Windshield Wipers: What You Should Know

Windshield wipers are a very important component of your vehicle. On a rainy day, windshield wipers help the driver see the road clearly. When the windshield wiper system is not operating correctly, this could become dangerous. There are several key components of this system that work together to ensure your safety on the road during a rainy or snowy day.

Service Interval

According to General Motors service intervals,  you should replace your windshield wiper blades every 6,000 miles, or twice a year. Some recommend that you change them every 2 1/2 years, but to ensure safety while driving through hazardous conditions, it is best to change them more frequently. Ultimately, the weather you normally drive through is an important factor to deciding when to change your wiper blades.

Premature Wiper Blade Wear

Several factors could cause premature wiper blade wear. A common mistake people make when defrosting their window during the winter is turning on the windshield wipers before the car is completely defrosted. This can cause damage to the windshield.

Washer Solvent

There are two different types of washer solvent used in windshield wiper systems. These solvents are the summer blend and the winter blend. It is important to not mix these up because they freeze at different temperatures. For example, if you were to use the summer blend during the winter months, it can cause your windshield to freeze completely.

Wiper Arm Failures

In the windshield wiper system, there are caps on the end of the wiper arms attached to the wiper transmission. The transmission is responsible for the controlling the wiper arms and causing them to move back and forth. Over time the wiper motors and transmissions can wear out, therefore it is important to keep with with this system. If your wipers do not return to the bottom of your windshield, that is a key indicator that something is wrong with the wiper motor.

Windshield Wiper Maintenance

When it is raining or snowing outside, having clear vision of the road is essential when driving. Clear vision while driven helps ensure the safety of you and others while on the road. Do you believe your windshield wipers need attention? If so, call us at 330-965-7144, or click here to schedule an appointment online.