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When Should You Change Your Windshield Wipers

 

Wiper blades are a vital part of the car, as, without considerable visibility, you can’t drive your vehicle properly, and the chances of accidents are there. It’s imperative to take care of the wiper blades as well from time to time. Every six months to the one-year maximum, or whenever you notice a change in driving vision, you should replace the car’s wiper blades. When wiper blades get damaged due to environmental factors and no longer can make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can start to squeak, smear, chatter, skip, or streak, lowering the visibility in driving the car.

The fundamental question that strikes the mind and is quite overlooked is replacing the car’s wiper blades. That is why wiper blades are the least cared of maintenance item during regular checkups. Most people wait until their wiper blades get damaged before they end up purchasing a stand-in pair. 

Several Reasons Are There Which Causes Wiper Blades To Deteriorate

Sun: ozone depletion and ultraviolet rays

Oil: Car polishes and exhaust hold rubber eroding oil

Airborne debris: Mud, sand, and dust transmitted in the wind.

Moisture: Saltwater and acid rain, especially in moist air both near the seaside and inland.

Make sure to get the wiper blades checked every six months and changed at least yearly once. Analyze both the rubber squeeze and the metal frames to prevent problems.

 How Often Should You Change Your Wiper Blades? 

Does it depend on the blade material or the weather conditions? Let’s look at all the factors that indicate precisely when you should be replacing your wiper blades.

Some Issues With Wiper Blades

Streaking happens as the rubber squeegee dries, breaks, and hardens. This can happen due to tree sap, road tar, and several other external elements accumulated on either blade or the glass. Skippingoccurss when the blade expands a curve from the scarcity of use, for example, left in the parked position for an extensive period. Splitting happens when the sun’s ultraviolet rays infiltrate the rubber squeegee, inducing it to break down and disconnect from the frame. Wearing happens due to extensive use and is when the rubber brims are rounded instead of squared. These are some of the issues that can happen with wiper blades, and that’s when you look to change them.

What Do The Manufacturers Say About This? 

Well, as per them, it’s pretty straightforward: you should replace your wiper blades as soon as the early signs of wear and tear surface that include:

  • Broken frame
  • Broken wiper arm, frame at joints or where the point where the blade is attached. 
  • Metal corrosion
  • Wore out rubber of the blade or a part of it missing, cracks or tears. 
  • An old rubber blade will make screaming sounds while cleaning; it may not be as firm as it should be to draw out water. 
  • Look for the rubber edges; make sure it’s not rounded as it will prevent contact with the floor. 
  • Make sure the blade is securely attached to the wiper rod. 

While most manufacturers suggest changing wiper blades within 6 months to 1 year, you should also consider how often you use it and on what surface. You may need to change frequently if you live in a snowy place. The sun rays also deteriorate the quality of the blade. So if your car is parked outside, it may wear out sooner.

Conclusion 

Exactly how frequently you should change the car’s wiper blades entirely depends upon the climate you have been living in. Depending on the quality or type, you can observe for a little longer but check for signs of wear and tear regularly. Efficient wiper blades are essential to a car’s safe driving as clean oil and good tires. Hence remember to change the wiper blades annually to enjoy the driving.