One of the most overlooked and underestimated safety features of a car is the windshield wipers. Most vehicle drivers and owners seem to ignore the necessity of replacing the windshield wipers. Windshield wiper blades are made of rubber and have a specific lifespan. Even if you don’t use the wipers regularly, the rubber has a limited lifespan and generally wears out in about six months. How do I replace my windshield wipers? Let’s see how to remove the windshield wipers and replace them with new ones. But before that, let’s get to know about windshield wipers.
Windshield wipers – everything you need to know
The windshield wiper is made up of two different parts. One is the control arm that moves the wipers with the power provided by the electric motor, and the other is the wiper blades that clean the windshield. The wiper blades have a piece of rubber pad on the windshield that is cleaned when the wipers move through the control arm. When you use wipers, rubber wear is mainly due to friction caused by dirt on the windshield. Over time, the rubber of the wiper blades can develop defects, making it impossible to clean the windshield completely, so the wiper blades need to be replaced.
Ways to replace windshield wipers: Types of windshield wipers
Windshield wipers may look the same on all cars, but they aren’t. Before we start replacing windshield wipers, let’s learn about the different types of windshield wipers. Depending on the shape of the blades, they can be broadly divided into three main categories.
Traditional windshield wipers
As the name suggests, this is the oldest windshield wiper that currently exists. These wipers have an all-metal or metal-plastic composite construction, a central bridge, and articulated wiper blades. Depending on the length of the wiper, the force from the wiper arm is distributed to the blade through four to eight pressure points. Because the force is distributed over multiple points, these wipers provide maximum cleaning efficiency. However, these tend to have a greater coefficient of air resistance and are not used in modern high-speed cars.
Flat windshield wipers
These windshield wipers were developed for Hyundai cars. They have a flat shape, which makes them aerodynamically efficient. Tensioned metal flexor sheets are used in these wipers to ensure that even force is applied to the wiper and evenly distributed throughout the cleaning area.
Hybrid windshield wipers
These wipers have two aspects, namely the force evenly distributed over the length of the wipers, and the flat design that makes these wipers aerodynamically efficient and noiseless at high speeds.
It is essential to note here that when you replace the windshield wiper blades, you need to get the wiper blades that are compatible with your car. If you already have a traditional blade, you can buy a flat or hybrid blade upward; But if you have a hybrid blade, you can’t replace it with a flat blade or a traditional blade.
Hazards of using worn windshield wipers
It is very important to install a new windshield wiper because if the wiper blades are not in good shape, it can cause you the following problems:
- Wipers can’t completely clean the windshield, which can obstruct your vision
- A worn wiper can cause the metal part of the wiper assembly to rub against the windshield and scratch it.
- Aging windshield wipers can “coat the glass with a layer of mud or ice,” leaving the driver completely blind.
- In the event of sudden rain, the driver of a car with worn wipers will be completely incapacitated and unable to move the car safely in traffic.
So, now that you know everything you need to know about windshield wipers, you might be wondering how to replace my windshield wipers. Let’s get down to business.
How to remove and replace windshield wipers
How do I replace my windshield wipers? Removing and installing windshield wipers is a very simple process that you can do at home. You’ll need to know the following to do this:
- How to tell if you need new wiper blades.
- Find out what kind of windshield wiper you need.
- How to remove the wiper blades.
- Install windshield wipers.
Prerequisites for replacing windshield wipers
Before you start the actual windshield wiper replacement process, there are a few things you need to be aware of to ensure that the replacement is correct.
Make sure your car needs new wipers
Consult the owner’s manual to find out when the windshield wipers need to be replaced. If you don’t or you think your wipers aren’t working properly, the FAQ section details the signs of wiper wear.
Measure the wipers
Each car has a different wiper. Measure your car’s wipers and replace them with wipers of the exact same size.
How to remove windshield wipers
Ways to Replace Windshield Wipers: The first thing you need to know is how to remove windshield wipers. Here’s how you can do it:
- Lift the wipers off the windshield and bring it in an upright position.
- Press down on the small tab at the bottom of the wiper arm and wiper blade junction.
- Slide the wiper down and the blade should come off immediately.
That’s how to remove the windshield wipers; Now let’s see how to install wipers on your car.
How to install wipers on a car
How do I replace my windshield wipers? The process of installing wiper blades on a car is as simple as removing them. Here’s how it works:
- Place the wiper blade under the same hook where you removed it.
- Press the new wiper blades into the hook until you hear a click, which means the wipers are secured in place.
- Gently place the blades on the windshield.
- Run the wipers to make sure they are working properly and don’t cross each other.
Precautions for windshield wiper blade replacement
Replacing the wipers on your car may seem like a very simple and straightforward process, and it actually is, but there are a few things you need to be aware of while proceeding.
- Make sure you’re using the type of wiper recommended by your car manufacturer.
- Inspect the wiper blades for any exposed pieces of plastic or metal that may scratch the windshield during operation.
- Measure your wipers accurately and get new wipers of the exact same size so they don’t get stuck on each other during operation.
- When putting the wipers back on the windshield, make sure you don’t let them fall freely, as this will cause the windshield to crack.
Frequently Asked Question: Ways to Replace Windshield Wipers
How often should I replace my windshield wipers?
Unlike transmission and engine oils, there are no hard and fast rules about how often you should replace your windshield wipers. It mostly depends on your usage. However, since there is no equipment in the car that can tell how many wipers you are actually using, the best practice is to look up the recommended frequency of use in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
How do you know when to replace your windshield wipers?
There are many signs that you need to replace your windshield wipers. Some of them are as follows:
- The wipers squeak when in use.
- Wipers do not clean the windshield completely.
- The wipers leave water or mud stains on the windshield.
- The wipers move slowly due to friction with the windshield.
Which windshield wiper is best for me?
It depends on the car you have. As a rule of thumb, you can upgrade from an old windshield wiper to a newer and premium type of windshield wiper, but you can’t downgrade from a hybrid wiper to a traditional or flat wiper.
Do I have to replace the windshield wipers even if I don’t use them?
Yes. Even if you don’t use the wiper blades often, you need to replace them. This is because the rubber used to make the wiper blades reacts with oxygen and other agents in the atmosphere and breaks down. Wiper blades have a lifespan, after which they will no longer be effective and must be replaced.
Can replacing windshield wipers be done as a DIY task?
Yes. As we explained the process above, replacing the windshield wipers is a simple task that does not require any special tools. You can easily change the wiper blades yourself.
How much does a new windshield wiper blade cost?
For most cars, windshield wipers are probably the cheapest replacement parts. For a car produced on a daily basis, windshield wipers cost between $12 and $16 per pair, plus labor; If you do it as a DIY project, you only need to pay for the wipers.
