About your car lights and wipers

Visibility is one of the most important things in driving. You need to be able to see and be seen. Being able to see the road and your surroundings will allow you to safely navigate them. It also helps to be seen by other motorists and pedestrians.

Obviously, windshield wipers and car lights play a crucial role for you to see and be seen. Philkotse.com tackles this more deeply.

I. The importance of car lights

A car has taillights, headlights, signal lights, and interior lights. These lights are necessary components of every vehicle. They are vital for safety on the road, especially during nighttime. Exterior lamps illuminate the dark road, giving us a better view and visibility.

The headlights allow you to see road signs, markings, and obstacles - increasing our response time for unexpected obstacles like debris in the road, animals, or potholes. Car lights also let other drivers know you’re on the road, too.

Just like other car parts, car lights also wear out, which is why these components should also be checked and maintained regularly.

Car lights are vital in providing safety on the road especially during night time

>>> Also read: 

• Important things to know about tail lights
• A short guide to LED car headlights: Basic parts, types, price & more
• What are HID headlights? Are HID headlights better than LED & Halogen?

II. How to maintain car lights

Good thing light maintenance is easy and most of its major repairs don’t consume so much time. Here are some useful tips for car exterior lights care.

1. Inspect them

To keep your headlights, taillights, and signal lights in good condition, the very first step is a frequent inspection. It can be a quick look to examine for any signs of defects, failure, and uneven lighting.

For brake lights, ask a friend to check them for you while you step on the pedal. If they need cleaning, repair or replacement, do it as soon as possible.

keep your headlights, tail lights and signal lights on good condition, the very first step is a frequent inspection.

2. Clean and polish

Over time, car exterior lights fixtures can became caked with mud or dirt, dimming them. Regular cleaning is very important, especially for the headlights. Dirty and foggy headlights affect your visibility, especially during night drives.

Give your car’s headlights a thorough cleaning. There are cleaning products specially designed for cleaning these exterior lamps. It will help restore foggy headlights into clearer, brighter ones.

3. Replace defective or broken parts

There will be instances when the car’s headlights or taillights get busted, defective, or damaged. When this happens, it is best to have them replaced or repaired as soon as possible. Aside from the danger of driving with a damaged or broken headlight, it is also violating traffic rules and regulations.

When you get caught, you will receive a ticket from the traffic enforcers and you’ll have to pay a fine. If you know how to replace defective bulbs, then you can do it in your garage. If not, you can have them serviced in mechanical shops near you or get your trusted qualified mechanic to do it.

Proper and regular car exterior light maintenance is vital because cleaner and brighter lights mean better visibility and a safer ride.

Make sure your headlights, signal lights, and taillights are all functioning properly before hitting the road

III. Windshield wipers maintenance

Windshield wipers are among the most neglected car components, especially during the dry season. Most car owners don’t take so much time checking their windshield wipers as modern vehicles have advanced systems - making them easier to use and very effective.

Just like car lights and any other car component, windshield wipers can also get damaged and worn, rendering them ineffective. If the rubber portion of the wiper blades begins to peel, it will make a scratching sound.

Don’t leave them be as they will permanently scratch the windshield. This is why regular checking and maintenance of windshield wipers is necessary.

Most car owners don’t take so much time checking their windshield wipers

Windshield wipers may be small, but they make a big impact on the overall driving experience and safety of every driver. They remove pollen, dirt, dust, rain, and other debris smoothly and quickly with just a press of a button.

Here are some tips to take care of your windshield wipers:

Change wiper blades

Generally, wiper blades should be replaced or changed every six months. Regularly check windshield wipers to make sure that they are not yet damaged. If you notice damage, change the pair sooner.

There are lots of factors affecting the deterioration of the blades. These include moisture, sunlight, debris, and misuse. Change your wiper blades when needed to prevent streaks and to maximize the functions of your wiper blades.

Generally, wiper blades should be replaced or changed every six months.

Clean the blades to extend its life

Keeping the blades clean is also necessary, and it’s fairly easy to do. All you need is some paper towels or rag dipped in vinegar. Run the rag or paper towel across each blade. You can also add a small amount of rubber protectant on the paper towel then rub it onto the blades.

Adjust the wipers

Windshield wipers need to be held in place as tight as possible for them to work properly. You can adjust the wipers by ratcheting the nut to tighten. After tightening the wipers, you will also need to adjust the blades.

For maximum performance, the whole blade should ideally touch the windshield, allowing them to sweep and clean the largest area possible.

Make sure that the windshield wiper is installed properly

>>> Check out tips on how to install windshield wiper blades.

Car lights and wipers play a very important role in overall driving safety. Maintenance of these simple but very essential car parts will ensure that you have better visibility on the road.

At the same time, you are also visible to other drivers -preventing accidents and collisions. Keeping these parts clean and functioning properly is very easy and inexpensive. Make it a habit to regularly check on them.