliders, rollbars, cab covers, bull bars or cargo organizers all increase a vehicle’s weight.

Adding significant weight hurts fuel economy, particularly during city stop‑and‑go driving. “Every extra 100 pounds will lower MPG by one to two percent, or more,” said Pyle. He added, a full coverage package that protects the engine, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank of “off‑road armor easily can add 200 to 400 pounds [additional weight] before you even load gear.”

The added weight forces your engine to work harder, which means you’ll need to push the throttle harder [using more gas] to reach and hold the same speed you’d get without the added accessories. Like racing cars, less weight equals more speed with better fuel economy.

FAQ

Are larger tires always worse for fuel economy?

It depends. Yes, heavier wheels coupled with larger tires are almost always worse for fuel economy. Larger tires increase rotational mass, rolling resistance, and often have more aggressive tread, which reduces MPG. The biggest MPG losses come from wider, heavier, or off-road pattern tires. “A wider tread requires a greater amount of power to keep it moving at highway speed, potentially increasing fuel usage 10 percent,” said Vanci.

Although some factory wheels may lack visual appeal, OEM wheel designs are made to help achieve greater efficiency and safety. On the other hand, if tires with an overall larger diameter made from low rolling resistance compounds and are fitted correctly (called tire fitment—a tricky set of calculations that do not affect the delicate balance between tire performance and safety), this can increase MPG.

Is a hitch-mounted cargo carrier more efficient than a roof box?

Although a hitch-mounted cargo carrier may lower MPG up to two percent, a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is practically always more efficient than a roof box. Depending on the speed, size and shape of the roof box, expect to see a 10 to 25 percent MPG drop. Even modern aerodynamic rooftop cargo shells can cause up to a five MPG loss. A hitch carrier sits in the vehicle’s aerodynamic slipstream, causing minimal drag.

“A roof box is a large, blunt obstruction that just grabs more wind, causing resistance,” said Pyle. “Mounted equipment hampers vehicles from maintaining a smooth, streamlined airflow over the vehicle.”

About the Experts

Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer since 2006, where he answered hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day. (Electronic communications June 16, 2026)

Eliot Vancil is CEO of Fuel Logic LLC, a Dallas, Texas-based company specializing in comprehensive fuel management solutions, including delivery of various diesel types and gasoline nationwide. (Electronic communications June 16, 2026)

Resources

Steve Haney, Corporate Technical Trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket (June 16, 2026)

Jim DeLeo, Northeast Division Manager at Hunter Engineering Company (June 17, 2026)

Bodyshop Business: “SEMA Releases New Market Report on Consumer Trends in Aftermarket” (Published July 1, 2025)

Car and Driver: “Decked Drawers Pickup Truck Bed Storage System” (Aug 2024)

Research and Markets: “Car Modification Market Outlook 2025-2034: Market Share, and Growth Analysis By Type (Overall Modification, Local Modification), By Category (Performance, Cosmetic), By Vehicle, By Sales Channel Type” (Published Aug 2025)

U.S. Department of Energy: “Find and Compare Cars Fuel Information” (May 13, 2025)

U.S. Department of Energy: “Many Factors Affect MPG” (June 17, 2026)

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Bad Driving Habits Put You at Risk— So We Asked Experts How to Counter Them

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death—especially for teens.” It is a given that you take a risk every time you get behind the wheel. That risk becomes exponentially greater due to drivers’ age (young and older) and experience, adding to the driving risks already present on dangerous roadways and to poor decisions made while driving.

I consulted with experts, reviewed studies and spoke with a PennDoT-certified driver’s education instructor on strategies new and veteran drivers can employ to dramatically reduce the risk of a crash. Here’s what you need to know.

Driving Can Be a Risky Business

There are a number of behaviors that contribute to accidents, especially when teens are involved. That is why insurance premiums start high for young drivers, drop in middle age, then rise again for seniors.  These include:

Speeding

Unfortunately, posted speed limits have become more of a suggestion than a rule of the road. Driving too fast for conditions, even with traffic enforcement cameras watching, is one of the top three critical errors in crashes. As reported in the Journal of Safety Research, “drivers also face greater difficulty when it comes to vehicle control and hazard [accident] avoidance behavior, as they tend to have more loss of control and run-off-road crashes.”

