The Importance of Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers are a small part of your car, but they have a big impact on your driving and overall safety. They remove rain, snow, dirt, pollen, frost and other debris quickly and smoothly at the push of a button!
The windshield wiper motor moves the windshield wiper arms across the windshield. The metal or hard plastic arms drag a thin rubber (or silicone) blade across the windshield to clear away water, giving you a better view of the road.
Over time, windshield wiper blades crack, tear and lose their flexibility and functionality. Everything from road grit to bird droppings to extreme temperatures to ultraviolet rays contributes to wipers’ breakdown.
So even if you hardly use them, wiper blades still need to be replaced at regular intervals.
How Long Do Windshield Wiper Blades Last?
At Virginia Tire & Auto, we recommend changing your wiper blades as part of your regular maintenance routine every six months to a year, depending on weather conditions and the material of the blades. (Silicone windshield wiper blades tend to last longer than rubber blades.)
The most common signs that you need new windshield wipers are:
- Squeaking or chattering sounds when in use
- Skipping motion in the wiper’s movement
- Streaking, smears or gaps of moisture on your windshield
- Reduced driving visibility, even with the wipers in motion
- Cracks, tear or missing pieces of the blade
If your windshield wipers aren’t replaced at the proper time, the blade could shred and break off of the wiper arm. When this happens, not only are the wipers ineffective, the bare metal or plastic wiper arm can damage the windshield as it scrapes across the glass.
(Don’t forget about the rear wiper! It needs to be replaced periodically as well.)
Using Your Windshield Wipers
Even if your windshield wipers are in great condition, they’re worthless if you don’t use them!
When using the windshield wipers, make sure that the windshield is completely wet with water or windshield wiper fluid before running the wipers. Wiping a dry windshield can cause chattering and/or squeaking.
Before driving in the rain, familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s wiper settings so that you aren’t distracted while driving. Figure out how to turn them on and off, change the speed settings, and spray windshield washer fluid on the glass. If you’re expecting snow or ice, pull the wipers up away from the windshield to prevent ice buildup on the wipers and to keep them from getting stuck to the windshield.
While wipers do a good job of wiping away fresh powder, running the wiper blades over frozen snow and ice can damage the blades. Be sure to melt or scrape away the ice before running the wipers.
How to Clean Windshield Wipers
One way to help your blades last longer and improve their performance is to clean them! Use clean rags and warm, soapy water to clean off the wipers. Then, wipe a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol across the edge of the blade to remove any remaining dirt and oil.
For the best wiper performance, wash your windshield regularly to remove dirt and grime. Not only will built-up grime damage the blades, but it will also smear across your windshield, hampering visibility.
You should also keep your windshield washer fluid topped off; it comes in handy when you need to wash off bugs, dirt or other debris as you drive.
Regular wiper blade replacements are an inexpensive investment in your driving safety. If you’re due for new wiper blades, ask a service advisor to install a pair during your next visit to Virginia Tire & Auto. Our wiper blade packages start at $20/pair—a small price to pay for peace of mind.