Winter is here folks and you can count on us to help you through it! People often don’t think about their wiper blades till they are stuck in the rain or snow and then they think “Why didn’t I change the blades!?” Well here are some tips on what kinds of wiper blades are the best for your climate, how to care for them and when to change them.

Wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year or as soon as you notice a difference in driving visibility. When wiper blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility. An easy way to remember to change your wiper blades is to replace them on Groundhog Day. Whether the Groundhog predicts six more weeks of winter or an early spring, new wiper blades are necessary to prepare you for 6 weeks of harsh winter driving conditions or 6 weeks of Spring showers.

When inspecting wiper blades, look for the following:

Broken frame – detachment of frame arms at joints or connection points.

Metal Corrosion – especially at joints and claws.

Visible cracks, tears, and missing pieces in the rubber squeegee’s edge.

Flex rubber squeegee back and forth to see if it is still flexible. Aged squeegees will have difficulty conforming to the shape of your windshield and create streaks.

Check squeegee wiping edge for rounded edges which can prevent the wiper blade from making strong contact with the windshield and reduces wipe quality.

Tug to ensure wiper blade has been securely installed on the wiper arm.

Check that squeegee is secure in the wiper frame.
Remember to check your wiper blades as part of your regular preventative maintenance program!

Visibility is fundamental to safe driving. Although drivers depend on their vehicles’ wiper blades to clear away rain, sleet and snow, many wait to replace them until they need them the most. So remembering to maintain wiper blades regularly can maximize visibility, efficiency and reliability.

Wiper blades deteriorate due to many environmental factors including:

Sun: Ultraviolet light and ozone deterioration
Oil: Car waxes and exhaust hold rubber-deteriorating oil
Airborne debris: Sand, mud and dust carried in the wind
Moisture: Acid rain and salt water (in moist air both near the shore and inland)

So remember to change the blades and buy ones that are right for your car and climate. Stay tuned for more info on wipers and and always DRIVE SAFE!!!