When your wiper blades get weathered, overused, or even dirty, they can have a huge impact on visibility and safety on the road in Tampa, FL. Windshield wipers take a beating swishing back and forth for hours to clear away the rain, pollen, frost, snow, bugs, leaves, and everything else that obstructs our line of sight.
This small but mighty car part can only take so much before they become brittle, warp, or crack. How long that takes depends on several factors, but here are some signs that it’s time to replace those windshield wipers:
Visibility is Impaired
Smears and streaks appear when the wipers no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface. Even recently replaced blades can leave behind streaks that affect your driving visibility, so you may need to swap them out. Clean the blades with warm water and a microfiber cloth. If they are still leaving behind a streak of grime, then it is time to replace them.
Wipers Make Annoying Noises
Wipers that are not connecting properly with the windshield will also make ear-piercing squeaks and annoying chatters. You may notice they skip a specific spot or make inconsistent passes.
Inspect for Damage
Wiper deterioration results from extreme temperatures, rain, sand, and a host of other environmental elements. Inspect the frame for corrosion, breaks, bends, or floppy joints and claws. The rubber squeegee often splits, loses chunks, or grows rounded edges when it loses the necessary flexibility to conform to the windshield. Streaks appear when the wipers cannot consistently drag across the glass.
Wipers are Old
Generally, windshield wiper manufacturers recommend replacing blades every six months to one year. RainX offers a clever tip to swap them out on Groundhogs Day. The random date works well whether you are preparing to battle a few more snowy weeks of winter or the upcoming springtime showers.
Cracks in your windshield can also impact wiper blade performance. Contact the auto glass experts at Mr. Auto Glass for an inspection or quick windshield repair.