How to Check and Replace Car Wipers?

News Highlights

• Most of the car wiper blades have a lifeline of six months to a year.
• The wiper blades crack or lose flexibility on being exposed to extreme weather conditions.
• Wiper blades require replacement more often when the car is not parked in the garage.

The windshield wipers are a small part of your car but in extreme driving conditions, you get to know what impact they have on your driving performance. Wiper blades basically increase your visibility while driving during rain or storm. They can be your savior in a tight spot. We generally do not pay heed to the need of taking care of such small components. Also, the older the car gets, this component tends to degrade. In most cases, the blades crack or lose their flexibility on being exposed to prolonged hot and cold temperatures. If we talk about the lifeline of the windshield wiper blades, they only last for six months to a year. So it is essential to replace the old wiper blades when required. 

Parts of the windshield wiper:

The Base

The Arm

The Blade

The arm extends from the base of the wiper. It is further attached to a motor under the hood. When the wipers are turned on, the arm pivots from side to side. A removable and flexible metal blade is clipped to the arm. Furthermore, the blade has a slot in it that holds a rubber wiper that effectively cleans the windscreen of the vehicle. 

Here we have listed the steps to check and replace the wipers in your vehicle.

Step 1: Inspect the blades to see whether they need changing

The first most important step is to inspect the blades to determine if they need changing or not. In order to do this, you need to lift the arm of the wiper carefully and bring it to an upright position. Now hold the wiper firmly so that it does not spring back to its original position on the glass or else it will damage the windscreen. This way you will be able to figure out if there is any damage on the blade or not. 

Step 2: Lift or push the pin with your finger or small screwdriver

The next step is to figure out where the arm meets the blade. Now unlock the small plastic button that holds it in place by lifting or pushing the pin with the help of your finger, key, or a small screwdriver. This way you can easily separate it from the rest of the assembly. Now remove the old blade.

Step 3: Install the new blade

Once the old blade has been removed, take the new wiper blade. Measure the length of the blade or check your manual to find out the correct blade size. Now push the blade into the slot on the arm. While doing this, you should be able to hear a click that further confirms that the blade has been slotted in properly. If there is a clip on the new blade, then just lock it. Post this put the blade back in its original position on the windscreen. 

Step 4: Test the new wiper blades

Now repeat the same process with the second wiper blade. Once both wiper blades have been changed, you will have to perform the final step. You will need to test the new wiper blades. For that, just run the wipers a few times and observe their movement. If you feel they are working in a proper and smooth manner, then your job is done. Also, to make sure that your new wipers last long, keep the windshield glass as much clean as possible. 

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