Upgrading Your Windshield Wipers

Most of us rarely think of our windshield wipers. Usually, we’re more concerned about our vehicle’s performance. Even if you live in an area that receives a lot of rainfall throughout the year, you might think of those rubbery blades as nothing more than a tool. But, all of the horsepower in the world won’t matter much if your windshield wipers cannot perform their job. Being unable to see well while sitting behind the wheel is dangerous, even potentially disastrous.

Eventually, you’ll need to replace the wipers on your vehicle. Over time, they become less able to provide sufficient visibility. In this article, I’ll explain the basics regarding their construction and how they improve your visibility. I’ll also describe how to replace them as well as your options for doing so.

The Basics

If you’ve ever taken a close look at the assembly, you’ll have seen the rubber portion along with the metal arm on which it sits. The arm is spring-loaded. That’s what allows the rubber portion to maintain contact to your windshield. Even in high-wind situations, the spring keeps the entire assembly positioned on the glass.

When triggered, they wipe water and debris from the glass in order that you can see clearly through it. The problem is that the rubber can start deteriorating. While your car sits outside, day after day, the sun’s ultraviolet light takes its toll. Over time, the rubber becomes brittle as it loses its flexibility and eventually, it starts to crack and fall away.

When this happens, the wipers cannot clear your windshield properly.

Refilling Or Upgrading

You have a few options for installing replacement blades. If budget is an issue, you can usually get away with buying simple refills. The refills basically replace the worn out rubber. As long as the metal assembly is in good condition, there’s no need to replace it. A quick note: before you actually purchase the refills, make sure that they’re the same size as your current wipers.

If the metal portion of the assembly has become less sturdy, you can purchase the entire unit at once. A replacement will include the entire unit. If you live in an area that gets heavy rain or snowfall, now may be the time to invest in a heavy duty assembly. If aesthetic appeal is important (for example, on sports cars), you can purchase sporty assemblies that are designed to add personality to your vehicle.

Safety Comes First

Windshield wipers are easy to neglect, but they’re more important that most drivers realize. Whether you’re planning to install inexpensive refill blades or you intend to invest in a heavy duty assembly, do so as early as possible. The last thing you want to do is wait until you’re driving in a storm to realize that you need new blades.

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1 Comment »

1. 

   It’s true, I think windshield wipers are one of the most neglected car parts ever… From my own experience our cars have always had dirty ones, and the only time water touches it is when our cars get cleaned or if it rains. I’ll have to tell my dad about this so we’ll get the most out of our wipers.

   Comment by Imee — March 13, 2009 @ 4:17 am

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