Wipers: operation, maintenance and price

Wipers are familiar to all motorists. They are mainly used to clean the windshield in rainy weather to improve visibility on the road. But do you really know all about windshield wipers? We explain in detail how they work, their maintenance and the cost of changing them!

🚗 How does a janitor work?

. wipers are the part of your car that sits on the windshield. Windshield wipers are designed to remove rain and splash from your windshield and thus increase your field of vision so you can drive in complete safety. If your wipers are faulty, do not delay replacing them because you are putting yourself in danger.

The wiper consists of several parts: movable arm attached to the windshield, metal blade carry arm и broom which is actually the part of the wiper that is in contact with the glass.

The wiper and washer controls are located on the right side of the steering column. The end of the lever is used to select the speed of the wipers.

• Turning the joystick up clockwise will shorten the scan interval.
• Decreasing it will increase the scan interval.
• To turn on the wipers at low speed, turn the tip of the multi-function lever to the first step, switch it to intermittent mode, then turn it up to the second step for high speed.
• Lower the wiper control lever for one pass (the wipers will continue to operate as long as you hold the lever down).
• To activate washer fluid, pull the lever towards you and hold it in this position to deliver the desired amount of fluid.

Your car is also equipped with rear window wiper... Flip the center of the switch forward to the on position to turn on the wiper. Works only in intermittent mode. Rotate the entire center of the switch forward to activate the washer fluid at the rear. The washer pump runs as long as you press the button.

Some new cars are equipped with sensor which automatically turns on the wipers. When your vehicle detects the presence of rain drops on the windshield, the wipers are activated. Their speed is automatically adjusted depending on the amount of precipitation.

🗓️ When to change the wiper?

Generally, wipers have a lifespanyear what is equal 500 000 cycles... This duration of use can of course vary depending on how you use it and the weather conditions they are experiencing.

Here is also a list of the most common symptoms that indicate the need to replace wipers:

• Some wiper activation modes do not work;
• The wipers no longer work, but you can still hear the engine running;
• Your wiper arms are working slower than usual;
• Your windshield is no longer as clean as it used to be after turning on the wipers;
• You have new wipers, but they don't wipe well.

If you notice any of these symptoms, we advise you to go to the garage to have your wipers checked. They can tell you exactly what the problem is and replace the wiper blades if necessary.

Worn wiper blades leave tracks on the windshield or poorly rinse with water. In this case, it is very easy to change them yourself and you do not need to go to the garage.

🔎 A rear wiper that works by itself: what to do?

A rear wiper that works on its own usually indicates electrical problem : broken thread, threads touching each other, etc. It is also possible that this is a problem wiper motor... It can be replaced to repair the wiper.

If the problem is electrical and related to the cables, you will have to remove the sheaths and pull on the wires. Handling is not an easy task and you need to find the wire causing the problem all the way to the front of the car. In other words, take your car to a mechanic.

🚘 Why are the wipers screeching?

There are two main reasons for wipers' noise. This may be due to the fact that the wipers rub too much your windshield or washer fluid level not enough. Wipers that squeak or leave marks in the water are also a sign of a problem. worn out broom or distorted. Below we will explain our tips for eliminating a squeaky wiper.

🔧 How can I stop screeching wipers?

Squealing wipers can be caused by various problems: worn out blades, too low a level of liquid in the windshield washer, etc. So, here is a guide that explains step by step how to prevent wipers from screeching.

Required materials: cloth, soapy water, rubber softener.

Step 1. Clean the wiper blades and windshield.

This is the simplest solution that is not always thought of. Using a rag and soapy water, clean all wiper blades. If your windshield is dirty, be sure to clean it well as well. Here we explain how to properly clean your windshield.

Step 2: Fill in washer fluid.

If the windshield washer fluid level is low, your windshield will be too dry when the wipers rub it, causing the famous squeak. So remember to check your windshield washer fluid level regularly to avoid this problem.

Step 3: rearrange the wiper blades

If you notice that your wiper arm is bent, adjust it so it is straight again. It is this deformation that can sometimes be the cause of the squeak, because if it deforms, your wiper blade will no longer be able to rotate correctly and will press against the windshield from which you hear the noise.

Step 4. Check the rubber wipers.

If the rubber is too hard, the famous squeak will be heard on the windshield. There are products that make the rubber softer. You can use it from time to time when you hear these squeaks. For example, you can use ArmorAll, isopropyl alcohol, or penetrant oil in small amounts.

(I.e. Where to buy wipers?

New wipers are easy to purchase if you want to replace them yourself. You can buy wipers at auto centers, in your mechanic, AT specialized shops or on sites Internet dedicated to the sale of auto parts.

Most shopping centers there is also an automotive department: wiper blades can be purchased directly from the supermarket.

🔍 Wiper: Bosch or Valeo?

There are many brands of wipers: Bosch et Valeo are part of it, but auto centers love Norauto et Green light also sell their own matching brands. Bosch, like Valeo, have the right values ​​in wipers: Valeo supplies the big car brands, and Bosch, in particular the Aerotwin model, supplies reliable equipment.

Prices are relatively similar, although Valeo wipers are cheaper on average. The difference is no more than a few euros. First of all, it is important to choose a wiper model that suits your vehicle and its windshield (sweeping surface, rain sensor, etc.).

💰 How much does a wiper cost?

The price of a wiper depends on the brand and model chosen, as well as on the type of wiper and the place of purchase. On average, count from 20 to 40 € for a set of two wiper blades. Be careful when choosing the right model for your vehicle.

You can easily change the wiper blade yourself, but some auto centers and garages offer you a setup to purchase a set of wiper blades.

Now you know the basic information about wipers! If you are looking to replace your garage wipers, you can use our garage comparator to find the best deals!