Drivers warned to avoid windshield wiper ‘hack’ during winter or you risk $1,000 repair job

A TRICK to keep windshield wipers from freezing in place could actually lead to pricey $1,000 repairs, experts have warned.

Drivers who want to save time defrosting their windshields shouldn’t be tempted by the dangerous so-called hack.

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Drivers have been warned to stay away from a so-called winter windshield wiper hack[/caption]

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The advice could lead to cracks forming in the glass, which can cause a $1,000 windshield replacement[/caption]

In the wintertime, some car owners like to leave their wipers up, lifting them off the windshield so they don’t get stuck to the glass in freezing temperatures.

This can also prevent damage caused by running a frozen wiper and forcing it to jam, according to Glass Doctor.

However, other experts have warned that the driving hack doesn’t come without risk.

One is that the wipers are in a precarious position when they stick up in the air, and debris or ice blowing in the wind can damage them.

Plus, the rotating mechanisms can be permanently damaged if the driver doesn’t adjust the wipers properly.

But the worst possible scenario is that the blade crashes unexpectedly into the windshield, damaging the already brittle, ice-cold glass.

As soon as drivers notice a crack in their windshield, they’re advised to get it replaced.

This repair can cost upwards of $1,000 depending on when the car was made, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Newer vehicles are equipped with rain-sensing wipers and advanced driver-assistance systems that have driven up the cost of windshield replacements.

Now, technicians must ensure that safety features like forward collision warning and the head-up display are properly calibrated when they install the new glass.

However, drivers can expect to shell out around $300 to $600 if a car doesn’t have these features.

Drivers may want to skip the extra fees if they have a newer car, but mechanics say paying for the full service is crucial.

AAA engineering manager Calkins said cars with ADAS and head-up displays often need original parts to meet “strict standards.”

“If those standards are not met, the sensors are not going to function properly,” he said.

“Your lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, whatever it happens to be that those cameras support, are not going to be 100% efficient and effective.”

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Some drivers put their wipers up to prevent them from freezing, but they could snap back down and break the fragile glass[/caption]

TWO TIPS TO WARM UP IN WINTER

Another driving expert revealed in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun how long it takes to warm up a freezing-cold car.

Ron Krauch, an automotive writer with decades of experience, said drivers don’t have to let their cars idle for more than 30 seconds.

“Modern cars, especially those with fuel injection systems, do not require long idle periods to warm up,” Krauch said.

“In fact, idling for too long wastes fuel and causes unnecessary wear on the engine.

“It’s better to let the car idle for 30 seconds to a minute, then drive gently to warm it up.

“Driving actually warms up the engine more efficiently than idling.”

Krauch also urged drivers to keep a tire gauge handy in the winter.

Using a $4 tire gauge from Walmart, which fits in a glove box, can help you monitor tire pressure as temperatures drop.

Keeping the appropriate amount of air in your tires will help you avoid crashes and issues that could see you deserted on the side of the road.