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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-10-28, Page 13Times -Advocate, October 28, 1992 Page 13 Evolution of wiper something for everyone Ever since the first motor- ized windshield vtgper appeared in the U.S. in 1916, motorists have been searching for the ulti- mate wiper. The most notable ad- vance in the evolution of the wind- shield wiper have been in relation to manufacturere of the squeegee, the part of the wiper that actually touches the windshield. Until very recently, driver were limited to buying ordinary black rubber wiper blades providing lim- ited pertormance and endurance. Now, motorists can choose from a variety of high performance, premi- um wipers. Options include single and multi -edged squeegees, aerody- namic frames as well as frames and squeegees in colors from traditional black to blue and even neon pink. Furthermore, synthetic, extruded wipers have been developed that offer greatly -improved visibility and don't have to be replaced like the old-fashioned rubber blades. The first rumblings of change in the wiper industry began in 1988, when synthetic, multi -edge design were first introduced. Whereas con- ventional rubber wiper blades wear out and must be replaced very six months, synthetic wipers can last almost indefinitely. The effect of higher speed The re -introduction of increased speed limits on some roads has also affected wiper design. At high - speeds wipers are prone to "chatter" which interferes with a clear wip- ing action and results in streaks and smears on the glass. Wiper de- signers have responded with an aerodynamic, Euro -style wiper with "air harnessing" features to allow smooth air flow. Winter blades, sometimes re- ferred to as snow blades, are de- signed with heavy steel frames en- cased in a rubber boot to prevent moisture from collecting and freezing at the joints or flexors on the blade, thereby preventing streaks and other impairments to vision for the driver. The weight of winter blades, as is the case with twin blades, can add tremen- dous strain to the wiper motors and thus quickly wear them out. For car owners who sax' wipers as another way to match or accent the color of their car, double wiper blades with neon colour frames were introduced several years ago. These disappointed consumers, however, when the frames faded and the heavy double frame quick- ly wore out wiper motors. In re- sponse to this problem, another firm recently introduced wiper re- fills call Spectrabladem that are made of silicone and come in 14 fade -resistant colours These refills offer the added benefit of prolong- ing wiper motor life, since silicone leaves microscopic, debris - repellent molecules imbedded in the windshield, allowing wipers to function even better over time. A new generation Silicone wipers are the next gen- eration in wipers. Some industry experts believe windshield wipers on most new cars will be made of silicone by model year 1997. Just like other synthetics, silicone wipers are virtually impervious to sunlight, oxidation, ozone, oil, salt, water, and chemicals. Silicone can actually withstand temperature variations from -90 degrees to well over 250 degrees Fahrenheit. With such a variety of wipers from which to choose, why do mil- lions of motorist still suffer from poor wipe quality? Perhaps they arc still using wipers made of rubber blades. Over time, even the most expensive wipers lose their effec- tiveness if the squeegee or refill element is made of rubber. Streak- ing, smearing and poor cleaning arc conditions generally associated with worn-out rubber blades. Advantages of synthetics Today's wiper blades must be able to withstand long periods of exposure to sunlight, rain, snow, extreme temperatures, washer sol- vent, pollution, salt and tar as well as the abuse of ice scrapers and car wash equipment. Only wipers made of synthetic materials can hold up under such extreme conditions, eliminating the bi-yearly wiper re- placement chore and expense. Preparing for winter driving At this time of year Cana- dians start thinking about Old Man Winter descending upon the land. The cold season prompts images of heavy snowfalls, icy road condi- tions and wind-swept drifts just begging to trap a car or two. Although this scene is repeated year after year, it is surprising to discover how few people prepare themselves for winter driving. There are certain steps motorists can take to ease the worries of win- ter driving. Following are some tips drivers can follow: ® You should begin by giving your car a tune-up. This could in- clude changing to a light -weight motor oil, as heavy oil can get thick in the winter (which makes it harder for the engine to turn over). ® It is wise to put on your snow tires before the first snowfall. Beat the rush. ® Carry some sand in the trunk (not too much or it will5 affect your gas mileage). The sand will provide excellent traction should you get stuck. ® If your car does not have a rear defroster, get one installed. ® It is also wise to carry an emer- gency winter driving kit. This could include a flashlight, flares, a blan- ket, a shovel, booster cables, match- es, a candle, traction pads. a choco- late bar or two and a scraper. ® Take a few minutes in the morning before leaving home to clear ice and snow off all windows of your car, as well as the outside mirror, if any. Don't be a "peep- hole" driver. ® If your street looks slippery, test it by depressing the brake light- ly making sure first that there are no other cars close to yours ® Take special care when ap- proaching an intersection. The stop and go traffic there may make the road surface very slippery ® Maintain a longer -than -normal distance between your car and oth- ers. This will help minimize the chance of collisions in case of sud- den stops. ® Turn slowly on wet and slick areas. ® Look out for