Ahhh, summertime is here and that means so are the violent, sudden thunderstorms that sneak up out of nowhere. You’re on your way home and all of a sudden, buckets of water are being poured onto your windshield. These are the moments you need your windshield wipers the most, especially at night. And did you know that the UV rays from the sun can cause major damage to your wipers? I never did. Well, the sun can cause your wipers to deteriorate, crack or split – none of these options are acceptable. This week we take an in-depth look at what you should know when it comes to your wipers!
Keep an eye out for:
- Broken wipers/ frames, detachment from frame arms or connection points
- Cracks or tears in the rubber
- Rubber should be flexible and able to form to the windshield
- Corrosion, especially at joints
Most common problems:
- Rubber has started to split
- Streaking or skipping on the windshield
- Frames are bent or broken
- Any wear/ tear or corrosion on blades or frame
So, why should you check your wiper blades? Well, like we talked about before, you don’t want to be stuck in a rainstorm with crappy windshield wipers. Rain can decrease your visibility and if it happens to be nighttime, your visibility is even less when your windshield wipers are in poor condition. You’re probably wondering if you can avoid this breakdown or deterioration of your wipers. The answer is an absolute YES.
Avoiding wiper breakdown:
- Get regular car washes and clean your windshield each time you fill up your tank
- Gently clean off your wipers with a damp paper towel or microfiber towel
- Alternate between summer and winter windshield wipers to avoid damage to your wiper frames. Extreme temperatures can affect your wipers differently, use the appropriate wipers for the appropriate season.
Become a proactive vehicle owner this summer and some your windshield wipers a little TLC! Stop in to swap out your old wipers and get a fresh new set. Don’t forget to fill up on windshield washer fluid while you’re at it!
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