by Jim Samposzi
Clear visibility is indispensable when driving so good, well-maintained windshield wiper blades are a must for your and your family’s safety.
Though a car’s motor, tires, bodywork and other features often receive plenty of attention, wiper blades can often be ignored at our peril. Good motoring depends on good visibility and rain, snow, insects and dirt all work to decrease the quality of our vision. Worn wiper blades simply do not clear our windshields of debris.
In general, wiper blades are made from rubber and therefore are prone to wear and tear. The sun, freezing conditions, dust, time, oil and a lot of other forces contribute to their deterioration. Even if they are not used often, windshield wiper blades must be replaced frequently.
Windshield wiper blades must be replaced every twice a year or every six thousand. Failure to do so puts you at a serious risk. The most economical option is to only change the squeegees – the rubber sections which actually clean your windshield. A pair should only set you back a few dollars, but you might need to cut the squeegee to fit your exact type of wiper blade.
Alternatively you can replace the whole windshield wiper blade. This is the complete windshield wiper which includes the metal arm as well as the squeegee. These are a bit costlier but should be done at least every couple of years. The metal arm needs good tension to ensure the rubber makes good contact with your windshield.
Although they are a relatively small car part, it is essential to fit quality windshield wiper blades. Different sizes, slopes and shapes of windshields can all dictate the kind of wiper blades you require and some models require more tension than others. Also, the frame should have a number of ‘claws’ that ensure the rubber is pressed firmly against the windscreen.
The squeegees are normally made out of rubber. More expensive squeegees often have softer rubber against the windshield, with tougher rubber at the back for increased support and durability. Again, in the interest safe motoring, it is worth spending that little bit extra on decent quality.
Considering your wiper blades are replaced twice a year, this should coincide with your vehicle’s service schedule. On the other hand, if you like to service your own car or want to save some money, windshield wiper replacement is a fairly easy task.
To examine the condition of your wiper blades just pull the blade back from the windscreen and closely examine the rubber edge. It needs to be perfectly straight, without any distortions or brittle areas.
Jim is a columnist with more than 15 years of writing experience. Jim is currently engaged as a reporter with our b2b site and has become the resident authority on automotive products. Visit our useful website for more information on Windscreen Wipers and Wiper Blade.
