Winter Windshield Care for Chicago Motorists01.31.2023 | Okan Sengullu

4 Tips for Windshield Care in Winter

It should be obvious to every motorist that keeping a clear windshield in winter is absolutely essential for safe driving. In addition to providing you with a view of the road ahead, your windshield also provides about 30 percent of your vehicle’s structural support, helping protect you and your passengers in case of an accident.

Given the importance of your windshield, we wanted to pass on some important tips for protecting your windshield from damage during those months when Mother Nature is serving up her worst for area motorists.

Repair All Damage Immediately

Sooner or later, we’re all going to experience cracks and chips in our windshield caused by flying rocks or other debris. All too often, the temptation is to ignore the damage for a while, perhaps until better weather returns.

That’s a mistake, and you should not do it. The damage is not going away, it’s only going to get worse over time. So do yourself and your budget a favor and get those chips and cracks repaired before they spread, forcing you to replace your windshield instead of repairing it.

Clean Ice Off Your Windshield Carefully

• Ideally, it’s best to let your car and your defroster run for a few minutes before starting to remove the accumulated ice.
• Use an ice scraper designed for ice removal and not some other object like a butter knife or garden tool. You can easily damage your windshield using things like that.
• Make sure the entire windshield is clean, not just a small area in front of the driver’s seat.
• Never pour hot water on your iced over windshield. If you must speed up the removal process, use a salt water mixture or a special solution made for ice removal on vehicle glass.
• Never use a hair dryer to remove ice as the heat could damage the seal of your windshield.

Use Winter Windshield Washer Fluid

Don’t use all-season windshield fluids in winter, as these can either freeze in the fluid reservoir or freeze when sprayed on your windshield.

Instead, use a windshield fluid formulated for winter use.

Mind Your Windshield Wipers

Cold weather and road salt can play havoc with your windshield wipers, so it’s important to examine them every 2-3 weeks and replace them if they’re not clearing your windshield sufficiently or show signs of significant wear. Replacing worn or damaged wipers prevents them from scratching your glass.

Expert Auto Repair in Lincoln Park

Whatever the season of the year and whatever repair you need – including windshield repair and windshield replacement – Bucaro Brothers Auto Care is here for you. We’re conveniently located in Lincoln Park and our ASE certified technicians can service all makes and models, both foreign and domestic.

Whatever care your vehicle needs, we can take care of you at Bucaro Brothers Auto Care.