Problems
Common faults that stop you seeing the road
Most visibility problems give a warning first: a wiper starts to squeak, the washers spray more and more weakly, the glass takes longer than usual to clear. If you spot these signs in time, you can almost always deal with the problem calmly rather than on a motorway in the rain.
A squeak, a streak or slow-clearing condensation is not the car being difficult but a hint about what to check at the weekend.
We describe the signs and safe first steps that need no dismantling. Anything involving wiring, fuses, motors or glass repair is a job for a specialist.
If…
…the wipers squeak and leave streaks
First wipe the rubber edges with a damp cloth: grit and road film often cause the same symptoms as wear. If the streaks remain after cleaning and the rubber is cracked or uneven, it is time to replace the blades.
…the washers will not spray in winter
Most likely, fluid not rated for frost has frozen in the reservoir or hoses. Do not keep running the pump: let the car thaw somewhere warm and fill up with fluid suited to the temperature.
…the glass mists up on the inside
Direct the air to the windscreen, turn on the air conditioning and switch from recirculation to fresh air. If the moisture lingers regularly, check the cabin filter and look for wet floor mats in the car.
…the rear demister does not work
See whether the light on the button comes on and whether the lines on the glass are damaged. Beyond that, the circuit needs checking, which is electrical work, so see a specialist; in the meantime, scrape the glass gently along the lines.
…a crack is spreading
A crack usually cannot be repaired the way a small chip can. Avoid knocks, sudden heating and cold water on hot glass, and book in with a specialist to decide on a replacement.
…the headlights have gone dim
Start by washing the lenses and looking at the beam on a wall in the evening. If the pattern has become blurred or has shifted, a specialist should check the aim and the condition of the headlights.
If the washers do not work
Check the reservoir level
The most common cause is simply an empty reservoir. Find it by the symbol on the cap described in the manual and check the fluid level.
Think about the weather
If there was a frost overnight and the reservoir holds summer fluid, it may have frozen. Do not run the pump over and over: let the car thaw.
Listen to the pump
When you press the washer stalk, you can usually hear a whirr. If the pump hums but no fluid comes out, ice or a blocked jet is probably to blame.
Inspect the jets
You can gently clean dirt and snow off the jets from the outside with a soft brush. Do not poke them with a needle or wire: that easily knocks the spray out of alignment.
See a specialist
If the pump is silent or fluid leaks under the car, it needs diagnosing. Driving in rain or snow without working washers is dangerous, so do not put off the visit.
Related sections
- Care
Seasonal care for glass, wiper blades, washer fluid, mirrors and headlights, plus replacing blades as the manual describes.
- Misting up (in Russian)
Archived address: why windows mist up on the inside, how to clear them quickly and how to stop it happening.
- Windscreen chips (in Russian)
Archived address: what to do about a chip or crack in the windscreen and why you should not put off seeing a specialist.
Sources
- 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.