if the blades are damaged, you must replace them!

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Striped windshields are not only annoying, but dangerous.Don’t let the wiper blades put you at risk.We’ll show you how to change them.Watch all of our Autoblog Wreched videos for more tips on how to diagnose, repair and modify your car from professional groomer Larry Kosilla.In the meantime, check out Larry’s other car cleaning and maintenance video series Autoblog details!
Striped windshields are not only annoying, but dangerous.If your windshield wipers are making you uncomfortable, or the wiper fluid won’t spew out, I’ll show you some tips for crystal cleaning glass.Here’s what’s needed to make this work:
Windshield wipers tend to go unnoticed until you’re using them in the rain or snow, and there’s no time to notice that the wipers are worn out and you can’t see the road ahead.Think about the last time you pressed the washer fluid button and nothing happened.Both of these problems can be easily avoided.- Even when I obsessively clean my windshield, I still get streaks sometimes.Is there anything I can do to the wiper blades themselves to prevent this from happening?- Absolutely.A lot of times you just have blemishes and stuff on the blade that you can clean.Also, the windshield can be dirty.
However, if the blades are damaged, you must replace them.There is no way around this.You should replace your blades every six months.Spring and fall are great times to do this.First, slide your finger down the blade.Is it smooth, or do you feel there is buildup?To clean the blade, put some isopropyl rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner on a clean, soft, light-colored cloth and gently stroke the length of the blade.Do this a few times and you will see black streaks on the cloth.It’s a good idea to do this every time you wash your car.
If it’s time to replace the blades, keep in mind that when you replace them, they are actually sold by length.Auto parts stores often have application guides on the wiper display where you can easily find the required size of the front and rear windshields.
There are three basic styles of mounts: jamb, J-hook, and bayonet, however, aftermarket or upgraded blades have adapters for each mount.Check existing blades for proper clip selection.To remove the old blade, a tab or sometimes a button needs to be pressed in order to release the plastic from the wiper arm.Try to remember how the old blade was installed to make the new installation easier.Try to avoid cheap replacement blades as they can streak and generally wear out faster.
While most people simply replace the entire unit, you can also install just one refill, the flexible rubber part.Typically, you can only do this on stock blades, or only some aftermarket styles.Refills take longer to install and can be a bit frustrating, but they are cheaper than replacement blades and they are the same original equipment quality if purchased from a dealer, so a good option if you are on a budget.
There are also different types of wiper blades and brackets: beam and old traditional brackets.Beam styles are more aerodynamic and standard on most vehicles today because they are smoother and less likely to create wind resistance or noise.There are also winter blades for inclement weather, which are more frost resistant due to the stiffer frame, and rubber is a special synthetic material designed for cold winter climates.It’s a good habit to replace wiper blades in pairs, and if you have rear wipers, don’t forget to replace them too.
Thoroughly clean the windshield before installing a new blade, and use a razor blade if necessary to remove hard debris from the windshield that can damage the rubber of the new wiper.Use the razor blade at about a 30 degree angle, kind of like shaving glass, no, if the angle is right, you won’t scratch the glass.
It’s never a good idea to use plain water when filling the washer tank, especially in northern climates, as it can freeze and crack lines.It’s cheap and easy to stick with an all-weather washer fluid mix, then switch to a winter de-icing solution as winter approaches.If your washer nozzle is not properly aimed, use a pin or paper clip to poke into the hole and re-aim.You can also use a needle to unclog wax-filled or clogged nozzles.Before waxing the car, tape the spray head to avoid excess product in the holes, which can dry out, block, or at least change the flow of the washer fluid.Driving in the rain or snowstorm is no time to discover that your wipers need changing.Regular maintenance of your wipers and washer fluid will help you see the road ahead in all seasons.For more information on how-to car repair videos, visit Autoblog Wrench.