When to change the wipers to new ones?

Car windshield wipers are often an underestimated element of a vehicle, yet they have a direct impact on driving safety. It is worth remembering that this is a wear part that must be replaced periodically. When to do it? It is worth following a few rules.

Replacing wipers in the car - when?

Car wipers are made from synthetic or natural rubber. This material must meet certain requirements in order to be safe for the car windshield surface. Therefore, the wiper blades must be soft enough not to scratch them, even if they are strongly attached to the glass. Currently used materials meet this condition, but at the same time are subject to operational wear. Rubber also doesn't hold up well to harsh weather conditions, so manufacturers advise changing the front wiper kit at least once a year. This can be done in the autumn period, i.e. in the period immediately preceding the most difficult period of the year for rugs. However, preventive replacement can be done at any time of the year.

Wipers should also be replaced when you notice signs of wear. Most often these are: interfering sounds, jumping, leaving streaks or cracks on the surface to be cleaned. 

When to change the wiper - the most important symptoms

The most common signals indicating damage to car wipers, giving the right to replace them, include unwanted sounds that occur during operation. Most often, this is an unpleasant squeak for the ear. There may be several reasons for this. Very often the cause is the deformation of the wipers during operation, due to which they are unevenly pressed against the glass. Then the only solution is to replace the feathers. It is worth thinking about the cause of the deformations. Very often the pressure on the wiper arm, which can be adjusted, is to blame. This should be done when installing new wipers. If we are not sure how the windshield wiper arm is adjusted in our car, it is best to go to a car repair shop.

Skipping wipers is another important sign of irreversible wear and tear. This phenomenon often occurs with cars parked outdoors on sunny days. Under the influence of sunlight and high temperature, the rubber of the wipers becomes stiff, the brush loses its elasticity and freezes in one position. As a result, the element adjacent to the glass does not respond to a change in direction, and therefore jumps over it for half of its operating cycle.

The stripes left by the wipers are associated with uneven pressure on the glass surface. It happens that feathers get very dirty, and the problem can be solved by cleaning them with a damp cloth. However, very often such an action will not bring results. Then it becomes necessary to replace the wipers.

If the mop does not draw water from the entire working area, it may have mechanical damage. This often happens when the wiper blades freeze, stick to the car's windshield and then detach from it (due to engine starting or driver action). Then part of the blade comes off the structure to prevent the wiper from sticking completely to the glass.

How to replace wipers in a car?

In most car models, replacing wipers is not difficult. It is usually enough to grasp the wiper blade and pull it out of the holder in which it is located. It is worth remembering to buy new wipers that match the size and attachment to our car. Sometimes there are several adapters in the viper kit. We must choose the right one to install the wiper blade on the arm.

In some cars, the process of changing the wipers is a bit more complicated because they are hidden under the car's hood. To access them, select the appropriate mode (wiper replacement mode) in the on-board computer.

Glass cleaning problem? Rugs are not always to blame

It happens that the problem with collecting water from the surface of the windshield concerns not only the quality of the wiper blades. In many, especially older vehicles, the wiper motor is damaged or worn out. When he is not able to create the appropriate force, we are dealing with too slow operation of the wiper mechanism in relation to the mode selected in the car.

The windshield washer system is also prone to malfunction. If, despite the presence of a sufficient amount of fluid in the reservoir, the washer nozzles do not spray liquid over the entire working surface of the wipers, it is worth checking if they are clogged with dirt and if they are frozen. If not, then the engine may be the culprit, the so-called. washer fluid pump. If the engine cannot build up enough pressure, the engine may need to be replaced.

Are you interested in the topic? Check out our other articles:

• What car wipers to buy?
• What is an invisible janitor?
• What washer fluid to choose?

Types of car wipers and their durability

Depending on the design, we distinguish three main types of car wipers: frame, flat and hybrid. Currently, flat wipers, also known as frameless or seamless wipers, are considered the most effective solution. Their advantage is the strongest adhesion to glass. Their flattened blades have high aerodynamic parameters, due to which they are able to press on the glass with the same force along its entire length. This translates into work efficiency. Currently, the most popular in Poland are Bosch and Valeo flat wipers. Door mats from other manufacturers are also worth considering, especially if we want a lower price of the product.

It is the price that is the driver's argument in favor of choosing classic frame wipers. They don't have as strong and even pressure on the glass as flat wipers, but they're usually a lot cheaper to buy. They are often chosen by drivers whose cars are factory-equipped with framed wipers.

Hybrid wipers are a combination of both technologies described above. We have a flat wiper blade, but placed on a metal frame. The frame is usually aesthetically hidden under a plastic case. Hybrid wipers are valued for durability and efficiency comparable to flat wipers. Their availability is a drawback - we do not always find the right model for every car. Hybrid wipers are readily used as factory equipment by Asian car manufacturers.

More manuals can be found on AvtoTachki Passions in the Automotive section.