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Step 1
Anything that can be removed without affecting the structural stability of the car should be removed. This also means don't paint the mousetrap car.
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Step 2
Reduce overall weight. Don't use a 1/2 inch thick wooden bar if a 1/4 inch thick bar would work. Extra weight is one of the biggest things preventing mousetrap cars from going farther.
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Step 3
Make sure the wheels spin freely and have no friction. Make whatever adjustments you can to reduce friction between the wheels and the car. Installing a set of ball bearings always helps if you are willing to spend a few bucks. This can be the single biggest help in making your mousetrap car go further.
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Step 4
If your wheels wobble you can fix them by gluing or screwing a 1" thick piece of wood to the center of the wheel. Next find the center of the wheel and drill a hole through the wood that matches the axle diameter for a snug fit. Glue in the axle.
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Step 5
Extend a long arm from the kill bar of the mousetrap. A coat hanger is usually a good choice. A length of 2-3 feet is usually a good distance.
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Step 6
On the axle where the string connects try to build a section of the axle that is significantly thicker a part slightly thicker and a part a little thicker. This will act like different gears in a transmission.
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Step 7
Wind the string so that the fist turn is around the thickest part and it works its way down to the thinnest. This transmission will also prevent wasting energy and make the mousetrap gar go further. It will also give the car enough torque to begin moving.
