They may sit idle most of the time, but your Windshield Wiper Blades are critical to your safety on the road. Your windshield gives you the visibility you need while cruising around town, but if not if it's covered in rain, sleet, or snow.
Your windshield wipers will be your savior. They wick away water droplets, condensation, and snow. When it comes to the perfect team, forget peanut butter and jelly. It's now your windshield and your wiper blades.
Most vehicles are equipped with windshield wipers. Trains and planes even have them. Rain and other inclement weather can greatly impact your visibility and safety, leading to major accidents, especially if your Flat Wiper Blades aren't working properly.
There are even motorized windshield wipers that can sense moisture on the windshield and act accordingly. They can detect the level of moisture and change speed, too. If you're interested in this sort of technology, check out the used car inventory at Southwest Motors for a wide variety of used cars and trucks.
The problem with windshield wipers is that you really only pay attention to them when you need them. This means that if you need them infrequently, you don't tend to keep up with what kind of condition they're in.
So What Should You Do?
Well, you should run your windshield wipers every now and again, even when it's clear out. Give your windshield washer fluid a quick squirt and make sure your Metal Wiper Blades can clear all of the liquid away without streaking.
Sometimes, your mechanic may give your car a quick check during each oil change, so if you keep up with regular maintenance, the shop may take a look at which fluids need to be topped off and what small things need repaired or replaced, including your wiper blades. Even if they don't check them for you, this is a good time for you to check them yourself.
As they age, Wiper Racks can get dry and brittle. They also may lose contact with your windshield as the pressure points weaken. When that happens, they need to be replaced.
How Do Wipers Function?
The mechanics behind windshield wipers are a bit complex, but the important thing to know is that when you switch them on, they move back and forth to wipe water from your windshield. The Rear Wiper Blades are made of rubber, so they slide across the glass of your windshield like a squeegee and move the water out of the way so you can see. As they age, the rubber hardens, and loses its ability to maintain good contact with your windshield.
How Do I Tell If They Need to Be Replaced?
There are plenty of signs that will tell you if your windshield wipers have gone bad. If they have rust or corrosion on the ends or you notice cracks and tears in the rubber, they need to be replaced.
If the Wiper Blade Refills separate from the frame or start squeaking while cleaning the windshield, it's time to get new ones. You may also notice streaking along with the noise, which means they have worn out.
Not only will worn out wipers reduce your visibility in inclement weather, but they could scratch your windshield, making it weaker and more susceptible to damage. Replacing your windshield is much more expensive than replacing your wiper blades.