What would you say is important for keeping you and your car safe while driving? Well, you need good tires, filled to the right pressure. You also need working brakes, and you should check your fluid levels. Your mirrors need to be adjusted correctly, and you have to be sure to practice safe driving habits. Of course, your seat belt is crucial.
All of those things are very important in maintaining safety, and if you're playing Family Feud, they would all get you a ton of points. However, that list is missing at least one crucial car part that often goes unnoticed – the windshield wipers.
People often don't think about their windshield wipers. Why would you? It’s not like they propel your vehicle forward, change gears, or bring it to a stop. They're like an acquaintance that just kind of waves at you every once in a while when it rains. People turn on their windshield wipers when they need them, and forget about them until the next time it sprinkles.
It's not uncommon to see a car in a rainstorm with wiper blades that are halfway falling of the vehicle. Maybe you see this every time it rains (because that car with the decrepit wipers is, in fact, your very own car). Now, if it's drizzling, wipers in poor condition might seem like little more than an inconvenience, but the truth is that those wipers can save your life.
If you’re in torrential rainstorm, the chance of an accident immediately goes up. The roads get slick, tires lose traction, and visibility just plummets. Even if your windshield wipers are in good condition, it can still be hard to see, but if your wipers are no good, you might as well be trying to drive through a waterfall.
It’s important to regularly maintain and check your wipers. In addition to being ineffective in the rain, windshield wipers can pose other risks. For example, cracked wiper blades can end up scratching the glass on your windshield.
Every once in a while, wipe down your wipers. This might sound a little redundant, but by cleaning your wipers with a damp rag, you remove dirt, and debris that can collect over time. This can improve how well your wipers work, and ensure that they last as long as possible. Plus it lets you check their condition periodically.
So, take care of your windshield wipers. Maintain them and get them replaced as soon as they need replacement. Visibility is a big part of driving. Those windshield wipers could save your life!
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