Visibility and Winter Driving
We discussed the importance of clearing all the snow and ice off your car last week, but to reiterate be sure to clear off the following areas:
- Windshield – Clear the entire windshield, not just the area directly in front of you.
- Back window – Without a unobstructed back window you will have to rely on your side mirrors to see and that leaves a large blind spot that is easily preventable.
- Roof of the car – While driving down the road it’s easy for snow to slide forward or backward and obstruct your vision, so clear off any piles of snow before you drive off.
- Driver & passenger mirrors – Even if you car’s mirrors are heated clean them off as you clear your car to ensure immediate visibility.
- Head, tail & brake lights – Clearing these not only ensure you’ll be able to see, but it will help other drivers see you.
- License plate – While an obstructed license plate isn’t something that will get you pulled over in every state it’s better safe than sorry and clear it off.
Tools to Maintain Visibility
Two of the best tools you should have to clear off your car are a good windshield wiper and a broom. You want to make sure that you can reach at least halfway across your windshield with your windshield wiper so make sure to get the correct one. Windshield wipers come in all different sizes and there even are extending ones; they’re easily found at stores with auto departments and Amazon has a great selection as well. The broom is useful for clearing thick snow off your car quickly, such as after a heavy snowfall.
Making sure your windshield wipers are working and keeping windshield wiper fluid reservoir filled are also important to maintain visibility during winter driving. If your windshield wipers leave streaks or uncleaned spots on the window it’s time to replace them.
Foggy Windows During the Winter
A major concern during cold weather is keeping the windows clear of fog; cold outside temperatures combined with the hot air inside the vehicle and people breathing leads to windows fogging up. The defrost function on cars is specifically to combat this occurrence, but there’s a few things you can do to help the process.
- Make sure to keep the recirculation function off. Most new cars will automatically turn that function off, but older cars you’ll want to make sure it’s off
- While it’s nice to have the heat blasting at your feet if your shoes or floor mats are wet or covered in snow the evaporation will increase moisture in the air.
- Another great trick that seems a little counter intuitive is to turn on the air conditioning which will help clear up the fog right away.
Frequently asked questions
What parts of your car should you clear of snow and ice before driving?
Clear all the snow and ice off your vehicle before you drive, not just the area directly in front of you. That means the entire windshield, the back window, the roof, the driver and passenger mirrors, the headlights, taillights, and brake lights, and the license plate. Snow left on the roof slides forward onto the windshield when you brake or backward onto the car behind you. Snow blocking your taillights makes it hard for the driver behind you to judge your speed or see your brake lights. Spending an extra few minutes clearing the whole vehicle prevents a long list of preventable crashes.
What tools do you need to clear snow from your car?
Keep a quality ice scraper with a long handle and brush attachment in your car all winter. A standard kitchen broom is the fastest way to clear thick, fluffy snow off the roof, hood, and trunk after a heavy storm. Inside, your windshield wipers handle light snow and freezing rain, but only if they are in good shape. Make sure your wipers can reach at least halfway across the windshield, replace them if they leave streaks, and keep your washer fluid reservoir full with a winter-rated fluid that will not freeze. Avoid pouring hot water on a frozen windshield, since the temperature shock can crack the glass.
Why do car windows fog up in winter?
Foggy windows happen when warm, moist air inside the cabin meets cold glass. The moisture in your breath, wet clothes, wet floor mats, and snowy shoes condenses on the cold interior surface of the windows. The colder it is outside and the more passengers you have, the worse the fogging. Your car's defrost function dries the air at the windshield and blows it across the glass to clear the condensation. Some moisture sources are unavoidable, but you can reduce fogging by knocking snow off your boots before getting in and using floor mats designed to trap melted snow.
How do you defog car windows quickly in winter?
Turn on the defrost function and aim air at the windshield. Turn the temperature up to warm, which helps the air absorb more moisture. Make sure the recirculation function is off, since recirculating the humid cabin air just keeps fogging the windows. Most new cars do this automatically when you press defrost, but older cars require you to flip the switch manually. A counterintuitive trick that works well is to turn on the air conditioning even though you also want heat. The AC dehumidifies the air before it warms up, which clears fog much faster. Crack a window briefly if all else fails.
Should you turn off the recirculation function in winter?
Yes, for clearing foggy windows you want recirculation off so the system pulls in dry outside air instead of recycling moist cabin air. Most modern cars automatically disable recirculation when you press the defrost button. In older vehicles, you may need to push the button yourself. Once the windows are clear and stay clear, you can switch recirculation back on to retain heat more efficiently, especially on very cold days when the heater struggles to keep up. The key signal is the windows: if they start fogging again, turn recirculation off immediately.
How often should you replace your windshield wipers?
Replace your wiper blades every six to twelve months, and sooner if they leave streaks, skip across the glass, chatter, or fail to clear water in a single pass. Winter is especially hard on wipers because ice, road salt, and constant scraping wear down the rubber. Many drivers in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio switch to winter-specific wiper blades in November, since these have a rubber boot that prevents ice buildup on the blade frame. Top off your washer fluid reservoir with a winter-rated formula before the first hard freeze so the fluid does not turn to slush when you need it.
