21st February 2023
You should check your windscreen wiper blades regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. When wiper blades begin to wear out, they can become much less effective resulting in streaking and smearing across your windscreen. This can be dangerous as it reduces your visibility and can increase your chances of having an accident.
How often should you check your wiper blades?
Ideally, you should check your wiper blades once a month. Generally, they need replacing between every 6 and 12 months depending on the amount of use. You can fail your MOT if they are unable to clear your windscreen of dirt. So, it’s worth checking them on a regular basis to make sure they’re in good shape.
What should you check for when checking your wiper blades?
You should check visually that your windscreen wipers aren’t dragging, scraping or smearing your screen when they are in use. But, you should also physically check your blades for tears, fraying rubber or other damage by rubbing your fingers along the edge.
Cleaning your wiper blades
The best time to clean your wiper blades is when you’re washing your car. Before you start give your windscreen a proper clean with hot soapy water. Then lift your wiper arms and wipe down your wipers with a wet rag, sponge or paper towel. It’s important not to use cleaners that displace water like WD40, the best cleaning agents to use are simply soapy water, a mixture of vinegar and water or undiluted washer fluid.
The rubber can be fragile, so its important to clean them with care until there’s no dirt left. Once they’ve been cleaned, it’s important not to forget the arms and then wipe down the whole thing with surgical spirit when you’re done.
What to do if your wiper blades need replacing?
If you need new windscreen wipers, it’s a good idea to change both front and back at the same time. If you would like to know more about windscreen wiper replacement, find your local merityre specialist today.