When to Change Your Windshield Wipers

When driving, we all rely on our windshield wipers. However, we don’t usually pay much attention to them until they stop working or keep making annoying squeaking sounds. There is a way to avoid the inconvenience and hazard of a poorly function wiper blade. While we tend to avoid it, keeping your windshield clean is as simple as purchasing new blades every 6 months to a year. Changing the blades is easy to do and most shops that sell the blades are happy to install them for you.

Even though they are relatively inexpensive, you may not want to spend the additional cost to swap your windshield wiper blades out for a new pair once or twice a year. If you don’t want to go on a replacement schedule, there are clear signs it’s time to replace your car’s windshield wipers. We’re all familiar with the skipping, streaking, splitting, and squeaking that results from use, but those aren’t the only signs your wipers are on their way out.

For those who want to be proactive and check your blades before you’re in the middle of a torrential downpour wondering why your window isn’t getting clear, examine your blades. Check for a broken frame, any visible damage or change in shape to the rubber part, how secure the wiper blade is, and if the rubber is still flexible. Keep in mind, that even when not in use, your windshield wipers are still exposed to extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. Summer heat can dry them out. Winter cold can make the blades brittle. This means you may not use your wipers all that often and still need to replace them.

Windshield wipers aren’t expensive or hard to replace. Many places will install them for free the day of purchase, so there’s really no reason to wait until your windshield wipers stop doing their job. You won’t be sorry you replaced them, but you will regret it if you get caught in a position where you need the wipers and they don’t work.