Seat belts

Injury Facts (NSC) analysis of NHTSA and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data  show that 49.2 percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2023 were unrestrained, with similar proportions in 2020 to 2022. And when it comes to teens, a demographic that The Omega Law Group found to consistently use seat belts less than adults, that number is higher. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that in 2023, 53 percent of teen passengers killed in accidents in cars driven by another teen were unbuckled.

Teen passengers

According to NHTSA, “a teenage driver was two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer compared to when driving alone” or with an adult. Peer pressure and distractions increase the possibility of a crash with each additional teen passenger, even if the teen passenger is a sibling.

Impaired driving

Statistically, younger drivers are less likely than adults to drive after drinking alcohol. However, their crash risk increases substantially when they do; even with low and moderate blood alcohol levels,” reports the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Other research shows even small amounts of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs—including prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs—impair judgment, slow reaction times, greatly raising driver crash risks.

Personality traits

Drivers are especially vulnerable to strong emotional influences in social and driving situations—such as road rage—compelling them to take unnecessary risks that can quickly lead to reckless, deadly decisions. As Ronald E. Dahl M.D. explained, self-control abilities seem to develop slowly across adolescence and continue to “mature throughout our lifetime.”

Experience, or Lack Thereof…

Both experienced and inexperienced drivers lack the familiarity to recognize road hazards or respond appropriately to new, unexpected driving situations. The best approach for lowering possible crash conditions is for drivers to develop critical skills in lower-risk conditions that benefit them when driving in high-risk, unfamiliar situations.

What drivers don’t see can hurt them (or others)

Instead of continually visually scanning the entire roadway for turning locations, road signage, other vehicles, and road conditions, “most drivers don’t look ten feet past the hood,” Norman said. “Poor judgment, critical errors such as not fully observing or grasping the situation, misjudging distances, or overcorrecting are common errors any driver can make which contribute to higher accident rates,” said Erin Kemp, Research Strategist at Bumper.com. “Among crashes attributed to driver error, 21 percent were due to a lack of scanning that is needed to detect and respond to hazards.”

A recent data review by Pegasus Legal Capital, LLC. shows that “young adults aged 16 to 24 accounted for 6,693 deaths in 2023…with nighttime driving being especially deadly, with 57 percent of crash deaths occurring after dark.”

Lane changes, parking, backing up/reversing, pulling away from a curb, merging onto or exiting a highway safely all begin with using your eyes and mirrors, giving drivers plenty of time to act. However, an older study by Ronald Mourant ph.D., and Ronald Rodney found drivers “concentrated their eye fixations in a smaller area, sampled their mirrors less frequently and made fewer eye movements [when pulling away from a curb, merging onto or exiting a highway driving] than when driving.”

Pickup trucks

A pickup truck’s size and distinctive handling characteristics increase crash risk factors. Further analysis of the Pegasus analysis shows that “pickup trucks often create dangerous blind spots because of their tall, wide hoods, which can hide pedestrians (particularly small children) directly in front of the vehicle.”

These blind zones can extend 10 to 15 feet in front of a pickup, making it more difficult for a driver, particularly new teen drivers, to see pedestrians as they enter an intersection or when making left turns. Moreover, pickup trucks, because they are heavier, have longer stopping distances, and have higher centers of gravity makes them more likely to rollover when speeding, or driving on poor roads or weather conditions.

Tailgating

Tailgating is consistently identified across federal and independent datasets as one of the most common driver behaviors leading to rear‑end collisions. According to Youth.gov, “drivers do not always realize the consequences of their actions and are more likely to take risks such as tailgating.” Data show inexperienced new drivers are more likely to tailgate and be involved in rear-end crashes than experienced drivers.

Distractions Can Be Deadly

Distractions are any action that causes a driver to take their eyes, hands, or mind off driving. They are often chiefly external, such as phones or passengers. Behaviors, on the other hand, are the actions a driver makes in response to those distractions.

Teens are more susceptible to distractions because their youth and inexperience both magnify the impact of even the smallest distraction. “Although they account for a smaller share of licensed drivers, teens are disproportionately involved in fatal crashes, particularly those linked to speeding and distraction,” said Robin Saghian from Omega Law Group.

Cell phones/texting

Driving while on the phone creates tremendous distractions and has become the greatest cause of deadly car crashes. A new study by Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys found phone and texting use was the cause of more than 3,200 deadly crashes in 2022, accounting for roughly 12 percent of all fatalities on U.S. roads.

