As a car owner, do you replace windshield wipers regularly? They are one of the most used exterior parts of the car no matter what weather condition you drive into. With a simple push of a button, the windshield wipers can remove rain, snow or even dust to give you a better visibility of the road.
What’s the best thing about wipers? They could withstand all types of weather conditions – from the scorching heat of the sun to the sub-zero condition of the weather during winter.
However, since most of the wipers are made from thin, flexible rubber, they don’t such abuse without evident wear and tear. Over time, they could crack, misshapen or even lose their flexibility. The heat and the moisture present in the air can cause a lot of damages on the wipers.
So how do you know when the wipers need to be replaced?
Most experts say that wipers need to be replaced at least once every six months although this depends a lot on the weather conditions that the car goes through. The tougher the weather situation, the faster the wear and tear on the windshield wipers. If you are not sure when the wipers need to be replaced, then following the six-month rule should be fine.
Windshield wipers need to be replaced when you notice it leaving streaks while it wipes moisture off the glass. Also, when it leaves larger gaps where no water was removed, then you definitely have to have it replaced.
The squeaking and chattering sound that comes from your windshield wiper when you’re stuck in traffic is also a clear indication that they need to be replaced. If left unchanged, the material of the blade can shred into pieces causing more damage to your windshield glass than you could imagine.
Fortunately, the cost to replace windshield wipers isn’t as expensive as the replacement of other car parts. Most blade arms would be good to go when the rubber has been refilled. It provides you with an option to only replace the parts that has been damaged in the process. However, there are blade arms that can be bent over time and weather conditions; thus, you have to be sure that you only need to change the refill of the blade to fix the problem.
Remember, every car part serves a purpose, no matter how big or small it can be. Don't neglect your windshield wipers because you might just regret it!