April 9, 2013—In recognition of April Car Care Month, Safelite AutoGlass, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, polled its customers on routine vehicle care habits and discovered that the majority of drivers follow experts’ recommendations with the exception of windshield wipers.
The company recommends that drivers replace their wipers every six months or 6,000 miles, but found that 65 percent of those polled replace them only once a year, while 23 percent go two or three years without replacing their wipers.
Safelite officials are concerned about this statistic.
"What many don't realize is that windshield wipers are critical to safety, as many of the most important driving decisions are based on a clear, unobstructed view," Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite AutoGlass, said in a statement.
The study also found that 61 percent of respondents follow manufacturers' recommendations to rotate tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, while 30 percent rotate their tires more frequently.
Lastly, the majority of respondents follow experts’ recommendations to check tail lights at least once a month, while 29 percent of those polled only check their lights when told that one is out.
