Wiper Blades: Going Unnoticed Until It's Too Late!

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Technician

When it comes to driving, there are few things more important than visibility, and dull, cracked or bent wiper blades can mean the difference between a clear view and no view. With the snow season upon us wipers can really be abused. However, with proper care and maintenance your wipers can last several years. I’m here to show you how to do just that.

First things first: always turn your wipers off when you turn your car off. Not only does this help cold weather starting, but if they do freeze to the windshield overnight it can prevent many issues. For example, when the wiper blade motor is trying to work and the blades are stuck you can create extreme stress on the motor. Many have plastic gears inside that can easily strip out. Also many wiper arms are made out of soft aluminum. If the blades don’t move and the motor does you can run the risk of ruining both wiper arms, with costly repairs.

Secondly, when scraping your windshield you will want to lift your wipers off the windshield (carefully). If they do not come off right away continue scraping until the defrost kicks in more. Tearing them off when they are frozen runs the risk of tearing the blade from the frame and basically ruining your blade. Some customers have told me that they are using an anti-ice spray to melt away the ice formations. This is also a good way to help speed the process up (ITS COLD!). NEVER, ever, ever use hot water, coffee, tea, etc. on your windshield, you run the risk of cracking it beyond repair. So for those of you who like to take shortcuts in the morning, resist the temptation to use your hot coffee as a defroster!

Thirdly, clean your blades often. Rubbing alcohol on the blade surfaces applied with a cotton cloth or tissue works wonders. This eliminates any grime that may have built up. Also eliminating the ice will help improve visibility. With these easy steps you can have wiper blades that will last for seasons to come. In fact, my wife is on her fourth season on her blades, which we bought the first week we got the car. Oh and don’t forget about the washer fluid! BTW if your low stop by cars for keeps and we will top it off for you (free)! Until next time!

Thanks for the reminder and the great tips, Robert. I myself have not been taking care of my wiper blades this winter, and as a result I got stuck on the freeway with only a tiny patch on my windshield to see through. Drive safe!