If you live in a region that gets snow in the winter then you’re royally well-versed in the winter practices associated with living in such frigid conditions.

The snow can often create extra winter chores – especially for those who have cars and drive regardless of the temperature outside. As a car owner in snow, you have to get chains for your tires and shovel your driveway. And oftentimes when it snows particularly bad, you need to dig your car out from under several inches of snow.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

However, there might also be another snowy weather practice that you’re doing that is actually potentially bad for your car: sticking your car’s windshield wipers straight up into the air. According to Lifehacker, many experts warn against it.

Many people will often leave their windshield wipers up because it is believed that it prevents them from sticking to the windshield, making it easier to scrape the windshield if the wipers aren’t in the way. It might seem like a practical and time-saving trick, but experts aren’t convinced.

Photo: flickr/Linda

For one, there is a potential risk of damage to the windshield wipers if they’re left standing straight up. For example, it could weaken or damage the plastic gears, especially if there are major gusts of wind.

There is also the risk that the rubber blade portion gets blown off in the event of forceful winds. Not only that, but it leaves room for potential damage to the windshield itself. Since cold weather can make glass much more delicate, if a strong enough wind pushes the wiper back down, it could crack or even shatter the windshield without a lot of force.

Photo: Pixabay/Karolina Grabowska

If you still want a solution to the windshield wiper problem, then experts recommend using an entire cover for your whole windshield. This can be a plastic tarp or even a blanket.

Plus, using a cover could actually save you time as well since you won’t have to scrap the glass – you just remove and go.