An expert mechanic warned car owners of the risk of cracking their windshields using a popular trick to remove ice.
What's more, he suggests a simple, hands-free solution that costs only $5.
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As ABC13 reported, Steven Konyndyk, a mechanic who owns Endurance Auto Repair and Tire in Lynchburg, Virginia, gave motorists a bunch of top tips for keeping their cars in top condition this winter.
One of the best ways is to make sure your tire tread is very deep, which provides better grip on icy and wet surfaces.
In fact, we previously revealed an easy way to check tread depth using an item you may already have in your wallet.
Perhaps equally important is visibility, which is mainly achieved through the windshield – which must remain clear and free of ice.
One quick way to de-ice a windshield is to add a de-icer to the wiper fluid — such as Rain-X, which can be purchased for less than $5 at Walmart.
Before backing up the wipers, Konyndyk cautioned that you might want to reconsider.
He said: What it means is that this is spring-loaded.
“If the wind picks up or we get some ice, and the wipers get heavy, it's easier on some cars than others, but when you hit them it can actually break the windshield.”
Konyndyk also has a hack when a car door freezes in the cold.
“A little silicone spray on a paper towel or cloth, simply wiping it along the rubber seals, helps prevent water from freezing and sticking,” he said.
He said even the most experienced drivers can have trouble in the snow if their car isn't taken care of, so it's important to get ahead of it before the weather improves.
It comes as drivers have been shown how to use a simple DIY trick to keep their headlights clean this winter and save up to $150 in mechanics costs.
One of the main concerns for car owners during the winter months is that headlights become dull and yellowed over time, reducing their effectiveness.
However, the average cost of a headlight cleaning and restoration service can range between $100 to $150 per pair of headlights.
But cloudy and dirty lights can be easily restored without needing to hire professionals – if you have the right knowledge.
Elsewhere, drivers were also warned not to pour hot water on an icy cold car.
Extreme temperature differences can cause your windshield to crack, making immediate repair necessary.
Instead, winter drivers should simply pull out an ice scraper to carve through the frost, Edwards told ABC affiliate WAAY.
Scrapers can be found in almost every supermarket, from Walmart to Target.
However, drivers can actually get $8 from Amazon without leaving their homes.
