January 10, 2023
Know Where These Sensors Are and How to Keep Them Clean!
Photo by Aleksey Kuprikov under Pexels License
Although winter weather and cars aren’t exactly sworn enemies, they’re never going to be best friends. Winter can be especially hard on vehicles.
As below-freezing temperatures bring snow, ice, and slush, many wake up to a car that won’t start on a cold winter morning. The same snow and ice that freeze your battery and thicken your engine oil can also render your car’s advanced safety and driver-assist systems useless when they cover up the cameras and sensors.
Modern vehicles use safety technology that helps ensure a safe and convenient ride. It’s worth noting that advanced safety and driver-assist features rely on car sensors to work correctly. These sensors include cameras, radar, and other equipment. When grime, snow, and ice obscure or block them completely, you’ll be left in a potential crash situation.
Keep These 6 Areas Clean to Avoid Malfunctioning Sensors
Since your essential car safety systems won’t work when they can’t see the road, keeping your sensors clean will prevent buildup from blocking these systems’ view. Knowing where these sensors are and how to keep them clear will help a lot in ensuring your safety on the road. Veteran Car Donations is here to point out the areas to clean so you can avoid malfunctioning sensors during a winter drive.
- Grille
Forward-collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) and/or adaptive cruise control systems rely on radar sensors that are usually mounted in a car’s grille. In some cases, you may even find these life-saving features in the vehicle’s emblem or on its front bumpers. When snow, ice, or dirt builds up on them and blocks their view, these sensors automatically shut down and cause your warning light on the dash to illuminate.
- Windshield
Most vehicles have cameras and sensors for automatic wipers or FCW behind the windshield glass. Since these sensors are usually located outsides the wipers’ path, it’s best to stop from time to time to clear your windshield of built-up ice and snow during foul weather. Keeping this area clean allows these sensors to work and keep you safe.
- Rear quarter panels
Your car’s rear quarter panels may house radars that power blind-spot monitoring systems or work to monitor your surroundings when you’re in reverse. If you’re driving an older model, these safety sensors may be found just below your side mirrors.
- Rearview mirror
Some vehicles have rearview mirrors that contain two sensors. While one sensor is forward-facing, the other one is rearward-facing. The forward-facing sensor identifies ambient light while the rearward-facing sensor detects light from vehicle headlights behind your car. Both sensors work together to identify and eliminate dazzling light.
If ice, snow, salt, and dirt cover your rearview mirror, the buildup could make it useless, posing a hazard to your safety.
- Bumpers
The sensors located in your front and back bumpers power your vehicle’s parking alert systems. While the front sensors alert you when you’re getting too close to an object, the rear ones let you know if another vehicle is moving toward you in a parking lot.
- Side mirrors and front grille
Cameras in these areas may power a 360-degree view system. They won’t work when snow, ice, salt, and dirt cake on them.
Does Your Car Have Multiple Malfunctioning Parts?
If sensors are not the only parts of your car that are malfunctioning, if the repair of those parts would break the bank, consider letting that vehicle go. Donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations and we’ll give it a new and nobler purpose.
We’ll put your donation up for auction, with the proceeds going to our reputable veteran-focused charity partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are dedicated to assisting former U.S. service members who are homeless and impoverished, those who are unable to find decent employment, and those suffering from disabilities and serious illnesses, including mental disorders.
Our nonprofit partners use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with housing and financial assistance, employment and livelihood opportunities, family support, free quality health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, scholarships, and many other benefits that are all aimed at improving their living conditions.
Your charitable contribution will also benefit you in more ways than one. You’ll enjoy our fast and free pickup and towing service no matter where your car is parked or stored in the country.
Your gift will also entitle you to claim the highest possible tax deduction in the next tax season.
Above all, you’ll experience the immense satisfaction of knowing that your auto donation will be used to transform the lives and families of our dear veterans.
We accept nearly all vehicle types regardless of year, make, model, mileage, or condition.
Want to learn more about our vehicle donation program, including our quick and easy donation process? Go visit our FAQs page. If you have any questions for us, call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822. You may also write to us here and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can.
Warm the Hearts of Our Dear Veterans Today!
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Your car donation will surely touch the hearts of our dear veterans. It will make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling to survive amid the hardships they’re facing. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!
Last Updated: August 24th, 2023