National Windscreens has issued some expert advice to help motorists keep their windscreens in tip top condition throughout the current cold snap.
Winter weather is responsible for a number of hazards that can potentially lead to increased costs for motorists - increased potholes and loose gravel on the roads can cause stone chips, and sub-zero temperatures can quickly turn small chips into costly cracks.
In an effort to help motorists reduce unnecessary repairs and replacements this winter, National Windscreens has created a handy winter driving tips infographic to offer drivers a quick reminder on winter driving ‘dos and don'ts’.
National Windscreens Commercial Director, Pete Marsden, says, “Very cold weather inevitably leads to more disruption for motorists and drivers might not always be focusing on the best ways to look after windscreens when they’re in a hurry. However a bit of prior preparation can make all the difference and even save motorists money, which is why we’ve produced this quick check list.”
As operator of the UK’s largest fitting centre network in its field, National Windscreens has extensive experience in getting vehicles back on the road in record time during the winter season, benefitting private motorists, insurance providers and fleet operators with its industry leading ‘time to serve statistics’ and extremely competitive costs.
National Windscreens also employs over 800 mobile glazing technicians to ensure customers throughout the UK can access a fast, efficient service at the location of their choice – which can be paramount during restrictive weather conditions.
Pete continues “To help prevent windscreen breakages during the winter season, National Windscreens always recommends that motorists regularly check for small chips or damage to the glass as it is far cheaper, and sometimes even free, to repair a chip than it is to replace a windscreen.
“And if in doubt National Windscreens offers a free windscreen check service designed to highlight potential MOT failures at all of our 108 fitting centres, as well as winter vehicle checks for our fleet customers. Our Tamworth based call centre is open 24/7 and can handle 1,000,000 calls per year – ensuring customers can contact us to arrange windscreen repairs and replacements whenever our services are required.”
National Windscreens recommends the following top tips for protecting vehicle windscreens this winter:
Don’t
• Use boiling water to clear snow and ice – this can crack or break the glass, particularly if there are existing stone chips or scratches
• Use the wiper system to sweep the glass clear – it can damage the wiper system and overload the electrics
• Leave vehicles unattended when relying on the heating system to clear windscreens
• Clear a small ‘porthole’ before driving – this is illegal
Do
• Ensure that the wiper blades are in good condition and clean to prevent any grit deposits from scratching the glass because this can cause lasting damage
• Clear all windows for good all-round visibility
• Check vehicle glass for stone chips and arrange any necessary repair (which can be free through National Windscreens depending on insurance cover) – water that collects in the cavity will expand if it freezes, potentially causing a crack
• Check for stone chip damage which can threaten an MOT test if it is in the line of sight zone
• Use a good quality de-icer and a proper scraper to clear the glass – using a specially formulated windscreen washer liquid rather than soapy water is also beneficial at this time of year
• Have quality sunglasses ready to cope with low-level sun glare
Find out more about National Windscreens chip repair and windscreen replacement services. Or follow @NatWindscreens on twitter to find out how much some motorists have saved by choosing National Windscreens for their windscreen repairs and replacements.