In winter, most drivers turn up their wipers after they park their car at their home. But why do they do this? And is it really so necessary?

Why raise your brushes?

Experienced drivers know how difficult it can be to tear off the wiper blades that have frozen overnight from the windshield. Many even broke the plastic parts of the wipers more than once, and someone tore off the rubber bands from the brushes. To prevent this from happening, drivers raise the wiper arms to a vertical position. The method is simple and reliable, especially for those who do not have a heated forehead or a "wipers" rest zone in the vehicle configuration. But there are also disadvantages.

Why isn't this the best way?

In severe frosts, all materials become quite fragile and break easily even from a slight blow. It happened more than once that the windscreen wiper blades raised to a vertical position folded back from a strong gust of wind. As a result, not only the brush may break, the force from such an impact is quite enough for the windshield to crack. But not only the wind, of course, is to blame for this, significant efforts are applied by the springs, which, when the brushes are raised, are in an extended state and tend to fold it back. Therefore, the slightest touch is enough for the "wiper" to fold with a strong clap on the forehead.

The most unpleasant thing is that after such a blow, a crack on the windshield appears in the most inappropriate place. According to GOST, it is impossible to undergo technical inspection if there is a crack on the forehead in the wiper area or on the driver's side. The damaged glass will have to be repaired or replaced with a new one. So when picking up the wipers, make sure they are firmly in place and will not collapse in the wind.

Photos from Internet resources

Every winter, car owners' forums are full of controversy about what should and should not be done with a car in sub-zero temperatures. One myth gives rise to another, as a result of which drivers without a second thought begin to cause irreparable damage to their own vehicle.

Myth 1: the engine must be warmed up in winter.

The question is old, like the word ““ itself. But then two neighbors come out of the entrance: one gets into the car and abruptly drives away, the other, after starting the engine, smokes three cigarettes and only then slowly begins to move. Which one is doing it right?

“From the point of view of ecology, it is necessary to start driving immediately after starting the engine, while the rpm should be low, since the oil at this moment has not yet heated up to operating temperature and all the elements requiring lubrication are worn out,” says Dmitry Parbukov, chief coach "Audi Center Varshavka". - Accordingly, we get three positive points: quick warm-up of the engine, care for the environment and fuel economy ”.

“It is recommended to start driving immediately after the engine speed has returned to normal, - after about 15-30 seconds,” adds Pavel Kuznetsov, head coach of ROLF Yug. - In many European countries it is forbidden to stand in a parking lot with a working internal combustion engine. For example, in Germany: if the driver decides to warm up his car in the morning, he can part with 300 euros. "

“There is no need to warm up the internal combustion engine of a modern car: the electronics guarantee stable operation even after a cold start,” summarizes Konstantin Yepaneshnikov, director of service at AVILON. Official Volkswagen dealer ".

Myth 2: the parking brake freezes in the cold

Many are afraid to leave the parking brake on in frosty weather: they say, the pads will freeze to the rear wheels, and then the car will not budge or the cable will stretch. Is it so?

“It can happen. During a ride during braking, the surface of the brake disc heats up, which in freezing temperatures will cause condensation. It is he who "glues" the shoe and disc when setting the handbrake. It's almost the same as licking metal in the cold, the effect will be the same, ”says the head coach of ROLF Yug.

“Freezing can occur during short trips. Under normal operating conditions, the parking brake pads will not freeze to the discs, ”adds Avilon Service Director.

Myth 3: fuel consumption is higher in winter

Winter also hits the wallet: there is an opinion that consumption increases in cold weather. In fact?

"This is true. This is due to the use of all kinds of heating elements: heated outside mirrors, seats, windshield, rear window, steering wheel, - Dmitry Parbukov notes. “The load on the on-board network increases, the generator loads the engine more.” Konstantin Epanshnikov also believes that fuel consumption is increasing, and this is due to the enriched fuel mixture, on which a cold engine is running.

Myth 4: before winter you need to change the oil in the engine.

Particularly scrupulous car owners are sure that before the onset of cold weather, it is necessary to change the oil in the engine to one that has a lower viscosity. Really?

“It all depends on climatic conditions. In general, all modern synthetic oils are universal and work in a wide temperature range, the oil can be selected by marking 0W, 5W, and so on, indicating the viscosity of the oil at different negative temperatures, ”assures Dmitry Parbukov.

