When to Replace Your Windshield Wipers?

Clear vision is the key to safe driving, and the role of wipers is crucial. However, many drivers neglect regular maintenance and replacement. When the wipers fail on rainy days, they cannot clear the accumulated water, affecting driving safety. Therefore, every driver should pay attention to timely inspection and replacement of wipers.

Why Is It Important to Maintain Windshield Wipers Regularly?

Although windshield wipers are small, they are directly related to the driver’s clear vision. With the increase of time and usage, the rubber strips of windshield wiper blades will gradually age, harden, and even crack, which will greatly reduce their cleaning effect.

On rainy days or bad weather conditions, ageing windshield wipers may not be able to completely remove water stains, snow particles or mud on the windshield, forming blind spots and increasing driving risks.

Therefore, it is the basic responsibility of every car owner to regularly check and replace windshield wipers to ensure that they can provide a clear view in any weather conditions.

Signs That You Should Replace Your Windshield Wipers

So how do you know when is it time to replace your wipers?

Here are some obvious signs:

Poor wiping: When wipers leave noticeable water marks and streaks on your windshield after wiping, it means the wipers have lost their cleaning ability.

Unusual noises and jumping: When the wipers are working, they make a great noise and jump irregularly. This may be caused by aging, deformation, or improper installation of the wiper blades.

Worn rubber strips: Take a close look at the wiper rubber strips. If they are rough, hard, or cracked, these are clear signs that they need to be replaced.

Ageing: Even if the wipers look good, it is generally recommended to replace them at least once a year to ensure their optimal performance due to the ageing characteristics of the rubber material.

How Often Should I Change My Windshield Wipers?

There is no fixed time for the frequency of replacing wipers, as it depends on a variety of factors, such as frequency of use, weather conditions, wiper quality, and more.

However, a rough reference is that under normal use, it is reasonable to replace wipers every 6 months to 1 year. If you find any of the above replacement signals, you should take action immediately.

How Do I Change My Windshield Wipers?

Replacing wipers is a relatively simple DIY job that most car owners can do on their own. First, you need to purchase wipers that match your model. Then, follow these steps:

Lift the Wiper Arm

After turning off the vehicle and the power, gently lift the wiper arm to a position perpendicular to the windshield. Be careful not to use excessive force to avoid damaging the wiper arm spring or windshield.

Unlock the Fixture

Depending on how the wiper is installed, find and press or rotate the fixture to release the wiper blade. During the operation, carefully observe and follow the instructions in the manual to avoid damaging the wiper arm or wiper blade.

Remove the Old Wiper

After successfully unlocking the fixture, gently remove the old wiper from the wiper arm. Be careful not to use excessive force to avoid damaging the fixing parts on the wiper arm or wiper blade.

Install the New Wiper

Align the rubber strip of the new wiper with the slot of the wiper arm and install the fixture in reverse order. During installation, make sure the wiper blade is firmly fixed to the wiper arm and there is no looseness or twisting.

Test the Wipers

Finally, start the vehicle and turn on the wiper system to test the working condition of the new wipers. Make sure that the new wipers have no abnormal noise and the wiping effect is good before driving to ensure safe driving.

Simple Fixes for Common Wiper Problems

Cleaning the Wiper Rubber Strip

In addition to using a dedicated wiper cleaner, you can also try using a solution of alcohol or white vinegar mixed with water to clean the wiper rubber strip. These solvents can effectively remove dirt, grease and hardened substances on the rubber strip, restoring its softness and cleaning ability.

When cleaning, dip a soft cloth or sponge in an appropriate amount of solution, gently wipe the surface of the rubber strip, then rinse with clean water and let it dry naturally.

Adjusting the Wiper Arm Pressure

If the wiper jumps or wipes unevenly when working, it may be because the wiper arm has uneven or excessive pressure on the wiper blade. At this time, you can try to adjust the fixing screws of the wiper arm to change the pressure of the wiper arm on the wiper blade.

But be careful that the adjustment should be moderate, avoid being too tight or too loose, so as not to affect the cleaning effect of the wiper or damage the windshield.

Replacing the Wiper Arm

If the wiper arm itself is damaged or deformed, such as spring failure, loose connection, then even replacing a new wiper blade will not solve the problem. At this time, you need to replace the entire wiper arm.

When replacing the wiper arm, you need to choose the wiper arm that matches the model and install it according to the instructions in the manual.

Check the Cleanliness of the Windshield

Sometimes, the poor wiping effect of the wipers is not entirely caused by the wipers themselves, but may be due to oil, wax or other contaminants on the surface of the windshield. These contaminants will affect the contact effect between the wipers and the windshield, resulting in poor wiping.

Therefore, regular cleaning of the windshield is also an important part of keeping the wipers in good working condition. You can use glass cleaner or a mixture of alcohol and water to clean the surface of the windshield, remove contaminants and restore the cleanliness of the glass.

Tips to Extend the Service Life of Wipers

Proper maintenance and attention to wiper blades can greatly extend their life, saving money and improving safety. Here are some comprehensive tips for extending the life of your wipers:

Avoid Dry Wiping

Avoid using wipers for dry wiping when the windshield is not fully wetted by rain or cleaning fluid. Dry wiping will increase the wear of the wiper rubber strip and shorten its service life. Before starting the wipers, you should spray an appropriate amount of cleaning fluid or wait for the rain to fully wet the windshield.

Avoid Prolonged Exposure to the Sun

Extended exposure to the sun will accelerate the aging, hardening and cracking of the wiper rubber strip. Therefore, if conditions permit, try to park the vehicle in the shade or indoor parking lot to avoid long-term exposure of the wipers to the sun.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Regular inspection of the working status of the wipers and the condition of the rubber strips is the key to extending their service life. Once the wipers are found to have abnormal noise, jumping, not wiped cleanly, or severe wear of the rubber strips, they should be maintained and replaced in time.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance and timely replacement of wipers are crucial for driving safety. Keeping your wipers in optimal condition is essential for clear visibility. Topex, a reputable manufacturer, offers high-quality wiper blades that withstand wear and tear, ensuring reliable performance. Trust Topex for superior wiper solutions to maintain your driving safety.