Distractions inside a vehicle

• Using a navigation system, adjusting music or climate controls, reading or interacting with in‑car touch screens.
• Eating and drinking.
• Grooming: putting on makeup, combing your hair, or yes, shaving.
• Smoking.
• Adjusting mirrors, seat position, or dashboard controls.
• Peer pressure or showing off for friends.

Distractions from outside a vehicle

• Looking at crash scenes (A.K.A. “rubbernecking”)
• Looking at roadside events, construction, or billboards
• Sightseeing, looking at people, cars or objects outside the car that interest you.
• Weather conditions.

Other distractions

• Daydreaming, not paying attention to the road or being “zoned out.”
• Driving with strong emotions keeps focus off of driving.
• Loss of mindfulness if driving when upset or stressed.
• Lack of concentration.

Strategies to Combat These Risks 

If you expect drivers to adopt safe driving behaviors and routines, “The best and most important way [to have drivers follow these behaviors] is to model them yourself,” said certified driver’s education instructor, Steven Norman. Whether driving too fast, talking on the phone, or having a conversation with a passenger, “new drivers adopt the habits they observe from their parents,” added Norman. To reduce the likelihood of speeding, and used in a helpful, supportive manner, consider installing a real-time speed monitor.

It’s also important for parents to help newly licensed teens become experienced drivers by continuing to ride along as passengers in challenging situations, such as driving in heavy traffic or at night. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) notes, “Parents may also want to consider drafting a parent-teen driving agreement and carefully monitor driving progress, only increasing driving privileges when teens demonstrate maturity and skill.”

An agreement emphasizes responsibility and safety. It avoids seeming strict while still being firm and clear that consequences are part of a system designed for teen drivers to follow road rules. Also, if you feel it’s necessary, be prepared to take away driving privileges or provide additional training to improve driving skills.

Crash data shows experience alone doesn’t eliminate risk. While experienced drivers may not have lost their skills, they can become overconfident, lessening their vigilance and decreasing reaction times. The best strategy to avoid tendencies that lead to an accident? Go back to following driving fundamentals:

• Pay attention at all times.
• Increase the distance between you and other cars.
• Slow down.
• Pull over when you’re tired or drowsy and be cognizant of “invisible fatigue.”

“Practice situational awareness by anticipating braking in heavy traffic, slowing down when driving at night, in bad weather, or school and construction zones,” recommends Norman.

Experts

Erin Kemp is the consumer advocate at Bumper.com. She has extensive knowledge of automobiles, combined with my undying passion to make car ownership and maintenance more approachable. Her main strengths are the practical and cost-saving pointers that make her an indispensable guide for car owners and travelers. Erin has been featured in automotive-focused articles in publications, including, Jalopnik, GoBankingRates, and USA Today. (Phone interview Oct 30, 2025)

Robin Saghian, a California personal injury attorney and founding partner of Omega Law Group, is a recognized authority on roadway safety and motor vehicle accidents. His experience representing crash victims and deep understanding of driver behavior make him a trusted voice on teen driving safety. (Electronic communication Nov 5, 2025)

Steven Norman, M.Ed., is a certified Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and PennDOT certified behind the wheel driving instructor and driver’s license examiner currently teaching elementary physical education at Manavon Elementary School in the Phoenixville Area School District. In addition to his 15 years teaching driver’s education, Steven holds his PDE K-12 Principal, Curriculum and Instructional and Supervision Certificates. (Email interview, electronic communication Nov 8, 2025)

Resources

AAA: “Factors that Influence Seat Belt Use” (Mar 7, 2026)

Aceable Drivers Education: “8 Major Driving Distractions and How to Avoid Them” (Nov 23, 2025)

Alliance Defensive Driving: “Teen Driver Tips”

Basic Facts About Teen Crashes | Teen Driver Source

Bumper: “Teenage Driving Accidents Keep Growing. Here’s Where Young Drivers Are Most at Risk” (Sept 29, 2025)

CDC: “Parents Are the Key” (Nov 2025)

CDC: “Reducing Risk for Teen Drivers” (Aug 4, 2025)

CDC: “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers (Nov 2025)

CDC: “Teen Drivers” (2025)

CDC: “About Underage Drinking” (Jan 14, 2025)

