Posted by Fleet Safety
Did You Know About Winter Wipers?
Ever feel like your windshield wipers just don’t cut it in the winter? You’re definitely not alone if you had no idea that winter windshield wipers even existed!
The Problem
In the winter, your windshield wipers are dealing with a lot more than just a little rain. When the temperature drops, the rubber on your wipers will harden, so it will not flex around any ice or particles, instead of bumping over them and causing damage. Additionally, regular wipers are not heavy-duty enough to pick up chunks of ice most of the time. The frame is flimsy with many joints that can break.
Regular wipers can also get ice or snow built up in the wiper joints, causing them to be frozen in place. This can be, at best, time-consuming while you wait for it to thaw, or, at worst, dangerous if there is something blocking your windshield and you can’t brush it away.
The Solution
Winter wipers have rubber that stays softer in cold temperatures, preventing unnecessary wear and tear as the wiper moves across rocks, dirt or ice. They even have a protective layer of rubber on top of the entire wiper and arm, which protects all the little joints that can get iced up. With this rubber layer, they will not become icy or frozen in place.
They also are heavier duty, both in the wiper’s rubber and in the structure of the wiper arm, meaning they’ll be more effective at picking up and wiping away larger chunks.
Take A Winter Driving Course!
If you are one of the many people who didn’t know about winter wiper blades, maybe you can learn some more great tips on winter driving from Fleet Safety International’s winter driver course. Our skilled instructors teach defensive driving courses with the SAFER methodology. Read about it on our website!