Windshield wipers are important for safe driving and visually while driving, however, they are probably the last item on your car that you think about. It is hard to remember that you should replace your windshield wipers until it is already raining, snowing, dusty, or there is a swarm of insects in front of you. Idrivesafely has tips for you on how to choose the right windshield wipers and how to install them so you can keep safe.
Choosing the Right Windshield Wipers
Each car has a specific size of windshield wiper based on its model, make, and year. It is important that you buy the right size of windshield wiper for your car and to know if your car has two different sizes. You can find out the size by looking in the owner’s manual, looking it up online, measuring the current wiper blades on your car, or by going into any auto parts store and using their “wiper blade size finder.”
How to Install Windshield Wipers
When replacing and installing windshield wipers, you can either replace the entire blade or just the rubber insert. If you are only replacing the rubber insert, you will need a pair of needle-nosed pliers. For simplicity, it is easier to replace the entire blade. You can replace the entire blade by following the directions on the package the blade came in. If your car has two different sizes of blades, make sure you know which size goes on the driver’s side and which goes on the passenger’s side.
Why the Right Size Matters
If you buy blades that are too big, they could bump into each other and damage the wiper blade motor. Blades that are too big also do not conform to the windshield and can leave some spots unclear and that is a safety hazard. The blade could also hit the trim around the edge of the windshield.
Wiper blades that are too small do not cover the entire area and cause visibility issues.
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When to Replace Windshield Wipers
You should test your windshield wipers at least once a season and replace them if there is streaking on your windshield, wiper noise on glass, blades leaving marks on the glass, and blades sticking to the glass. Replace the blades soon after any of these signs to ensure your safety.