Car Maintenance Schedule: Windshield Wiper Replacement
Statistics show that most Americans replace their car’s windshield wipers about every two and a half years. However, auto repair shops recommend replacing wipers every six months to ensure clear vision and ultimately, safety, during even the most hazardous driving conditions.
Make sure your wipers are in the best possible condition for safe driving—keep the following in mind:
- Replace your windshield wipers every six months at your auto repair shop.
- Don’t wait to replace your wipers until bad weather strikes or your visibility is hindered. Eyestrain is damaging and can lead to worry and fatigue—adversely affecting your driving ability.
- Never use your windshield wipers as ice scrapers. Keep an ice scraper handy and in your car at all times. Using your windshield wipers to help remove ice and snow will damage and ruin your wipers.
When to Replace Your Windshield Wipers
When you notice cracks and discoloration on your wipers or their motion leaves a streaky residue, your wipers aren’t in optimal condition and should be replaced promptly. Schedule a car maintenance checkup at your local Christian Brothers Automotive to ensure that your windshield wipers and other car parts are routinely examined and replaced by a skilled auto mechanic.
Signs that you need new wiper blades:
- Ineffectiveness in rainy or snowy weather
- Marks or splotches on your windshield
- Noisy sounds while operating
- Splits, gouges, jagged edges or discolored rubber
- Imperfections in the wipe pattern
- Occasional sticking to the windshield
- Change in effectiveness after winter ends
Basic driving safety is centered on the driver’s ability to clearly see and navigate the road. When your vision is impaired by heavy rain or snowfall, your reaction time slows down significantly. Don’t wait to replace your windshield wipers until you’re caught in a dangerous situation.
How to Replace Your Own Windshield Wipers
Installing new windshield wipers is something you can do to dramatically improve the overall safety of your vehicle. You don't want to experience blurry spots when driving through a snowstorm.
To replace your wiper blades, just follow the steps below:
- Inspect your wipers: Are your wipers stalling or smearing? If so, you're in need of a new pair. Even if you haven't seen any major problems, you should still take a look at the rubber on your blades to find any wear and tear.
- Buy new blades: You have two basic options for finding the right size of windshield wipers. You can measure the length of blades you currently have on your vehicle or you can look it up online or in reference books found in most auto part stores. Once you've found the correct size(s), do a little research on sizes and prices to find the right one. You should be able to find a selection of windshield wipers that range in price from $5-$40.
- Remove the old blades: Start by parking your vehicle on a level surface and raising both arms away from the windshield. These arms are spring-loaded, so be careful. (It would be wise to place a towel over your windshield to protect it.) Press the stopper to unhook the blade at the joint where the arm and blade connect. In some cases, you will have another type of arm that requires you to first take out a pin with a screwdriver.
- Install the new blades: Your new blade should slide into the same position where the old blade was. Snap the hook in place or secure the pin to make sure the blade is secure. Repeat steps 3-4 for the second wiper and lay them both against your windshield.