Ensuring your vehicle is equipped with the essentials for unexpected situations is a driver’s responsibility. From a water bottle and flashlight to jumper cables, there’s a standard checklist for every car owner. However, here’s a peculiar addition that might surprise you – a nail file.
According to Patrice Banks, the author of the Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, a nail file can be a handy tool to extend the life of your windshield wipers. In the following guide, we’ll explore this unconventional yet effective car care tip and understand how it can make a difference during rainy or snowy conditions.
The Unconventional Car Care Tip: Reviving Wiper Blades with a Nail File
Patrice Banks, a former engineer turned auto mechanic and the mind behind the Girls Auto Clinic in Philadelphia, offers a unique solution for maintaining your vehicle – the humble nail file. Her garage, staffed entirely by women and conveniently attached to a salon, presents an innovative approach to car service that stands out in the automotive industry.
Procedure:
- Identify Worn Wiper Blades: Regularly check your windshield wipers for signs of wear or a layer of dirt that hampers their effectiveness.
- Grab a Nail File or Emery Board: Keep a nail file or emery board in your vehicle for this purpose. It’s a simple yet effective tool for the next step.
- Wipe Down Wiper Blade Surface: Gently wipe down the surface of the wiper blade that comes in contact with the windshield using the nail file or emery board. This process helps remove dirt and restores the functionality of the wiper.
- Extend Wiper Blade Lifespan: By incorporating this easy maintenance step, you can potentially extend the life of your wiper blades by three to six months. This not only saves you money but also enhances visibility during adverse weather conditions.
Important Note:
Patrice Banks emphasizes the importance of replacing wiper blades if they are peeling off the wipers. No amount of filing can fix irreversibly damaged blades, so it’s crucial to address this issue promptly.
Conclusion:
In the realm of unconventional car care tips, Patrice Banks’ suggestion of using a nail file to revive windshield wipers stands out. This ingenious yet simple hack can be a game-changer, especially for those enduring cold, snowy winters. As we strive to enhance our driving experience and maintain our vehicles, it’s refreshing to discover innovative approaches like this that make car care both practical and, in this case, unexpectedly stylish. So, the next time you reach for your glove box essentials, don’t forget to include that nail file – a small tool with a big impact on your driving visibility.
image source : Groupon / iStock – Auto Anything
