Your car's wiper blades play an important role in maintaining your overall visibility while behind the wheel. Similar to other parts of your vehicle, your wiper blades will need to be changed throughout the year. If you're unsure how to remove your windshield wiper blades and install new ones, check out our step-by-step guide below!
What are windshield wipers, and what do they do?
Windshield wiper blades feature two blades that are located on your front and back windshield. When turned on by the driver, the wiper blades move back and forth to remove rain, snow, and other debris that could be hindering your visibility. Without working wiper blades, driving your vehicle would be difficult and dangerous, which is why you'll need to replace them with new wiper blades every so often.
How can you tell your wiper blades need to be changed?
Should you start to notice that your current wiper blades are working as well if they leave streaks along your windshield, start to squeak while they operate, or skip over your glass.
Step-by-step: how to change your windshield wipers
Changing your windshield wipers is a fairly easy task that many car owners can do on their own. If you've never done so before, follow our straightforward step-by-step instructions below:
1. Choose the right size wiper blade
First things first, all vehicles have different wiper blade sizes. To ensure you get the right blade sizes, you'll need to double-check the blades that are currently attached to your vehicle. You can also find this information in your owner's manual in your glove box. With this information, you can go buy your new blades, which shouldn't cost you more than $30 to $50. Remember, installing the wrong size blades can impact your visibility and damage your windshield glass. So, make sure you purchase the same size from the beginning to avoid this issue.
2. Locate and lift the wiper arm off your windshield
Now that your new wiper blades have been purchased, you'll need to begin the process of removing the old blades from your windshield. Gently lift the windshield wiper arms from the base of your windshield, making sure they are in an upright position.
3. Remove your old blades
The most common type of wiper blade is a J-hook connection. To remove the old blade, slide the blade toward the base of the windshield wiper arm to unhook it. Do the same thing on the other wiper blade.
4. Install new wiper blades
Now that both windshield wipers have been removed, it's time to install your new wiper blades. Start by removing the plastic from the blade rubber. Next, push the new wiper blade into the wiper arm until you hear it click. Now, go to your passenger side and install the new blade on the wiper arm, again ensuring that the blade connects and is aligned correctly.
5. Lower wiper arms back toward the windshield
With the new wiper blades in place, you can go ahead and gently lower the new blade on each side back into the base of your windshield. Remember, after you install wiper blades, it's always a good idea to test them out and ensure that they are working correctly. Turn on your vehicle and start your windshield wipers, add some windshield fluid and ensure that the windshield wipers are able to clear your windshield. If so, you're good to go!
If you notice that the new wipers aren't working properly, it may be due to an installation problem or incorrect sizing. Again, you can look at your owner's manual for further assistance.
How long do wiper blades last?
Generally speaking, your wiper blades can last up to a year before you'll need new ones if you live in an area with a relatively temperate climate. That said, it really depends on how often you use your vehicle, what type of weather conditions you drive in, where you choose to store your vehicle when you're not using it, and the material your wipers are made of. For example, silicone wipers tend to last twice as long as rubber blades, which tend to wear out faster due to being in contact with changing temperatures and strong sun UV rays.
Periodic maintenance is key to ensure your vehicle remains in tip-top shape and safe to operate. But how much does car maintenance cost? The truth is that it depends on several factors, including what type of vehicle you drive, how old it is, its current condition, your driving habits, where you live, and more. That said, you can expect to pay, on average, anywhere between $100 and $1000 a year to maintain your car. When it comes to the cost of wipers, you can anticipate paying anywhere between $15 to $50 per blade, depending on what type, brand, or vehicle you have and where you're located.
If you notice that your windshield has become more difficult to clear and your visibility has worsened over time, it may be time to replace it, as streaks and other problems can put you as a driver at risk. Other signs that it may be time to replace your wipers include irregular movements when your wipers are activated, screeching sounds, or visible damage.
Troubleshooting wiper issues and common mistakes
One of the nice things about changing your windshield wipers is that installing the new wipers is a fairly quick task that shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to complete when done correctly. If, after you've installed your new wipers, you've run into some trouble, some common mistakes could be to blame, including the following:
- Improper alignment: If your wipers fail to clean your windshield evenly, they may not be attached correctly. Double-check that the blades and arm are secured in the correct position and that they are aligned with the cure of your windshield.
- Wrong size: Purchasing the wrong size blade at the store is more common than you think. To prevent having to go back for a return, check your owner's manual for the correct wiper size or bring your old wipers with you to confirm you have the right blade sizes.
- Forgetting to test your wipers: Always test your wipers with some washer fluid before heading out on the road to ensure everything is working correctly.
After thoroughly examining and troubleshooting the wiper issues, we will now delve deeper into identifying these problems. In the following sections, we will explore the underlying causes of the wiper malfunctions in detail. Additionally, we'll provide comprehensive solutions to effectively address and resolve each issue:
Issues and fixes
the issues and their solutions include:
- Streaks: Dirt and other build-up on your blades can cause streaks along your windshield. Make sure you clean your blades with a cloth to remove any debris.
- Skipping: If your blades skip along your windshield, they could be operating on dry glass or bent. Put fluid on your windshield to see if this remedies the issue. If not, you may have to adjust the wiper arm tension.
- Squeaking: Squeaking is often caused by dry glass or worn blades. Ensure your windshield is clean and has a bit of wiper fluid on it before activating your blades.
Are my windshield wiper blades covered under insurance?
Unfortunately, no. Wiper blades and wiper arms are not typically covered under your car insurance, as replacing them is a maintenance task that stems from general wear and tear. For example, if you accidentally attach your new wiper arm the wrong way and when taking it off, you accidentally damage the wiper arm, you wouldn't be able to have your insurance company pay to have the arm replaced.
The only way your wipers would be covered is if they were damaged in a collision on a non-collision event and you had already purchased collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. For example, if you were parked on the road and your car, including your windshield wipers, were vandalized, you'd be able to file an insurance claim under your comprehensive coverage, provided that you purchased this policy before the damage occurred. Similarly, if you were in a car accident and your car suffered damage to its front end and windshield, you'd be reimbursed by your insurance company during a claim. Otherwise, all damages and replacements needed would be your responsibility to pay out of pocket.
Keep your vehicle in tip-top shape year-round
Owning a vehicle comes with the expectation that you'll properly take care of it throughout the years. By doing so, not only will it keep your car working safely, but also as optimally as possible. Whether you're a first-time driver or not, knowing what maintenance tasks you need to perform throughout the year or before your next road trip will help you get to your next destination with peace of mind. Take a look through our comprehensive maintenance tips, guides, and checklists below:
Protect yourself behind the wheel with quality car insurance
All drivers in Canada require some form of auto insurance to legally operate a motor vehicle on public roads. Beyond these standard policies, there are numerous types of auto insurance available to drivers who want to supplement their insurance plan for added protection and peace of mind. Here's a closer look at some of the policies available to you:
Contact BrokerLink for affordable insurance coverage
At BrokerLink, we help Canadians find affordable car insurance policies that meet their needs. With years of professional experience and access to some of Canada's top providers and policies, our team of brokers are able to help you compare coverage options and costs and unlock discounts that can lower your premiums.
If you want to save on car insurance, come visit our brokers at one of our many locations across the country. If we're not in your neighbourhood, you can always contact us over the phone!
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