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute: “Car Accident Prevention” (2024)

IIHS: “Fatality Facts 2023, Teenagers” (July 2025)

Jamie Casino, owner and managing attorney of Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys

Morris and Dewett: “Why Are Teenage Drivers More Likely to Cause Accidents?” (Nov 21, 2025)

Mourant, Ronald and Rodney, Ronald: “Strategies of visual search by novice and experienced drivers” (2025)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): “The Effect of Passengers on Teen Driver Behavior” (2025)

NHTSA: “Distracted Driving” (Nov 21, 2025)

NHTSA: “Distractions: In and Out of the Vehicle” (Nov 21, 2025)

NHTSA: “Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)” (Nov 21, 2025)

NHTSA: “Getting Your Tween to Buckle Up” (Nov 21, 2025)

NHTSA: “Seat Belts” (Nov 8, 2025)

NHTSA: “Seat Belts Save Lives” (Nov 8, 2025)

NHTSA: “Teens Driving” (Nov 8, 2025)

NHTSA: “NHTSA Field Crash  Investigation Manual” (Mar 7, 2026)

National Safety Council: “Occupant protection Seat Belts“(Nov 21, 2025)

ScienceDirect: “Teen driver crashes potentially preventable by crash avoidance features and teen-driver-specific safety technologies“ (Mar 7, 2022)

ScienceDirect: Teen Texting While Driving in Association With All-Driver and Young-Driver Cellphone Laws” (Feb 20, 2025)

Teens in the Seat: “Impaired Driving” (2025)

youth.gov: “Youth Most at Risk for Motor Vehicle Crashes” (Nov 2025)

Further Reading

CDC: “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers” (Aug. 4, 2025”)

CDC: “Teen Drivers” (Nov 2025)

CHOP Research Institute: “Teen Driver Source” (2024)

European Commission, Mobility and Transport: ”Lack of driving experience” (2025)

NHTSA: “Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST)” Nov 2025)

NHTSA: “Young Drivers, Understanding the Problem” (Nov 8, 2025)

Safety Cube DSS: “Lack of driving experience” (2025)

Safety Cube DSS: “Road Safety” (2025)

Science Direct: “Biological, Developmental, and Neurobehavioral Factors Relevant to Adolescent Driving Risks” (Feb 20, 2025)

Science Direct: “Driving errors of learner teens: Frequency, nature and their association with practice” (Nov 2025)

The Schiller Kessler Group: “The Florida Driving Habits That Cause Most Accidents” (Nove 2025)

The Schiller Kessler Group: “These Cities Are Failing Pedestrians: a Data-Driven Look at Fatalities Across the U.S.” (Nov 2025)

ScienceDirect: “Teen driver crashes potentially preventable by crash avoidance features and teen-driver-specific safety technologies” (Mar 7, 2022)

ScienceDirect: “Structural analysis of driver fatigue behavior” (Mar 7, 2026)

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The Hidden Way a Hot Garage Could Be Slowly Ruining Your Car

Believe it or not, your car will suffer damage if you leave it in a hot garage. The damage may be minimal if the garage overheats for one or two days at a time, but if, like insurance consultant E.J. Nadolny, you live in a region with a hot climate like Texas, the risk is much higher, and your insurance may not cover the damage.

“Heat damage claims on vehicles stored in a garage are more common than one would imagine,” he says. He relates the case of a policyholder who tried to recover losses after a dashboard cracked from the heat. The carrier denied the loss because this was the result of exposure over a prolonged period of time, rather than an instantaneous event.

Together with Nadolny and auto parts marketer Ryan Salata, we’ll explain how a hot garage can damage your car and what to do about it.

How Hot Does a Garage Get?

As a rule of thumb, the interior of a closed garage gets anywhere from 10 to 30 degrees hotter than the outside air. In Texas, says Nadolny, the interior of a non-ventilated garage routinely reaches 130 to 140 degrees, and in full sun in a place like southern Arizona, it could get even hotter. That’s an environment almost as hot as the sauna at my health club, which is typically between 160 and 170 degrees.

Parts of a Car Most Vulnerable to Heat

Under the hood, it’s common to find damaged rubber components, like coolant hoses and fuel lines, which dry out and crack in the heat. “Most people don’t realize that heat accelerates fluid degradation,” says Salata. “Brake fluid will absorb moisture from the environment and become less effective. Old engine oil degrades more quickly if your garage exceeds 100 degrees summer long. Hotter temperatures also cause batteries to self-discharge at a much faster rate.”

