It’s raining, and your wiper blades aren’t doing the job very well, you make a mental note to change them as soon as you can.  The rain stops, and you forget, until the next time it rains.  Sound familiar?

Being able to see the road when it’s raining is paramount to driving safely.  Not seeing clearly is endangering your passenger’s and your lives.

Windshield wipers need to operate correctly at all times, and like most car parts, wiper blades also degrade over time.

Common problems you might encounter with your wiper-blades:

Smearing – could be a sign of a dirty windshield and/or a dirty wiper blade, overly watery windshield wiper fluid or worn blades.

Chattering – not only are your wiper blades chattering, but the water is also not wiping efficiently.  Chattering is often the result of a buildup of oil, or grease which prevents the blade from cleanly wiping the water away. The suggested solution is to wash the windscreen and blades thoroughly.  If you are still experiencing chattering, the problem may be a bent wiper arm.

Squeaking

Wiper blades do degrade over time and old and worn wiper blades could cause them to squeak.  Having accumulated dirt and dust is also a common cause of friction when the blades operate, which results in the squeak.  Clean and the wiper blades and the windscreen and off course inspect the wiper blades for defects.

Don’t wait until it rains to realize your wiper blades don’t work efficiently.  The weather conditions can damage your wiper blades, test your wiper blades and washer fluid are functioning well at least once a month.  It’s generally recommended to have your wiper blades inspected and/or replaced once a year.

Remember your wiper-blades should be in top condition before you need them.