Your car’s windshield wipers are one of its most important safety features. Without them, even a slight drizzle would make it nearly impossible to see the road and other drivers. Unfortunately, many people don’t take proper care of their windshield wipers, putting them and others in danger.
You can make driving safer by learning these four signs that it’s time to replace your windshield wipers.
You Get Streaks on Your Windshield
A good pair of windshield wipers will clear rain, snow, and dirt easily. As the wipers start to age, though, they can’t do the job as well. If you see a lot of streaks when you use your wipers, then it’s probably time to replace them.
It’s a good idea to replace your wipers shortly after you see the first streaks. The longer you wait, the worst those streaks will get. Eventually, your wipers won’t actually remove much water and debris from the windshield. Instead, they’ll create a smeared mess that makes it even more challenging for you to see the road.
The Windshield Wipers are Noisy
New windshield wipers can clear glass without making much noise. As the rubber starts to degrade, though, small cracks will appear. You might not be able to see these cracks, but they are there. Eventually, they become large enough that they cause the wiper to shake as it glides across the glass.
Check your windshield wipers about once a month to see if they make much noise. While parked with the engine off, spray some liquid on the windshield and activate the wipers. You will also want to make sure you have the stereo off. If you hear anything more than a slight squeak, then your wipers are starting to experience damage that will make them less effective. The noisier they are, the sooner you need to replace them.
The Rubber is Torn or Damaged
If your windshield wipers are old enough, then you can usually identify the damage just by looking at them. Any torn rubber means that it is time to replace them.
You should also look at the wiper’s metal arm. If it is bent, you need to replace it immediately. A bent arm will not allow the wiper to clean your windshield evenly. Instead, it will leave dirty or wet spots that make it difficult for you to see the road.
The Rubber is Coming Off
While looking at your windshield wipers, you will want to investigate the place where the rubber attaches to the metal arm. In some cases the rubber is still intact, but the adhesive that connects it to the metal arm no longer works.
Eventually, this will cause the rubber to disconnect from the arm completely. At that point, your windshield wiper is extremely dangerous, and you should not drive until you replace it.
If the rubber is coming off, you might also notice a slapping sound when you turn the wipers on. The sound is especially noticeable when the arms are moving quickly. If you think you hear the wipers slapping, then give them a visual inspection as soon as possible.
Tips to Make Your Windshield Wipers Work Better
Your windshield wipers will inevitably age, but there are some things you can do to keep them in good condition. Ways you can help your windshield wipers work better include:
- Keeping the windshield washer reservoir full
- Removing debris (leaves, dirt, seed pods, etc.) that come in contact with your wipers
- Cleaning the wipers once a month with diluted alcohol
- Not parking in direct sunlight
- Defrosting your windshield to remove snow and ice before turning the wipers on
No matter how much care you give your windshield wipers, though, they will eventually degrade and need replacing.
How Long Can I Expect Windshield Wipers to Last?
Most windshield wipers last between nine months and a year. If it has been more than a year since you changed your windshield wipers, then you are definitely due for a new pair.
Keep in mind, however, that several factors can affect how long your wipers last, including:
- Your area’s weather
- Quality of the wipers’ materials
- How often you use the wipers
- Whether you keep the wipers clean
This makes it important for you to focus on how well your windshield wipers perform instead of how long you have had them. Even if they are just a few months old, you will need to replace wipers that do not work well enough to let you see the road clearly.
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