Every winter, this is a common situation when car owners toss over whether to droop their windshield wipers blades up when there is a looming storm. At first sight, this is a relatively obvious choice that may profoundly impact your car. This article sets out to educate someone on the advantages and disadvantages of each method so that he or she can make the right decision. Here is the winter preparation overview from expert sources and people’s tips.
You need to lift your wipers before the snow: saving your blades.
It is easier to lift your windshield wipers because one of the primary benefits of so doing is to avoid the rubber blades from sticking to the glass, especially when the temperature drops significantly before a snowstorm. In case it is left down, the wipers come into direct contact with the glass, and if an upward move is made later, the wiper blades may actually give out, or the motor may be strained. Harold Singh, who specializes in damage claims, notes that wiper freezing is expensive to repair.
The third benefit correlates with the previous one – it is considerably easy to remove snow and ice from the pavement’s surface. With the wipers down, you must scrape or brush snow, and you are always afraid of cutting the wiper blades or scratching the windscreen. This can help significantly reduce the amount of work involved, particularly after massive snowstorms.
Think twice! Thus, wind and wiper wear may force u change Yesterday’s conditions and forecasted high winds may hence make u reconsider. Lifting your wipers when freezing is possible but can also lead to destruction due to fierce winds. In intense storms, wiper arms arranged upward may bend or even break. Car expert Steven Ewing of Edmunds suggests that using your car’s defroster is safer, particularly in areas where high winds are expected.
The basic techniques and recommendations for removing ice and snow securely
Some drivers also fear the wear of springs resulting from the constant up-and-down motion of the wipers. However, as has been pointed out by other experts, current wiper arm models are constructed to handle tension in this way, and such wear is not likely to be a major problem. If wind damage is a problem where you live, it is probably best to leave the wipers down.
Using the right tools to remove snow and ice from your windshield is very important. Do not use a metal scraper or a wire brush on the glass or painted surface, which may scratch it. Instead, use a plastic scraper and a soft snow brush made only for this kind of work.
When scraping, begin the car, and engage the defroster on the highest setting. This way, the ice is loosened and can be removed with little or no pressure. Use caution, as the dew point can take 10-20 minutes before the defroster warms it up. Adding this to having the right tools will make the process faster and less harmful to the vehicle in question.
Choosing the correct sort for your winter climate requirements
It is up to the driver or person using the car and the weather conditions in that region to determine if the windshield wipers should be pulled up or left down. If you live in a region of comparatively mild winters, this action will help keep the wipers from freezing, which will make snow-removal operations all the easier. Still, in such areas with high wind frequency, it is safer by far to leave the wipers down.
But, it’s all about the weight of the risk rather than the benefits to be achieved by using each approach to problem-solving. Consider some factors before the storm, choose the proper equipment for your car, and use useful advice to prepare your vehicle for winter storms. Regardless of each of the discussed methods, the steps taken to safeguard wipers and windshields will result in reduced stress during winter driving.
