WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR WIPER BLADES?

The general rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades every six to twelve months. But depending on where you live and how often you drive, you may need to replace them sooner. The frequency of windshield blade changes also varies depending on the type of blade on your car, A good way to keep track of your wiper blade replacement intervals is to get them checked every time you get an oil change!

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR WIPER BLADES NEED REPLACING?

A generalized decrease in road visibility is the first sign that your wiper blades need to be replaced. However, there are several other, less-blurry red flags to watch out for:

1. ROUGHED-UP RUBBER

Wiper blades utilize a rubber “squeegee” to swipe water, snow, and ice out of your line of sight. Over time, this rubber part can become loose, worn, cracked, or stiff — resulting in a less efficient swipe.

Visually inspect your wiper blades at least once a month, and get them replaced if you notice signs of wear such as cracks, tears, or rounded edges. Additionally, lift your wiper blades into “service position” (away from the windshield) and gently bend the rubber edges back and forth to make sure they are not splitting away from the frame. If you notice the rubber is detaching from the frame, get them replaced as soon as possible. Splitting rubber edges will always worsen over time, allowing the wipers’ metal components to scratch and damage the windshield.

2. CORRODED METAL

Though rust and corrosion of your windshield wipers’ arms and “joints” won’t immediately cause a decrease in visibility, it is a sign that their structural integrity is compromised! A corroded wiper blade frame is more likely to break off while you’re driving, leaving you blade-less or even causing an accident after hitting another vehicle or pedestrian. Check your wiper blade frames every few weeks.

3. SCREECHY CHATTERING

Do your windshield wipers sound like nails on a chalkboard? If so, there might be more to your problem than meets the ear! Screeching or chattering wiper blades can be a sign that the wiper arms or frames are bent.

4. STREAKY CLEAN

Does your windshield look more streaky than squeaky clean? There are several reasons why this can happen, and you can find the culprit using the following steps.

• Give your windshield a good old manual cleaning with some glass cleaner and a microfiber towel. Caked-up dirt, debris, and even car wax residue can prevent wiper blades from making even contact with the glass, resulting in a streaky clean.
• Check your wiper fluid levels. Pop the hood and find the wiper fluid reservoir (translucent tank with a windshield symbol), and check if the fluid levels reach the reservoir’s “full” mark. If the fluid levels don’t hit the mark or the reservoir is less than half full, get a wiper fluid top-off.
• Test the wiper blades! Activate your wiper blades to check if they leave streaks even after you’ve cleaned the windshield and topped off the wiper fluid. If so, your wiper blades may be too old or damaged to efficiently “press” against the windshield, resulting in a streaky clean that can only be fixed with new blades!