Windshield Safety and Care Tips from the Pros

Apr 30, 2025

April is National Car Care Month! We’ve been helping our followers learn expert car care tips all month long. Today, we’re focusing on windshield safety and clear visibility.

A vehicle driving through a rainy mountain road with the windshield wipers in motion.

Never leave chips or cracks unrepaired. If the glass is not repaired or replaced soon, even small damage can quickly grow to a large spiderwebbed split which may cause obstacles to the driver’s vision and lead to accidents. Additionally, these small stars or chips may spread quickly in hotter or cold temperatures, or may even shatter if you’re driving over difficult terrain or rough roadways and hit a bump or pothole. Call your roadside assistance or vehicle insurance company to see if these repairs or replacements are covered; some companies offer free or subsidized replacements on specific plans. Alternatively, you can call your local mechanic or service center to ask about glass repair or replacement services.

Ensuring you have clear and efficient visibility on the road during inclement weather is paramount to safety! Replace your windshield wipers regularly with quality blades if you notice any streaking or smears. If you’re not sure what type of wipers you need, you can check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for guidelines on length and size.

Be sure to top off your wiper fluid regularly, and use good quality cleaning products. You’ll want to select something that is seasonally appropriate, as some cleaners will freeze or be efficient at lower temperatures. Likewise, applying a hydrophobic coating such as Rain-X or similar will protect your glass from bugs, mud, rain, and ice more effectively than using just plain wiper fluid alone.

When driving in inclement weather, remember to turn on your headlights if your windshield wipers are on! Even if it’s just misting and foggy outside, headlights will significantly improve your visibility and make it easier for other drivers to spot you. Remember to also ventilate your vehicle, as humidity can cause fogging of windows and windshields – the defroster will clear up the humidity quickly, as well as opening a window a smidge.