How to Tell if Your Windscreen Wipers Need Replacing
A 6-step guide to telling if your windscreen wipers need replacing.
- Check for streaking: streaking is when wiper blades leave lines of dirt and other sediments on the windscreen.
- Look for skipping: Skipping is when wiper blades are not making contact with the windscreen.
- Listen for squeaking: Squeaking is when the wiper blades make a lot of noise and squeal when they pass over the windscreen.
- Inspect for splitting: Splitting is when wiper blades have visible cracks and splits in the rubber edge or ‘squeegee’.
- Assess wiper age: Wiper blades should be replaced every 12 months, even if they seem fine.
- Examine the rubber: If the rubber is brittle or broken down, replace the blades as soon as possible.
You may not think about it very often, but windscreen wipers are one of the most important elements on a car - particularly when it comes to ensuring that you’re able to drive safely.
Fortunately there are some things that you can do to make sure your wipers are well looked after, and working as effectively as you need them to.
What wiper blades do I need?
We can’t talk about windscreen wiper maintenance without addressing that you do need to make sure you use the correct windscreen wipers for your car in order for them to work at their best.
To find out what size windscreen wiper blade your particular car needs, you can check your vehicle handbook, or use our windscreen wiper tool to find the right size for your vehicle. Or, check out our blog for more information on determining what wiper blades you need.
When to replace your windscreen wipers
We generally recommend that you replace your wiper blades every 12 months to ensure they continue to provide maximum visibility. However, if your windscreen wipers are displaying any of the four S’s; streaking, skipping, splitting, or squeaking, it might be time for new wider blades.
Windscreen wiper maintenance
How to stop squeaking wiper blades
We’ve all been there - driving down the road in the rain, listening to the incessant squeaking of our windscreen wipers. But this isn’t something that we just have to put up with. In fact, there are a few reasons your wiper blades might be squeaking - and lots of things you can do to help stop it.
One reason your blades may squeak is because your windscreen itself is too dirty. Particles of salt, dirt, sand, or other debris can increase friction, leading to excessive squeaking. Give your windscreen a thorough wash and dry, and then see if the noise persists.
If it does, you may have an issue with the wiper blades themselves. Over time the rubber can become brittle, or even break down, which means they won’t be working as effectively. If the rubber looks old or worn, invest in new wiper blades.
Finally, if your windscreen is clean, and the rubber of the blade looks fresh and intact, it may just be that your windscreen wipers need a good clean. Let’s take a look at the best way to do this.
How to clean your wiper blades
Cleaning wiper blades takes no time at all, but it can significantly improve your safety on the road – and make sure that you’re able to see everything that’s happening around you.
If you find your blades are squeaking, or perhaps they just aren’t clearing the screen as effectively as before, then it’s time to give them a clean.
To clean your wiper blades, grab a rag or sponge, some warm soapy water - or undiluted washer fluid, if you have any to hand.
Pull the windscreen wiper arms away from the windscreen, where they should lock into position. If they don’t, hold them in place while you complete your cleaning.
Wash your windscreen first to make sure that the glass is nice and clean. Then, dampen your sponge or rag in the soapy water and start gently wiping up and down the blades. Just be careful not to wipe too heavily - the rubber can be a bit fragile, and you don’t want to damage it or pull it off.
Finally, don’t forget to clear any dirt or debris away from the base of the wiper arms and the mechanism too, to make sure everything is ready to go again.
How to change your windscreen wipers
Windscreen wipers naturally need replacing at periodic intervals due to the work they put in on a day-to-day basis and their exposure to the elements. If you’ve identified that your wipers need replacing, then don’t fret - this is something you can have done quickly and easily at your local centre, or if you’re confident, you can attempt it yourself.
Just make sure that you’ve identified the correct type of wiper for your car, using the tool we mentioned earlier, and that you know how the release mechanism for the wipers works on your specific car.
Keep in mind that it’s recommended to replace windscreen wipers in pairs, so that they experience wear and tear at the same rate.
To get some help changing your windscreen wipers, or identifying a potential issue, pop in to your nearest Kwik Fit centre or give us a call. We keep a wide range of replacement windscreen wiper blades in stock at all times, designed to fit most cars and vans, so we’re sure to be able to help.
1. Check for streaking: streaking is when wiper blades leave lines of dirt and other sediments on the windscreen.
2. Look for skipping: Skipping is when wiper blades are not making contact with the windscreen.
3. Listen for squeaking: Squeaking is when the wiper blades make a lot of noise and squeal when they pass over the windscreen.
4. Inspect for splitting: Splitting is when wiper blades have visible cracks and splits in the rubber edge or ‘squeegee’.
5. Assess wiper age: Wiper blades should be replaced every 12 months, even if they seem fine.
6. Examine the rubber: If the rubber is brittle or broken down, replace the blades as soon as possible.