In the car’s interior, rubber, plastic and leather furnishings are especially vulnerable to heat. That includes dashboards, seat covers and door seals.

Can Heat Damage a Car That Isn’t Being Driven?

Heat is more likely to damage a car that is sitting in a hot garage for a prolonged period than one that is driven regularly. Taking the car for a spin, even on a hot day, ventilates the cabin and engine and reduces the deteriorating effects of sustained heat.

Warning Signs of Heat Affecting Your Vehicle

Besides the obvious signs of cracking and other damage to the car’s interior, you may notice performance issues when you drive the car. One possibility is spongy brakes, which is a sign that heat has degraded the brake fluid. You may also notice that the car uses more oil, because heat reduces oil viscosity and makes it more likely to slip into the combustion chamber and burn. In extreme cases, a coolant hose may spring a leak, causing the car to overheat.

FAQ

Is an attached garage better than parking outside?

The only thing worse than leaving your car in a hot garage is leaving it in the hot sun, because UV radiation quickly exacerbates the damage caused by high temperatures. An attached garage that benefits from climate control in the rest of the house is a better place to store a car than an unattached garage, and it’s definitely a better place than in an unshaded spot outside. However, if you can park your car outdoors in the shade, that’s the best option of all.

Can heat damage a car’s paint?

“Paint doesn’t enjoy heat and UV damage,” says Salata. If the car is parked in a hot garage and exposed to direct sunlight through a window, he says that outgassed moisture from the car’s interior can cause clear coat oxidation. This causes wax to fade, develop a chalky feeling and begin to crack, resulting in micro-cracks in the clear coat.

About the Experts

• E.J. Nadolny is the CEO of Canopy Insurance Texas, where he advises clients on commercial and property insurance, auto, and personal coverage.
• Ryan Salata is the marketing director at PROFORM Parts (Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc.), which manufactures high-performance automotive aftermarket components.

Related

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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The Two Main Reasons Why Landlines Are Making an Unexpected Comeback

In a world of cell phones, WiFi, and portability, it may seem like landlines have fallen by the wayside. But Gen Z seems to have rediscovered them and, if their social media accounts are anything to go by, are actively trying to bring them back.

@inconsistentlyamazing

Replying to @Jeniversal I love me a good old fashioned wall phone! #oldschoolvibes #phone #analog

♬ original sound – Inconsistently_Amazing

Why Does Gen Z Love Landlines?

There seem to be two main camps when it comes to this resurgence in landline love.

Minimizing technology

For some people, reinstalling a landline is a way to minimize their use of technology and cut down on screen time. They still have a way to connect with people and reach out if there’s an emergency, but they don’t have to have their cell phone on them while at home to do so.

@shawtybaetherealist

is this as aesthetic as I think it is or no… #fyp #nostalgia #vintagevibes #y2k #relateable

♬ original sound – Sean – 𝕸

Looking for a retro aesthetic

For many of the Gen Z people posting about landlines on social media, however, the primary motivation seems to be nostalgia. Something about dialing on a rotary phone or playing with the cord of the wall-mounted landline brings back fond memories from the 90s and early 2000s, and even earlier. Whether it’s the Mean Girls phone-calling scene or a music video like Taylor Swift’s “Our Song”, there are plenty of iconic pop culture references that make use of landlines.

How Are People Using Landlines?

A deep dive into the “landlines” hashtag on TikTok shows that there area couple of different ways that people are reintroducing landlines into their homes.

@caitybegg

Replying to @Precious Wright @progressiontoanalog episode on my experience with a landline and landline trends coming soon! If you want a landline but want to avoid the higher price, eBay is a great place to look. #analog #landline #phones #smartphone #progressiontoanalog

♬ Trail to the Enchanted Forest – Ernesto P. Neto

Phone jack

People who are looking into landlines primarily to reduce their screen time have the option of finding one that plugs into their phone jack— assuming they live in a home that still has one. While many newer builds are phasing out phone jacks, older homes often still have them. This Must Be Home reports that older adults and families with young children often do still want a landline, so they haven’t been entirely phased out yet.

