Take care of your carpets When thinking about how to prepare your car for winter, it is worth finding out…
How to care for your windshield wipers in winter? 5 tips
Car wipers are needed at any time of year. They have a direct impact on visibility, and therefore driving safety. However, the winter season is particularly demanding for them. How to care for wipers during the cold months?
- How to care for your wipers in winter? Use winter windshield washer fluid!
- Forget about clearing snow off your windows with your wipers, or removing excrement with them.
- Protect your wipers from freezing and wash the blades regularly.
- Consider purchasing winter wipers.
- Learn more about how to care for car in winter!
- 1. How to care for your wipers in winter? Do not use your car wipers dry
- 2. Don't forget to wash your wipers regularly
- 3. Don't use windshield wipers to clean up bird droppings
- 4. Do not use your windshield wipers to remove snow from your windows.
- 5. Protect your wipers from freezing
- How to choose wipers for winter?
Rubber elements are particularly sensitive to low temperatures. However, their excessively rapid wear is not always due to the harmful effects of atmospheric factors. Sometimes, they are caused by the driver's own error. This begs the question: How to care for your car wipers in winter? Here are the most important tips.
Also read: Wiper blades need replacing! Symptoms of their wear
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How to care for your wipers in winter? Don't use your car wipers dry
Even the best car wipers will wear out faster if they work dry. It is worth remembering this. For this reason, you should always apply a windshield washer fluid before starting them. It prevents excessive friction and scratching of the glass. It is worth using it even when there is snow on the glass. This is very important. Unfortunately, wipers wear out faster in the winter. Therefore, it is worth remembering about the right fluid. Which winter windshield washer fluid should I choose? Preferably one that will work even at low temperatures.
Remember! In winter, a windshield washer fluid that does not freeze at sub-zero temperatures will work well.
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Don't forget to wash your wipers regularly
Car wipers, like any other part of a car, accumulate dirt. These include small particles of sand carried by the wind, fragments of leaves, or dirt found in snow. They can scratch the glass and also destroy delicate rubbers.
Another problem is greasy dirt, which appears, for example, as a result of incorrect application of car cosmetics. They are not dangerous for windows, but they cause streaks. This negatively affects visibility, and therefore driving safety.
How to care for your wipers in winter? How to wash them effectively? All you need is a soft cloth and a car cleaner. First, lift the blades, spray them and wipe them. The second and final step is to thoroughly wash the glass. This procedure should be repeated regularly – every few weeks at most.
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Don't use windshield wipers to clean up bird droppings
Even the first attempt to remove bird droppings can damage your wipers. This is especially noticeable in the case of dried dirt. The only safe solution is to clean the windshield with a soft brush and water. Under no circumstances should you spray the droppings with windshield washer fluid and try to remove them with your wipers. Unless you plan to buy new wipers for the winter anyway.
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Do not use your wipers to remove snow from your windows.
Some drivers want to save a few minutes by pushing snow off the windshield by turning on the wipers. However, this is a big mistake. Over time, such behavior can damage delicate rubber elements, which will result in the need to replace the accessory with a new one. Blades are not everything. When there is a lot of snow or it is heavy - wiper motors are also susceptible to damage, as they work under greater load. So it is worth remembering to properly clear snow from the car.
It is better to use a soft brush to clear snow. A 2-in-1 set will also work well – e.g. Moje Auto Virage Window scraper brush 65 cm. It is worth carrying it in the car from autumn onwards.
(photo: My Car)
These accessories are made of materials that are safe for glass and paint. The brush has soft, flexible bristles that effectively remove snow.
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Protect your wipers from freezing
Large temperature fluctuations during the winter season can cause snow and ice to melt and refreeze. This often results in frost on wipers where moisture has accumulated. How to protect wipers from frost? To prevent this, it is worth lifting them during frost. It is also a good idea to place a special thermal shield between the glass and the blades.
Trying to forcefully pry off a frozen wiper will probably result in damage. It doesn't matter whether you do it manually or by starting the drive. In addition to destroying the rubber element, it can also cause the wiper motor to fail. Repairing such a component generates costs.
However, if the accessory has frozen to the glass, it is worth using a special defroster. Its task is to dissolve the ice, which allows you to release the blade without using force.
How to choose wipers for winter?
Of course, it is also worth considering installing new wipers for the winter. Especially if the ones currently installed no longer fully fulfill their role. Which wipers should you choose for the winter? First of all, they should be durable and effective. Therefore, you need to choose the right models. Flat and hybrid wipers are the best as winter wipers. Which wipers should you choose? It is best to use our wiper finder. Simply select your car make and model to see which wipers will fit!
Car wipers can function without any problems for several months. However, they need to be looked after – especially during the winter season, when they are exposed to snow and freezing temperatures.
