How Do You Change Windshield Wipers?

It’s a question commonly asked by drivers from Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, and Mooresville: “How do you change windshield wipers?” It’s a small, but vital part of car maintenance, and can help to keep you and your vehicle safe and secure even when the weather is less than ideal.

We spoke to our expert technicians at Cloninger Ford on the proper method for changing out windshield wipers. Read on to learn all about this process, and how optimizing your windshield wipers can improve your driving experience.

When to Change Your Windshield Wipers

Although it’s an important aspect of keeping your car running great, people often forget to change their windshield wipers as part of routine maintenance. Luckily, you can easily add this into your regular maintenance routine.

Generally speaking, your windshield wiper blades should be replaced every six to 12 months. This number can change dramatically depending on use and how intense the weather conditions are. Read on to see some of the signs that it might be time to change your windshield wipers, even if you don’t have maintenance scheduled just yet.

Signs You Need to Change Windshield Wipers

While routinely replacing your windshield wipers will help prevent a wealth of issues, it’s important to check them regularly between services. Here are a few things to look for that could impact the performance of your windshield wipers.

Rubber Quality: Make sure the rubber on your windshield wipers is smooth and free of cracks or tears. Damage indicates it’s time for a new set of wipers. Keep an eye out for worn, rounded edges—that means the rubber is old and not working as effectively as it should be.

Streaks or Film: Is your windshield dirtier after using your wipers? If you can’t help but notice streaks and film on your windshield despite using your wipers, they could be grimy and in need of replacing.

Ineffective Wipers: Are parts of your windshield not getting the attention they deserve from your wipers? If you notice chunks of your windshield the wipers don’t seem to be reaching, that’s a sign that they could be bent or damaged, and therefore unable to do an effective cleaning job.

Replacing Your Wipers

Replacing your windshield wipers is quick and easy! Before you get started, be sure to measure the original windshield wipers, or refer to your owner’s manual, to make sure you’re getting the correct size for your vehicle. From there you can:

Remove Old Wipers: Lift the arm of the wiper up and away from the windshield. Press the small tab underneath the windshield wiper. As you do this, slip the entire wiper blade off in one smooth motion.

Attach New Wipers: Take the wiper blade and pull it tightly onto the arm. Be sure to listen for a click, which will indicate that it has successfully locked into place. Once you hear the click, you can return the wiper back to its original position.

Test Your Wipers: Once they’re on, run them a few times to ensure they are properly attached and working correctly. This way the next time the weather is less than ideal, you’ll be ready to go!

Visit Our Service Center Today

We hope we’ve helped answer the question: “How do you change windshield wipers?” Want to know more, or have other questions for our service center? Then head on over to Cloninger Ford today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will show you around, answer all your car-related questions, and help you with your service needs.

We’ve helped drivers from Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, and Mooresville, and we’re sure to be able to provide you with care on all your service needs, too!