icy patches on overpasses, bridge and hills. These areas freeze quickly, usually before other road surfaces ® If your car starts to skid, steer in the direction the car is headed. Take your foot off the accelerator. Don't start braking until the car has slowed and you have regained con- trol. ® 13e especially careful when braking or accelerating at dusk or dawn, when streets and roads arc often the iciest. ® A winter survival kit in each car ought to include: at least one pair of gloves (in case the driver has to do some digging out); flares, matches and a flashlight (with fresh batteries); battery jumper cables (which can be dangerous unless used properly); screwdriver and ad- justable pliers; heavy wool blanket; an ice scraper; and rock salt, sand or gravel (to add weight to the rear of your car for traction and to"pour under the tires if you arc bogged down in snow). • What to do when your car is stuck in snow Soon all Canadians will be faced with winter driving con- ditions. In Borne parts of the country, these conditions are bearable, in others, it becomes a matter of survival. Car experts have net out a few basic procedures to help get out of that six-foot snowbank. It is always best t0 be well prepared before you get stuck. if you carry a few items in the trunk of your car, it will help you greatly in your task to free your car. This kit could include a flashlight, flares, match- es, a candle, a shovel, boomer cables. traciiaa pads. a chocolate bar or two, and a scraper. These items will help ensure your safety and will also s+aable you to tackle whatever winter abrows your way. If you do happen to get stuck, start by digging the snow away from all wheels. Then, position the trac- tion pads (or an old piece of carpet) under the drive wheels. Make attire that the front wheels are straight and try to move the car in low gear. A Start to rock back and forth to give you momentum to get out. If your car is automatic, brake when shift- ing from one gear to the other. Throwing the car quickly from reverse to drive and back again can seri- ously damage your transmission. If you still cannot get out, try to be as visible as pos- sible. Put on the car's emergency flashers, set up a flare, or place a waming light on the top of the car. If •the traffic is heavy, stay in you car. More often than none. someone will stop and help you out If you are trapped inside the car, run the engine for 10 minutes every hour. You will be warm enough, whlle keeping your battery charged and conserving garoline.at tate sane time. Always keep a window partly open for air and make saute dist-the exhaust pipe is clear of avow at all times. Otherwise, deadly exhaust fumes can back up into the inside of your car. There tips will allow you to prepare for the worst of winter driving conditions and also keep your passen- gers safe and warm. Tips to tote for year round car travel Fall travel can be an exciting family experience if the correct precautions are taken before the trip. Obvious things like getting the car in shape and planning ac- tivities for the children, as well as knowing where to turn in case of an emergency. .are. important to_ minimize the headaches and max- imize the pleasure of your trip. One of the first things to inves- tigate is your car's maintenance. This is the time to get an oil change, if needed, and check the cooling system hoses and connec- tions for leaks and weak spots. Make sure to bring an emergency kit that includes flares, jumper cables, tools, a flashlight, a dis- tress sign (many are on the back of cardboard windshield shades), and a first aid kit. While driving, keep constant tabs on tire pressure and fluid levels and be on the lookouts for anything unusual in the engine's performance or in the steering or brakes. Another thing to have in your back pocket is a plan including reputable credit card in case your car breaks down or an emergency occurs. While you may be lucky enough to avoid any medical mishaps on the road, one thing you'll have to deal with is boredom. One cure is to bring along your children's fa- vorite toys and give them out one at a time throughout the duration of the trip. If travelling to a warm climate, consider sun protection; window shades are an important safety and comfort feature for the back seats where the children sit. Also, remember to bring plenty of beverages and nutritious snacks such as fruit or vegetables to tide the little ones over until mealtime. If you know the roadways will be busy, leave yourself plenty of extra time to get where you're go- ing in case there is traffic. Also, make sure to take plenty of rest stops to keep alert, and char your route carefully if you arc not fa- miliar with it. Traveling can be a pleasure if planned correctly and nothing is left to chance. Take the precau- tions you needto ensure a safe and comfortable trip for your precious cargo. Easy tips on car upkeep (k Recycle lint -free T-shirt nags and dish towels (100 percent) cotton, no graphics on the t -shirt) to clean your car win- dows. ® Remove your belt buckle and watch strap before you wash and polish your car to avoid scratching the finish. ® Always vacuum the interior first before you get the area all wet. You don't have power cords in wa- ter and it saves your vacuum from getting muddy • To easily remove stickers from car windows, rub on a little nail polish remover. • When outside temperatures permit, rinse the underside of the car thoroughly with the garden hose to prevent corrosion buildup. • Keep a chalkboard eraser in your glove compartment to wipe moisture off misty windows. ® Repair paint chips and minor scratches with several coats of touch-up paint applied one drop at a time from the end of a toothpick. ® Never disconnect a spark plug wire while the engine is running. The high voltage could cause seri- ous injure. 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