Q: When is it time to change your wiper blades?
It is generally recommended to change wiper blades every 6 months. Check your owners manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle.
Q: What are the warning signs that a blade is worn out?
The most common warning signs signaling time for replacement include dry, cracked or split rubber or damage to the wiper arm assembly (e.g. bent or broken metal) which can result in streaking, chatter or scratching of the windshield.
Q: What is chattering?
When blades skip and vibrate, display a choppy wiping action or smear water, this is called chattering, and can be caused by extreme hot or cold temperatures or extended periods of non-use.
Q: What may cause the wiper blade to streak?
When wiper blades streak instead of fully clearing the windshield, it can be a sign that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, tree sap, road tar, and automotive chemicals like oil, brake fluid, coolant, and road grit has caused the rubber to harden or crack.
Q: What may cause the wiper blades to squeak?
As blades age, old or worn rubber will not move quietly across the windshield; squeaky blades are another sign it is time for replacement.
Q: What may cause the blades to smear water instead of cleaning the windshield?
When the blades smear water instead of clearing, causing cloudy and impaired visibility, this is often caused by blade edges that have worn and are no longer sharp.
Q: What are some other signs a wiper blade is not operating correctly?
Another sign might be when the blade has lost contact with the windshield due to damage to the wiper arm assembly itself. This can be caused by automatic car washes and aggressive removal of snow and ice.
Q: What conditions may tend to shorten blade life?
Rubber is the most important part of a wiper blade and the sun’s ultraviolet rays, automatic car washes and extended periods of non-use can all take their toll on blade life. Lifting up the wiper blade when parked in the sun helps extend the life of the wipers. I know it sounds strange, but it really does, when it is a hot sunny day out, removing the rubber wipers from the sizzling hot windshield prevents the rubber from losing its qualities slowly over time.
Q: How to find the appropriate size wiper blade for vehicles?
To find the correct wiper blade size(s) for vehicle(s), it is recommended to consult the owners manual, or vehicles part finder for the correct part numbers for your vehicle. Retail store personnel are generally happy to help you with locating the correct wiper blades.
