What are the best tips for maintaining your car windshield and driving more safely?

During summer vacation, car windows need more attention than ever. The heat of a heat wave and other factors, such as suspended dust or beach sand, can take a lot of damage to windows, which can crack and make it more difficult to keep them clean.

Keeping your windshield in good shape is crucial during the high travel times of the year. 90% of the information a driver receives is visual.

A similar thing happens with the cameras and sensors of ADAS safety systems mounted on the vehicle’s front glass.

Keeping the windshield clean and in good condition (no impacts or cracks) is key so that the driver’s eyes and safety system cameras can clearly ‘see’ what is happening ahead and can take appropriate action in any situation action.

These are the basic tips for driving safer and keeping our car windows from giving us problems while on vacation.

1. Check and fix before leaving

During summer and winter, more windshields crack due to extreme temperatures and thermal differences, which put enormous stress on the crystals. A small bump – easily fixed in any workshop, can quickly become an irreparable malfunction that can ruin a trip. If the windshield has been hit, take it to a service center as soon as possible.

It is recommended to repair the windshield whenever possible rather than replace it. Numerous independent studies have shown that repaired windshields can return 100% of their original condition and hardness.

2. Summer brushes are also important

It rarely rains in summer, but when it does, it can be very dangerous. Dust collects in the cracks of the asphalt, forming a smear that becomes very slippery; the same thing happens with windshields. The windshield is covered in dust and insects, the wipers are worn out, and sweeping is tantamount to driving blind.

3. Windshield washer fluid, always full

In summer you have to be very careful about its level because we use it more than ever due to dust and insects. This makes it wear out quickly and we might miss it when we need it most.

4. Although there are fewer bugs, there are still many bugs

Although this happens with less intensity, many insects end up stepping on windshields this time of year. Windshield wipers must be used regularly to avoid affecting visibility and to prevent insect residue from drying out and damaging the wipers. It may also require stopping at a service station for a thorough cleaning.

5. Dust and sand on the beach

Summer dryness, heat and winds from Africa lead to more dust rising. In addition, as the heat and dust build up in the asphalt, the cracks in the asphalt can widen, kicking up dust as cars pass by.

This dust can stick to the glasses and reduce our vision. On the other hand, a car parked near a beach will usually be covered in a thin layer of dust and sand.

There is no need to activate the windshield wipers or window regulators at this time as they may damage and scratch the crystals. The ideal is to carry a full can of water in the car to remove most of the sand from the windows and be able to drive safely before doing a deeper cleaning.

6. Don’t spray your wipers with the sun on you

You have to choose carefully when to use the wipers to clean the glass as mud and sun reflections can blind us for a few seconds (at 120 km/h we are traveling over 30 meters per second) which can be enhanced with a few paintbrushes Effect.poor shape

7. Dangerous Rain

Sometimes summer storms can leave windshields dirtier than clean because the windows have accumulated a lot of dirt, and the clouds themselves at that time usually contain dust as well.

8. Pros and Cons of Parking Under Trees

Many drivers look for shade to park in the summer: the car heats up and suffers less. But on the other hand, parking in these places also resulted in our cars being covered in bird droppings, ripe fruit, and sticky resin, whether on the windshield or on the bodywork, which was difficult to clean.

9. How to remove the stubborn dirt on the glass?

To clean windows at home, we can moisten a towel with water and some soap or household cleaning products and leave it overnight. For very obvious stains, you can use a small amount of baking soda on a microfiber cloth.

10. Repellent treatment can also be carried out in summer

A windshield rain protection product is also very useful in summer as it prevents insects and dirt from adhering to the windshield, making it easier to clean.

Source: Carglass