Winter Visibility: See Your Way Clear to Follow these Tips

Film-covered headlights, frozen wiper fluid and worn wipers themselves can easily turn into a case of the Colorado Winter driving blues.  Follow these tips and skate through winter in 20/20 fashion.

You’ve no doubt heard a lot about ‘Winterizing’ your vehicle. Installing snow tires, using the proper type of oil, and protecting your engine with the perfect coolant mix are all important. Remember: none of these highly recommended adjustments mean a thing if you can’t see where you’re going!

Make sure you check out our previous articles (listed below) for additional Winter Driving and Maintenance tips in Colorado.

• Headlights and Tail Lights: It’s easy to overlook light/cover maintenance.  Even film-covered headlights and tail lights can perform adequately in clear and warm weather conditions. These same lights in the setting of frequent rain, snow and fog can present visibility problems. Just as important, they can make it more difficult for other drivers to see you. Proper headlight and tail light care often involves a two-pronged approach:

  1) removal of grime, dirt and any yellowing with a specialized cleaner, such as Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer; and
  2) regular, perhaps monthly, treatment with regular car wax provides a non-stick surface that repels rain and snow.

• Wiper Fluid: This one’s simple enough. Be sure to start winter off right by filling your reservoir with an antifreeze-containing wiper fluid. Such fluid will: (a) not freeze itself; and (b) help more easily remove snow and slush from your windshield.  While you’re at it, stash an extra gallon of wiper fluid in your trunk or way-back.  Gas stations can run out of wiper fluid when poor winter road conditions are at their peak – be prepared!
• Wiper Replacement: Windshield wiper life typically averages 1 year and are one of the easiest maintenance points to overlook. Wipers can appear to be functioning adequately when conditions are mild, only to leave you feeling cloudy when heavy rain and snow strike. If your wipers are getting up there in months or you’re just not sure how old they are, install a fresh pair at the start of each winter (be proactive!).

Select specialized winter blades designed to prevent freezing of the wiper joint and accumulation on the blade itself. Don’t forget the rear window blade/s as well!

• Windshield Care: Give your windshield the gift of clarity! Any of a number of products can be used to easily coat your front and rear windshields with a repellent layer that resists rain and snow. An example is Rain-X Original Glass Treatment. Follow the instructions regarding intervals for repeat applications.

As promised, here are previous tips and suggestions from Golden Triangle Auto Care related to Winter Driving and Maintenance of your vehicle as you drive in and around Downtown Denver and throughout Colorado:

Winter in the Rockies

Tires in Cold Weather

Emergency Kit for Winter