Illinois Snow Storms: Which Is Best, Wipers Up Or Wipers Down?

For those among us who really love a good, spirited argument, there's no shortage of topics these days. You can get into a knock-down-drag-out debate over politics, or you can have all sorts of heated conversations about sports, or if you really want to see opinions fly back and forth...

You could bring up the question of whether or not you should leave your windshield wipers down or push them up before or during a snowstorm.

This particular topic seems to be able to animate people almost as much as an argument about politics. I've actually heard someone call someone else "stupid" for their choice in snowstorm wiper positions.

Here in the Midwest, we know a thing or two about how to handle snow, so which is it at your house? Wipers up or wipers down? And, do you think those who do it differently than you are stupid?

Like Most Things, There Are Pros And Cons To Both Raising Your Wipers During A Snowfall, Or Leaving Them In The Down Position

Let's get started with some of the pros of lifting those wipers up:

• It keeps the wiper blades from getting stuck to your windshield and then being damaged when you turn them on
• It's easier to clear the windshield with the wipers up and out of the way
• It can help prevent scratches to the glass that can happen when wipers are frozen in place
• It's gentler on the wiper motor, which won't have to strain to work when frozen down
• It makes it easier to see if the wipers have any damage. When the wipers are up, it's easier to take a look

Let's Move On To The Cons Of Lifting Up Your Wipers For A Snowfall

I've noticed that some of the cons are related not to the amount of snowfall, but rather the strength of the wind that may come with the snow.

Cons of leaving wipers up:

• Constantly lifting them puts a strain on the wiper arm springs, potentially causing damage over time and leading to poorer wiper performance
• With the wipers lifted, the the wipers become far more susceptible to damage from strong wind gusts
• If wipers are already worn, leaving them up might make the problem worse
• Strong winds can also cause a raised wiper to slam onto the windshield and cause a glass-break