Proper Maintenance of
Windshield Wipers
Most of us never even think about our windshield wipers
until it's too late: cruising down the highway with a muddied mess of a windshield
and our wiper blades smear it instead of clean it. Don't put yourself in a
dangerous position-show your windshield wipers the respect they deserve by
being proactive and maintaining them. Good visibility is a must for safe
driving, and these tips can help keep your wipers in tip-top shape.
1.
If ice has accumulated on the windshield, use an
ice scraper or wait until the defroster does its job and melts the ice.
Scraping wiper blades across ice can ruin them.
2.
A clean windshield increases the efficiency of
your wipers, so clean your windshield every time you get gas.
3.
Replace blades when they are broken, or at least
once a year. Choose the same day every year-your birthday?-and you won't forget
to change them.
4.
If you're parked outdoors for an extended length
of time during the winter months, prop wipers away from the windshield to
prevent sticking and, quite possibly, tearing.
5.
Regular maintenance is necessary for any vehicle
to run smoothly; show the same courtesy to your windshield wiper blades.
Inspect them for tears, pay attention to squeaks, and if they start smearing
rather than wiping, it's time to replace them.
6.
Don't forget about those rear windshield wipers!
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