A Bright Idea: Check Your Vehicle Lights and Wipers

As the days get shorter, it’s a bright idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights and wipers are working properly so you can be seen by others and your visibility is not compromised, advises the Car Care Council.

Lights and wipers play a critical role in safe driving. They are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement.

 

The lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:

 

  • Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.
     
  • Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaligned headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
     
  • Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
     
  • If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you.   

 

The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow and dirt from building up on the windshield, maintaining clear visibility. Many factors can accelerate the replacement interval of wipers, including operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades), frequency of use, material and type of wipers, and extreme heat from sunny days. Night driving with worn wiper blades is not only irritating, but can also be very dangerous. Wiper blades should be replaced at least twice a year, and even more frequently depending on severe driving conditions.

A/C Service: Keep Your Car Cool When Things Heat Up

Sitting in traffic when temperatures soar without a properly functioning air conditioning (A/C) system is the last place most drivers want to be. To help avoid this uncomfortable situation, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists...

What To Do When Your Vehicle Breaks Down

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Fuel Saving Tips for Summer Driving

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Pre-Trip Vehicle Check Before Hitting the Road

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Five Costly Mistakes Of Car Ownership

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Four Easy Ways to Go Green with Your Car

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Spring Car Care Tips

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Spring Break Car Care Tips

Each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, neglected maintenance leads to more than 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property...

To Idle or Not to Idle, That is the Question

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Potholes Can Put a Hole in Your Wallet

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Driving Tips for Snow and Slush

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Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Winter

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Seven Signs Your Brakes Need to be Inspected

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Four Symptoms of a Sick Cooling System

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Staying Cool in Your Vehicle This Summer

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Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Summer

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Safe Driving in Rainy Weather

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6 Vehicle Warning Smells Your Nose Can Recognize

If you have ever been in a car that has a certain smell to it, chances are there might be something mechanically wrong with the vehicle. Here are (6) vehicle warning signs that your nose might recognize as something that could spell trouble for...
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