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If you can’t see out your windshield, you can’t drive safely. Your windshield wipers play an important role in ensuring visibility when the weather is less than ideal.  A dirty windshield or one that is covered in rain, snow or ice all increase your risks for being involved in a car accident.  If you try to spray windshield wiper fluid on your windshield and discover your wipers are not working properly, try the following trouble shooting tips from your Clearwater area Kia dealer: Do You Have Enough Windshield Washer Fluid? The first step to troubleshooting windshield wiper issues is to check that your washer fluid tank actually has fluid it in. The most common reason you can’t get the fluid to spray on your windshield is because you’ve run out of it!  Open the hood of your car and look for your windshield wiper fluid reservoir.  They’re usually easy to spot, but if you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual to find out where it is located. If you have to refill your fluid, make sure you “prime” your windshield wipers if they don’t work immediately.  Sometimes you will need to press and release the button a few times in a row in order to get the liquid flowing back through the tank into the lines that carry it to your windshield. Scrub the Wiper Nozzle Area Sometimes the nozzle of the windshield wiper becomes clogged from dirt.  Use an old toothbrush and scrub the nozzle area to remove any dirt that may have built up. You can also use a can of compressed air, such as those used to clean a computer keyboard, to spray the dirt out. Pump or Fuse Needs Replacing If there is no sound when you push the button to spray windshield wiper fluid, it could be the fuse needs to be replaced or the washer pump itself needs to be replaced.  Start by checking your car’s owner’s manual to see where the fuse box is and where the windshield wiper pump fuse is.  Replace the fuse and try the spray button – if there is still no noise and no spray, you probably need to bring your car to a service station to have the washer pump replaced. Clean the Fluid Reservoir Tank The tank under the hood that holds the washer fluid can get built up with algae or dirt.  Removing the reservoir tank to clean it can sometimes help the fluid move from the tank to the windshield wipers.

Drivers can face a wide variety of obstacles and challenges when on the road, from a minor roadside situation to a full-on emergency.  While we can never predict every possible situation we could face, there are a number of common scenarios drivers experience that you can actually prepare for.  Being prepared helps reduce anxiety and helps you take action to remedy any negative situation.  One way to prepare for common situations on the road is to keep a fully stocked car emergency kit available at all times.  Here are some suggestions for what to keep in your car emergency kit from a Kia dealer near Clearwater: Car Emergency Kit: Items for the Vehicle Even a well maintained vehicle can experience unexpected maintenance issues.  Keeping the following items in your car emergency kit will help you get back on the road faster: Fuses that fit your Kia (in case a headlight goes out or the lights in your dash, for example) Road flares or emergency caution sign/cones to alert other drivers in case you break down on the side of the road Jumper box or cables, to give your battery a boost if your car won’t start Travel-size tool kit (screwdrivers, scissors, etc) Fluids for your vehicle, things like windshield washer fluid, oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze.  Keep a jug of water handy too, in case of overheating. Car Emergency Kit: Items for People In addition to keeping items handy for minor repairs for your car, you can also keep a number of things around to help people in minor situations, including: Aspirin or pain reliever Flashlight First aid kit (bandages, cleansing wipes, burn ointment, gauze) Drinking water, nonperishable snacks (in case you are stuck waiting for help for long periods of time) Sunscreen Clean rags or a roll of paper towels Road atlas (in case your GPS fails and you don’t know where you are!) These items can be kept in your trunk at all times to minimize the negative effects of many common roadside emergencies.  If you are going on a longer road trip through colder areas during the winter months, you might also want to include a blanket and perhaps a pair of gloves for each passenger in case you break down and need to wait for help.  You don’t want to count on your heater working if your car is out of commission, particularly when traveling through cold weather states.