Dirty windshields and worn wiper blades severely impair driver visibility during the dark winter months.
[DELFI] reported that simple vehicle maintenance prevents dangerous road hazards caused by reduced visibility. Uģis Kudulis, junior product manager at Inter Cars Latvija, explained that changing wiper blades annually before autumn prevents streaks and squeaking. “One of the simplest ways to improve visibility in rainy and snowy weather is to change your wiper blades in a timely manner,” [DELFI] reported Kudulis said. He said that sun and frost degrade the rubber, making frameless winter blades ideal because snow and ice accumulate less on them.
Both [DELFI] and [iauto.lv] said that drivers should also inspect rear window wipers if the vehicle has them.
Accumulated road dust and salt form a microscopic film that magnifies oncoming headlight glare during nighttime driving.
[DELFI] reported that drivers often neglect cleaning the interior glass, which creates distracting reflections in the dark despite appearing clean in daylight. Using a microfibre cloth with glass cleaner resolves this issue. [iauto.lv] added that water-repellent glass coatings and switching to winter windshield washer fluid further improve safety.
Headlights lose luminosity over time, while frosted or yellowish plastic covers restrict light transmission on older vehicles. [DELFI] reported that polishing restores dimmed headlight covers, and drivers should replace bulbs in pairs for uniform illumination. Improperly adjusted beams either blind oncoming traffic or fail to light the road adequately. [iauto.lv] reported that professional service centers should verify headlight alignment following any bulb replacement or repair.
Proper seasonal vehicle maintenance requires minimal financial investment compared to potential collision repair expenses.
[DELFI] reported that spending 50 to 100 euros suffices to fix primary visibility flaws. [iauto.lv] emphasized that addressing windshields, wipers, and headlights protects all road users during dark weather conditions.
| Maintenance Item | Recommended Action | Estimated Cost |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Wiper Blades | Replace with frameless winter blades annually | €15 – €30 |
| Headlights | Polish faded covers and replace bulbs in pairs | €20 – €50 |
| Windshield Care | Clean interior/exterior and add winter washer fluid | €10 – €20 |
“Daudzos gadījumos ar 50–100 eiro pietiek, lai novērstu vairākas būtiskas redzamības problēmas,” Kudulis told [DELFI].
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