Wipers Up or Wipers Down? How You Should Care for Your Windshield Wipers All Year Long

Windshield wipers are a part of our cars we often take for granted. We ignore the wipers until they are needed and are lax at following any kind of maintenance schedule. However, wipers are an extremely important safety feature. They are responsible for providing optimal driver visibility and without them working properly, we could very well end up in a crash. Following a wiper maintenance schedule year round will ensure the wipers maintain maximum efficiency.

Allowing any kind of buildup on your windshield wipers is a big no, no. Dirt and grime can damage the rubber of the wipers and make you have to replace them sooner than expected. Use a sponge dampened with windshield wiper fluid or mild dish detergent solution to wipe off any dirt that has collected on the rubberized portion of the wipers. Cleaning your windshield frequently also helps prevent wipers from getting dirty. You can use wiper fluid to clean pollen and dirt from the majority of the windshield’s surface. However, don’t forget to use a rag to clean out any gunk that has gotten stuck to the bottom of the windshield.

If you live in an area where severe winter weather takes place, then as a storm approaches, you’re likely to notice several of your neighbors with their wipers in the up position. Is there something to this practice? Or are you just potentially harming the mechanism of the wipers? According to AAA, the benefits of lifting the wipers prior to a snow or ice storm are two fold: the wipers won’t freeze to the glass and the practice makes snow removal is easier. Plus, damage is more likely to occur to the wipers if you try to run them to remove heavy snow. During the winter, remove by hand any snow or ice that have collected on the blades before operation. Always defrost your windshield and scrape away any remaining ice before using your windshield wipers.

On average, windshield wipers will last anywhere from six to nine months. Signs that wipers are starting to fail include a squeaking sound or skipping when turned on. The wipers may also stop cleaning your windshield as effectively and you’ll notice streaks across the glass. If one wiper starts to fail, replace the other wiper as well since it is bound to have the same problems down the road. To remain proactive and prevent any wiper failure from occurring, replace the wipers at the same date each year. When you replace the wipers, make sure you choose the right type of wipers based off of your manufacturer’s instructions. Your owner’s manual should have the specifications listed.

As a way to save money, some drivers choose to replace only the rubber part of the wipers instead of the entire mechanism. However, installation of the rubber refills can be tricky and you have to be careful not to damage the mechanism or your vehicle while installing the refills with pliers.

One important reminder is to never run your wipers over a dry surface. Before turning on the ignition in dry weather conditions, make sure the wipers are turned off.

At a minimum, inspect your wipers at least once a month. During this time, check to see if the wipers are secured to the frame and you don’t notice any broken parts. There should be no signs of corrosion and all joints of the wiper frame should move freely. Note any obvious damage to the rubberized blades, such as cracks or tears. The rubber should also still be flexible since stiff blades cause streaking during use.

Driver visibility is likely a topic you’ll explore in great detail when signing up for an online defensive driving school course. Defensive driving classes teach you how to avoid collisions while learning the basics of being a better driver. Best of all, the completion of online traffic school courses can help you earn a safe driver discount through your auto insurance carrier or aid you in getting points removed from your license following a traffic citation.

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