Have you ever walked through a parking lot and noticed a car with its windshield wipers sticking straight up?
It can look strange if you’ve never seen anyone do it before.
But there’s usually a practical reason behind it.
Some drivers lift their windshield wipers away from the glass when extremely hot or freezing weather is expected.
The idea is simple: keep the rubber blades from remaining pressed against an extremely hot or frozen windshield for hours.
What Happens to Wipers in Extreme Heat?
A car parked directly in strong sunlight can become extremely hot.
The windshield absorbs solar energy, while the wiper blades remain pressed against the glass.
Over time, heat, sunlight, and normal environmental exposure can contribute to deterioration of the blade material.
Wipers may eventually become harder, cracked, or less effective at maintaining smooth contact with the windshield.
Some drivers therefore lift the blades while the vehicle is parked to reduce prolonged contact with the hot glass.
However, this doesn’t make wipers last forever.
The blades will still age and eventually require replacement.
Freezing Weather Creates a Different Problem
Cold weather presents another challenge.
Snow, sleet, and freezing rain can cause windshield wipers to freeze against the glass.
Then you get into the car the following morning and instinctively turn them on.
If they’re still frozen in place, that’s a problem.
Trying to operate stuck wipers can damage the rubber blades or place unnecessary strain on the wiper mechanism.
Lifting them before freezing conditions arrive can help prevent the blades from becoming stuck directly to the windshield.
Don’t Force Frozen Wipers
If your wipers are already frozen to the windshield, don’t simply switch them on and hope they’ll break free.
First clear away snow and ice appropriately.
Allow the windshield to defrost when necessary, and use a suitable ice scraper rather than expecting the wiper blades to remove heavy ice.
A few extra minutes can help prevent unnecessary damage.
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