Windshield Wiper Blades: A Clearer Windshield May Save You From Running Into Things

Excellent visibility is vital when motoring, so good quality, well-maintained windshield wiper blades are a must for the safety of you and your loved ones.

Although a vehicle’s engine, tires, bodywork and other features often receive plenty of attention, windshield wiper blades can often be ignored with disastrous consequences. Safe driving is based on full visibility and bad weather, insects and dirt can all hamper our vision. Old windshield wiper blades simply do not work well enough for safe motoring.

Most windshield 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 factors contribute to their deterioration. Even if they are used infrequently, wiper blades need to be replaced frequently.

Wiper blades should be replaced every twice a year or every six thousand. Not doing so is placing you at a serious risk. The least expensive option is to just change the squeegees – the rubber sections which actually wipe your windshield. A pair should only set you back a few dollars, though you may have to cut the squeegee to fit your exact kind of wiper blade.

Otherwise you could replace the whole windshield wiper blade. This is the entire windshield wiper which includes the metal frame and the squeegee. This is a little more expensive but should be changed at least every couple of years. The metal frame must have a certain amount of tension to ensure the rubber keeps good contact with your windshield.

While they are a comparatively small vehicle part, it is important to purchase quality wiper blades. Varying sizes, slopes and shapes of windscreens can all influence the type of windshield wiper blades you require and some types need more tension than others. In addition, the arm should have a number of ‘claws’ which ensure the blade makes firm contact with the windshield.

The squeegees are usually made from rubber. More costly squeegees will use softer rubber against the windshield, with tougher rubber at the back for increased support and durability. As mentioned, in the interest safe motoring, it is worth spending those extra few dollars on high quality.

Since your windshield wiper blades are replaced twice a year, this will probably coincide with your car’s service schedule. However, if you like to maintain your own vehicle or want to save some money, windshield wiper replacement is a relatively easy task.

To check the condition of your wiper blades just pull the arm back from the windshield and look closely at the rubber edge. It should be perfectly straight, and there should be no distortions or weak 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.