While windshield wipers may appear to be a small component of your vehicle, they have a big impact on your driving and overall safety. They eliminate rainwater, snow, dirt, dust, fog, and other debris swiftly and effectively from your windshield. They are quite versatile!
Not only do they keep the front and rear windshields clear of snow and rain, but they also help towards passenger safety by preventing passengers from becoming trapped. However, the vast majority of people are utterly uninformed of the critical nature of this component’s maintenance. They simply neglect this aspect and end up with disastrous consequences.
But we don’t want you to be doing the same. Know that your windshield wipers are essential, and it’s crucial to have them in the best condition at all times.
Why Should You Replace Your Wiper Blades on a Regular Basis?
When it comes to wear and tear, wiper blades are no different from the rest of your car’s components. The rubber blades of the windshield wiper can suffer wear and tear over time, resulting in decreased performance. Know that as your automobile ages, this component degrades, creating a severe concern for the driver. The driver may experience an issue with vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, leading to an accident or scratching the windshield in the worst-case situation.
When your windshield wipers become older or worn out, they begin to squeak, signaling that it is time to replace the blades.
The most obvious sign that your wiper blades need to be replaced is smearing on your windshield, which reduces vision and puts you and other passengers in danger while driving.
Damage to your windshield can occur if you see further signs such as cracks in the rubber, a twisted metal frame, or scratches on the windshield. As a result, replacing your wiper blades becomes necessary after a certain point.
Usually, car wipers should be replaced every six to twelve months. It’s important to check on the state of your automobile wipers to make sure they’re working properly.
How to Check Windshield Wiper Blades of your car?
Checking your car’s wiper blades may appear tiresome, but trust it is not! You’ll be pleased to learn that checking the wiper blades on your car is quite simple. Thus, this is how to inspect your car’s wiper blades:
All you need to do is walk up to the windscreen, lift up the wiper, and inspect the condition of the rubber that stays in touch with the windshield glass beneath the wiper.
1. The earliest signs of degeneration are cracks. Cracks in rubber typically form as a result of the natural aging process.
2. Another indicator of a worn-out wiper is the rubber compound’s inflexibility.
Even if there are no obvious signs of deterioration, it is essential that you examine their status every six months to keep an eye on their overall wellbeing. This will help you avoid any damage to your windshield in the long run.
How to Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades?
If you do not change your windshield wiper blades on time, it might be too late and you may need car glass replacement thereafter.
Changing your windshield wiper is a breeze! It does not necessitate the use of a toolbox. You don’t even need to take your vehicle to a mechanic for such a trivial task.
The best thing about changing the windshield wiper is that it takes only a few minutes to do it. All you have to do is to follow the procedure below:
Step 1: Check your wiper
First and foremost, before you change the windshield wiper blades, you must check your windshield wipers. There are three parts to your car wiper; namely,
- The lower wiper arm. It extends from the base.
- The tip. It is made up of a metal blade that is attached to the lower arm.
- The rubber. It is used to clean the windshields.
To determine which part has gone bad, you’ll need to check all three parts in the windshield wipers.
Step 2: Purchase a new set of windshield wiper blades
Once you have checked the state of your wipers, it’s time to buy a new set of blades. Make sure you buy the right set of blades matching the model and make of the vehicle. Know that the model and variant of the vehicle will significantly impact the cost of the wipers.
The Cost of Wiper Blades might range anywhere between INR 500 and 3000, depending on your car’s brand, model, and variant.
So, if you’re not sure which blades to buy, it’s advised to talk to a technician or an expert, such as Windshield Store, to get detailed information. Our team of experts can even help you choose the right blades.
Step 3: Change the windshield wipers
Replacing the wiper blades is pretty straightforward; here is what you shall do:
- Raise the wiper arm. Be careful while you raise the wiper arm as there is a spring assembly present within it, and if it snaps back, it could cause damage to the windshield of your car.
- Now, locate the point at which the arm meets the blade. Disengage the small plastic button that is holding it in place so that it may be separated from the rest of the assembly by pulling it apart.
- Then, insert the replacement wiper blade into the wiper arm until a click sound is heard, indicating that the blade has been correctly slotted in.
- Then, lower the wiper arm back to its original position where it contacts the windscreen.
That’s all! Your one wiper blade is changed, now repeat the same procedure for another blade, and you’re done!