High-quality windshield wiper blades like those made by Trico are important for maintaining visibility. Sometimes drivers overlook the importance of wiper blades for road safety. However, if your blades are not in good condition, rain and snow can become very hazardous. Once wiper blades become worn, they will not effectively clear water and debris. Even worse, they can cause smears to form on your windshield, which could severely limit visibility. If you regularly replace your windshield wipers, this will help to ensure that your visibility never become compromised due to debris or weather conditions. To ensure that your wipers are in good condition, it is important to inspect them regularly and to keep in mind some of the typical signs of wear and tear as you drive.
Since rubber can break down in the elements, blades can begin to show signs of wear even if they are not used very often. Generally, it is recommended that blades be inspected about every six months and replaced, if necessary. You should check your wipers more frequently if you live in a harsh climate and during the winter months, when snow and ice can speed up wear and tear. Luckily, replacing wiper blades is an easy process, and packages will provide clear instructions on securely attaching the new ones. Once installed, it is important to test the blades immediately rather than waiting until it starts to rain and they are urgently needed.
Some of the most important signs to keep in mind that it may be time to change your wiper blades include:
Noisy wipers
One of the first signs that your wiper blades need to be replaced is that you may hear a new sound when they are used. Wiper blades should drag across the glass smoothly with little noise. A chattering noise is not only irritating, but also dangerous. This noise means that the blade is not maintaining contact with the glass through the entire length of the wiper blade. In other words, the blade is not effectively clearing the windshield, and the inconsistencies can create serious visibility issues when you are on the road. Once you start to hear any sort of chattering from your wiper blades, you should visually inspect them once you have safely stopped, and also make sure there is no problem with the windshield itself. Then, replace the blades as soon as possible to keep your ride safe.
Damaged rubber
When visually inspecting your wiper blades, you are primarily looking for issues with the rubber. Each blade has a piece of rubber running along it that actually makes contact with the glass of the windshield and acts as a squeegee. The rubber should be in a single, smooth piece. If it appears cracked, split, or broken off in even one place, it will not work as intended. Any imperfection means that it is time to replace the blades. Some of the damage to blades results from environmental factors, which is why it is so important to inspect them during the winter months. Ice can easily do a lot of damage to the rubber. Blades designed for the winter weather will be more resistant to this type of damage.
Misshapen frame
When visually inspecting your wiper blades, another aspect that you should focus on is the metal frame. This part of the blade can actually become bent or damaged for a number of reasons. Car washes are notorious for causing the metal frame to bend. However, ice can also cause it to become bent. Also, washing your wiper blades too aggressively can lead to this issue. If you notice that the frame is bent or misshapen, you will need to replace it. A bent frame will prevent the blade from fully coming into contact with the windshield. In some cases, you may notice that the blade still seems to work fine even though it is bent. When this occurs, it is only a matter of time until the blade stops working correctly and will need to be replaced.
Windshield streaking
If you notice that your wipers leave streaks on your windshield, that is another sign that you need to replace them. The streaks mean that proper contact is no longer occurring. You may also notice that a film appears on the windshield and does not seem to come clean even when the blades are used. Sometimes, using a paper towel to clean the blades will solve this problem. However, if the issue persists, that is a sign you need to replace the blades. Another problem that could arise is large spots that are not getting cleaned by the blades. These spots can form in the middle of the windshield or even at the edges of the normal sweep of the blade. This often occurs due to a bent frame, although it could also be an issue with the rubber. In either case, an inability to clear large spots is a sign that the blades should be replaced.