Drivers the world over barely give their wipers a second thought- it is one of those small, replaceable parts of the car that only occupies a driver’s attention when it isn’t functioning properly. However, during inclement weather conditions (whether that is a dust storm, rain, fog or even a hailstorm), wiper blades can suddenly become a driver’s best friend. They may be as important to your driving experience as the contents of your glove compartment on a day-to-day basis, but driving in harsh weather is nearly impossible when they aren’t functioning properly.
It is very easy to tell when wiper blades stop functioning the way they are supposed to, or when they need to be replaced. They will start to emit a high-pitched screeching sound as they move across your windshield, or be unsuccessful in removing the particles that are hampering your visibility despite moving over the particles. Once that happens, they will (in most cases) need to be replaced. However, there are steps that drivers can take to ensure that the lifespan of the wiper blades is maximised, by minimising the wear and tear that they undergo.
Here are some of the steps that you can take to maximise the lifespan of your wiper blades:
- Avoid Direct Sunlight as much as possible: Hot weather is far from ideal for wiper blades, as it can cause the rubber that makes up the blades to become dry and cracked. Avoiding direct sunlight when parking your car is advisable, and will also help to keep your car cooler! Obviously, it is not possible to avoid direct sunlight when driving in the daytime during the summer, but you can limit how dry your wiper blades become as a result of the sunlight. Using the windshield wiper fluid to clean your windshield is not only advisable from a visibility standpoint, but also from a wiper longevity standpoint.
- Inspect Your Wiper Blades Regularly: Damage to the wiper blades accrues over time, and can be reduced if spotted early. Damage to wiper blades can manifest itself in several different ways, whether that is rubber hardening, or getting worn out, cracked or torn. Depending on the kind of damage you discover, there are steps that you can take to minimise the damage to the rubber blades, thereby increasing the expected lifespan of the blades. For example, when the wiper blades start leaving streaks on the windshield, it is usually a sign of dirt or debris getting stuck in the blade, and the best thing to do is to take a cloth with some rubbing alcohol on it and clean the wiper blades along the edge. If you’re not sure about what steps to take to minimise the damage to your wiper blades, just visit your nearest Saeedi Pro location and get the advice of our autocare professionals.
- Don’t use water as a windshield wiper fluid: There is a misconception in the minds of a lot of drivers that it does not matter what windshield wiper fluid you use- ordinary water can do the job just as well as any windshield wiper fluid is capable of doing. However, water is not equipped to do the job at all as it can become a hotbed for bacteria in warm weather conditions, and cannot break down dirt and other impurities on your windshield, which results in more wear and tear for your wiper blades. Hence, we strongly recommend using a good quality windshield fluid additive mixed with water for better cleaning and longevity of wiper blades.
All of this may seem like a lot of effort, but it is necessary in order to get the most out of your wiper blades. In addition to maximising the lifespan of the wiper blades, these tips will also reduce the chances of you getting caught in a low-visibility situation where your wipers don’t function as intended and put you at risk when you are on the road. If you still don’t feel like it’s worth it, you can always visit your nearest Saeedi Pro location and our team will be happy to guide and do it for you.
At Saeedi Pro, we stock a wide range of wiper blades in order to fit our customers’ varying requirements- get in touch with our team and get your quote today!
