Winter driving is tough on motorists and their vehicles; learn 4 ways to keep yourself safe and save money on windshield repair this season here.
For Canadian drivers, the winter brings with it all kinds of problems. You don’t only have to worry about slick roadways and blinding whiteouts; stormy weather and provincial road safety measures mean you’ll be fighting off salt stains and gritty grey slush building up on your vehicle every day.
When left untreated, salt and dirty snow can really take a toll on your vehicle. Salt is extremely corrosive to the vehicle’s exterior, and can accelerate the rusting process. When concentrated in certain areas, salt can damage everything from your sub-frame to your hydraulic brake system. Aside from its unsightly appearance, dirty slush can work dirt, runoff, and environmental contaminants into cracks in your windshield, exterior, and mirrors. This can widen these cracks, turning a minor bit of body work or windshield repair into a serious expense.
Getting a professional car wash every day is expensive, and can quickly add up, which is why the windshield repair team at Speers Auto Glass has assembled some surprising and inexpensive cleaning tricks for you to keep your car in shape this winter season. Read on to learn 4 cheap and unconventional cleaning methods to keep your car’s body and windshield safe.
1. Baby your headlights
Proper visibility is crucial for safe winter driving, and your headlights play a key part. Because of their front-and-center positioning, headlights often get blasted with a coating of salt and grime. When left unaddressed, this can make nighttime driving very dangerous.
For a quick and easy roadside solution, store some baby wipes in your glove compartment. If you notice that your headlights aren’t spearing through the darkness like they should be, pull over and give them a quick wipe.
2. Wipe down your wipers
If your wiper blades are dirty, your windshield is never going to be clean. Dirty windshield wipers are one of the main culprits for turning windshield repairs into a windshield replacements. If your wiper blades are dirty, make a cleaning solution by mixing ¼ cup of household ammonia with 1 quarter of cold water. Wipe your wipers down with a solution-soaked cloth or paper towel, then wipe them dry before lowering the blades back into place.
3. Condition your car for a lustrous shine that fights off (snow) flakes
Wash your car with a hair conditioner that contains lanolin. This may seem unorthodox, but you’ll become a believer once you see the freshly-waxed look it leaves behind. Additionally, you may find that the surface of your car is now able to repel rain and snow.
4. Channel the spirits of Mother Russia
If looking through your windshield feels a lot like wearing beer goggles, it’s time for a cleaning. The solution? Raid the liquor cabinet. Mix 3 cups of vodka, 4 cups of water, and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish-washing detergent, then apply liberally to your windshield. Squeegee your windshield clean for a sparkling result.
If you notice a chip or crack in your windshield while applying these cleaning solutions, stop and contact your local windshield repair service right away. If you don’t, you risk pushing contaminants into the crack area, which can worsen damage and force you to pay for a replacement.