Bluetooth and WiFi

Bluetooth products seem to come up the most often when looking into this trend. CBC reports that the Tin Can is a popular option with parents of young kids who want to give them a safe and controlled way to reach out for help in an emergency. For Gen Zers who are looking for a retro aesthetic, there are a plethora of Bluetooth options available so that they can sync their cell phone with the physical, corded one.

Sources

Do New Houses Have Phone Jacks?, This Must Be Home.

Your past is calling: Why ‘retro’ landline phones are trending with adults and kids alike, CBC, 2026.

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The Wheelbarrow Garden Chair Trick Every Gardener Should Know About

If you spend much time outdoors gardening or otherwise enjoying your yard, then you can appreciate how important it is to have comfortable seating right at hand. But not every outdoor chair is pleasant to sit in; and uncomfortable seating can make gardening harder. TikToker and gardening expert Simon Akeroyd, @simonakeroydgardener, noted that he finds most outdoor chairs “rigid and uncomfortable.” So, he figured out a better option: turning his wheelbarrow into a chair. The new seat is more comfortable, and since he already had the wheelbarrow it didn’t cost him any extra money. Now he can take his breaks easily and come back refreshed.

What’s the Hack?

According to Akeroyd, the hack is easy. Simply tilt your wheelbarrow so that the front wheel is pointing towards the sky, and then sit down. His first example involves leaning it against a tree, which gives you some shade to enjoy as well. But if you don’t have a suitable tree in your yard, fear not! Leaning the wheelbarrow against a tree is not necessary as “your weight naturally keeps the barrow upright.”

That’s all you have to do! Now you’ve got a portable garden chair that’s much more comfortable than some of the other options out there, and if you already had a wheelbarrow — as many gardeners do — you’ve done all this while saving money! So go ahead and enjoy your garden, and make good use of your newfound lounge spot.

@simonakeroydgardener

The natural bucket shape of a wheelbarrow makes it so cosy and snug to fit into. It has a natural recline which is at the perfect angle for sitting in #gardeningtips #gardeningchairs #gardening #gardeninghacks

♬ Sit Down – James

Bonus Features

You can absolutely enjoy your wheelbarrow chair as is, especially if you’re just taking a short break from gardening. Akeroyd says that “the curve and reclining angle [of the wheelbarrow] is just perfect for relaxing in,” but does jokingly caution that it’s “possibly so comfortable you won’t get any gardening done.” The wheelbarrow chair looks so comfortable in Akeroyd’s video that you may have to get out into your space early if you want to claim your seat ahead of the rest of your family.

But if you want to make it feel even comfier, or want to go all in and use it as a chair more often than as a wheelbarrow, Akeroyd has some suggestions. You can drape a blanket over the barrow, or add in some extra cushions to make it feel like a lounge chair. The sky’s the limit; just make sure that your wheelbarrow is clean, or that you’re using blankets and pillows that are okay to get dirty first.

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Not All Algae Is Harmless — Here’s When It Becomes a Real Health Threat

During a time when the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington has thrust the topic of algae into the national conversation, pool owners can only nod in recognition, because they’ve been dealing with it all along. Dreading the appearance of even a hint of green, they know a budding algae problem can quickly get worse, and if they don’t do something about it, the water can actually become a health hazard.

A swimming pool has a small fraction of the water of the Reflecting Pool, but controlling algae can still be a chore. To get a handle on the algae problem — what it is, why it happens and what to do about it — we checked in with Graham Banks and Rafi Friedman, two pool contractors from Florida, Brock Falk, a pool care manager from Arizona, and Randy Huckstadt, a consultant with 20 years experience in the pool industry.

What Is Algae, and Why Does It Thrive in Pools?

Algae is a microscopic plant, and like all plants, it blooms when it gets three things: food, warmth, and sunlight. “In a pool,” explains Banks, “the food is usually phosphates, and the two biggest sources are rain and lawn fertilizer. Storms wash phosphates out of the air and off the deck, and fertilizer applied to nearby lawns and landscaping drifts and runs straight into the water. That’s why a pool so often turns green a day or two after a heavy summer downpour or a fresh lawn treatment, even when the chlorine looked fine the day before.”

Pool water usually contains a sanitizer like chlorine, and as long as the pool owner maintains the proper levels, it controls most algae growth. However, chlorine breaks down in direct sunlight, and algae blooms become more common in summer unless the a chlorine stabilizer like cyanuric acid (CYA) is added to the pool water.

