Windscreen wipers are items in a car in which we take for granted most days. Like air filters which are hidden away most of the time, wipers are something we don’t think about until its important. We’re subconsciously coded to flick them on once the rain starts pouring and carry on listening to Radio 6. However, the time you start to notice them rubbing and squeaking, it’s time to get them replaced.
We wouldn’t have windscreen wipers if it wasn’t for a visit to a snowy New York City in 1902. After seeing a trolley car driver struggle to see out the front windscreen due to sleet, inventor, Mary Anderson filed a patent for the invention of windscreen wipers. She was laughed at initially because people thought they would distract drivers. However, the automotive industry embraced the things throughout the 1910s, and Cadillac was the first car manufacturer to fit them as standard equipment from 1922.
Fast forward to the crop of wipers we have today, and we have a decent selection to choose from that fit our cars. They usually last about a year. Sometimes less if you use them with a dirty, gritty windscreen. How you can prolong your wiper blades’ life is by keeping your windscreen clean.
Don’t use wipers to remove ice. That’s what an ice scraper is for. And park your car out of direct sunlight if you can. The first two, in particular, will degrade your windscreen wipers quite quickly. Wiper blades are often rubber, therefore using them on gritty or rough surfaces persistently will leave them ragged in no time.
The best windscreen wipers at a glance
Editor’s pick: Bosch Aerotwin 700mm – buy from Amazon
Best silicone wiper blades: Valeo Everguard Silicone Wiper Blade – buy from Amazon
Best value: Vipa Wiper Blade Set – buy from Amazon
How to find the right windscreen wipers for your car
Thankfully, looking for the correct wipers for your car isn’t a difficult feat. You can find the correct size in your car’s handbook, but it’s easier to use online services such as Amazon Garage. You simply filter in your car’s details, look for wipers, and the rest is history.
Find the correct windscreen wipers for your vehicle
Pros
- Simple to find the correct wipers for you
- Lots to choose from
Cons
- You need Prime for free delivery
The best windscreen wipers
Editor's pick
If you want wiper blades that'll perform well and won't need replacing too often, look no further than Bosch.
Pros
- Will fit loads of vehicles
- Great quality
Cons
- A premium choice
Best for specific car types
The ones linked for example, fit the Nissan Qashqai with both front and rear wipers provided. But you can search a whole range of Hayner blades that fit other cars such as the Ford Focus, Mercedes C-Class and more.
Pros
- Ideal for specific cars
- Can come with rear wiper blade too
Cons
- Instructions not as clear as others
The most advanced windscreen wipers
You can get a whole array of different sizes (just make sure to convert inches to mm). And because silicone is resistant to heat, cold, and UV, they'll last quite a bit longer than standard rubber wipers.
Pros
- Will last a while
- Better rain repellent
Cons
- Rubber blades are better value
The best value wiper blades
Pros
- Complete set included
- Decent quality
Cons
- Can be quite car specific when searching for the right ones
How to change your wiper blades:
Once you have the correct replacements, pull the wiper arms up, away from the windscreen. The wiper bracket will have a little tab where it meets the wiper arm. Press it and slide the old wiper blade from the arm. Replace the new wiper blade by doing the reverse. The new blade will click when it locks into place. After all that, gently lower the wiper arm back down onto the windscreen. The great thing about a new set of wiper blades is that they serve as a perfect applicator for some new rain repellent.
How to clean the blades:
If for some reason you think WD40 can apply here, forget it. Put that spray can away and save it for some squeaky hinges. Having cleaned your windscreen first, you will need a rag similar, a small volume of warm, soapy water. You can use washer fluid too, or even a vinegar-water mixture. If it’s quite cold and crispy, you might want to throw on some de-icer while you’re at it.
Lift up the wiper arms so that they stay up on their own. Dampen your rag with whichever liquid you’re using and gently wipe the blade back and forth until the wiper is clean and the rag is coming away with no grime. Clean the rest of the wiper mechanism, too. Use a clean, damp rag or cloth to wipe any soap, washer fluid, or vinegar residue from the wipers. Then lower the wiper arms back down onto the windscreen.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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