ADAC
Driving in winter: experts warn against windshield wiper tricks
Driving in winter is difficult – there are many tricks to combat icy windows and windshield wipers. But some do more harm than good to the components.
Anyone who has to park their car on the side of the road in winter is probably very familiar with icy windows and windshield wipers. There are many remedies and tricks to solve the problem when driving in winter as quickly as possible, especially the good old ice scraper and de-icing sprays. Preventive measures can also help to keep the work relatively manageable before departure.
Driving in winter: Not all tips are useful
But not all tips are useful, says the . While the sensitive rubber lips of the windshield wipers can be effectively protected with plastic covers or a windshield cover, the club particularly recommends against an ice protection barrier made of cardboard or paper. Since cardboard and paper soak up water and also freeze, the protective function is virtually nil.
The protection of windshield wipers should not be underestimated. Damaged rubber lips may cause streaks when wiping, which can be blinding when faced with backlighting.
If you don’t have a suitable cover at hand, it helps to fold up the windshield wipers. This prevents it from freezing. Attention: On some cars the wipers must first be put into the service position. This is often the case when they disappear too far under the hood when at rest.
When it comes to de-icing the windows, you shouldn’t think of using very hot water for it. The large temperature difference can lead to stress cracks and permanently damage the pane.
What should be in the car in winter?
It also lists which items you should definitely have on hand in winter. hand brush and are mandatory. One too Anyone who needs to open their car with a key should have it. Understandably, don’t store this in the car, but with the key.
The ADAC also advises: to carry with you. At low temperatures it can quickly happen that the battery runs flat. Anyone who has an appropriate cable – perhaps even with a suitable power bank – will be mobile again more quickly than someone who has to wait for roadside assistance.
In alpine areas there should also be a sentence lying in the car. In some places this is even mandatory. A little tip: Practice attaching the chains in a warm and dry place so that it goes faster in winter conditions.
If drivers have to expect to be stuck in traffic, the club also recommends one . This can save fuel during longer downtimes because the engine does not have to run.
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Source: Stern
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
