28 Feb Take Care of Your Windshield Wipers: Winter Maintenance Tips
While winter weather can be beautiful while sitting indoors enjoying a hot beverage, driving in it can pose visibility risks if unprepared. Maintaining a clear view out of your front windshield and rear window helps keep you aware of your surroundings. Below are a few helpful windshield wipers maintenance tips explaining how to spot and remedy worn wiper blades and window streaking.
Signs To Replace Your Wiper Blades
Windshield wipers require routine maintenance, and winter-time can be especially hard on them after the hot summer months. It is common for wiper blades to become ineffective once winter is in full swing. Below are some common signs that it’s time to replace your car’s wiper blades.
Chattering Noise
We have all heard that annoying chattering or skipping sound windshield wipers make when they bounce across the glass. That noise usually means the wiper blades are no longer cleaning your windshield because they are not lining up to the glass smoothly. The inconsistent contact leaves moisture and debris behind, creating vision problems while driving.
Damaged Wiper Frames
Wiper frames are the metal part of your wipers that can bend or experience damage from excess snow or ice. Even mechanical car washes can accidentally damage wiper frames. Once the wiper frame is bent, it requires replacement.
Poor Windshield Contact
Old and weather-damaged rubber or a bent wiper frame can result in poor windshield contact. You can tell there is poor contact when the wipers are on, but the wipers miss sections of the windshield, failing to wipe away the rain or snow from the surface.
Window Streaking
When your wipers cause window streaking, you see stripes of dirt, water, or grime on the glass. If the washer fluid fails to remove the debris, it’s time to inspect the wiper blades. Clean off dirty blades with warm water and a soft cloth. If this action fails to resolve the window streaking, wiper blade replacement is your best solution.
Worn Blades
The windshield wiper blade should be one smooth piece of rubber. If it’s cracked, rounded, curled, or missing chunks, then it is time you replace them.
Windshield Wipers Components
The windshield wipers on your car work together as one unit, but they actually contain several different components. It’s good to know what each part is and what it does to understand their overall function better.
Wiper Arms
The wiper arms are a spring-loaded component of the windshield cleaning system. They ensure the wiper blade stays in flush contact with the windshield glass. The arm connects to the wiper motor, which moves it in a sweeping motion when the wipers are in operation.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades attach to the wiper arm, removing moisture and debris from the windshield. Manufacturers make them from natural rubber, EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), or a combination of the two. Natural rubber performs better in cold environments, but EPDM rubber resists thermal aging, UV, and ozone better.
Wiper Motors
Wiper motors provide power to the windshield wiper arms to clear the windshield. The direct-current, 12V motor moves the wipers in a coordinated sweeping motion through gears and a park switch. Depending on your vehicle design, there may be one or two wiper motors. Each window with windshield wipers has a separate wiper motor to operate them.
Fuses & Sensors
Different vehicle makes and models use various sensors to detect moisture levels, weather, and other factors for windshield wiper use. Additionally, there are also fuses in the windshield wiper system. Read your owner’s manual for specific information and the location of these components.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Washer fluid helps the wiper blades remove debris, snow, and ice from your vehicle’s windshield. I find it’s helpful to keep a gallon of the fluid in my garage to refill the reservoir as needed, especially during the winter, when snow and ice build-up is common. Remember, never mix winter and summer formulas of washer fluid – it can have less-than-ideal consequences. It’s best to fully drain the old washer fluid if you change formulas seasonally.
Routine Windshield Wipers Maintenance
Plymouth Auto & Tire Center in Plymouth Meeting, PA, has been a trusted auto service provider since 1999. We will inspect your wiper blades and resolve the issue causing window streaking. Our ASE-certified technicians ensure that all windshield wiper service is done quickly, efficiently, and with guaranteed same-day white-glove service!
Schedule A Windshield Wipers Service
Contact us today at (610) 825-6558 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.