Step-wise Guide on How to Change a Car Wiper Blades

The windshield wiper is one of the essential vehicle components that help remove water, rain, snow, debris etc., to provide clear visibility to the driver and ensure a safe drive. It constitutes three parts – lower wiper arm, plastic or metal that connects rubber blade and lower arm. If any of these components become damaged, it is essential to replace them. 

However, if you do not know how to change a car wiper, go through this blog to learn about it.

Follow the step-wise guide mentioned below to replace wiper blades without any hassle:

Steps Before Changing the Wiper Blades

Step 1: Assess Which Part Requires Replacement

As stated earlier, windshield wipers comprise three parts. Usually, a rubber blade is changed, which is susceptible to damages due to water or constant unpleasant weather. If you also notice any cracks on your car's windshield wipers, make sure to replace them.

Step 2: Check Damaged Blades' Size and Replace With New Car Wipers

Measure your car's damaged rubber blades with a measuring tape or ruler. Note down the measurement and purchase new blades according to that measurement. Remember that both right and left wipers differ in size as one blade is an inch or two smaller than the other.

Additionally, check the wiper blades carefully and remove plastic or metal pieces, if any, from the blades. The presence of such on wiper blades may damage the windshield during replacement.

Steps to Install Wiper Blades

Step 3: Lift the Metal Wiper Arm from Car's Windshield

You should hold the metal wiper perpendicular to your car's windshield. In this step, you need to be careful with the positioning of holding the wiper as the metal wiper has a spring. If you fail to hold it properly, it may rebound and crack your car's windshield.

Step 4: Detach the Old and Damaged Wiper Blade

You need to press a small plastic stopper that connects the metal arm and rubber wiper blade and detach the old wiper blade from the metal arm. 

Consider the few following pointers while performing this step:

• You may find pins that hold a rubber wiper blade instead of hooks.
• Do not hold a wiper close to your car's windshield. Alternatively, you may cover the windscreen with a folded towel to protect it from damages while changing the wiper in this process.

Step 5: Install the New Wiper Blade

Slide the new wiper into the similar end of the wiper arm from where you have drawn that old wiper out. Gently rotate this new wiper until the hook secures it to its place. Put the new wiper back against the windshield. Follow this similar procedure to change another wiper. Make sure to purchase the correct size for both sides' wiper blades.

Knowing how to change car wipers is essential to replace damaged car wipers, which may contribute to the following problems:

• A damaged wiper cannot fully clean the windshield, which may hamper your visibility to view what is in front of the car, thus jeopardising your on-road safety.
• Metallic parts of damaged wipers may scratch against the windshield.

Once you know how to replace wiper blades and why it is necessary to replace damaged ones, it is essential to select the correct type of wiper to get effective results. 

Are you confused about which type of wiper blade is suitable for your vehicle? Illustrated below are the three types of windshield wipers:

1. Flat Windshield Wipers

Flat windshield wipers are flat and aerodynamic in design, which lowers the noise of the wind. They comprise tensioned metallic flexors to ensure that uniform force is applied not only to the wiper but also evenly distributes pressure on the entire cleaning space for efficient cleaning.

2. Conventional Windshield Wipers

These wipers feature metal-plastic or all-metal construction coupled with wiper blades and a central bridge. The wiper arm puts a force that is distributed to the wiper blade that may range between 6 to 8 pressure points based on the blade's length. These wipers efficiently clean the windshield due to pressure distribution at multiple points. However, it has a higher drag coefficient and is not suitable for advanced high-speed vehicles.

3. Hybrid Windshield Wipers

Hybrid windshield wipers are an amalgamation of characteristics of both conventional and flat windshield wipers. The mechanism of these blades ensures uniform distribution of force to wiper blades, and it is also flat-shaped, which reduces the wind noise at higher speeds.

Remember that if your vehicle has conventional windshield wipers, you can replace them with hybrid or flat car wipers. However, if hybrid windshield wipers are fitted to your vehicle, you cannot change it with a conventional or flat one. So, select the one that is suitable for your car.

Knowing how to change a car wiper blade is essential to replace the damaged ones and ensure a safe driving experience. Additionally, keep the pointers in mind mentioned above, such as selecting the correct wiper type as recommended by the car manufacturer and additional information to avoid inconvenience during replacement.