- Burning up the wiper motor
- Stripping out the wiper arms
- Damaging the wiper transmission (linkage system)
- Overheating the wiper motor wiring harness causing an electrical short or fire
Avoid this sort of trouble by clearing the wipers of all ice and snow before
turning them on. Remember, they are called “windshield wipers” not
“windshield plows.”
Frozen Gas Lines
Ice forms inside the gas lines from condensation buildup. To avoid this problem,
keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. In addition, use gas line
antifreeze with isopropyl at least twice a week during extremely cold weather.
It’s compatible with electronic sensors and fuel injection systems.
Frozen Door Locks, Linkages, Windows, and Frames
The rubber gasket at the base of the window in your car door stops water from
going down into the door. Unfortunately, on most cars this gasket is either rotted
away or maladjusted, allowing water to get down into the door and freeze the
lock linkage and window regulators. The only fix here is to either replace or
adjust the gasket. If you have no intention of doing this, then here’s a tip: Leave
the car unlocked during the cold weather. With any luck you will be able to get
into the car and warm it up enough to defrost the doors.
If you force frozen windows and locks to open, parts will break and you’ll
face major repairs. And don’t think lock de-icer is the answer. It’s designed to
defrost the keyhole, not the inside of the door. Ever go to open the car door and
the latch works, but you just can’t get the door open? Chances are the doorframe
gasket is frozen to the car, and it’s either worn out or maladjusted. This gasket is
designed to keep water from coming into the car. When it’s not working, water
enters, forming ice between the door gasket and the car’s structure.
My advice? If the gasket is not torn, go to a shop and have the door adjusted
to fit more tightly into the doorframe, sealing out water. Once this is done,
lubricate the gasket with a rubber lubricant such as silicone. The lubricant will
keep the gasket soft and pliable and, most important, set up a moisture barrier
that will inhibit ice buildup. If the gasket is worn, have it replaced.