Imagine being on the freeway and finding yourself in a sudden cloudburst while your car’s windscreen wipers are starting to disintegrate. Windscreen wipers are essential to safe driving – no driver should compromise on maintenance of their windscreen wipers. It is remarkable how long wipers last when you realise how many strokes they make in their lifetime. Read on and find out how often you should replace windscreen wipers. 1
Replacing Windscreen Wipers
Depending on prevailing weather conditions, manufacturers recommend changing windscreen wipers every year. 1
Below are some tell-tale signs of worn windscreen wipers that need replacing.
Any Streaks On The Windscreen?
A windscreen wiper begins to lose its function when it leaves streaks and patches on a wet windscreen. Another sign is that the wiper shudders as it crosses the windscreen. 1
Take Preventative Action
Why wait till all windscreen wipers fall apart? Inspecting them regularly will enable you to replace them in time. 1
Inspect Every Few Months
It all depends on the climate. If it rains frequently, wear and tear on each wiper blade will be much greater. 1
The Sun’s Harsh UV Action
The sun’s harsh UV rays continually beat down on the windscreen wipers, especially in sunny and hot parts of the world. This causes the rubber blades to perish, as shown by warping or cracking. In freezing, icy weather, rubber blades become brittle. 1
Dirty Windscreens Damage Rubber Blades
Constant dirt, dust, and grime from the environment damages rubber blades through abrasive action. If you live in rural areas where dirt roads abound, you should check rubber blades at least once a month. 1
Some Good News
Most car dealers and shops will replace windscreen wipers free-of-charge if you buy wipers from them. This is because they are so easy to replace, taking only about 10 minutes. 1
What Is A Rubber Wiper’s Lifespan?
This all depends on the type of wiper rubber used. Standard rubber wiper blades last for the shortest amount of time, followed by hydrogen-hardened rubber wipers. Silicone rubber wipers have a lifespan of more than a year, irrespective of their frequency of use. Costs will rise as the quality of rubber blades increases. 1
Use Reputable Makes Of Windscreen Wipers
Avoid buying no-brand windscreen wipers, as their quality is not guaranteed. Windscreen wipers recommended by your dealer will last longer. To make the cleaning process easier for blades, dealers advise you to pour a specific additive into the water reservoir used for the windscreen. 1
Disclaimer
This article aims to show you how to drive safely by always having effective windscreen wipers. 1
Everything in life is about maintenance. In this case, it’s about making sure your car’s windscreen wipers work optimally at all times. Similarly, it’s good to ask if your car insurance working optimally for you. Have you checked the policy recently to see if it’s still relevant? At PMD, we provide world-class client service to inform you about our affordable car insurance products. You’ll benefit from their unique benefits, such as fixed premiums* and a reduce-to-zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Contact a certified financial advisor for professional advice to make sure you don’t buy the wrong financial services product.
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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Is your car ready for the Seasonal Rains? Windscreen Wiper Blades, Roadworthiness and Safe Driving https://t.co/24hDaDPQsI #ArriveAlive #WiperBlades @SAGoldwagen pic.twitter.com/RNSwM30lHX
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 11, 2023
