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The winter season is officially here! While the days may have gotten a lot colder and night comes around much more quickly, one thing that does not have to change is your overall driving experience when driving during the winter months.
With the June school holidays now officially here, many families would be eager to spend much-deserved family time with their loved ones. This means long family road trips which results in spending a substantial amount of time on your vehicle.
Meanwhile, it’s not uncommon to know that the cold conditions of the winter season come with various effects on the car and ultimately affect the overall experience that those within the vehicle go through. Some of these effects consist of constant fogging in the windscreen, frozen wiper blades, and many more.
Luckily, we have a few simple hacks that will ensure that you find a way to counter these and many other uncomfortable things you may experience.
Here are a few hacks all motorists need to learn as recommended by some reputable sources:
Toothpaste clears headlights
Ever found yourself struggling to see clearly while driving on a dark or foggy day? Chances are that your headlights are dirty and dimming the brightness of the light from reaching far distances.
Luckily, you can use toothpaste to get rid of this issue, recommends automotive publication, The CAA Magazine. “You brush your teeth with toothpaste to make your pearly whites stand out and shine, so why not do that with your headlights?” asks the above-mentioned source.
Getting rid of Foggy windows and mirrors
According to CAA Magazine, one way of getting rid of the fog found on your windows is by using shaving cream. Yes, the foamy product appears to have more uses than simply ensuring an effortless shave. By rubbing a bit of shaving cream on the inside of your windows the night before, you are guaranteed to have crystal-clear windows the following day. Additionally, side mirrors are often also subject to elements of the cold, here you can use a plastic bag along with rubber bands to lock out moisture.
Frozen key entry – Sanitise
“If temperatures are low enough, car locks will freeze — and the keys can get stuck. By coating your keys in a little hand sanitizer, avoid this annoying situation. The sanitizer’s alcohol will melt the ice within the locks quickly,” explains car company, Yipes North.
Protecting wipers
Wipers tend to stick to the windscreen when exposed to the cold on a winter’s day. This can be dangerous as it may take slightly longer for it to work when you immediately need it. To avoid this the car manufacturer Hyuandi recommends rubbing the blades down with alcohol or keeping them snug the night with a pair of socks.
Also see: Manual vs Automatic transmission, which is better? | Bona Magazine