We have all experienced sunshine glare on the windshield. You're driving down the road and make a turn when the setting or rising sun casts a blinding glare. Not only is this extremely frustrating, it’s very dangerous! In those moments, we panic and scramble to make it easier to see.
What can you do to enhance your visibility and prevent sun glare on your windshield?
Here are some steps you can take that may help you.
- Visor… Flip down the visor and push it against the windshield as high up as possible so it blocks the sun’s rays without obscuring the traffic lights. If your provided car visor doesn’t help, look into buying an enhanced aftermarket visor that’s more adjustable.
- Sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses do an excellent job of reducing the glare you see when you drive. Plus, they’re pretty fashionable.
- Tinting… Get your windshield tinted if you own a vehicle that repeatedly suffers from glares (due to the angle of the glass, for instance). Even getting the top 6-9 inches of your windshield tinted can make a big difference.
- Wipers… Keep your wipers in good condition and your fluid reservoir filled. This will ensure you can wipe off your windshield when you’re in a pinch.
- Clean… Dirty windows scatter light, which make it harder to see through the windshield when the sun hits it. Use a glass cleaner to wipe down the inside and outside of the windshield and side windows on a regular basis, ensuring light rays can easily pass through. Wipe down any oily residue from your dashboard, such as polishes that turn it into a shiny, reflective surface.
- Vinegar… Applying vinegar to the glass after you have washed it will diminish the buildup of residue in the future
- Route… Try changing up your daily drive by taking different roads. Perhaps you’ll find a route that’s more shaded or avoids the places that cause you the most trouble.
- Warmth… If you’re driving in the winter, you’ll see glares much more frequently due to the reflective snow on front yards and frost on the windshield. Warm and scrape the glass up so there’s no trace of frost that worsens the glare of the sun.