Your windshield wiper blades are a critical component of your vehicle, but they’re often thought of less frequently than the tires, brakes, or other essential parts.
However, if your wipers don’t work properly, you may end up just as stranded in your vehicle if it starts to rain or snow as you would be if your brakes failed. It’s also just as much of an accident risk because good visibility is imperative to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
What are some things you should do to make windshield wiper blades last in your car?
#savagescotty says to:
- Lift your windshield wiper blades up and clean them with denatured alcohol and a soft shop towel
- Wipe the rubber part of the blade with the wet towel three or four times, until you are no longer removing any dirt or debris
- Lift the blades and use good quality glass cleaner to clean the outside of your windshield, particularly at the bottom where the windshield wipers sit
- Consider investing in silicone-based wiper blades for longer lasting performance
Automotive specialist Scotty Kilmer shares his expertise on keeping windshield wiper blades in great condition on YouTube, which we also cover in the below article.
How Windshield Wipers Become Damaged
Windshield wipers can become damaged in a variety of ways. The following common issues tend to be significant problems for windshield wiper blades and can result in their early deterioration.
- Dirt and debris
- UVA and UVB rays
- Snow and ice
- Lack of use
- Extreme heat and cold
To ensure your windshield wipers last as long as possible, do what you can to protect them from dirt, sun, and extreme temperatures. Indoor parking is ideal, covered parking is desirable, and if nothing else, consider using a tarp or car cover to keep your vehicle from being exposed to the above.
Not only will keeping your vehicle covered help protect your wiper blades, but it will also help protect your car’s exterior and other critical components from the elements.
How to Clean Your Windshield Wiper Blades
Cleaning your windshield wiper blades is easy. You can use regular window cleaner, windshield washer fluid, or denatured alcohol on a paper towel or rag to gently wipe your blades from top to bottom. Continue wiping with a clean, wet side of the towel until no more dirt or debris can be seen on the rag. That’s it!
Avoid These 7 Bad Habits
Taking care of your windshield wiper blades goes farther than just keeping them clean. You also want to avoid these bad habits that can cause your windshield wiper blades to degrade faster:
- Not lifting your wiper blades up before it’s going to snow. If you know the weather forecast is calling for snow or ice, lift your windshield wiper blades up and leave them. This prevents your wipers from getting iced down to your windshield, however, if there will be any wind, it may be better to park under cover if possible.
- Parking your car in the sun too often. If your primary parking place at your home or work is in the sun most of the time, this subjects the rubber on your wiper blades to UV rays for extended periods. This can cause the rubber to break down more quickly, resulting in wiper blades that don’t clean your windshield well or that make squeaking noises when operated.
- Turning on your windshield wipers when they’re dry. Never turn your windshield wipers on when your windshield is dry. Run your washer fluid for a few seconds prior to turning your wipers on, or manually ensure that your windshield is well lubricated first. Not only can running your windshield wipers dry cause debris to damage your blades, but any rocks or pebbles that are stuck to your wipers may also scratch your windshield.
- Scraping ice off your windshield before getting the wiper blades up. It’s important to always have your wiper blades up before scraping ice off your windshield. Often, this simply means running your vehicle’s defrost until you can lift your wipers with your hands. If not, you risk cutting, ripping, or otherwise damaging your wipers with the ice scraper.
- Not keeping enough windshield washer fluid in your vehicle. Regularly check your washer fluid levels to make sure that you’ll never run into a situation where you turn on your windshield wipers and you don’t have enough washer fluid to do the job.
- Using your windshield wipers to clean off heavy, caked-on dirt. If there’s a lot of dirt on your windshield, it’s better to take your vehicle to the car wash or clean your windshield manually at home. Don’t attempt to use washer fluid and your wiper blades to clean heavy mud or debris off your windshield.
- Not replacing your windshield wipers frequently enough. If you’re using traditional rubber windshield wiper blades, it’s recommended that they be replaced every six (6) months, even if they appear to be working well.
What Kind of Windshield Wiper Blades Should I Purchase?
There are many types of windshield wiper blades available on the market, most of which are made out of rubber. They range from simple and inexpensive designs to larger models that promise to offer better performance. However, the best-performing wiper blades aren’t made from rubber at all and may not even be available at your local auto parts store.
Silicone windshield wiper blades can easily be purchased online and do not degrade over time in the same way rubber does. Most silicone wiper blades advertise that they last up to two times as long as traditional windshield wipers, however, many motor vehicle owners report silicone blades lasting for years.
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