Car Care Tips: How to Take Care of Your Windshield

Your windshield is an extremely important part of your vehicle. Yet many people don’t even think about maintaining it. However, ignoring damage on your windshield could lead to costly repairs and put your safety at risk when you’re driving. Learn how to take care of your windshield so it’s always in top shape.

Keep it Clean

Dead bugs, road grime, and pollen can all reduce your visibility. Even worse, these items can scratch the glass when you use your windshield wipers. These tiny scratches can eventually lead to larger cracks on your windshield. To keep your windshield clean, remember to wash it every time you stop for gas. You can also use a microfiber towel and a homemade solution of white vinegar and water to clean your windshield at home. After it’s clean, don’t forget to apply a rain repellent for even better visibility during wet weather.

Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes

If you’ve ever filled a warm glass with cold water, you know that it can shatter due to the drastic temperature change. This is because glass can actually expand and shrink as the temperature around it changes. To make sure this doesn’t happen to your windshield, you want to avoid any quick and extreme temperature changes. If you park your car in a garage when it’s cold outside, you should open the garage door before starting your car so the glass can slowly acclimatize to the outdoor temperature.

Change the Wiper Blades

Even though you don’t use your windshield wipers every day, they typically only last six to 12 months. Heavy use and overexposure to the sun can cause them to deteriorate even faster. Squeaking, chattering, or other unusual noises when you use your wiper blades are all signs that it’s time to replace them. If your blades are simply leaving streaks on your windshield, you can clean them by wiping down the edges with rubbing alcohol.

Practice Proper Driving Habits

Even though windshields are thick and sturdy, they can’t handle everything that comes their way, including flying debris. If you’re driving behind a large truck, maintain a safe distance so any hurtling rocks or other debris won’t hit your windshield and cause a crack. You should also stay at least 10 feet behind the car in front of you, especially if you’re driving down a road that has a lot of grit or numerous potholes.

Fix Chips Quickly

Even if you practice good driving habits, you might end up with a chip in your windshield. If you do, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. Most small chips can be filled in quickly and cheaply. However, if you ignore a small chip, everyday driving on bumpy roads could cause it to become a large crack that costs a significant amount of time and money to repair.

When you follow these tips on how to take care of your windshield, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of the glass and enjoy excellent visibility every time you go for a drive.

 

Image via Pixabay

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