Windshield wipers are one of the most important parts of your car. When the weather takes a bad turn, it helps maintain the visibility of the road.
Given the important role windshield wipers perform in your everyday travel with your vehicle, it is important that you keep them on top condition. You have to take care of your windshield wipers properly in order for you to avoid replacing them frequently.
In this article, we outlined the ways how you can properly maintain your car's windshield wipers.
1. De-grime Your Windshield Wipers When You Gas
Every time your fill your car with gas, make it a habit to wipe down your windshield wiper blades, as per Insurance Center Associate Blog. You can use a damp paper towel or rag together with your window washing solution to clean your windshield wipers.
It's easy to clean it, simply lift each wiper blade away from the windshield. With a towel moist with window washing solution, firmly wipe the blade from one tip to the other. Use the window washing solution available in the gas station if you don't have your own.
2. Don't Use Your Wipers on a Muddy Windshield
There are cases when your windshield will get dirty because of mud or volcanic ash. If this is the case, the wise move is not to use your wipers to clean it off, according to Autodeal. Attempting to use your wipers to clean it will only damage your windshield and wiper blades.
Moreover, if there isn't enough water, your visibility will be reduced. If there isn't enough water, chances are your wiper blades might just scratch the surface of the glass. The best thing to do is to clean the windshield and wipers first with a lot of water. Lift each wiper away from the windshield and then, clean the glass. Afterwards, clean the wipers.
Read Also: Ford Recalls Two of Its Models Because Their Windshields Could Detach
3. Frequently Wash the Windows of Your Car
There are cases when your car's windows catch debris, bird droppings or insects. Before using your wipers on your windows, make sure that you have washed it and removed all the debris, bird droppings or insects. This will ensure that your car's glass will not be scratched. Make it a habit to regularly wash your car's window. Through this, you can protect your windshield as well as your wipers.
4. Park Your Car Indoors
Your wipers will degrade faster if your car is parked outdoors than indoors. Therefore, to avoid the fast degradation of your wipers and to prolong its life, park your car indoors. The rubber in your wiper blades dry out, and become brittle if it is exposed to direct sunlight. It will lessen the efficiency of the wipers.
If you must really park your vehicle outside, raise the wipers from the glass to avoid fast deterioration.
5. Remove Snow Before Using Wipers
Using the wipers on windshield full of heavy snow can cause damaged both to your windshield and wipers. Thus, you must remove all the snow from your windshield before using your wipers.
Remove all the heavy snow and make sure that the windshield is all cleaned up. Try to run the car long enough to melt all the snow before running the wipers.
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