From investing in a good ice scraper to keeping your windshield washer fluid full, following these tips will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure that you have a clear view of the road all season long.
Winter windshield care is important for two reasons. The first is safety. Your windshield is your window to the world while driving, and you want to make sure it’s clear so you can see everything going on around you. The second reason is for protecting your investment. During the winter months, your windshield is susceptible to everything from ice and snow to road salt and sand. All of these elements can cause serious damage to your windshield if they’re not removed quickly and properly.
To help you keep your windshield in top condition all winter long, we’ve put together a list of 5 helpful tips. From investing in a good ice scraper to keeping your windshield washer fluid full, following these tips will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure that you have a clear view of the road all season long.
Invest in a Good Ice Scraper
One of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need for winter windshield care is a good ice scraper. A quality ice scraper will make short work of even the thickest layers of ice and won’t damage your windshield in the process. Be sure to keep your ice scraper in an easily accessible spot so you can use it as soon as frost or ice begins to build up on your windshield.
TIP: Leave your windshield wipers in the out and up position if you park outdoors. It will be easier to scrape your windshield after a heavy snowfall or ice storm, preventing your wipers from freezing to your windshield. Make sure you manually scrape your windshield before you attempt to use your wipers to clear the ice and frost from your windshield. Failing to do so may cause damage to the wipers and is not a quick or effective solution to defrosting the glass.
Inspect Your Wipers Regularly
Your windshield wipers are one of the most important parts of your car when it comes to winter driving safety. In order to function properly, they need to be free of cracks, tears, or any other type of damage. Inspect your wipers regularly throughout the winter months and replace them promptly if they show any signs of wear and tear.
Keep Your Windshield Washer Fluid Full
Another crucial step in proper winter windshield care is ensuring that your washer fluid reservoir is always full. During the winter months, it’s not uncommon to go through a couple of gallons of washer fluid each week. Keeping plenty of washer fluid on hand will help you remove any snow, salt, or sand that gets onto your windshield quickly and without damaging your wipers.
Use Only Gentle Cleaning Products
When cleaning your windshield, be sure to use only gentle cleaning products designed specifically for automotive glass. Harsh chemicals can strip away any water repellant coatings on your windshield diminishing their effectiveness. Also, scratches during the cleaning process depend heavily on what you are using to clean your glass. Avoid improper cleaning by using a soft microfiber cloth when wiping down the windshield and windows. The good news is that you can feel safe using NOVUS Glass Cleaner (available at most NOVUS Glass locations), or another glass cleaner formulated specifically for glass.
Repair Small Damages
No matter what type of chip or crack you have in your windshield, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible, especially in the colder months. Allowing chips to remain in your windshield can result in further cracking and even dramatically decreased visibility while driving. If you’re not sure whether or not your chip can be repaired, bring your car into your local NOVUS Glass location and our experienced technicians will examine the damage to your windshield as well as provide the appropriate care.
By following these 5 simple tips, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure that you have a clear view of the road all winter long!
- ADVANCED REPAIR: NOVUS Glass specializes in repairing chips and long cracks on your windshield, many over 12 inches wide. NOVUS Glass technicians undergo regular training to ensure that they can repair the most complex glass damage.
- AHEAD OF THE TIMES: At all our NOVUS Glass locations, technicians are specially trained to restore windshields to their original OEM condition, including new windshield installation, ADAS calibration, alignment of the forward-facing front camera and using our proprietary ADAS Windshield Repair Resin to repair damage in front of ADAS cameras.
- ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY: NOVUS Glass follows a “Repair First Replace if Necessary”® policy, which has saved more than 44 million windshields from ending in landfills over the past decades. Isn’t that great for the environment?
- PATENTED TECHNOLOGY: NOVUS has been awarded more US patents for windshield repair than any other company in the windshield repair industry. While other glass repair services offer limited warranties, the NOVUS team stands behind its work with a full refund for the life of your windshield.
Find a NOVUS Glass expert near you or call 1-800-77-NOVUS today to schedule your windshield repair.
