You may not have ever thought about the life of your wiper blades. Yet, this seemingly minute detail in your vehicle has had more influence over your driving experience than you might think. Here, Doug Yates Towing & Recovery discusses wiper blades and how they are essential to your vehicle. Additionally, a few helpful tips to extend their life cycle.

Wiper blades are a necessary component of your vehicle’s safety. They reduce road spray, improve visibility and eliminate dangerous streaks. By following these helpful tips, your wiper blades will last longer while making the best use of the aid they provide. Using a vehicle with no or poor visibility is unsafe and highly frustrating when traveling in all weather conditions.

Inspect Your Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are an essential part of your vehicle’s safety equipment. They keep the windshield clear of water and debris, allowing you to see clearly while driving. Wiper blades should be inspected regularly for damage and replaced when necessary.

Windshield wipers should be inspected at least once a month. Inspect them for any wear or damage (cracks, tears, missing parts). If you see any damage, replace the wiper blade as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Frame

Check the frame where it attaches to the wiper arm for corrosion (rust) or cracks. If there is corrosion or cracking, replace both wiper arms with new ones from your local auto parts store. This will ensure that both sides of your vehicle are protected from water and debris coming into contact with your windshield.

Corrosion

As stated above, corrosion is another factor that will affect how well your wiper blades work. It affects metal parts of the blade, making them more prone to breaking and tearing apart during use. When corrosion occurs, replace it as soon as possible to avoid damaging other parts of the car while driving through harsh weather conditions.

Cracks

If you see any cracks in the rubber material of your wiper blades, it could mean trouble for those blades in the future. The cracks could get worse and result in more expensive repairs down the line if you don’t address them quickly.

Flexible Squeegee

The squeegee should be flexible enough to clean off any debris without causing damage to it or leaving streaks behind. It should also be a durable material that won’t crack or tear when pressure is applied during wiping.

Ensure Contact With Window

When you use your new wiper blades, ensure the rubber touches the window. Make sure there is no gap between them and the windshield. If there is a gap, dirt and debris will accumulate instead of being wiped off entirely from your windshield.

Is The Wiper Blade Securely Attached To The Arm

If you hear a scraping sound when your wipers are on, this could mean that the blade is not securely attached to its arm. Make sure the blade is fastened tightly onto the arm and adjust if necessary.

Clean Your Windshield When Pumping Gas

When filling up at the gas station, clean your windshield and window with a paper towel or rag. This will remove dirt and grime that can build up on your wiper blades.

Wipe Squeegee With Damp Paper Towel

When you’re finished wiping down your windshield, wipe down the rubber blade part of the wiper blade to remove any excess debris from the blades. If you live in a colder city, remove excess water to avoid it from freezing during the Winter.

During Winter, Pull Wipers Away From Windows To Prevent Ice Buildup

If you live in a cold climate, you know how important it is to keep your windshield clean. How can you drive safely with a dirty windshield? You can’t! That’s why we came up with these helpful tips on extending the life of your wiper blades.

When it’s cold outside, don’t forget to pull your wipers away from the windshield when you park. If ice builds up between the wiper blade and window, it can freeze there and cause permanent damage to the rubber element inside. This not only makes it harder for the wiper to clear snow and ice, but it also makes it more likely that you’ll get hit with a costly repair bill down the road.

If Your Wipers Fail

The life of your wiper blades depends significantly on your environment and how often you use the wipers. Be sure to keep up with replacing your blades and give the vehicle a good inspection at the beginning of the season to avoid any issues.

Need A Tow?

Doug Yates Towing and Recovery is located in the city limits of Chattanooga, one of Tennessee’s most vibrant business communities. Since 1946 it has been the company’s mission to conduct business with integrity and professionalism in all phases of day-to-day services. We offer 24/7 towing and recovery services for all motorists and vehicle types. Our team of tow truck technicians will help get your vehicle wherever it needs to be safely and securely. You can count on us for all your towing & recovery needs. Give us a call today!