“The colder the winter in the region, the less viscous oil should be used: with the 0W30 index (up to -40 degrees Celsius), 5W30 (up to -35) and so on,” advises Pavel Kuznetsov. - Do not forget about the timely oil change. For example, liquid 0W30 after 12-15 thousand kilometers will probably not be able to withstand frost at -40 degrees. With such a mileage, its lubricating and cleaning properties will deteriorate significantly. "

Konstantin Epaneshnikov believes that these statements apply only to a low-grade cheap product, since modern motor oils have the necessary viscosity characteristics that allow them to be used all year round.

Myth 5: in winter it is imperative to raise the wipers

If you don't pick up the wipers in winter, you will then tear it off for a long time from the windshield and rear windows. But the main thing is not to activate them, otherwise the motor will burn out. Many people think so, but are these statements true?

“It is better to raise it, otherwise, if the wipers freeze to the windshield and accidentally turn it on, the wiper mountings, the cleaning surface, the leads and the trapezoid may be damaged. In the worst case, the electric motor of the wiper may burn out, ”says Dmitry Parbukov.

“You don't need to raise it,” adds Pavel Kuznetsov. - The main thing is not to start using them when they are frozen to the glass for the above reasons. But it should be noted that it is much more convenient to clear the glass from snow and ice if the brushes are raised. "

“The wiper blades are lifted to drain water. If it is not snowing, then they do not need to be lifted, ”sums up Konstantin Epanshnikov.

Information:

Some car enthusiasts may underestimate the importance of proper wiper operation. Serviceable "windshield wipers" are a guarantee of safety and perfect visibility. Failure or poor performance of the wipers leads to reduced visibility and can lead to accidents. Surely many drivers have noticed that the wipers' brushes begin to perform their function poorly during the cold season. I propose to figure out why this happens and how to ensure their high-quality work in the most unfavorable weather conditions.

First, let's talk about how to choose the right quality wiper blades and their importance to safety.

High-quality wiper blades are one of the most important components of road safety. Do not take them as a banal strip of rubber. In fact, "windshield wipers" are the result of the work of a large number of designers and engineers from all over the world. Of course, this only applies to real, high-quality brushes, and not fakes, which are abundant on the market today.

The main feature of good brushes is the high-quality performance of their purpose, they clean the car glass from dirt and water in a few strokes. While fakes or low-quality "wipers" sometimes cannot cope with this even in ten passes. The only drawback when buying windshield wipers is that there is no way to check their performance right away.

However, fake brushes can sometimes be identified visually. The main thing that you need to pay attention to when buying "wipers" is the edge of the elastic band. It should be perfectly flat. In most cases, the purity of automotive glass depends on its quality. In addition, you should pay attention to the uniformity of the texture and color of the gum. And it is better that it does not have rounded edges and burrs.

As for the manufacturers of windshield wipers, everything is simple - cheap brushes will perform the whole function much worse than "branded" ones. In addition, cheap brushes can damage the glass. High-quality "wipers" are not afraid of temperature changes and clean the glass in any weather.

BY THEIR DESIGN, THE WIPER BRUSHES ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE TYPES:

• frame - with a metal frame in the form of movable "rocker arms";
• frameless - an elastic metal plate plays the role of a frame;
• hybrid - the brush has a traditional frame, protected by a sealed cover.

Whichever type you choose, you must remember that brushes should be selected individually for each car model.

Now let's talk about the "longevity" of the brushes. Windshield wipers are both complex and delicate. Even the best windshield wipers are pretty easy to screw up. And in order to maximize their service life, you need to remember a few secrets. I propose to focus on the work of windshield wipers in winter, since it is at this time that they are subject to special loads.

First of all, even before the onset of the first frost, it is necessary to fill the "anti-freeze" into the washer tank. Otherwise, all tips for the care of the wiper blades and wiper mechanism become meaningless.

As for the windshield wipers themselves, if you notice that they have begun to smear dirt on the glass, jump and make extraneous sounds, you should not immediately run to the store for new ones. It is necessary to understand what the problem is. Perhaps there is no need to buy new brushes.

WEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE WORKING SURFACE OF THE BRUSH

During operation, the rubber surface of the "wipers" comes into contact with various dirt and is quickly erased. And the more the machine is used, the faster this process takes place. To check the brushes for wear, you need to carefully consider the working edges.

