Windshield Wiper Maintenance Tips

When you think about car maintenance, repairing your windshield wipers may not be at the top of the list. It’s easy to neglect them, but it should be an important part of routine maintenance to help you keep safe on the road. After all, wiper replacement is one of the most common wear and tear repairs.

Sun, pollution, dust, and mud – if it’s hitting your windshield, there’s a chance it’s also negatively impacting your wipers. Luckily, keeping your windshield wipers in good working order doesn’t take too long. Here are our favorite windshield wiper maintenance tips to keep your wipers ready for a summer downpour.

• Clean and Clean Again

  If you see debris on your windshield, take a moment to clean it off. What you might not realize is that debris can build up on your wiper blades very easily, and they need a wipe down with a damp cloth every couple of months to keep their functioning optimal. This should also help prevent your wiper blades from leaving undesirable dirty streak marks across your windshield. To lighten the load on your wipers even further, make sure you’re cleaning your windshield often.

• Use the Right Product

  There are a lot of windshield wipers on the market. Make sure you’re buying the right length and type for your car, and that they’re properly installed.

• Watch Your Windshield

  If you think you might need a wiper replacement, your windshield will tell you. If there’s streaks, hazy areas, or untouched patches across your windshield, that’s a sure sign that your wipers likely need a full replacement.

• Protect the Blades

  When you use a rubber coating spray every six months, you’re adding an extra layer of protection to your wiper blades. They see more use than you might think, and it only takes one small and sharp piece of debris to start doing damage to both your wiper blades the windshield itself.

• Take Care with Repairs

  After you’ve cleaned your wiper blades or washed your windshield, make sure to put your wipers back into position carefully. Snapping them forcefully into place can damage the wiper frame, and possibly your windshield too.

• Choosing Wiper Fluid

  A high-quality wiper fluid is going to help your blades keep your windshield streak and debris free. You should never use your wipers on a dry windshield, but with enough wiper fluid under the hood, you don’t need rain to keep your blades running smoothly.

• Check for Physical Damage

  Even if your wipers seem to be in perfect working order, this can change in seconds if there are cracks, rust, or broken frame arms on any of the wipers. It could mean that you lose the wiper the next time you flick them on, so bring the vehicle in for a check before you end up in an unsafe situation.

Professional Maintenance

Wiper cleaning, checks, and replacements are part of both our scheduled and preventive maintenance service. We’ll always let you know if there are signs of wear and tear, and we can replace the wipers and blades to best suit your car and your needs. While they should be replaced at least once a year, wipers should be checked every six months and replaced if needed to ensure you’re rain-ready.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive maintenance program for your vehicle, don’t hesitate! Schedule an appointment today at Foreign Affairs Motorsport.