Everything You Need To Know About Windshield Wiper Replacement

This may not seem like an important part of car maintenance, but regularly replacing your windshield wipers is extremely critical to maintaining your vehicle’s safety on the road. Driving with faulty wipers can hinder visibility and potentially put you or other cars on the road in a lot of danger. Although this is a simple task, it should not be overlooked, so schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician today for a wiper replacement, or make sure they get swapped the next time your car is due for a tune-up. If you want to try your hand at replacing the wiper blades yourself, make sure you purchase the right replacement part and have all the tools necessary to successfully complete the task. Stay tuned for more detailed information on how to best go about an at-home replacement.

Wrench is here to answer any questions you may have about windshield wiper replacement:

How often do I need to replace my windshield wipers?
It is recommended that windshield wiper blades be replaced every six to twelve months or as soon as you notice issues with them hindering visibility. If something does not feel right with the way they are working, it is a good idea to get them replaced before it becomes a bigger issue. If you are heading into the wet season wherever you live, this is a great time to replace your blades so they are brand new and ready to handle any kind of weather.

How do I know when my windshield wipers need replacing?
One common sign of wear and tear is streaking, where the squeegee part of the wiper dries up, causing the blade to pick up whatever substance is on the windshield and drag it around the pane. Tree sap is common with streaking and can be extremely hard to get off. Another common sign that your wipers should be replaced is if the blade is skipping over the windshield and missing certain areas. This can happen when the wipers are not used for an extended period of time, causing a curvature in the blade. An easy way to avoid this if you live in a dry climate is to use the wiper fluid every once in a while to keep the blades moving. If you can tell that the rubber of the wiper is wearing down, replace your windshield wipers as soon as possible. If the rubber wears all the way down to the metal arm, this could cause scratching to the windshield, which would be a much more costly replacement. Listen for any squeaking or unusual noises, as this can also be a sign that your wipers need replacing.

What can cause my blades to wear down?
Many natural environmental factors cause the wiper blades to deteriorate, including overexposure to the sun, acid rain and saltwater, and various debris that flies up onto the windshield. Additionally, windshield wipers will wear down quicker the more they are used. This may seem obvious, but it is important to remember if you live in a wet climate, because you may need to replace your wipers more often.

Should I replace my windshield wipers myself or have my mechanic do it?
At Wrench, we are happy to replace your windshield wipers for you if you are not sure you have the skills you need to do it yourself. Make sure you do research to determine what kind of wipers your car uses and how they should be replaced before attempting to do so at home, because some cars are more complicated than others. If you are going to do the replacement yourself, watch videos, read articles, and do whatever you need to do to feel confident in your ability. If you have any doubts at all about doing the job right, one of our ASE-certified technicians would be happy to help you out.

We hope you have learned a lot about windshield wipers in general and are better equipped with the information necessary to make an informed decision about wiper replacement. At Wrench, your safety is our top priority which is why we want to help you in any way we can to be the best possible driver on the road. The simple task of changing your windshield wipers as we head into the winter months is guaranteed to improve your visibility and decrease your chances of accident, so what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician today. If you have any other questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.