How Often Should I Change My Wiper Blades?

These wiper blades are streaking and need to be replaced.
If you are driving in a snow storm or in heavy rain, you want your wiper blades to work so you have the best visibility while on the road. If your wipers are skipping, streaking, splitting, or squeaking it is time to change wiper blades, according to Rain-X. Typically, a set of wiper blades lasts anywhere from six months to one year, according to HowStuffWorks. Tomorrow’s Tech suggests replacing the front and rear wipers at least once a year. The longevity of a set of wiper blades is dependent on several factors including weather conditions and the blade’s composition.
How Weather Conditions Affect Wiper Blades
Weather conditions greatly affect the performance of your vehicle’s wiper blades. In the winter freezing temperatures cause the squeegee, or blade part, to become hard and brittle, according to Everblades. Over time, the squeegee will crack. In the summer the squeegee can warp, which eventually causes the blade to crack. This is especially true in dryer climates.
There are a few ways to protect the wiper blades from the elements. Parking in the shade, or in a parking garage, will help shield the rubber blades from the sun and heat, according to Scrubblade. In freezing temperatures try to avoid using the wiper blades to de-ice your windshield, according to Rain-X. This will damage the rubber squeegee. You can prevent ice build-up on the squeegee by pulling the blades off of the window when it snows. This also helps the blades to not freeze to the window.
Types of Wiper Blades
Wiper blades come in several varieties. The most popular wiper blades are rubber or halogen-hardened rubber, according to Autoweek. Silicone blades are said to last the longest, according to PIAA. They say, “silicone rubber lasts at least two times longer than traditional blades.” In any event, it’s best to check your wiper blades more often than not to make sure you won’t be caught out in a snow storm or in the rain with poor visibility due to wiper blades that are worn.
Call Fisher Auto in Boulder, Colo., at (303)245-6414 with questions or to schedule a time to have your wiper blades inspected or to change wiper blades.
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