Never underestimate the importance of good visibility when you’re behind the wheel! Being able to see clearly when driving is essential not only to your safety, but to the safety of everyone else on the road. Follow these tips to improve visibility and make sure your view of the road is as clear as possible.
Improve Your Visibility
Restoring Headlight Lenses
The first step you can take to improve visibility is to inspect your headlights. Dim lights don’t automatically mean you need new bulbs. Gradual damage from dirt, road salt, and UV rays can alter headlight colour and clarity. You may not notice the change right away because it happens gradually, and your brain gets accustomed to the reduced light.
If you do an inspection and realize your headlight lenses are starting to look yellow and/or have scratches on them, you’ll need to give them some attention. In the worst-case scenario, if the damage is really severe, they may need replacing. Before you replace your headlights, however, consider the different methods and products on the market that can bring back their lustre. This process is called restoring.
If you’re ready to give it a go, check out our guide on how to restore your headlights. If your headlights still look dim after you restore them, a bulb change may be necessary as well.
When to Replace Light Bulbs
Over time, your headlights will get cloudy and their bulbs will start to dim. Some will last longer than others, but whether you use halogen, LED, or HID bulbs, you should check the strength of your headlights every 7,500 kilometres or two years. If the headlight lenses look clear but the light is dim or flickering, it’s time for a bulb change.
Changing your bulbs will immediately improve your visibility. To find the right bulbs for your vehicle, check out this article. If you decide to replace them yourself, follow our detailed guide. Don’t forget to change both headlight bulbs at the same time!
Check Those Windshield Wipers
Despite the fact they only last 6 to 12 months, most of us tend to forget to replace our wiper blades. Since they clear various debris off your windshield, proper working blades are crucial to improving your visibility.
Different blades are made for particular driving conditions. In some cases, you can replace the rubber insert without having to replace the entire blade. If you live somewhere with drastically different seasons, you’ll need to change your blades every season to fit the weather. Make sure you’ve got the right blades for your environment and then check out our guide on how to change your wiper blades yourself.
You should also check if you need to top up your windshield washer fluid. This is what your blades use to thoroughly clear off your windshield. You should add fluid to your blades every 6 to 12 months. To keep track of this maintenance, change your blades and top up your fluid at the same time.
Rain Repellent
Once you try rain repellent, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it! Rain repellent, also known as hydrophobic applicant, prevents rain, snow, and sleet from settling on your car’s windshield and windows and obscuring your view. Once you do a bit of product browsing, you’ll realize some repellents are more advanced than others.
Our recommendation is iTEKT Liquid Glass. Since glass is porous, your windshield can have microscopic, imperceptible cracks. Using the power of nanotechnology, a thin layer of iTEKT on your windshield will reduce shatters and scratches by 20% and improve visibility by repelling weather, dirt, and insects. This treatment lasts 6 to 12 months, depending on your driving conditions.
Driving Tips to Improve Visibility
After prepping your car’s windshield and headlights to improve visibility, follow these tips to stay safe when driving in conditions that can obstruct your view.
- During the winter, fully defrost your windshield and windows and remove any snow from your car before driving.
- Avoid driving too close to buses or trucks if it’s raining or if there’s a lot of water on the road. These larger vehicles can spray water into your line of vision.
- If you’re confronted by fog, turn on your headlights. Use fog lights if you have them. Don’t turn on your high beams, however, because these will reflect light back to you and worsen your view.
Whatever the weather, the number one tip when driving with limited vision is to slow down.
Follow our advice for great visibility year-round. You can find more automotive tips and DIY guides on our blog.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask the experts at our NAPA Auto Parts stores, or make an appointment at one of our NAPA AUTOPRO repair shops.
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