Two Vital Accessories For Winter: New Wiper Blades & Floor Mats

Published on November 06, 2018 04:44 PM in Car Care, Maintenance

Quick fixes aren’t always easy to find, but there here are two easy things you can do to make your vehicle cleaner and safer this winter: Install rubber floor mats and replace your windshield wiper blades.

Floor Mats

Custom-fit rubber floor mats can add aesthetic appeal to a vehicle’s interior, but protecting the carpet is their main function.

Clean carpets keep the air in your vehicle from becoming musty.

By preventing moisture from becoming embedded in the carpet, rubber floor mats help reduce the amount of dust and allergens inside, she added.

Tips for buying rubber floor mats, courtesy Tara Duncan, director of marketing for Husky Liners.

Look for a product that comes with a warranty. Such safeguards give consumers peace of mind.
Insist on custom-fitted mats. A mat designed specifically for your make, model and year fits best and provides maximum protection.
Check the cleats. Make sure the mat can grip the carpet so it won’t slide around during driving.
Protect your investment. Durable mats still need a thorough rinsing and the interior should still be vacuumed. Wash the mats regularly and clean the interior as they dry.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are easy to forget about during summer. But now is the time to make sure the blades aren’t frayed or cracked before harsh winter weather sets in.

Your worn blades also may “chatter” when first used after months of sitting idle, skipping and chopping across the windshield without the wiper edge flipping over on the backswing across the window.

Here’s some advice for buying wiper blades, courtesy Dave Frauman, engineering manager for Pylon Manufacturing, makers of Michelin wiper blades.

Ask your service advisor to inspect your wiper blades the next time you go in for an oil change.
Choosing the right blade also depends on your local driving conditions – do you need a “hybrid” blade for traveling in both rain and snow, or a “winter” blade for especially heavy snow? Ask your service advisor about the best types of wiper blades for your region and weather.
Don’t forget the rear wiper blade on your SUVs and crossovers.Visibility out of your window is easily to overlook, but very important nonetheless.