How to Choose Windshield Wiper Blades

If your windshield wiper blades are skipping, streaking, splitting, or squeaking, it might be time for a replacement. But before installing new blades, you have to choose which ones to get.

Deciding on the need to change the blades

1

Understand why you need to change your wiper blades. The blade of a wiper is made of rubber; thus, it will naturally wear out after several months of wiping off snow, rain, and dust, from your windshield.

2

Consider your options for changing the blades. Some consumers will take the car to an auto maintenance garage and ask the mechanic to change the rubber blades, or the whole wiper blade. The new blade will likely cost from fifteen to twenty dollars, plus a fair labor cost of around ten or twenty dollars. The alternative is to buy the wiper blades from chain store, or from the internet and install them yourself (an easy process).

Choosing the wiper blades

1. 
   1
   Know what part of the wiper blade you'll need to change. In general, windshield wiper blades are made with three basic parts:

   • 1. The lower metal arm is the part that extends from the base of the windshield;
   • 2. The wiper blade is the part attached to the metal arm; and
   • 3. The rubber blade is the part that actually wipes the snow, rain or dust off the windshield glass for you.
2. 
   2
   Look at the shape of the blade. Many modern cars have curved windshields, so the blade needs to curve too, to make good contact as it wipes. There are many brands of wiper blades with various kinds of packaging, some of which you can see through and some of which you can't. Straight wiper blades are suitable for car with a flat windshield, while slightly curved wiper blades may be more suitable for car with streamline windshield.
3. 
   3
   Measure or look up the length of the blades that are used on your car’s driver seat and passenger seat sides. You can measure the length of each blade yourself, but in general, most places that sell wiper blades provide a manual where you can look up the lengths for your car make and model..
4. 
   4
   Check for adapter options. Many wiper blade brands include more than one adapter type in their packaging. These are designed to make the blades compatible with various types of metal arm.
5. 
   5
   Consider cost. Different kinds of wiper blades can range in price dramatically. Do a little comparison shopping to figure out what wipers fit your price range and are still of good quality
6. 
   
7. 
   1
   Purchase and install the new blades. When you're ready with your new blades, you can install them yourself to save labor costs of a mechanic. The process is simple, as outlined in this section.
8. 
   2
   Raise the metal arm up and away from the windshield, until it holds steady in a position perpendicular to the windshield glass. Be careful, since the metal arm is spring loaded and could snap back and crack the glass.
9. 
   3
   Find a latch behind the adapter, simply press it and the wiper blade will slide down.
10. 
    4
    Remove the old wiper.
11. 
    5
    Gently rest the bare hook against a cloth on the windshield. The cloth also protects the glass from being scratched, if for some reason the wipers unexpectedly swipe.
12. 
    6
    Clean windshield and blade with mild soapy water and clean dry with a clean towel or cloth.
13. 
    7
    Install wiper blades on the vehicle and remove the protective squeegee cover.See the insert in the package for detailed installation instructions.
14. 
    8
    Place the wiper blades back onto the windshield glass lightly.
15. .

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google Plus

About wikiHow.com