8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

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Inspect the Windshield to Improve the Visibility

by | Sep 22, 2014 | Auto Repair, Car Care Tips, General Car Maintenance, Vehicle Safety Inspections

Owning a vehicle means that you probably know the importance of regular maintenance. Since they represent such a substantial monetary investment, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that the life of the vehicle is extended and your investment is validated. One of the most important, though often neglected, types of vehicle maintenance involves maintenance of the windshield of the vehicle. Repairing cracks, replacing wipers, and replenishing fluid can all help extend the life of the windshield in your vehicle. By having a windshield in good condition, you can also help to improve the visibility when you drive. This can also increase the safety of the vehicle as well.

Fixing a Damaged Windshield

Your windshield is a very important part of your vehicle. The windshield helps to protect you and your passengers from the elements. Without a windshield, you would not be able to accelerate past about twenty miles per hour because the force of the wind would be too painful. Windshields can also help to reduce noise while driving and improve gas mileage by making vehicles more aerodynamic. However, a windshield is made of glass and so it can be easily damaged by debris on the road. If your windshield is cracked by debris on the road, you should get it repaired immediately. A single crack in a windshield can expand into a large crack during freezing weather. A single crack can also weaken your windshield and make it susceptible to shattering should another piece of debris strike it.

Make sure to check the Windshield Wipers

The windshield wipers will not last forever. Like the tires, windshield wipers are made of rubber, but the rubber used in wipers is of a much softer quality than tire rubber. This makes them more effective at removing water from the surface of your windshield, but it also means that your wipers will wear out more quickly than other components of your vehicle. You can tell when your wipers need to be replaced because they will stutter, grind, or slip on the surface of your windshield rather than smoothly whisking away liquid. If your windshield wipers are not functioning correctly, you may encounter visibility issues during a powerful rain or snowstorm.

Replace the Washer Fluid

Under the hood of your vehicle is a special reservoir that contains a solution that is most likely blue or red in color. This solution is known as wiper fluid or windshield wiper fluid. During the course of normal vehicle operation, dirt, dust, and insects can accumulate on the surface of the windshield. This may cause a dangerous reduction in visibility. Operating your windshield wipers when it is not raining outside will not improve the visibility. Running the wipers plus the fluid will help provide a clean windshield to look through. Jets of liquid are aimed at the windshield, and the windshield wipers automatically engage to remove dirt and dust from your windshield. Replacing this fluid regularly will help ensure that you are not left with a dry reservoir when the vehicle in front of yours splashes your windshield with mud. This can help provide a safe vehicle and pleasant driving experience.