The Big Debate in Ocean County: Wipers Up or Wipers Down [Poll]

Another ice and snow storm is coming in the next 24 hours. So that leads to an important question about windshield wipers: do you put them up?

I always see cars parked in the parking lot at work or in my neighborhood and I thought to myself, "Why are their wipers up?" Growing up I never saw this, until I moved to New Jersey over 20 years ago. So, I started asking myself, "should I be doing that?"

I know it's a bit ridiculous, but humor me. I would imagine wipers are up off the glass so they won't freeze to the windshield. And once the wipers are up and not frozen to the windshield it would be easier to clean the snow and ice off.

According to nj.com, AAA Northeast says wipers up also eliminates the chance of burning out the windshield wiper motor when you start your car and the blades try to push their way through the frozen stuff. But, the National Weather Service says leaving your wipers pointed up can cause stress on the springs or they could be blown down by the wind.

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This is a great idea from nj.com, cover the windshield with a tarp or blanket instead of keeping your wipers up. The tarp or blanket will keep the window from getting icy or snowy, but what if the blanket freezes to the windshield? Cover the windshield wipers with the tarp and blanket, too.

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