How to Replace Wiper Blades (4 Easy Steps)
Wipers, like any other part of your car, require regular inspection and maintenance. If your wipers aren’t working properly, they’ll have a hard time clearing rain and moisture from your windshield.
Old wiper blades are the main cause of squealing wipers, but too many drivers simply accept the noise and poor performance, resulting in water on the windshield.
Driving in these conditions can be dangerous, as you won’t be able to see clearly ahead while driving. And if you live in an area where it snows frequently, having bad wipers puts you at even greater risk. When to Replace Wiper Blades
So what does it mean if your windshield wipers are bad? Your car’s wipers may be moving back and forth on your windshield, but that doesn’t mean they’re working properly. The main thing you need to worry about is the thin strip of wiper blade that actually slides over your windshield to push the water away.
Most wiper blades are made of rubber, but some contain synthetic compounds. Gradually, the material in the wiper blades starts to dry out and become brittle, crack, or even peel off from the wiper assembly.
If your wiper blades get too worn, they will no longer be able to properly clear rain and snow from your windshield and may make a squeaking noise when doing so. Then it’s time to get a new set of wiper blades for your car.
How to Replace Wiper Blades
You don’t need to be an experienced mechanic to replace wiper blades. Below are four common replacement steps: If you want to see the actual removal/installation process, check out the video below:
1) Buy new wipers
Make sure the length of your new wiper blades matches the length of your old ones. You can measure the length yourself or refer to your owner’s manual. This will tell you what size wiper blade is right for your car.
However, your local store that sells wiper blades will have a book that will help you find the right size wiper blade for your specific car based on its make, model, and year.
Most online stores (whether general retailers like Amazon.com or auto parts retailers like Advance Auto Parts) have an internal database where you can fill out a few form fields and the same information will appear.
2) Remove the old wiper blades
To do this, some wipers have a small tab on the bottom that you need to press. It’s in between the wiper and the wiper arm. Then pull the wiper blade down until it comes off the arm. Other styles require you to rotate the wiper blade so that it is perpendicular to the wiper arm, then simply pull down to release the wiper from the arm.
3) Install the new wiper blade
Take your new wiper blade (driver and passenger side wiper blades often come in different sizes, so make sure it is the correct wiper blade) and slide it onto the same arm in the same way that you removed the old wiper blade. Then slowly lower your arm and make sure it is firmly against the windshield again.
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.
Once you have finished installing both wiper blades, test them by spraying them with windshield washer fluid and turning on the wipers. If the wipers are working properly, they will completely and silently wipe the fluid off the windshield.
Make sure only the edge of the wiper touches the glass. If you accidentally install the wrong size wiper blade, the edge may touch or go beyond the outer edge of the windshield.
