Windshield wipers should typically be replaced every six months. Your vehicles windshield wiper blades take a beating from Mother Nature, as well as other elements.
When wiper blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility.
Common Wiper Problems
- Streaking occurs when the rubber squeegee dries, hardens and cracks. It can also be caused by tree sap, road tar and other foreign substances collected on either the glass or the blade.
- Skipping occurs when the blade develops a curvature from lack of use (e.g. left in the ‘parked position’ for an extended length of time).
- Wearing occurs with extensive use and is when the rubber edges are rounded instead of squared.
- Splitting is caused when the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the rubber squeegee, causing it to breakdown and separate from the frame.
- Bent Refill Vertebra and Bent Frames cause inconsistent contact with the glass surface, creating streaking or skipping.
Replacing windshield wipers regularly is integral to safe driving.
Changing temperatures can cause the rubber compound on the wiper blade to split and crack over time, creating reduced visibility when you use your wipers in inclement weather. Over the course of time, dirt and debris can build up. The spring tension on the wiper arms will loosen. Finally, wiper blades just wear out with regular use.