Windshield wipers and wiper blades are one of the most important parts of your car – but they’re often overlooked by car owners. They are always right in front of us, but we tend to take them for granted and don’t often think to change them.
Windshield wipers contribute more than any other part of your car to your ability to drive safely. We use our windshield wipers when it’s raining or snowing to keep our front and back windshields clear, so we can always see what is in front of or behind us.
Over time, and the more we use them, our windshield wiper blades wear down and stop working the best they can.
The ozone, contaminants in the air, oil, sunlight and dirt contribute to weakening your windshield wiper blades. With that deterioration, your blades are less and less able to keep your view clear and unobstructed. Just like having a chip or crack in your windshield, wiper blade deterioration makes it dangerous for you to drive.
Another culprit for wearing down your wiper blades is the weather. With freezing temperatures, the rubber of your wiper blades becomes hard and brittle. Hard and brittle blades are more likely to crack or tear, making them ineffective. Hot weather, on the other hand, makes the rubber of the wiper blade warped, so it can’t wipe the windshield as cleanly.
When we’re driving, we encounter a lot of debris across our windshields: dust, abrasives, grime from the road, bugs – all of these wear away the sharp edge of the wiper blade. Gradually, the flat surface of the wiper blade that’s needed will be worn down.
The rubber of your wiper blades also wears down over time, regardless of the amount of use. The rubber blade will eventually lose its flexibility.
There are lots of reasons your wiper blades can be worn down, so it’s important to replace your wiper blades every 6 months, wherever you live.
You should also replace your blades if you notice them skipping, streaking, splitting and squeaking.
If you have questions about your wiper blades, need them replaced, or need a replacement windshield, contact Go! Glass today at one of our many locations across Ontario and the Maritimes.