Wiper Blades

When to Change Your Wiper Blades

Why Windshield Wipers Matter

An unclean or obscured windshield is a real safety hazard. Did you know that Consumer Reports recommends replacing your wiper blades as often as twice a year? Even the best wiper blades start to show signs of deterioration in six months. You would too if you lived outside and were exposed to the elements every day! To help remember to change your blades, sync up with the seasons.“Consider going with the change of seasons, replacing the blades with at the beginning of winter and again for summer – two seasons that prove particularly challenging for wipers,” Consumer Reports writes.

Depending on the kind of wiper blades, you may start to see streaking, smearing, or entirely unwiped areas, as signs of deterioration. Also look and listen for skipping, chattering, and squeaking. The more annoying your wiper blades are the most likely it is they need to be replaced!

Types of Wiper Blades

There are different kinds of wipers with various blades and attachment systems. The three types of blades on the market now are rubber, silicon, and coated.

• Rubber Blades – The traditional wiper type, rubber-bladed wipers typically cost less than silicon or coated wiper types. They are great at clearing the windshield but don’t last long.
• Silicone Blades – A relatively new addition to the market, silicon wiper blades are stronger and more durable in harsh weather like extreme rain, snow, and heat. Silicone wiper blades leave a tiny bit of oil on the windshield, which makes rain bead up and roll off. Silicone blades last longer than their rubber counterparts and cost more, but the longer lifetime typically makes up for the price.
• Coated Blades – Coated windshields are made of enhanced rubber that is coated with graphite or Teflon and are designed for high-performance situations. They last longer than other blades and provide great windshield clearing.

Regular Maintenance

To maintain your wipers, there are a few things you can do on a regular basis to prevent the buildup of road grime and any loose dirt. When filling you your car with gas, take a paper towel and just wipe off the rubber element of the blades. This will prevent streaking, smearing and hazing when turning them on.

Take a few minutes every 6 months to inspect windshield wipers for wear and damage and replace accordingly. A good rule of thumb for timing is daylight saving time when many other household items are inspected and checked. Many times, vehicle owners do not replace worn and damaged wipers until the bad weather hits, or their vision is deteriorated to the point where safety is compromised. In addition, straining the eyes while visibility is poor can lead to driver fatigue and anxiety. A regular inspection schedule will help avoid potentially dangerous situations.

In inclement weather conditions such as an ice storm, do not use your blades as an ice-scraper. Let your car warm up, use the internal defrost system to warm up your windshield and consider winter blades for regular rough weather conditions.

Here at Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, we’d be glad to help you understand if your wiper blades need to be changed. We can do it for you or you can buy the parts and do it yourself. To find out the size blades you need, measure the old rubber blades and stop into our Parts Department. If you don’t have the size information, we can look it up for you.

How to Extend the Life of Your Wiper Blades

Here are a few tips from Consumer Reports about maintaining your wiper blades:

• Inspect your wipers from time to time. Lift each wiper arm off the glass and run your finger along the rubber edge that makes contact with the windshield. If the rubber doesn’t flex at all or you can feel chips and tears, you need new wipers.
• If your wiper blades pass physical inspection but aren’t clearing your windshield, try cleaning the wipers. Put windshield washer fluid or mild dish liquid on a damp sponge or rag and clean the rubber blade and the windshield where the wiper rests. And while it may go without saying, a clean windshield is a clearer windshield.
• Be nice to your blades. Windshield wipers are not ice scrapers. When your windshield frosts over in the winter, take the time to run the defroster and scrape the icy build up off by hand.
• Always replace your wiper blades in pairs.
• Don’t forget to check rear wiper blades too!

How to Buy New Windshield Wiper Blades

Your owner’s manual will have details on what size wipers to use or you can rely on your auto care specialists to find the right size for you. Blades typically are measured in inches – and remember that driver’s side and passenger’s side blades are different sizes. When measuring, be sure that the blades are completely flat and straight. It’s not a good idea to buy larger or smaller blades than the owner’s manual recommends. Blade sizes are calculated to do the best job of cleaning the windshield.

While wiper blades generally are inexpensive, there is a huge difference in quality between blades. Ask your service provider for recommendations – they spend a lot of time with a lot of different cars.

When you buy your new windshield wipers at Mount Airy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat, you know you’re getting a quality blade and a great price. When you bring your car to the dealership you are buying Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. OEM parts match the parts that came with your vehicle when it rolled off the assembly line and usually have a warranty. Quality MOPAR parts are what drive our brands.

Whatever your service needs, we look forward to seeing you at Mount Airy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat!

 Call us Today: (336) 673-3476