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Wiper Care
Like your car’s rubber tires, brake pads and engine oil, car windscreen wipers also need to be replaced frequently. You might not know your windscreen wipers need replacing until you’re driving in heavy rain at night. Your cars windscreen wipers play a large role in keeping you and your passengers safe during wet weather, snow and storms.
We are often asked “when should we change our windscreen wiper blades”. There is no set time limit as it really depends on where you live and how frequently you drive and use your windscreen wipers. However, we have put together some points that will allow you to determine if your front or rear windscreen wipers need replacing.
- Cracked rubber
Have a close look at your front and rear windscreen wiper blades. The wiper should be smooth and soft the whole way across the rubber blade. There should not be any cracking or fraying of the rubber. The wear should be even and consistent across the blade. If your rubber is beginning to wear down, we suggest you replace them.
- Wiper blade noise
If your windscreen wiper makes a loud noise when it rubs across your windscreen, this is a sign that your wiper blades may need replacing. The sound is created when the rubber on your blade has worn or dried out. This is one of the most common issues with wipers that need replacing.
- Streaking or skipping
If your windscreen wiper is skipping or leaving gaps during rainfall, this could be a sign your wiper needs replacing. A quality wiper blade will leave nice and even wipe across your whole windscreen. You may also find that the edge on the wipe is not as sharp as it used to be. This is also a sign that your wiper is not performing well and will soon need replacing.
- Bent frames
Car washing and snow storms can cause your wiper blade frame to bend or morph out of shape. If your frame is bent, your wipers may not wipe your windscreen correctly. This means that your wipers are due for a replacement. This is not to be confused with bent wiper arms. This will need to be replaced or fixed by a dealer or service center.
- Poor windscreen contact
If your wiper blades do not give you a nice and even wipe, there may be an issue with the rubber on the blades. This could be due to uneven wear or cracked rubber. If your wiper isn’t making smooth contact with your windscreen, it is time to replace.
- Heat cycles
The Australian sun is very harsh on car windscreen wiper blades. The UV causes the rubber to dry out and therefore deteriorate. Once your wiper blade has deteriorated, you will start seeing streaks, smears and hearing noises. We suggest you replace your wipers once you see the rubber dry out.
Overall, your car windscreen wipers do a great job at improving your visibility on the roads, however they will not last forever and will need replacing if they exhibit any of the above signs of a wiper blade that needs replacement.
We offer wiper blade replacements for over 2000 cars in Australia. Simply use our easy to use search above and find the perfect fit windscreen wipers for your own vehicle.
