Each season comes with different weather conditions. Getting your automobile ready for winter weather, both inside and out, is essential. And your car’s windshield is one of the most important components that must be taken care of at all times.
With the winter season, the risk of having frost build up on your windshield in the morning is inevitable. Nothing is more irritating than taking out time to scrape off your car windows while you are in a hurry to get to work.
9 Tips to Winterize your Car
The windshield of your car is one of the essential components of your car. It should be in the best condition. It prevents you from external items, such as rocks, debris, etc. Moreover, the windshield also provides you protection from bad weather such as rain, sun, etc.
1. Keep Your Car Clean
The time of the year doesn’t matter: a spotless and well-maintained vehicle is always a welcome sight. During the winter months, this is of even greater significance. Snow and road salt accumulate on windshields, which can cause immense damage to them.
You should always keep your car clean. Using regular detergents is a big NO. Make sure to use high-quality cleaners to clean your car’s windshield. It is because most regular detergents contain chemicals that can affect your car’s windshield adversely. Dish soap is much too abrasive to use for washing a car, so it’s recommended to use special soap designed for washing cars.
2. Get Your Wiper Blades Changed
It is imperative that you keep the windshield of your vehicle clean. If the wiper blades are worn out, it’s time to change them. Driving with obsolete wiper blades is not wise at all. They can damage your windshield beyond repair.
Therefore, it is recommended to get your windshield wipers changed for new ones. Doing so will help you maintain a crystal clear view in all directions during the winter season.
| Related Read: How to Check and Change your windshield wiper blade?
The new wipers should also be streak-free. You may even acquire windshield wipers designed specifically for the weather you anticipate driving in. If you live in a heavy snow region, choose a set of windshield wipers with their own heating element.
Choose windshield wipers that have been treated with a hydrophobic chemical if the weather forecast calls for heavy rain. Choosing the right windshield wipers is crucial to have the best driving experience during winter.
3. Invest in a Set of Snow Tyres
The tyres on your vehicle are an essential part of your day on the road. If the tyres are worn out, you constantly run the risk of losing grip on the road. This is especially true if you drive in wet conditions. After the tyres on your vehicle lose traction, the windshield will be the first component to be negatively impacted, thereby leading to accidents.
Hence, installing a brand-new pair of winter tyres on the vehicle is always a good idea. Their more malleable rubber compound maintains its flexibility even in chilly conditions, which improves traction on the road.
They also have specialized tread patterns with broader grooves, which let them quickly discharge water and snow, improving their traction in wet and icy conditions.
4. Perform a Pressure Check on the Tyres
The colder the weather, the more of an impact it has on your tyres. This creates potentially dangerous road conditions.
Your tyre pressure will drop by one pound per square inch for every ten-degree dip in temperature. Because of this, you should always have your tyre gauge close at hand, and this is especially important if your vehicle does not have a tyre pressure monitoring system that can tell you the psi of each tyre.
Get a portable air compressor that you can use to check the air pressure in your tyres and prevent any mishappening.
5. Avoid Removing Snow with Hot Water
People who live in extremely cold regions know it very well. They have to clear the snow from their windshield almost every day. When they are in a hurry and snow removal looks like too much of a hassle, they use hot water to melt the snow. It may be the quickest way to scrape the ice, but not the best; trust that.
In fact, it is horrible for your automobile; it may cause your windshield to crack. In addition, it may cause your power windows to malfunction. It is because the sudden increase in temperature could cause the windshield to break.
6. Clean Your Windshield with the Right Solution
Cleaning your car’s windscreen and side glass with the right solution is essential. The best thing is that you can DIY the mixture at home. All you have to do is to take one part water and three parts vinegar. Using this mixture will reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle.
How to use it?
All you have to do is to fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar and one part water, shake well, and then spray the mixture over all of the windows of your vehicle. They will be free of the icy mess when the morning comes!
How does it work?
Vinegar has acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water and prevents water from freezing. This mixture of vinegar and water will help prevent frost and ice from accumulating on your windshield, and if you find yourself in a rush in the morning, you can use the same solution to melt the ice that has already formed.
You can achieve the same results by mixing water and rubbing alcohol in a ratio of 2 to 1.
7. Make Sure That Your Windshield Is Always Covered
This is crucial! Make sure to take this simple precaution to prevent ice and frost from forming on the windshield of your car. You can buy a good quality windshield cover from a reputable automobile company.
Covering your windshield at night will create a protective barrier that will prevent snow and ice from your windshield, allowing you to leave your parking spot in the morning quickly.
8. Use Antifreeze Appropriately
Antifreeze lowers the temperature at which water can freeze. Antifreeze prevents water from freezing. Make a mixture using one part water and one part undiluted antifreeze. It will keep your engine running in frigid conditions.
9. Get Your Windshield Repaired
Last but not least, get windshield repair or replacement if it has cracks. The windshield is an essential structural component of your car. It keeps the roof in place and protects you from flying debris and raindrops.
Vehicles with broken windows are more likely to crash, increasing the risk of injury. There are a number of ways in which a damaged windshield increases the risk of an accident.
You should never drive with a cracked windshield since it reduces your visibility, increasing the risk of an accident, especially during the winter season.
Therefore, it is crucial to get your windshield repaired or replaced by a reputable repair service provider.
So these are the top 9 ways you can winterize your car windshield. Know that the harsh winter weather can be brutal for your car’s windshield.
However, following the tips listed above will ensure that your vehicle is prepared to deal with whatever the weather may throw its way.
How Can Windshield Store Help?
If you’re looking for a reputable windshield service provider for windshield repair or replacement, then Windshield Store is your best bet!
When it comes to replacing or repairing windshields, our prices are unmatched. In addition, we also provide mobile windshield repair services. This means you can get windshield replacement from the comfort of your home or business or wherever you are. Your safety is our priority; hence, we only use genuine windshield glass.
As an added bonus, Windshield Store accepts all major insurance plans, including business policies. If you have auto insurance, you might use that to pay for services like windshield replacement at no additional cost to you. We’ll coordinate with your insurer to establish a billing, payment, and servicing system. Both private and commercial auto glasses are within our scope of expertise.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions concerning Windshield Store’s windshield repair service.