‘Ice keeps accumulating on my wiper blades, any suggestions?’
The Car Doc tackles a common New England problem.
Boston.com Cars is your go-to resource for coverage of local car news, events, and reviews. In the market for a car or truck? Check out our new car specials and used car specials curated by our local dealer network.Q:
My 2012 Jeep Wrangler does everything well in winter conditions (knowing how to drive in four-wheel-drive with good tires is a must). The problem is the ice that accumulates on the wiper blades when I’m driving in heavy snow, which renders driving unsafe. I have single unit Bosch blades that are supposed to help with this, but they don’t. Any suggestions?
A: The poor visibility caused by ice buildup on wiper blades is certainly a safety issue. Let’s look at the basics. Make sure the defroster is working properly. The typical heater air temperature of a fully warmed-up engine should be between 120 and 150 degrees. If the temperature is less than 120 degrees, you may not be getting enough heat on the windshield to keep ice off the wipers. Temperature problems can be caused by a stuck heater blend door, clogged heater core, or low engine temperature. Regarding wipers themselves, I have used both Bosch and Michelin winter wipers and found them to be OK, but ice can build up on even the best wipers, depending on weather conditions. Washer fluid can also be an issue. Look for fluid that works at temperatures below minus 30 degrees. The low-temperature washer fluid will at least help melt some of the built-up ice and doesn’t tend to flash freeze like some other products.
John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers questions from drivers every week. He has 40+ years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician.
