Car windows. How to take care of them in winter?
Winter is the most difficult time of the year for drivers. Low temperatures, rapidly falling darkness, ice and snow make driving much more difficult. At the same time, it is in winter that we are waiting for numerous trips related to recreation and winter holidays. During this period, special attention should be paid to windows, the condition of which has a very large impact on the safety and comfort of using the car. How to ensure their proper preparation in the winter season?
In early December, well-known headlines begin to appear in the press, informing that winter once again "surprised the road builders." In general, we are not able to support the relevant services in the fight against ice or snowy roads, but we can always take care of the proper preparation of the car. “Remember that good visibility when driving in winter is not only achieved by removing ice or snow from the windows. During this period, windshield wipers also face a difficult task. It is very important that we take care of their proper technical condition, as is the case with the window heating system.” says Grzegorz Wronski from NordGlass.
Removing ice and snow
Picturesque icicles and white blankets of freshly fallen snow certainly have their own charm. However, it splashes right away if they cover the car with which we are going to go on a trip in a moment. “Snow removal of the entire vehicle is a must. Go beyond windows, headlights, and license plates. Snow left on the hood, roof or trunk will interfere with driving for us and other road users, whether it slides on windows or rises into the air at higher speeds, obscuring the view of those behind us. We can also get fined for driving a badly cleaned car,” emphasizes Grzegorz Wronski, an expert at NordGlass, adding: “For snow removal, it is best to use a brush with soft bristles that will not scratch windows and paint.”
In winter, ice covering the car body can be a more difficult problem than snow. “In this situation, first of all it is necessary to clean the surfaces of windows, mirrors and lamps. Most drivers decide to use a scraper for this purpose, which unfortunately carries the risk of scratching the windows. When choosing this solution, remember to check whether the scraper is sharp enough and the material it is made of is hard enough. Soft plastic will chip off quickly and it will be easier for particles of sand and other dirt to stick to it, scratching the glass surface, ”explains the NordGlass expert.
The most popular alternative to scrapers are liquid defrosters, available as sprays or sprays, which allow the product to be applied effectively even in high winds. “Unlike ice scrapers, there is no risk of scratching with de-icers. They dissolve the ice, which can then be wiped away by the wipers. However, for exceptionally thick layers or very low temperatures, an additional scraper may be required,” says Grzegorz Wronski.
Smart driver before winter
In order to make it easier to maintain windows in good condition in winter, it is worth paying attention to several solutions that will make clearing ice and snow faster and easier. “Windshield mats are a common solution for preventing ice and snow from building up on surfaces. In turn, an extremely interesting and innovative idea is to make a special hydrophobic coating. All sorts of dirt, as well as frost and ice, are less able to stick to hydrophobized side and windshields, which are easier to remove from their surface. A one-time treatment is inexpensive and allows you to enjoy the effect of “invisible wipers” for about 15 km in the case of a windshield and as much as 60 km in the case of side windows,” says the expert.
Wipers are also an element responsible for the safety and comfort of the trip. “Replacing them is not difficult and not expensive, but it is very important to ensure good visibility. Before the winter season, be sure to check the condition of the feathers and replace the washer fluid with a freeze-resistant mixture. If there is such a need, let's also adjust the position of the washer nozzles so that they distribute the liquid on the glass as accurately as possible,” says Grzegorz Wronski,
Protection inside and out
In addition to external care, you should also take care of the inside of the glass. “In winter, the evaporation of the glass surface in the cabin is a big problem. It is very important to make sure that the warm air system works and, if necessary, provides a quick restoration of the necessary visibility. In the case of a rear window, usually with a separate heating system, check to see if it needs repair. It should also be remembered that temporarily wiping the inside of misted windows with a napkin usually has a short-term effect and causes streaks and dirt, ”the expert notes.
Difficult winter road conditions also lead to an increased risk of damage to vehicles, especially glass surfaces. “The mixture of slush, sand and small pebbles that road builders often use can cause serious damage, especially to windshields. Small defects can be repaired in specialized services, but this depends on the size and location of chips or cracks. As a rule, the majority of defects, the diameter of which does not exceed 24 mm, i.e. the diameter of a 5 zloty coin, and which are located at a distance of at least 10 cm from the edge of the glass, are subject to repair. With the help of a free smartphone application, we can carry out an initial diagnosis of damage along the way. If you want to avoid replacing the entire glass, you should contact a specialized service as soon as possible, where qualified specialists will finally assess whether the damage can be repaired or if the entire glass needs to be replaced, ”the message says. Grzegorz Wronski.
