The cold winter months present several challenges to drivers. For one thing, you need to be mindful of road conditions, altering your plans when snow or ice make the roads dangerous. But another issue that often comes up in cold weather is frozen windshield wipers. If the temperature drops below the freezing mark, and there is enough moisture on the windshield, the wipers will likely become frozen to the glass. This is a problem not only because you won’t be able to move the wipers if you need them, but also because the rubber wipers might be damaged in the process. We’d like to tackle this problem in the article, below. Read on to learn how to fix frozen windshield wipers.
It’s no secret that winter weather can be harsh on your vehicle. You may also like to consider solutions that help protect your vehicle from other cold-weather car problems, like the dreaded dead winter battery or snow damage to your car and its body. You can accomplish this by adding a detached, insulated garage where you park your vehicle! If that’s the option you want to pursue, get started by exploring our Build & Price tool. If you have any questions about customizing your garage, simply contact us at American Carports. Our team is here to help you design the perfect garage for your vehicle and your home.
Start By Avoiding These Mistakes
Dealing with frozen windshield wipers is as much about what you shouldn’t do as what you should do. First and foremost, absolutely do not bring hot water from your home to pour on the wipers. This seems like a logical step, but it could do serious damage. When the hot water meets the frozen wipers and glass, the windshield could crack due to thermal shock. Sure, this would be the fastest way to get the wipers unstuck and ready to go, but rushing the process just isn’t worth the risk.
Also, resist the temptation to grab the wipers and pull them away from the windshield. In the process of trying to pull them up, you could rip some of the rubber off of the wiper blade, or you might even break the wiper assembly. Again, it’s just not worth the risk, and there is a better way to solve the problem.
The Right Solution
When you find that your wipers are frozen to your windshield, simply get inside the vehicle, turn it on, and turn up the defroster. After a few moments have passed, the air will get warm and the windshield will gradually lose its ice. Yes, this takes longer than pouring hot water on the wipers, but that’s the point – gradually warming the area avoids thermal shock and prevents damage from occurring. You’ll just need to bring some patience with you while sitting behind the wheel and waiting for everything to melt.
If you have to leave your home early in the morning, and you know the temperatures are supposed to drop well below freezing, plan a little extra time into your schedule to defrost the car. Even bumping your alarm clock up by five minutes should be enough to give you the time needed to warm up the vehicle and get ready to hit the road safely.
Prevention Is Even Better
Allowing your defroster to run for a few minutes will gradually thaw out your windshield and the wipers will be released from the frozen grip. This is a good solution when you find yourself in such a situation – but it would be better to avoid such a situation in the first place.
Ideally, that would mean parking inside a garage, where the temperature will be moderated and moisture won’t be able to settle on the vehicle. A properly insulated detached garage can control temperatures by as much as 10 to 20 degrees F. While this may not seem like much, it can mean the difference between freezing temperatures and non-freezing temperatures for your car. If that isn’t possible, you can cover the vehicle with cardboard, a large cloth, or a dedicated car cover. This won’t do anything about the outdoor temperatures, of course, but it should keep moisture from freezing on the windshield, and the wipers won’t be locked up when you are ready to leave.
Protect Your Vehicle with American Carports
We hope you enjoyed this blog on how to fix frozen windshield wipers! As you can imagine, it’s hard to overstate the luxurious feeling of parking inside an insulated metal garage in the middle of winter. If you are used to parking outside and having to deal with the elements, walking out in the morning to a vehicle that has been protected from the weather all night long will be quite a treat. To build a quality structure that is backed by a 20-year warranty and can be expected to stand the test of time, turn to American Carports.
To get started, explore our Build & Price tool. If you have any questions along the way, simply contact us at American Carports. Our team is here to help you design the perfect garage for your vehicle and your home!
