Foggy Windshields

This is a common culprit when the weather starts to cool down, your windshield fogs up. Most of us have had to deal with a foggy windshield before, but lets talk about why it fogs up, and the most effective way to fix this common problem. 

Fogging is caused when water vapour condenses on the inner surface of the glass on a windshield.

There are 2 ways this could happen:

• Air gets trapped inside your car form the previous day, and that air is more humid than the current air. Warmer air holds more moisture, almost double that of cold air. When the humid air mixes with the cold windshield glass it releases moisture which leaves condensation or fog on the glass.
• When we sit inside a cold vehicle, we are inhaling the cold air but we exhale warm, humid air. Every breath we take projects more humidity to the inside of the car, and this can also condense on the windshield glass, and cause fog.

There are 2 common strategies to clear the fog:

• When temperatures outside are above freezing and fog is created as a result of wet or damp people in the vehicle, run the air conditioner. Running it on cold will be most effective to reduce the fog buildup.
• A quick fix, run heat through your vehicles defrosters. This will help the condensation to evaporate, similar to the way a dryer uses heat. When you catch the fog begin building up on your windshield, and when temperatures are cold, this method is effective.

If your windshield is extremely foggy, you can use a dry cloth first help to clear the fog, and then turn on the air conditioner.

Wiper Blades

Most people don't take notice but the windshield wipers are a very important safety feature on your vehicle. They should be replaced at least twice a year. Maintaining your wipers is one of the best things u can do for your car as well as yourself. 

When purchasing wiper blades, you should opt for the best quality possible as they are designed to keep your windshield clear of any debris, improving visibility and safety. Also, don’t forget about the back wiper!

Even if the wiper use is limited, the rubber does have a tendency to degrade and crack over time. By having flawed wipers, you may find that when the time comes to use them, they are causing streaks and even worse, scratches.

There are 2 basic types of wipers: 

Traditional – this blade has a metal framework that is a mount for the wiper, it holds the rubber strip in place with “claws”. These blades are still found on the majority of older vehicles on the road today, they are more affordable.

Beam – these blades are engineered for curved windshields, with a lower profile and one-piece body that is less likely to leave any streaks. They are becoming more popular and used in roughly 70% of new vehicles today.

Most wipers are in the price range from $20 to $50, and can be sold individually, or as sets. It is a relatively inexpensive way to improve safety for you and your vehicle.

Cold Weather and Your Windshield

The cold weather during our Canadian winters, as they are well known - can affect our vehicles negatively in several different ways. A very important safety feature on your vehicle is your windshield and windshields are extremely vulnerable to being damaged by the effects cold can cause. By educating yourself of the possible ways a windshield is affected by the cold, you will benefit by knowing how to avoid damaging it in the future.

You may be tempted to use quick solutions to remove the snow and ice buildup from your windshield, especially in the morning if you are in a hurry- but by taking the proper steps, damage can be avoided.

The first step is to turn on your car and allow it to gradually warm up, and turn on your defrosters. Do not blast hot air at your windshield as the temperature change can cause cracks.

When using an ice scraper, by using a bit too much elbow grease, you can cause damage to your windshield by aggravating small cracks or chips that are preexisting. After defrosting, you will be able to remove the buildup easier with the ice scraper.

You should never pour hot water on your windshield to attempt defrosting the ice. By applying heat you are causing the glass to expand, but because of the cold weather, the glass quickly retracts which can cause any existing cracks you have, to expand most likely leading to a windshield replacement.

To increase protection on your windshield you can use methyl alcohol instead of regular washer fluid, it has a lower freezing point. Always make sure you are thoroughly cleaning the ice and snow off your vehicle for improved visibility.