Four Windshield Wiper Care Tips for Your Vehicles

Dec 15, 2016

Four Windshield Wiper Care Tips for Your Vehicles When the rain starts coming down and you’re on the road, your first instinct is probably to turn on the windshield wipers. Without these useful components on your vehicle, you’d find that visibility out the front window is drastically worse. It’s nearly impossible to see the lines on the road, let alone stay within them. So it’s no secret that windshield wipers are important for safety when driving, but what many drivers forget is that the wipers need regular maintenance.

Avoid Using Them for Snow and Ice

After a big snowstorm or a freezing overnight temperature, you may get to your car, only to find that it’s covered in a pile of snow or has a thick sheet of ice on the glass. It’s tempting to turn on the windshield wipers to clear the snow or break up the ice, but this can cause damage to the wiper blades. These blades, made of thin rubber, aren’t meant for clearing anything other than water from the windshield.

Instead of trying to save time by using the wipers, keep an ice scraper and brush in your car to remove the effects of winter weather from the exterior.

Replace Them Often

You might feel frustrated by how regularly you have to replace your wiper blades, but a new pair helps keep your windshield clear, resulting in better visibility. Some of the higher-end options might last a little longer than the cheapest set at your nearest auto parts store, but even expensive wiper blades need replacing at least once every few months. You can help extend the lifespan by gently washing them with glass cleaner and a soft towel, especially following a big storm when dirt, leaves, and other debris might build up beneath them.

Prevent Freezing

The rubber on the blades is likely to freeze to your windshield on a cold winter night. This causes damage to the material, often leading to cracking and splitting, and that causes the blades to leave streaks behind when you try to clear away water.

There are a couple of ways to prevent the blades from sticking to the glass. You can keep a pair of socks in your glove box and stick them over the wiper blades before you go inside for the night, or you can put the windshield wiper arms up to keep the rubber away from the glass. Both options help extend the life of your windshield wiper blades.

Check the Spring Tension

When thinking of proper care for windshield wipers, most drivers simply think of the blades. But the spring-mounted arm that holds the blade in place and allows the wipers to move freely across the windshield is also an important part of the system. Check the arm at least once every month or so to make sure it’s still in good shape. It should have a tight tension that keeps it firmly in place but allows for movement when you engage the wipers.

Windshield wipers are crucial for safety, so follow these tips to keep them in good condition for better visibility in all types of weather.

Image from Pixabay licensed under CC BY 2.0