Safelite AutoGlass® Poll Reveals Vehicle Care Habits
COLUMBUS, Ohio – April 8, 2013 – In honor of April Car Care Month, Safelite AutoGlass®, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, polled its customers on routine vehicle care habits and found that most drivers follow experts’ advice with the exception of windshield wipers.
Safelite AutoGlass® recommends drivers replace windshield wipers every six months or 6,000 miles. The survey found 65 percent or respondents replace them only once a year while 23 percent go every two to three years.
Meanwhile, most vehicle manufacturers recommend rotating tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. The majority (61 percent) of respondents followed those guidelines and 30 percent do it even more frequently.
Finally, the majority of drivers (55 percent) follow experts’ advice to check their tail lights at least once a month, but the next largest segment (29 percent) only check them when they are told one is out.
“At Safelite AutoGlass®, we care about the safety of those on the road. That’s why with every windshield repair or replacement, the labor of installing new wiper blades is free,” said Tom Feeney, Safelite AutoGlass® president and CEO. “What many don’t realize is that windshield wipers are critical to safety, as many of the most important driving decisions are based on a clear, unobstructed view.”
By following these steps, the life of windshield wipers may be extended.
1. Inspect your windshield wipers regularly, looking for:
·Cracked or torn rubber – Splits in the rubber blades are evidence of wear
·Contaminated rubber – Road film or chemicals can adhere to the rubber, causing smears across the glass
·Park set rubber – Direct sunlight and extreme temperature change can cause the rubber blade to harden and lose flexibility, resulting in an uneven wiper sweep
·Improperly installed refill – A refill that is too short or not properly installed in the blade support structure may cause windshield scratches
·Damaged superstructure – Ice scrapers and car wash equipment can bend wiper arms, blades or refills and make wipers less effective
2. Clean your wiper blades frequently
To clean your windshield wipers, apply non-abrasive glass cleaner or windshield washer solvent with a soft cloth or a cotton swab. Consult the owner’s manual to see if the manufacturer recommends a specific cleaning solution for wipers.
About Safelite AutoGlass®
Safelite AutoGlass®, founded in 1947, is the nation’s leading provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, providing mobile service to more than 95 percent of the U.S. population in all 50 states. The Columbus, Ohio-based company employs nearly 10,000 people across the United States and served more than 4.4 million customers last year. For more information, visit www.safelite.com.