Tips from Used Car Advisor

Car Advisor Tamotsu Todoroki

Hi, this is Tamotsu Todoroki. I am a car advisor of PicknBuy24.com.
I write an online column every week to take care of your vehicle. My column is all about something useful and practical for your vehicle. Please have a look once to keep your car in good condition.

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How to Change Your Cars' Wiper Blades - Vol.366

Every car owner knows that regular maintenance is essential in taking care of every car. After a while, parts will fail, and you need to make sure that all systems are up and running to ensure a smooth ride. One of the important parts of a car is definitely windshield wipers which, as many other parts, deteriorate over time. You can't expect them to last forever, at least you if want a perfectly clean windshield, without having to worry about rain and dirt ruining your driving vision.

Changing your car's wiper blades is thus one of the important tasks every car owner has. Obviously, one of the easiest solutions would be to take the car to a professional, such as a mechanic or an automobile repair shop, but that's more expensive, since you will be paying for both the cost of new wipers and the labor for installing them. So why not install them yourself? You might not think you're up to the task, but it's surprisingly easy, and besides, a lot of people already do that, so how hard can it be?

First of all, you need to ensure that your wipers really do need replacing. This is as easy as just looking at them for any signs of deterioration, such as cracks, or any parts that are broken. The rubber on the windshield wipers is particularly susceptible to adverse weather conditions, such as snow and rain, so you should pay special attention to that part of the wipers.

If you notice streaking water on your windshield after a few years of using the same windshield wipers, then it's probably time for replacing them. Likewise, if, after wiping, the wipers leave a milky film on the windshield, this is a sure sign that a replacement is needed.

After you've made sure that your wipers really need to be changed, it's time to start the whole replacement process. The first step is simply buying the wipers, and make sure to buy the whole pair, not just one, as it will ensure optimal cleaning results. You can go to specialized stores where you'll easily find the exact type of wipers for your particular vehicle. You can also try larger supermarkets that stock automotive equipment, if you have a particularly common vehicle. Try to avoid the cheapest, but also the most expensive wipers, and try to find something with the best price/quality ratio.

To change the wipers, first pull the entire wiper assembly up, so that it's positioned vertically. With the blade perpendicular to the arm, pull out the small tab on the side of the hinge. Aiming towards the car, pull the wiper down, and you should have the blade and the arm separated. Make sure that the arm remains in the upright position, as it will damage the windshield if it falls onto it without the protective rubber layer that the blade provides.

Now you're ready for the final step of the whole replacement process - changing your car's wiper blades. The arm should be inserted through a hole on the new wiper blade, pushing the wiper up. The arm's hook should go over the hinge, so some adjustments to the hinge might be needed. With the arm positioned in the hole, line the hook over the hinge, and push those two parts together. A click will tell you that everything is in its place, and if it everything went well, you're ready to use your new wipers and enjoy them for many years to come, while saving a nice amount of money by avoiding expensive auto repair shops.