Guide to Windshield Wipers

Since rain isn’t a requirement to make sure your wipers are working properly, make a mental note to check them soon. Get behind the steering wheel of your parked car, and press the button to squirt your windshield with washer fluid. Watch to see if the wiper is efficiently removing fluid. If streaks are left behind, it may be time to change your wipers.

First, try this simple cleaning method to see if the wipers are not simply dirty. Take some of the same washer fluid that you put into your washer reservoir, place it on a rag or a paper towel, and clean the rubber part of the wiper to remove any dirt or buildup. Removing the dirt allows the rubber blade to make better contact with the window.

If after cleaning, the wiper still does not remove the fluid from the window, the rubber blade may be cracked or hardened and not making full contact with the window surface. Check the condition of the rubber. A good wiper blade should stand up straight, and the rubber part of the blade should be soft and without cracks.

If it is time to replace the wiper blades, there are two types of replacements. The most common replacement is wiper blade refills sold in pairs. These replace just the rubber part of the wiper. Before buying a replacement blade, you will need to know the proper length of your wiper blade. Lengths vary from 18 inches to 24 inches on most model cars. Metal tabs on the end of the wiper lock the rubber blade into place on the arm. Squeezing the tabs together should allow you to pull out the old blade. Squeeze tabs again to insert the new blade.

The other type of replacement is the complete wiper arm assembly. This type of replacement might require a technician because certain tools are often needed to remove the wiper arm.

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Published in the March 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.