Easy Windshield Wiper Replacement

One of the most under-appreciated parts of your car's exterior are your windshield wipers. If they're in tip-top condition, they're not really not anything you ever think about. But if they're not, you'll wish you did a windshield wiper replacement the next time you're driving down the road in a sudden summer downpour!

You need every bit of visibility during those bad weather conditions. If your windshield wipers are worn, hardened, cracked or split, don't wait until it's too late to replace them. You can tell that you need a windshield wiper replacement if they've been  leaving ugly streaks and smears or even scratches on the glass or if they make a funny scraping noise when they operate. Don't be fooled, those things aren't just cosmetic or simply annoying. Worn windshield wiper blades are a safety concern! 

Sometimes if you're experiencing poor performance from your windshield wipers, it's just dirt and insect residue that is caught on the edge of the blade. Lift up the arm of each wiper and try to clean the blade off using a soft, clean cloth and some window cleaner. If this doesn't fix the problem, you'll know you really do need a windshield wiper replacement.

Windshield wiper replacement is not hard. There are a number of good replacement blades you can buy and it only takes a few minutes to take them off and pop them back on. First, you might want to consider your windshield wiper replacement options: silicone, rubber and graphite.

Most people think that windshield wipers replacement blades are available strictly in rubber. That may have once been the case, but not today. You can get rubber, silicone or graphite replacements at most auto parts stores or online. Here are some interesting features of each.

Rubber - lasts 6 months to a year. Rubber windshield wiper replacement blades tend to breakdown relatively quickly in the continuous exposure to sunlight and other harsh weather conditions. They tend to be the cheapest, but least durable option.

Silicone - somewhat more durable then rubber windshield wiper replacement blades, silicone blades actually leave a slight amount of silicone on the window surface which allows the rain to bead run off easier. This tends to put less stress on the blade and increase blade life.

Graphite - this type of windshield wiper replacement blade is affordable, quiet and offers a smooth, streak-free operation.

In addition to these various material choices, you might also want to consider a windshield wiper replacement blade with a flat, low-profile design. These are becoming more common and popular because they look good, are aerodynamic and resist damage in harsh winter conditions.

Once you've chosen your windshield wiper replacement, it's a pretty simple job to take off the old ones.

• Just lift the windshield wiper arm up to it's holding position. It should remain there on its own. 
• Find the button on the bottom center of the blade at the junction of the arm and press it. 
• Keep the button pressed and slide while pushing toward the end of the arm. It should just slide off. 
• Repeat procedures for the other side.

• Caution: Be super careful at this point! The wiper arm is springy and could slam back down against the glass with nothing to cushion it. This has the potential for causing damage to your windshield. If you need to take a break with the old blade off or you need to let go to get the new blade, gently lay the wiper arm down.

 To install your new windshield wiper replacement blade, it's just as easy as taking it off. 

• Note that the one end of the clip on your blade that is curved.
• Position it up and lower the wiper down onto the wiper arm.
• Move the hook of the wiper arm over the clip and pull the wiper up so the clip slides into the hook. Listen for it to snap and give it a pull for tightness. 
• Repeat the procedure for the other side.

 Now that your done your windshield wiper replacement, it's time to test it. Just turn your car on, give a spray of wiper fluid and see the difference your new blades make!