Nuisance Algae vs. Toxic Algae: What’s the Difference?

Most algae is nuisance algae, according to Huckstadt, and that includes green, yellow (mustard), and black algae. “It’s costly to clean up, clouds water, makes surfaces slippery, and consumes sanitizer, but it is not inherently toxic to humans.”

Blue-green algae is a different thing altogether. It isn’t actually an algae at all, but a bacteria that produces hazardous cyanotoxins.

How to Tell When Algae Is Toxic?

“You can’t tell when algae is toxic,” warns Falk. “Visible algae is the first sign your pool can harbor bacteria, which is the dangerous part. If you see algae, it’s better to stay out of the water until it’s treated.” Even though all algae is potentially dangerous, you can be sure you have a problem if you see these signs.

Blue-green color

Blue-green algae is “easy to spot because of its telltale color,” says Friedman, “but you can also buy water test kits to eliminate any doubts.”

Thick algae layer

Banks warns to be cautious with water that’s pea-soup green, has a surface scum or a paint-like blue-green sheen, or clumps that look like spilled paint. “Rule of thumb: if you can’t see the bottom, keep people and pets out.”

Smell

Compared to green algae, which has a musty smell like that of a pond or damp forest floor, toxic algae smells putrid, like something is rotting. “It’s really gross,” says Huckstadt. “Don’t continue smelling it.” Paradoxically, adds Banks, a strong chlorine smell is also a red flag. The smell comes from chloramines — byproducts of the sanitation process — rather than from the chlorine itself. Rather than indicating there’s too much chlorine in the water, it means there isn’t enough.

Health Risks of Toxic Algae Exposure

Exposure to algae by itself isn’t a health risk, but exposure to the cyanotoxins from blue-green algae is. Skin exposure causes rashes, blisters and hives, and if you swim in the water, you could also suffer irritation of the eyes, nose or throat.

Ingesting affected water can lead to stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. “Just smelling the stuff can trigger respiratory problems,” warns Huckstadt.

How to Get Rid of Algae in a Pool

It isn’t easy. The pool experts we interviewed recommended slightly different procedures, but they all involved shocking the pool with a high enough dose of chlorine to kill the algae, scrubbing the bottom and sides of the pool, and filtering out the dead algae through the pool’s filtration system. Once the process is complete, which can take 24 to 48 hours, they recommended rebalancing the water chemistry to the proper pH, alkalinity, chlorine and free chlorine levels. Severe blooms may call for the addition of a algaecide to the pool water.

How to Prevent Algae From Coming Back

Algae thrives in warm, stagnant water with plenty of phosphates for food. To make the pool hostile to algae, Banks recommends circulating the water by running the pool pump for one hour each day per each 10 degrees (F) of outside temperature, which means eight or nine hours on a hot summer day. In addition, you should clean the filter regularly and keep the water balanced.

“While staying on top of sanitation is important, also making sure that the algae does not have a food source in your water, such as phosphates, is also very important. Algae has to have food to live on, which is why it’s critical to clean (vacuum and brush) your pool regularly.” Friedman adds that using a pool cover and keeping your pool at a cooler temperature are good preventative measures.

FAQ

Is the algae at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool toxic?

Banks says the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool has prime conditions for toxic algae. “That’s shallow, untreated, sunbaked standing water — exactly the conditions cyanobacteria love,” he says. “So yes, a bloom like that can absolutely be toxic.” While there’s no way for him to say with any certainty that it is or isn’t toxic, he stresses “it’s not water anyone should be wading into.”

Huckstadt agrees with Falk, who says: “The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool gets algae blooms on occasion and just needs to be treated. Not harmful to people unless it goes untreated and develops bacteria.”

About the Experts

• Graham Banks is a licensed Florida pool & spa contractor and the founder of Verify My Contractor, a free contractor license lookup site.
• Rafi Friedman is the president of Coastal Luxury Pool Builders in Nocatee, FL. The company services over 1,000 clients and builds over 100 pools annually.
• Randy Huckstadt, has 20+ years in the pool and HVAC industries and is a Contractor & Service Technician at JustAnswer.
• Brock Falk is a pool care field manager at Shasta Pools. He is based in Arizona.

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