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"Wipers, Washers & Wallets: How Winter Can Wipe You Out"

"Wipers, Washers & Wallets: How Winter Can Wipe You Out"

Car Connection Workshop Oct 31, 2025 29 min
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About this episode

Winter driving can be tough, but proper maintenance of your wipers and washer fluid can save you from costly repairs. Niall Motormouth Jenkins shares insights on the importance of wiper blades, emphasizing the need for regular replacements and care to extend their lifespan. He also highlights the dangers of using summer washer fluid in winter, advising listeners to switch to winter-grade fluid to prevent freezing and damage. With humor and practical tips, this episode equips drivers to tackle winter challenges effectively.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Part

wiper blades

"If you step up to the plate and you buy quality wiper blades, I'm not into the wiper blades that have the veins on them. Those are absolutely evil on a wintry morning where you drove home and it was raining... You want to buy the beam type wiper blades, one piece."

Wiper blades are the rubber strips that clean your car's windshield. They move back and forth to wipe away rain or snow so you can see clearly while driving. There are different types, and some work better in bad weather than others.

Company

Bosch

"I really like the Bosch Evolution Blades. I just recently purchased a set of wiper blades from Bosch as well."

Bosch is a company that makes car parts, including wiper blades. They are known for making reliable and long-lasting products.

Car

Nissan Rogue

"... I just ordered some wiper blades for 2008 Nissan Rogue and I bought Bosch, but they weren't the Evolutio..."
Car

Nissan 2008 Nissan

"But I just ordered some wiper blades for 2008 Nissan Rogue and I bought Bosch, but they weren't the Evolution Series."

The Nissan Rogue is a small SUV that is known for being reliable and good for everyday use. It has enough space for passengers and cargo, making it a popular choice for many drivers.

Term

Evolution Series

"But I just ordered some wiper blades for 2008 Nissan Rogue and I bought Bosch, but they weren't the Evolution Series."

The Evolution Series is a type of wiper blade made by Bosch that is designed to work better and last longer than regular wiper blades. They are made with special features to improve how well they wipe the windshield.

Car

Toyota FJ Cruiser

"...Now on the FJ Cruiser, I remember when I was driving it home from Oshawa, I bought it privately, it took me a while to get used to the windshield because it felt really, really tiny."

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough SUV that looks a bit like older Toyota models. It's great for driving off-road and is built to handle rough conditions.

Part

wiper pivots

"...a video out actually on our YouTube channel just about a week ago showing you how to diagnose a wiper motor and what the wiper transmission and the pivots look like."

Wiper pivots are the parts that let the wipers move. They help the wipers swing back and forth to wipe the windshield clean.

Part

wiper motor

"...a video out actually on our YouTube channel just about a week ago showing you how to diagnose a wiper motor and what the wiper transmission and the pivots look like."

The wiper motor is the part of the car that makes the windshield wipers move. If it's not working, the wipers won't clear the rain off the windshield.

Part

wiper transmission

"...a video out actually on our YouTube channel just about a week ago showing you how to diagnose a wiper motor and what the wiper transmission and the pivots look like."

The wiper transmission is the part that connects the motor to the wipers and helps them move. It makes sure the wipers can go back and forth to clean the windshield.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"...we've been working on a 97 Jeep TJ Wrangler rescue from the wrecking yard and it's starting to really, really come together now, but it didn't have wipers."

The Jeep TJ Wrangler is a type of vehicle designed for off-roading. It was made from 1997 to 2006 and is known for being tough and able to handle rough terrain.

Term

washer fluid

"Don't purchase any washer fluid minus 35. And if you've got that in there right now, they call that summer washer fluid."

Washer fluid is what you put in your car to clean the windshield. It helps remove dirt and bugs so you can see better while driving, especially in winter when it can freeze.

Term

washer pump

"...a washer fluid bottle freeze, crack, wrecks the washer pump as well. So you're into some money."

The washer pump is what pushes the cleaning fluid onto your windshield when you press the button. If it gets damaged, you might have to pay a lot to fix it.

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