Windshield Wiper Replacement and Maintenance
They may not seem like a critical part of your vehicle, but good windshield wipers are a key safety feature. Wiper blades deteriorate over time due to many environmental factors such as sun, moisture, oil from cleaners and waxes, airborne dirt, and other debris. Poor wiper blades cause poor visibility in precarious weather, leading to dangerous driving conditions. Here are a few things you can do to keep your wipers in good shape:
1) Clean your windshield every time you fill your gas tank. You can also apply a windshield treatment every few months to help repel water if you want.
2) When you clean them, just gently wipe the rubber squeegee with a damp paper towel to remove any loose dirt or oil. From time to time, you should also give them a good wash and dry with glass cleaner and a towel.
3) While cleaning, visually inspect them for wear and run your finger along the rubber to find any damage. You should look for:
- Broken frames (detachment of frame arms at joints or connection points_
- Metal corrosion, especially at joints and claws
- Visible cracks, tears, and missing pieces in the rubber squeegee’s edge
- Flexibility. You can gently bend the rubber squeegee back and forth to see if it is still flexible. Aged squeegees will have difficulty conforming to the shape of your windshield and create streaks.
- Rounding on the wiping edge can prevent the wiper blade from making strong contact with the windshield and reduces wipe quality.
- Secure installment. Tug to ensure wiper blade has been securely installed on the wiper arm. You should also check that squeegee is secure in the wiper frame.
