How to replace windshield wiper blades

When driving during bad weather conditions such as rain or snow, windshield wipers are a necessity because they allow you to see clearly where you are heading. It is therefore a good idea to make sure that your car wipers are working properly when you need them most to ensure a safe drive.

When to change windshield wipers?

You should probably consider changing your wipers every 6 months. Having said that, if you feel the wipers are perfectly fine after inspecting them, then you can wait a bit longer. Some wipers can last from 1 year to 2 years depending on how often and how they are used.

Symptoms of wipers which need replacing

• Signs showing wipers are cracked, torn or ragged
• Jagged edges
• Wiper’s rubber part sticking to windshield when in operation causing a rather rough movement

Cost for replacement wiper blades

Before you can replace your car wipers, you will need to purchase a new one that fits. If you are wondering where you will find the correct model of blades to buy, you will see it in the auto manual for your car. The cost of wiper blades vary from brand to brand but if you go to Halfords and buy their own brand, it will cost you £13.99. However it is better to buy the Bosch wiper blades for £18.99 for quality reasons and it's only a fiver difference. I found that the cheaper brands are not very good and produce a squeaky sound when in operation. Please also note that if you are changing just the rubber part of your blades, it will cost less than 5 quid.

Step by step instruction for changing windshield wipers

If you don't want the hassle of having to change the wiper blades yourself or you're not confident enough, then just drive to your nearest Halfords and the staff will do it for you for £2.99. It's a 30 seconds job for them but can take you forever if it's your first time.

1. Once you've got the right model for your wipers, you can detach the existing one by depressing a small tab with the help of a screwdriver and then removing the blade from the arm. There are 3 main types of blades:
   The universal slide: Press the lever on the bottom on the connection, and then slide the wiper down towards the base of the wiper arm
   The side pin: Press the spring lock button with a small flathead screwdriver, and then pull the wiper blade away from the wiper arm.
   The bayonet arm: With the lever lifted, slide the wiper blade away from the base of the arm.
2. The new blades will come with directions and it is easier to follow the picture guides demonstrating the installation of the new wiper blades. Usually you just have to hook back the new blades onto the arm, that is, the reverse process of removing the wipers.
3. Turn the new wipers on to test them. If they operate smoothly without any odd noises, then you are done, otherwise you will have to make sure that they are properly adjusted before use.

Some advice regarding car wipers

Although it is cheaper to just replace the rubber part of the wipers, it is recommended that you change the whole thing. You will have less problems in the future.

If you live in a country where it snows a lot, it is best to have winter wiper blades than the regular ones as they are more effective in removing snow and ice from your windshield.