DENVER (KDVR) — Propping windshield wipers up before a snowstorm is a common routine for many car owners, but according to AAA, it’s not always the best practice.
There are several ways people can prepare their cars for a storm, like filling up their gas tank or putting an emergency bag in the car. One of these tips includes putting up windshield wipers before a snowstorm so it’s easier to clear off in the morning and the wipers don’t stick to the windshield.
While pushing up windshield wipers before a storm isn’t necessarily a bad practice, Skyler McKinley with AAA said it shouldn’t be used during every snowstorm.
When should you leave your windshield wipers up?
McKinley said that as a born-and-raised Coloradan, he’s in the habit of leaving his wipers up ahead of snow, ice and other winter weather conditions, especially since it keeps them from freezing to the windshield, which can cause damage over time and speed up the scraping and defrosting process.
However, he said there are risks to this approach.
McKinley said leaving the wipers up for every storm, or for a prolonged period of time, can do more harm than good, as leaving them up can damage or stress the springs over time. So, he said he doesn’t leave them up during every storm.
“I also won’t leave them up if I know there’s severe wind incoming as part of the wintry mix, since wind can bend the wiper arm, strain the springs, or slam the whole assembly into the glass with force,” said McKinley.
While it’s not the best practice to constantly leave the wipers up, McKinley said he’ll still leave his wipers up ahead of many storms and he hasn’t had many issues, although McKinley said AAA’s official suggestion is to leave the blades down and put a blanket or snow cover over the windshield ahead of a storm to avoid any of the risks.
