How to Keep Your Car's Safety Sensors Clean During Winter
These important safety systems can't work when they can't ‘see' the road due to snow and ice
As snow, ice, or salt grime gathers on cars in winter, many of the sensors that are key to the operation of advanced safety systems can become blocked and shut down—right when you may need them most.
Take, for example, forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. These lifesaving features rely on a combination of cameras and radar sensors. The sensors are often mounted in the car’s grille—sometimes even in the car’s emblem—or on its front bumpers. When these sensors can no longer tell what’s in front of them, they can shut down, illuminating a warning light on the dash. At that point, the systems aren’t working.
Key Areas to Keep Clean
The grille: When you first get a new car, spend some time identifying all the sensors that may be hidden in the grille area so that you’ll know where to focus your cleaning effort. Recent vehicles that have FCW, AEB, and/or adaptive cruise control most likely have their radar sensors located out front, often behind the translucent brand emblem or in the lower center of the front bumper.
The windshield: Many cars use cameras and sensors behind the glass for crash avoidance systems or automatic wipers. it’s worthwhile to clear and defrost your windshield entirely and stop periodically during foul weather to completely clear your windshield of built-up ice and snow. Also, remember to keep the windshield wiper fluid filled to wash away grime as it builds up during your drive.
Rear body quarter panels: These often house radar sensors that are used to inform blind-spot monitoring systems, or support systems like rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) when your vehicle is in Reverse. Older models (such as some from Acura and Volvo) use a camera located just below the outside mirrors.
Sensors in the car’s front and, often, rear bumpers: These are used for the parking alert systems. The front ones let you know when you’re getting too close to an object; the rear ones can tell you if a car is moving toward you in a parking lot.
The rearview camera and cameras on the side mirrors: Ice, snow, salt, and dirt can muck these up and make surround view, bird’s eye view, and other parking features useless.
If weather permits, get regular car washes to keep the sensors on your car clean. For do-it-yourself cleaning, use a mild automotive-specific detergent so you won’t damage your car’s paint. Be gentle in cleaning fenders, because salt and sand can be abrasive on paint.
Make sure you have a clean paper towel or rag to dry the area after cleaning. You don’t want to be part of the problem by coating the car in ice.
After each storm, be sure to thoroughly clear the car of snow before driving. It’s the law in some areas. You may have to clear the sensors several times on a trip, especially if you’re driving through a storm, so keep a snow brush onboard. And perform this task in a safe location rather than risk a collision on the side of the road.