They must be perfectly flat, without burrs, tears and other damage. If any defects are found or wear does not occur evenly, there is only one way out - replacing the wiper with a new one.

In addition, the natural aging of rubber should not be forgotten. The service life of any, even the highest quality "wipers" does not exceed several years. Over time, rubber begins to tan, crack and collapse. As a result, the brushes lose their elasticity and cease to fulfill their purpose efficiently. Experienced drivers lubricate rubber with gasoline, trying to restore its performance. However, this is not for long and, as a result, replacement is still inevitable.

FRAME CONTAMINATION AND CORROSION

The most affordable frame "wipers" have the ability to overgrow with dirt, oxidize and rust over time. Losing their mobility, the brushes stop properly pressing against the glass. As a result, they do not completely remove dirt from the glass, leaving streaks and streaks. The solution to this problem is very simple - remove the brushes from the leashes and thoroughly clean their hinges from dirt and rust. Check that the frame flexes smoothly in all directions. Lubricate it with silicone grease and reinstall. After that, the "wipers" must restore their working capacity.

FREEZING OF WIPERS

With the arrival of the autumn-winter period, motorists very often face this problem. Frozen water penetrates from the frame slot, blocking its mobility at the brush attachment points. In addition, the ice can cover the rubber bands themselves, forming an ice cocoon. In this case, even the most expensive "janitor" stops working. At first glance, solving this problem is easy. It is enough to warm up the structure and free it from ice.

However, it is also very important to clean the ice from all rubber grooves and hinges. In addition, in the winter, before driving, while the car is warming up, direct the flow of warm air from the stove to the "parking" area of \u200b\u200bthe brushes. It will not be superfluous to treat the gum with a defrosting liquid, which will contribute to the rapid melting of the ice. Remember, if you turn on the frozen wipers, the motor can burn out.

RELEASE SPRINGS

The wiper arms, on which the brushes themselves are installed, are pressed against the glass by small but very powerful springs. Over time, their downforce weakens, which negatively affects the operation of the entire system. If, by lightly pressing on the brush with your hand, you notice an improvement in cleaning, try replacing the springs or slightly bending the tips of the levers towards the glass.

Some drivers leave the wipers up while parking their cars to avoid freezing them to the glass. This absolutely cannot be done. In this position, the springs remain charged, and accordingly lose their clamping properties faster.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE "Dvornikov" Keystone

Very often the problem of poor-quality glass cleaning does not lie in the wipers themselves, but in the drive mechanism (trapezoid). To test its performance, grasp the base of the leash and swing it horizontally. If there is even the slightest backlash, this indicates wear on the trapezium bushing, and, accordingly, poor pressure of the brush against the glass. The wear of the trapezium occurs due to the penetration of sediments into the crevices through poor seals and the subsequent corrosion of its elements. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to completely replace the wiper mechanism and repair the trapezoid.

In addition to all of the above, you must remember that it is necessary to change the driver's and passenger's "wipers" at the same time. Give preference to original products, because your safety depends on the quality of the wipers. Good luck.

In the Soviet Union, drivers often raised their "wipers" in winter frosts - they saved equipment and their own time. There were no glass heaters in Zhiguli and Moskvichs, and there was a shortage of brushes, like everything else in the country.

They became even more deficient after the collapse of the USSR. In the "dashing nineties" drivers also raised the "wipers", but only levers - without "brushes". The latter stole too often. Later this practice went into oblivion. Nobody takes the "brushes" home today, and the levers from the windshield are not moved. However, there are still the most "stubborn" citizens who say: "If you don't pick up the wipers, you will then take a long time to tear off the brushes from the windshield and rear windows." There is one more "myth" which says: "if the brushes are frozen to the glass, you cannot start the wipers - the wiper motor will burn out." Is it so?

So, experts say. If the "wipers" are frozen to the windshield, there is a possibility of damage to the fasteners of the brushes, leads and trapezium. The possible damage to the cleaning surface itself, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of glass cleaning, is very unpleasant.

Could the wiper motor burn out? Can. Why then did the drivers stop raising their wipers? Because they are smart. First of all, coming up to the car in the morning, the driver starts cleaning the windshield - he takes out a scraper or turns on the electric heating. Only when the glass thaws a little will he lift the wipers and gently wipe the cleaning surface.

Actually, there is a reason to raise the wiper blades so that water flows from them. If it's dry outside and it's not snowing, you don't have to.

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