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.

Pros And Cons For Trading In Your Car

After spending a few years driving your vehicle, it’s normal to want a change. The excitement you felt as you drove it off the dealership lot has dissipated. Now, each time you see a new model on the road, you might feel an urge to go car shopping again. If you decide to buy a new car, you’ll need to figure out how to offload your current vehicle. Your choices are limited to selling it yourself or trading it in. Below, I’ll explain the pros and cons of using your current car as a trade-in for a new model.

Pro: Tax Advantages

Whenever you buy a new or used car, truck, or SUV from a dealer, you’ll have to pay sales tax. Depending on the price of the vehicle, the sales tax can climb to hundreds – even thousands – of dollars. If you sell your current vehicle to a private party and purchase another model from the dealership, you’ll have to pay sales tax on the entire amount. On the other hand, if you use your current ride as a trade-in, its value will be deducted from the price of the new model. That lowers the amount of sales tax you’ll need to pay.

Con: Less Money

In nearly every case, you will be able to sell your vehicle to a private party for more money than you would get from trading it in to a dealer. The reason is partially due to the motivation behind the purchase. For example, a dealership wants to sell it to another customer in order to make a profit. To do that, they offer a lower trade-in value; the less they offer, the more profit they can make. By contrast, a private party isn’t interested in making a profit. They just need a reliable source of transportation.

Pro: Less Effort

Even though you stand to make more money by selling to a private party, doing so requires work. You’ll need to place an ad, field phone calls, and make yourself available to show your car to prospective buyers. Along with that, some people will request to have a mechanic test your vehicle. When you trade it in to a dealership, it’s as easy as haggling over the value, signing the paperwork, and handing over the keys. Less time and less effort.

Con: Ongoing Monthly Payments

As long as you’re maintaining your car properly, keeping it for a few more years is usually less expensive than trading it in for a new one. Most people don’t purchase a new vehicle outright, even when they use their current one as a trade-in. Instead, they negotiate the price and choose monthly payments. That’s expensive.

Long-time readers of my column will know that I’m a proponent of keeping your vehicle and replacing parts when necessary. Changing the oil every 5,000 miles and periodically replacing spark plugs, air filters, and other parts can keep your ride running smoothly over the long haul. Even if you need to rebuild the transmission or replace a head gasket down the road, you’ll still come out ahead.

Trading in your car offers advantages and drawbacks. If keeping it for a few more years isn’t an option, at least you’ll have the right expectations.

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