FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions drivers ask most often about visibility, from who is behind this guide to why the glass mists up in the morning in particular. If you cannot find an answer, look in the dedicated sections, where the topics are covered in more detail.
If you are not sure whether you can see the road, you cannot see it well enough.
About the guide
Is this a continuation of the site that used to be on this domain?
No. This domain used to host a personal website about computer topics, and later unrelated advertising. Its content has not survived and is not distributed, and this visibility guide has no connection with it. The name came with the domain.
Do you repair or sell car glass?
No. We are not a garage or a shop: we do not replace glass, repair chips or sell anything. Our aim is to help you understand the subject and ask a specialist the right questions.
Why do you not name brands?
The right wiper blade or fluid depends on the car and the climate, not on the logo. We prefer to explain which specifications to look at so that you can choose for yourself.
Can your advice replace the owner's manual?
No. The guide gives a general picture, while the manual describes your particular car: its buttons, modes, blade sizes and maintenance schedule.
Glass and window tint
How much light must the front windows let through?
Under the Russian/EAEU regulation TR CU 018/2011, the windscreen and front door windows must transmit at least 70 % of light. Bear in mind that factory glass does not let all light through either. Other countries set their own limits, so check your local rules.
What happens if the tint is too dark?
In Russia, part 3.1 of article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences provides administrative liability for glass that does not meet the light transmission requirements. For specific amounts, see the current version of the code. Elsewhere, check the local rules.
Can I drive with a chip in the windscreen?
A small chip may not get in the way by itself, but vibration and temperature changes often turn it into a crack. Show it to a specialist as early as possible.
What should I clean the inside of the glass with?
A clean, soft, lint-free cloth and a non-abrasive glass cleaner. Wipe a rear window with heating elements along the lines and without pressing hard.
Wipers, washers and demisting
How do I know it is time to replace the wiper blades?
If, after you have cleaned the edges, the blades still leave streaks, squeak or judder, or the rubber is visibly cracked, replace them with blades of the size and fitting given in the manual.
Can I put plain water in the reservoir in winter?
No: water will freeze in the reservoir, hoses and jets, and the washers will stop working just when the roads are slushy. In winter you need fluid rated for the frosts where you live.
Why do my windows mist up more than they used to?
Common causes are a clogged cabin filter, constant recirculation, wet floor mats and a film on the inside of the glass. Start with those before suspecting a fault.
The rear demister has stopped working. What should I do?
Check the light on the button and that the lines on the glass are intact, then see a specialist: tracing a fault in the circuit is electrical work that is best not done yourself.
Related sections
- Safety
Why visibility is part of safety: seeing the road, being seen by others and meeting the requirements for car glass.
- Window tint (in Russian)
Archived address: what Russian/EAEU rules require of front-glass light transmission and how to get window tint right.
- Problems
Common visibility problems: squeaking wipers, frozen washers, misting, a dead rear demister, a spreading crack, dim headlights.
Sources
- TR CU 018/2011 (Customs Union technical regulation, Russia/EAEU)
- Russian Code of Administrative Offences (art. 12.5)
- Russian Basic Provisions on vehicle roadworthiness: list of faults that prohibit vehicle use
- Car owner's manuals (general provisions)
Regulatory requirements are described as they stood on the date each page was prepared. The cited rules are Russian and EAEU rules; other countries set their own tint limits and roadworthiness rules, and rules change from time to time. Glass, wiper and demisting set-ups also differ from car to car, so check the current local regulations and your own car's owner's manual.