Winterize your vehicle 2019 tip No. 4: How’s your view of the road in McHenry?
%30-%09-%2019, %Rwinterize McHenry wiper bladesPermalinkWinter creates two primary problem for driving in and around McHenry. One problem is traction. The roads get slick and it’s often difficult to maintain the kind of control of your car, truck or SUV that you enjoy in warmer seasons. Today, however, we’re focused on another problem – vision.
The windshield and windows frost in the winter. Snow and ice build up on the glass impeding your view. You want a good snow brush and ice scrapper to clean the windshield and window before you drive. You also want a defroster that works. As you drive, falling snow and slushy rain continue to challenge your ability to see the road, other cars and pedestrians clearly. This is all the more the case when driving at night.
snow brush
These are the critical tools for maintaining a clear field of vision while driving your car, truck or SUV in the McHenry area:
How old are your wipers? They’re made of rubber. Rubber is a petroleum product, and, over time, they will lose their suppleness. Time will even lead to cracks and breaks in the rubber. Wear and tear in their use will cause deterioration to the surface of the wiper blades. Make sure your wipers are in optimal condition as winter approaches – it’s well worth the cost of replacing wipers that are only a little old. When you replace them, you can buy wipers that encase the spring mechanism on the backs so that snow and ice won’t build up behind the blades.
Check your washer solvent reservoir frequently – every time you stop for gasoline is a good rule. Make sure the sprayer operates properly and that the spray is aimed correctly onto the windshield.
Does your heater provide heat? Does the fan work to its full capacity? When you turn the knob to blow the air out the defrosters at the back, top of the dashboard, does the air blow fully up into the windshield (test with the knob turned to full defrost and check again with the knob turned to divide the flow of air at your feet or main vents).
You’ll want a window scraper that is strong enough to take the beating of a winter’s worth of cleaning snow and ice off the windshield of your car, truck or SUV. You want a snow brush that will reach far enough so you can clear the snow off your entire car. It’s not enough to clean the snow off the glass; you also want to clear it off the body of the car, truck or SUV. Especially from the hood, particles of snow will blow up onto the windshield if the snow isn’t cleared off the body of the car, truck or SUV. And don’t forget to clear off the headlights and taillights.
If you take these steps, you’re essentially prepared to deal with the challenges a McHenry winter will give your car, truck or SUV. Then, if you can improve your traction and control, you have the best chance of making it safely through winter.
The windshield and windows frost in the winter. Snow and ice build up on the glass impeding your view. You want a good snow brush and ice scrapper to clean the windshield and window before you drive. You also want a defroster that works. As you drive, falling snow and slushy rain continue to challenge your ability to see the road, other cars and pedestrians clearly. This is all the more the case when driving at night.
snow brush
These are the critical tools for maintaining a clear field of vision while driving your car, truck or SUV in the McHenry area:
- Good wipers
- Full washer solvent and properly operating sprayer
- Effectively operating heating defroster
- Good window scrapper and snow brush
How old are your wipers? They’re made of rubber. Rubber is a petroleum product, and, over time, they will lose their suppleness. Time will even lead to cracks and breaks in the rubber. Wear and tear in their use will cause deterioration to the surface of the wiper blades. Make sure your wipers are in optimal condition as winter approaches – it’s well worth the cost of replacing wipers that are only a little old. When you replace them, you can buy wipers that encase the spring mechanism on the backs so that snow and ice won’t build up behind the blades.
Check your washer solvent reservoir frequently – every time you stop for gasoline is a good rule. Make sure the sprayer operates properly and that the spray is aimed correctly onto the windshield.
Does your heater provide heat? Does the fan work to its full capacity? When you turn the knob to blow the air out the defrosters at the back, top of the dashboard, does the air blow fully up into the windshield (test with the knob turned to full defrost and check again with the knob turned to divide the flow of air at your feet or main vents).
You’ll want a window scraper that is strong enough to take the beating of a winter’s worth of cleaning snow and ice off the windshield of your car, truck or SUV. You want a snow brush that will reach far enough so you can clear the snow off your entire car. It’s not enough to clean the snow off the glass; you also want to clear it off the body of the car, truck or SUV. Especially from the hood, particles of snow will blow up onto the windshield if the snow isn’t cleared off the body of the car, truck or SUV. And don’t forget to clear off the headlights and taillights.
If you take these steps, you’re essentially prepared to deal with the challenges a McHenry winter will give your car, truck or SUV. Then, if you can improve your traction and control, you have the best chance of making it safely through winter.
Comments
