Do you need new windshield wiper blades? Look for these signs.

Good Windshield Wiper function is vital to maintaining your driving safety. Worn windshield wipers can seriously compromise driver vision whenever road conditions become wet or icy which is exactly when you need to see your best. with the winter driving season just around the corner, now is the time to make sure your windshield wiper blades are in top condition.

Poor visibility may cause accidents!

A good rule of thumb is to replace your windshield wiper blades every six months, especially in climates where there are temperature extremes. In between wiper blade changes, it is also good maintenance to clean the rubber part of the windshield wipers at least once a month to keep the blades in good condition. While you are cleaning the blades, it is a good idea to inspect your windshield wipers and look for trouble in any of the three main components: the arm, the blade, or the wiping element.

New wiper blades give better visibility!

Is the rubber element warped, hardened, split or contaminated with foreign substances? Are there bends or twists in the wiper element's backing strip, frame or wiper arm? A bent arm, no spring tension in the arm, or other damage to the wiper assembly also requires replacement. Such damage isn't rare. Windshield wiper superstructure can be damaged by automatic car washes, by scraping ice off the windshield during the wintertime, or by vandalism.

If you are experiencing any of the windshield wiper blade conditions described in the chart below, it is time to change those wiper blades.

Streaking: May be caused by dry rubber that becomes hard and cracked, or by tree sap, road tar, or other foreign substances adhering to the rubber surface. Sometimes this can be corrected by simply cleaning the rubber wiper.
Chattering: Loss of flexibility due to hardened rubber element caused by exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Worn Rubber: Indicated by a general rounded or ragged wiper blade edge. Usually caused by wintery conditions or from long wiper service without changing the rubber.
Bent / Damaged: Bent superstructure, blade, arm, spline, or refill are often caused by automatic car wash machines, vandalism, or ice scapers.
Torn / Split: Obvious effect of hard wiper lift and/or damage due to ultraviolet rays and ozone deterioration. Rubber that has pulled away from the assembly may slip or slap against the glass.

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