Windshield Wipes UP In Heavy Snow? Please Advise!

[KittyWampus]

Have seen some people leave their windshield wipers up off the glass during snow. We are set for a lot of snow and it's already steady, fine snow here. Has anyone any advise on putting windshield wipers up off the glass or is it just a useless thing some people do?

We've had maybe two feet here before but never the projected 3 feet.

[uppityperson]

1. I'd put them down as there is less chance of them getting bent out of shape with that much snow.

Down they are supported by the windshield. Up they can get bent all sorts of ways.

[Flo Mingo]

2. Lifting the wipers........

is to keep them from freezing to the glass. If that happens and you turn your wipers on, it rips the wipers from the window and they will never wipe cleanly again. I see the point about them being susceptible to damage in the up position so I guess you could leave them down, but put a note on your dash to not turn wipers on before the windshield is defrosted.

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Mainly to prevent freezing to windshield

Putting the wipers up is mainly about keeping them from freezing to the windshield. Takes some time after driving for the windshield to drop back below freezing. During that time any melting snow (anytime with freezing rain) will pool around the wiper blades (also potentially the arms) and freeze. Resulting in a problem trying to get the wipers to work again.

So if everything is already cold and there is no freezing rain. It makes no difference.

[PeaceNikki]

4. I lift them in heavy storms. It makes clean-up easier and keeps them from freezing to windshield.

Good luck and stay safe!!

[CincyDem]

5. I think it helps protect the wipers.

We don't get anywhere near the snow forecast for your area so take this with a grain of salt.

I tuck a golf ball under each wiper strut to lift the wipers off the window. With that much snow the wipers aren't going to be worth anything in terms of pushing the snow off the windshield. But...having them be off the window reduces the likelihood that they'll get frozen to the window. When that happens, we have a tendency to hammer at them to get them loose and I think that damages the blades.

Net - costs you nothing to lift em and it might help save their condition.

2 cents from the midwest.

Good luck.

[iscooterliberally]

6. I did that when I was living in Boston.

I mostly did it because I saw other people do it. I always dug out right after the storms ended though. I think it matters if you don't dig out right away. You don't want the snow to melt just a little and then re-freeze. I guess you could get your wipers stuck to your windshield if you don't put them up? Good luck and stay warm.

[yeoman6987]

12. I go out every hour. So worth it

I stop usually about midnight and out again at 6. Obviously it only works when snow starts around 4, but it has saved me from really back breaking shoveling.

[jberryhill]

7. In addition the freeze-stick thing

It makes the windshield easier to scrape, since the wiper blades aren't in they way.

If you are a certified lazy slob like me, you just start the car and run the heater with the defrost vent open, and wait as long as it takes to melt them out.

[Renew Deal]

8. Doesn't matter much with snow.

But very important in ice.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Otherwise they get stuck to the windshield and it is a pain in the ass

to scrape and detach them. No other reason.

[snooper2]

10. I usually just remove them completely, or, you could be smart

and put a piece of cardboard over your windshield and the wipers with a brick or piece of wood to hold it down

[tammywammy]

14. A piece of cardboard is smart!

That would be good for when we get ice & sleet here.

[yeoman6987]

11. Always do, but thanks for the reminder!

[HappyMe]

13. I would leave them down this time.

Might prevent them from getting bent or something in that much snow.

[salin]

15. if there is any chance of freezing rain underneath the snow ...

turn on the wipers and stop the car when the wipers are pointing up to the roof.... lift the wipers - cover the winshield (plastic trash bags or towels will work - close the edge of the bag or towel in the door/window.) Put the wipers back down to hold the cover in place.

It is easier to break an ice crust by removing the plastic or towels. I would guess the same principal would work with a really heavy snow.

Good Luck and stay safe.

[jberryhill]

16. My parents made me put BREADBAGS over my windshield wipers!

[2naSalit]

17. DUzy!!!

[uppityperson]

18. hahahahahaha, duzy

[salin]

20. Lol!

[2naSalit]

19. I usually put them up

for all the reasons mentioned above. We have at least six months of winter weather here and it is what you see on almost every car/truck around here when freezing rain or snow are predicted.

[hankthecrank]

21. Have plenty of windshield washer fluid

That liquid deicer they put on the road now comes off hard