How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blades
By Marc Howe on Jun 19, 2010 with Comments 1
Auto maintenance is not only the name of replacing major parts of the vehicle. There are many minor parts which you have to keep in mind for your safety. Windshield wiper blades are one of them. They help you to clean your windshield during rain or snow or even to remove dust, dirt, insects or other such matters. With the passage of time, the blades become damage and the soft material hardens causing scratches on the windshield. In that case your wiper blades become ineffective and need an immediate replacement.
Right Time to Change the Wiper blades
In modern vehicles the wiper blades are made from synthetic rubber whereas the wiper blades of old cars have blades which are made from rubber strips. These wiper blades at times harden; crack and worn out due to bad weather conditions and moisture. There are few conditions which are the sign that your wiper blades need a replacement.
- If you hear scratching sounds when you turn on the wiper mechanism.
- When you feel that the wiper blade is not cleaning the windshield properly and leaving behind the dirt and water droplets on it.
- When you find that the wiper strip as too much soft or hard, or there are signs of wear and tear on it.
Buying Windshield Wiper Blades
It is important to buy the best suitable wiper blades for your vehicle. If you have an old car, you can take help from owner’s manuals. These manuals contain all the important information about the specifications of different parts. Note down all the specifications about the wiper blade and get one for you accordingly.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts: OEM parts are usually available for all the new models of automobiles and you should always buy the OEM parts for better performance of your vehicle and parts.
Aftermarket parts: Aftermarket parts are usually useful for old model cars. Because there are many old models and makes whose original parts are not available in the market.
Instructions
It is sometimes quite a risky task to replace the windshield wiper blades. There is always a risk of damaging your windshield or wiper mechanism. These risks are always attached to people who are changing or replacing the windshield wiper blade for the first time. Otherwise no one is better than experts. Here are given some of the instructions which will help you to replace your windshield wiper blades quite easily.
- Always choose the specified wiper blades for your vehicle.
- Replacement kits usually come with four types of tabs. You have to inspect the old tab first and have to choose the new tab from the package accordingly.
- Raise the wiper carefully until it is at a 90 degree angle to the windshield.
- Take a screwdriver and press the tab with it. This will help you to detach the wiper blade from wiper arm.
- Grip the wiper blade from the tab and draw it away from the wiper arm. You need to be careful while pulling the wiper blade away, do not bend the wiper arm or apply too much force that breaks the base of the wiper arm.
- Once the old wiper blade has removed, take a new wiper blade and fix it on the wiper arm properly.
- Lower down the wiper mechanism to its specific place watchfully.
- Once everything is done, test the wiper blades. If you find them slipping, adjust wiper blade on wiper arm.
New wipers definitely gives you better results and you can replace the worn out or damage wiper blades at home by keeping few things in mind. Clean windshield means a better security for you and your passengers.
Filed Under: Guides/DIY
Its a fact that most people leave items such as tires, fluids, wiper-blades, brake pads and bulb changes to the last minute, which is a seriously dangerous but quite common issue. Basically, until we see things not performing or something fails entirely, most of us hardly give these items any thought at all.
However, lately there has been a bit of a change in the composition of certain windshield wiper blades, all supported by a variety of different tests in just about every type of driving condition.
While the various new wiper blades coming to market are getting a little more technically intelligent I still have a problem with the thought of paying quite so much for this new technology at all.
Even up until this day, suppliers seem to expect drivers to simply accept that once wiperblades show any signs of wear by smearing, juddering or squeaking, we should simply toss them out and buy a new set.
Have you noticed that no wiper blade suppliers provide instructions on how to make them last longer? How to prevent adhesion to frosty windscreens? How to soften them if they get brittle? Are there any parts that can be recycled?
Are the suppliers trying to make them last or help the ecology? Of course not. They want you to spend and spend often.
It’s time manufacturers started to lift their game and try to help we buyers get more from our purchases.
Recently I came across a small tool that can entirely RESTORE the working surface of most wiper blades by producing a fresh clean edge when needed. Great emergency item to have in the car for sure.
It’s an efficient little tool that works wet or dry, doesn’t rust, has no moving parts and can repair blades in less than 60 seconds.
Best of all, you could easily get around 6 times the normal life expectancy from your wiper blades before buying a new set, which to me means wiper blades effectively only cost about $2.00 per year.
Now THIS is called being Green and helping our planet. By all means buy and fit the new silicon wipers…BUT then make sure you can get 5 or 6 uses from them before dumping the remnants. This will REALLY do some good to the environment, your wallet and your vision.