Is it Time for New Windshield Wipers?

In 1903 Mary Anderson was visiting New York City from Alabama. While touring in a streetcar, she thought there had to be another way for the driver to clean the windshield rather then stopping the car and getting out to remove the snow and ice. Her quick sketch turned into a device which allowed the driver to manipulate a lever from inside the car that caused a spring loaded arm with a rubber blade to swing across the windshield and then back again to their original position. A patent was issued in 1905, but unfortunately Anderson was ahead of her time - Ford's Model T would not be created until 1908. While she never sold her invention, her idea took root and by 1913 windshield wipers were standard equipment on cars.

The lowly windshield wiper is taken for granted until it gets worn out and can't keep up with the rain, sleet and snow. Then we tend to growl and curse at the wiper. It is too easy to forget the blades needs until the weather worsens.

Since about 90% of all driving decisions are based on what you can see, it makes sense to have the cleanest windshield possible. Heavy use is hard on wipers and worn wiper blades are downright dangerous. All the dust, bug juice, road grime, oil, sunlight, freezing temperatures and airborne contaminants act to weaken and deteriorate the rubber blades, which can then damage the windshield each spring and fall.

Never use your wipers to try and clear ice and snow after your car has been sitting. This will not only rip the rubber blade, but can cause damage to the wiper linkages and transmission, and the wiper motor. If the wiper is frozen to the windshield, instead of beating them up with your plastic ice scraper, let the heat from the defrost thaw the ice, then gently move the arm away from the window so they are out of the way when you clear the windshield of ice and snow.

There are special wiper blades for winter. They have a protective rubber covering that minimizes the chances of the wiper arm and blade freezing. However, I find that this extra covering makes them heavier and makes their contact with the windshield difficult when cruising down the highway. There are plastic weights you can put on your winter blades to eliminate this problem, but I prefer to stick with using summer blades all year long.

When you're ready to change the wipers, you can replace just the rubber squeegee blade or replace the whole blade. Though the latter is slightly more expensive, it is worth every penny.

It can be frustrating to change a wiper the first time, it does get easier with practice. Some tips:

  1. If you go to your local parts store you can tell the counter help your year, make and model and have them give you the correct size, or you can look it up in the reference books that are available there.
  2. The new wiper package will contain your new wiper blade and will also have three to four different styles of small plastic piece attachments that secure the new blade to the wiper arm. Look to the existing attachment (where the arm and the blade meet) and use the one that matches it.
  3. There are of course multiple ways that the blades connect to the arms and this is where the frustration comes in. Once you learn how to remove and attach your style of blade, you will be a pro and will be able to do this lickety-split. To remove the old blade, push the lock pin with a screwdriver to release the blade and pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield to remove it from the arm. The lock pin may be a small tab you can depress or a small metal bump and two tabs on either side.
  4. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm and press it into place until you hear a click. Then test it by turning on the wipers. If the blade slips or wobbles, turn off the wipers and connect the attachments more firmly.

Whenever you replace your windshield wipers, check out your washer fluid. Make sure you fill it with washer solvent. Straight water does not have anti-freeze properties and don't clean as well as washer fluid.

Happy Motoring,

Amy