Windshield wiper manufacturers often recommend that wiper blades be replaced every six months to a year. However, wipers can last longer than that. It depends on where you live and the blade quality. If you take your car in for service regularly, your mechanic will likely inspect your blades every time to keep track. Otherwise, you might consider replacing your wipers every fall as the weather turns rainy.
Symptoms of Worn Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers work as miniature squeegees to push water smoothly off your window. If they aren't doing that effectively, then they might need to be replaced. There are several signs of bad windshield wipers, including the following:
- Squeaking or scraping noises
- Vibration or chattering
- Excessive streaking
- Wet spots
Squeaking and scraping are probably some of the most common signs of bad wipers. This happens when the wipers don't glide smoothly over your wet window. It usually means that the rubber or silicone wiper parts are damaged or worn. Sometimes you might hear squeaking or scraping when you first use your wipers after a long dry period. If this goes away as they get wet, then they're probably fine.
If your wipers vibrate or chatter as they move across your windshield, then it probably means you have gaps in the blade that are moving faster than the parts that have contact with your windshield.
Streaking and wet spots are the results of tears or missing parts of the wiper blade. As your wiper moves across your windshield, the missing parts are not able to wipe away moisture. It's essentially like only having part of a wiper.
What If You Don't Change Your Blades?
If you live in a warm place and rarely use your wipers or you apply a water repellent chemical to your glass, you may not use your wipers often. However, even if they're not used, the blades continue to break down due to outside conditions. If you need your wipers in an emergency such as heavy rain or snow, they might not be effective. Further, if they break down to the point where there's nothing but metal, they can scratch your glass and cause serious damage.
What Affects How Long Windshield Wipers Last?
The main factors affecting how long your wipers last are usage, the outdoor environment and where you store your car. If you use your wipers a lot, then they will need to be replaced more often. Each wiper pass causes them to break down a little bit more. Where you live is also a factor. Even if it doesn't rain, heat and lack of moisture can cause cracking and brittle blades that break down quickly. If your car sits outside most of the time, the blades can also be affected by the sun's UV rays.
How To Make Your Wipers Last Longer
There are a few things you can do to maintain your wipers and help them last as long as possible. If they're prone to drying out, you can clean them with rubbing alcohol. If you wash your car often, make sure to clean any gunk or debris from your wipers at the same time. Make sure that your windshield is fully wet before using your wipers. If it's only slightly misting and you haven't used your wipers in a while, apply windshield cleaning fluid before starting them up.
If you have bird droppings or other hard debris on your windshield, consider removing them with a sponge or squeegee instead of your wipers. Frozen snow and ice can also damage your wipers. Use an ice scraper to remove the majority of the ice coating your glass and then apply windshield cleaner before using your wipers.
How To Replace Wipers
Replacing a wiper blade is one of the easier DIY jobs on a car. Check your manual for what type of blades you need and then follow the instructions.