Your windshield wipers are a key safety system in your vehicle. Sudden rain, snow or fog can leave you driving blind if your wipers suddenly aren’t working. Learn to spot the signs of worn-out wipers and use these tips to replace these essential components. Your check engine light may not turn on, but that doesn’t mean this maintenance task is any less essential.
When Do Windshield Wipers Need To Be Replaced?
There are two ways to know when to replace your windshield wipers. First, you can set a schedule. Most wiper blades begin to wear out by six months and need to be replaced before they are a year old. Replacing your blades every six months ensures you always have safe, efficient wipers when the weather takes a turn for the worst.
You can also determine when they need to be replaced by inspecting them. Before you start your car, look for signs of tears, cracking, bent blades and other damage. Any surface damage to your wipers will likely reduce their performance. Turn them on and check for these sounds and performance problems:
- Scraping
- Squealing
- Chattering
- Vibrating
- Streaking
These issues not only provide an uncomfortable driving situation, they can also be dangerous. Don’t let a streaked windshield affect your vision or chattering blades distract you from the sights and sounds of the road.
These performance issues are caused by windshield wiper blades that have become damaged or simply reached the end of their life. Unless you notice any damage to your wiper arms, you can follow this easy guide on how to replace wiper blades to restore this essential safety system.
How To Change Windshield Wipers
Find the right replacement wipers before you remove your existing ones. You can do this by measuring your current wipers or simply searching for blades based on your make and model of vehicle. All windshield wiper blades are sold based on their length, with many vehicles using two blades at different lengths.
Windshield wipers come in three styles: Beam, conventional and hybrid. Beam blades use a durable rubber beam to keep your windshield clear. They are growing in popularity and are the most effective options for your vehicle. Conventional blades wear out quickly due to their thin rubber blade. Once they reach the end of their life, the metal wire frame can scrape and scratch your windshield.
Verify that the blades you’re purchasing fit your wiper arms. Windshield wiper arms use a range of hooks, pins, loops and other attachment methods, so it’s essential to find the correct option. Removing your existing wipers requires you to pull or pinch a tab and slide the wipers in the correct direction. You may need to review how to remove your specific style of connection method. Don’t attempt to force your wiper blades off or use tools to remove them.
Shop for the ideal wiper blade size online to enjoy convenient searching, hassle-free ordering and simple delivery. Whether you ship your new blades straight to your garage or arrange for an in-store pickup, you’ll soon enjoy restored windshield wiping power and streak-free vision.