Winter is a tough time, not just for you but for your car as well. The windshield, in particular, is in a lot of danger. You'll use a lot of time and effort trying to keep snow and ice off or de-icing the windshield, which can stress your windshield. During winter, you may also find the regular operation of your wipers to be harder than usual. How can you keep your windshield safe in such weather?
Choose the Right Wiper Fluid
Unfortunately, plain water will not cut it as a wiper fluid when winter comes around. When temperatures drop below freezing, the washer reservoir will also freeze if you only use water. You can avoid this by choosing a winter blend of wiper fluid. These types of wiper fluids are guaranteed not to freeze if temperatures stay above a certain minimum.
For example, a wiper fluid blend with 38 percent methanol will not freeze unless temperatures dip below -31 degrees Fahrenheit. A blend with 50 percent methanol will stay liquid up to -58 F.
Don't Put Anything Hot or Warm on the Windshield
Putting something warm or hot on your windshield is an easy way of cracking it in winter. Some people have made the mistake of trying to use hot water to defrost their windshields faster in the morning. However, the rapid expansion of parts of the cold glass causes too much stress, resulting in cracking.
Buy a Car Blanket
Just as a sunshade protects your car during summer, a car blanket can protect your car during winter. A car blanket is designed to fit around the car from the outside, and when you remove it in the morning, there will be no snow or ice on the windshield.
Avoid Makeshift Ice Scrapers
When a regular ice scraper is not within reach, you may be tempted to reach for something else to try and clear the ice from your windshield. This is obviously a bad idea especially if you use something metallic. Anything metallic can scratch your windshield, making it susceptible to cracks in the future.
Don't Turn on the Defroster Immediately
A defroster can heat the air up very quickly, which can result in a trip to the auto glass repair shop due to a crack. A better approach is to turn on the car and let the heater run for five minutes before turning on the defroster. You may not even need the defroster after those five minutes.
If there are any cracks in the windshield, take your car to an auto glass replacement shop as soon as possible.
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