For those who live in temperate climates, windshield wipers are almost an afterthought when it comes to car maintenance. Although the wipers see very little action during the year, this doesn’t mean they don’t degrade.
The effect of UV rays on windshield wipers causes them to become brittle, dry, and inflexible over time. They may look brand new after a year, but they may have aged dramatically and could be a safety liability instead of a safety factor.
.Common ProblemsAny windshield wiper, whether it’s brand new or has seen heavy usage during the winter months, can start to streak or chatter across the glass. If you know what the causes for these problems are, you may be able to do a quick fix without having to replace them.
StreakingOne of the most common ailments of windshield wipers is streaking. This occurs when the rubber in the blades start to harden and crack. These open areas or gaps in the wipers aren’t able to clean effectively and this produces streaks. If dust or foreign matter gets trapped under the blades, this will also cause streaking.
One way around this is to simply take a damp cloth and clean the edges of the wipers thoroughly by rubbing off any debris that may be clinging to the rubber. If you recently parked under a tree, little bits of leaf, pine needles, or tree sap can easily get lodged between the wiper blades and glass, which also produces streaking.
If your windshield wipers are several years old and streaking appears no matter how often you clean the blades, it’s time to replace them.
Skipping and ChatteringIf your windshield wipers make noise and start to skip or chatter across the glass, this could be due to old wipers. The rubber wiper blades can become hardened over time, or the blade housing can sometimes become deformed or bent.
Windshield wiper blades can sometimes become distorted and lose their shape, which makes them unable to “track” across the glass smoothly. To prevent this, don’t “park” your windshield wipers over a long period of time; use then occasionally to keep them pliable.
Lack of UseDuring spring and the summer months, wipers don’t get used very often, and as a result, dirt and grime can easily work their way under the wiper blades. The easiest way to maintain your windshield wipers is to use them at least once a week to dislodge the accumulation of dirt.
But always run them with a cleaning solution and not across dry glass. This can, and will damage your wipers and shorten their lifespan.
Buy Good ProductsIt is always a temptation to buy cheaper off brand products, but in the long run, you’ll be paying more over time because cheap products won’t last the distance. One exception to the rule is Anco products. Many of its wipers are very affordable and have been top rated by consumers.
Source:
beamalarm.com