How often should I change my wiper blades?
A.
It depends where you live, what kind of weather and operating
conditions the wiper blades are exposed to and how often they are used.
Most
wiper blades are made of some type of synthetic rubber. Some even have
a natural rubber wiping edge. Rubber is used because it is soft and
flexible, and produces a clean, smooth wipe for good wet weather
visibility. But rubber can lose its elasticity and become hard and
brittle as it ages.
Environmental factors such as air pollution
(namely ozone, which oxidizes rubber), direct exposure to sunlight
(ultraviolet light) and extreme temperatures (hot or cold) accelerate
the aging process. Some windshield washer solvents and water-repelling
glass treatments can also be harsh on the wiper element.
The wiping
edge can also become rough and worn over time if the wipers are used
frequently to remove dirt, gravel dust or road grime from the
windshield. Abrasives of any type on the glass (including ice)
accelerate wiper wear. Wipers that use a higher-quality rubber or
slightly harder rubber will usually outlast wipers that use a cheaper
grade of rubber.
How long the wipers last before they start to
streak and chatter will depend on all of these factors, and can vary
greatly from one vehicle to another. A vehicle that spends most of its
time outdoors in direct sunlight in a hot climate like Arizona or
Florida will need new wipers much more frequently than a vehicle that
is parked indoors in a milder climate.
If the wipers are streaking or chattering or have cracks or tears in the blade, they need to be replaced now.
If
the blades are still wiping reasonably well but are more than two years
old, they should probably be replaced to restore like-new performance.
In
hot climates, or extremely wet climates where the blades are used
frequently, yearly replacement is often necessary to maintain good
driving visibility.
Q. What kind of replacement blades should I use?
A.
It depends on what kind of wiping performance and longevity you want
from a set of replacement blades and how much you are willing to spend.
Frameless,
bracketless or beam style blades are all the rage today. Many late
model vehicles come factory-equipped with these blades because they
have a number of advantages over a traditional frame-style blade. The
newer-style blades have an internal spring and flexible beam that
provides lateral support while also allowing the blade to follow the
curvature of the windshield. This provides even pressure across the
entire length of the blade for better wiping action and less streaking.
Eliminating the frame and its exposed hinge points also means the new
style wipers won’t clog with ice or snow in the winter. The blades also
have better aerodynamics thanks to a built-in airfoil that reduces wind
lift at highway speeds.
Most of the bracketless or beam-style
blades are made with premium synthetic materials that are more
resistant to sunlight, ozone and wear. However, premium and
ultra-premium blades can cost more than twice as much as traditional
wiper blades (you get what you pay for).
Regardless of what type of
replacement blades a customer chooses, they should be the same length
as the original blades. Don’t forget the rear wipers on vehicles with
hatchbacks and liftgates. Rear visibility during wet weather is also
important, especially when backing up.