Don't get court out while washing your car this summer with this ace tennis ball hack that can solve a pet hate of motorists.
With the Wimbledon Championships starting on Monday, shouts of 'new balls please' will be echoing across the nation as people become gripped by the action at SW19.
But the fuzzy yellow spheres are not only handy for whacking across the net or serving at 100mph - they’re also great for making hosing-down or jet-washing your vehicle much easier.
Select Car Leasing’s Graham Conway explains: “Millions of Brits love giving their cars and vans the once over with a power hose to keep them looking at their best - particularly during the warmer months of the year.
“But one major annoyance is when the hose gets stuck under a tyre, leaving you to yank it out and running the risk of damaging your paintwork.
“However, TikTok has provided the answer and it’s a really simple one - wedge some tennis balls under the wheels.”
A host of clips on the popular social media platform show how using tennis balls in this way allows the jet wash hose to slide smoothly around the tyres.
This means you can easily move around your vehicle to reach every crack and crevice that requires blasting with water or foam.
Mr Conway added: “It’s one of the best and most simple hacks I’ve seen, and one that could change car washing forever.
“Tennis balls are cheap to buy and easy to store in your boot or garage, meaning you will always have some on hand to speed up the process and avoid any unwanted scratches or nicks.”
While tennis balls may come in handy for washing, it’s a different story if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle.
Select Car Leasing’s Mr Conway said: “Social media can be a great source of information and inspiration - but you have to be careful what you believe.
“This is the case with videos that have been doing the rounds for the past few years which claim to show how to open a car with a tennis ball.
“The instructions are to cut a hole in one and then use the pressure inside to pump air into the locking system and force it to open.
“But while it might sound like something that could work, it doesn’t and has the potential to damage your car rather than getting you out of a tight spot.”
Last year Select Car Leasing highlighted some of the flash motors owned and driven by the stars of the tennis world.
These include a Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster favoured by the now-retired Roger Federer, Andy Murray’s red Ferrari F430 and a stylish - and very expensive - Aston Martin DBS belonging to Spanish ace Rafael Nadal.
You'll also find lots of cars to lease where WHITE is a no-cost colour option, including with popular models like the Tesla Model Y, the Audi A3, and the electric MG4 EV. To see which colours are available with a particular car for no added cost, simply click the 'Choose Colour, Trim and Options' box on any deal.
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