It’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, and the air is decidedly nippy. As winter quickly approaches, the weather can change rapidly from clear and cold to freezing rain or snow. On average, the Midwest and areas near the Great Lakes experience the snowiest or icy road deaths. Did you know that Michigan ranks in the top 5 list of the most

Winter Safety Tips: Increase Visibility

Driver visibility is crucial when driving in all weather conditions. However, winter weather can bring even more challenges. You can increase your safety and reduce auto crashes by performing regular inspections and routine maintenance on your vehicle. Here are a few helpful auto winter safety tips to help improve your visibility this season:

• Clean your windshield & wiper blades every time you fill your tank with gas.
• Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir full.
• Use a scraper and your car’s defroster to remove snow and ice from the windshield.
• Wipe away dust, filmy grime, and other debris from the inside of the windshield glass to help reduce glare.
• Repair any chips, cracks, or scratches in your windshield as soon as possible.
• Clean fogged or hazy headlights.
• Perform routine maintenance on the HVAC system to keep the defroster in good working order.

Winter Maintenance: Wiper Blades

In general, windshield wiper blades last about six months. If you use them often, you may need to replace them every three months. You should never wait more than 12 months to replace your windshield wipers, even if you rarely use them. Environmental factors can break down the rubber or silicone wiper blades and cause reduced driver visibility. If it has been a while since you inspected or cleaned your windshield wipers, now is the perfect time to perform a little winter maintenance.

Wiper Blades Inspection

Inspecting your wiper blades is a simple procedure you can perform yourself. Let’s take this winter safety tip step by step:

• Remove debris and clean the glass and wiper blades with a damp towel or rag. 
• Lift the wiper blade off the windshield glass and check that the rubber is soft and supple.
• Replace wiper blades that have cracks, missing chunks, or are obviously bent. 
• Does the wiper arm move easily? Try cleaning and lubricating the hinge if the arm is hard to move. If it is still difficult to move, replace it.
• If the wiper blades are still in good shape, give them a test run using windshield washer fluid on a clean windshield.  

Common Windshield Wiper Blade Problems

The wiper blades should improve driver visibility by quietly sweeping moisture from the windshield in a smooth arc. If they do not, here are some common reasons: 

• Streaking: caused by dry, cracked, or split blades
• Skipping: caused by bent or curved wiper blades or wiper arms from disuse or other damage
• Splitting: caused by UV damage, excessive heat, poor air quality, etc.
• Excessive wear: If you use your wiper blades frequently, the edges become rounded and ineffective. 

Remember this important winter safety tip: Never use your vehicle’s wipers on a snow-filled, frozen, or icy windshield. The ice can damage the blade edge. First, use a hand-held scraper or the vehicle’s defroster to melt the frost.

Wiper Blades Replacement

Your owner’s manual contains the factory-recommended wiper blade type. You can purchase replacement blades and wiper arms online or at your local brick-and-mortar auto parts store. It is a fairly simple procedure to replace them yourself. Or if you are short on time, take your car to your favorite auto shop, and the technician will replace them for you. Most auto service centers offer wiper blade service during a routine oil change or as an add-on with other maintenance services. 

Winter Windshield Washer Fluid

Different types of winter wiper fluid typically list the lowest temperature at which the product performs. For example, one product may resist freezing up to 0 degrees F, while another may work well in temperatures as low as -50F. Read the label carefully and select a product that matches your climate well to increase driver visibility.

Can I Mix Wiper Fluid Formulas?

Winter and summer wiper fluid formulas perform at different temperatures and environments. Mixing them might not affect the cleaning property negatively, but the freezing resistance will be less effective. Drain the summer wiper fluid and rinse the reservoir with clean water to be safe. Drain the water completely before refilling the tank with your chosen winter wiper fluid formula.

Wiper Blades Service in Ann Arbor, MI

Ron’s Garage regularly performs major and minor repairs on all vehicle makes and models, imported or domestic, up to one ton. Our ASE-certified technicians will address all your concerns with driver visibility, including replacing your vehicle’s wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, or other winter safety tips.

Schedule Your Appointment

Call us at (734) 961-4701 to speak with our friendly service agents. You can also visit our website to book your appointment.

The post The Best Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid Winter Safety Tips first appeared on Ron’s Garage | Auto Repair Ann Arbor MI | Brake Repair.