National Car Care Month Tip #1: Maintaining Your Vehicle’s Windshield

Apr 1, 2024

April is National Car Care Month! We’ll be helping our readers learn more about proper car maintenance through a series of helpful tips, tricks, and tasks shared on our social media accounts and blogs. You’ll learn all sorts of valuable advice to keep your car in tip top shape for years to come, so be sure you’re following us so you don’t miss a single tidbit of knowledge!

Our first Car Care Tip for the month will be focusing on your vehicle’s windshield. Here are a few easy and effective tips to protect your windshield and keep it in good condition.

Never leave chips or cracks unrepaired. While smaller chips, stars, and dings may not seem like a big concern, they can very quickly spiral into a larger and more dangerous issue. If the glass is not repaired or replaced soon, the small damage can quickly grow to a large spiderwebbed split which may cause obstacles to the driver’s vision and lead to accidents. Additionally, these small stars or chips may spread quickly in hotter or cold temperatures, or may even shatter if you’re driving over difficult terrain or rough roadways and hit a bump or pothole.

If you spot any stars or small chips, don’t delay! Call your roadside assistance or vehicle insurance company to see if these repairs or replacements are covered; some companies offer free or subsidized replacements on specific plans. Alternatively, you can call your local mechanic or service center to ask about glass repair or replacement services.

Ensuring you have clear and efficient visibility on the road during inclement weather is paramount to safety! Replace your windshield wipers regularly with quality blades if you notice any streaking or smears. If you’re not sure what type of wipers you need, you can check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for guidelines on length and size. We highly recommend purchasing the best quality you can afford, as they’ll last much longer than lower tiered options. Some windshield wipers also come pre-treated with hydrophobic coatings to provide better visibility over time.

Be sure to top off your wiper fluid regularly, and use good quality cleaning products. You’ll want to select something that is seasonally appropriate, as some cleaners will freeze or be efficient at lower temperatures. Likewise, applying a hydrophobic coating such as Rain-X or similar will protect your glass from bugs, mud, rain, and ice more effectively than using just plain wiper fluid alone. When applying a cleaning solution to your windshield, less is more to avoid streaks and smudges that may obscure or blur your vision to the road. If your windows have been tinted or have any sort of after-market glare reduction film applied, you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper maintenance and cleaning inside and out before applying other products.

Be mindful of where you park! It’s advisable to park in a cool area, away from direct sunlight, but make sure to avoid areas that are directly under trees where birds or other animals may leave droppings on the glass. Choosing a parking space with a bit of shade from buildings or utilizing a parking deck would be a wonderful option!