When was the last time you changed out your windshield wipers? If you did it last before the onset of winter, then you’d better believe it’s past time for you to replace those old wipers with brand-spankin’ new ones! The ravages of winter can really damage your wipers, and with the spring rains that are a hallmark of the current season, you’ll need the best wiping ability possible… and those old wipers just won’t cut the mustard. Take a look at some indications that it’s time to change your wipers, and how to take care of the new ones once they’re installed!

You should take a look at your wipers at least every time you get gas. When you’re inspecting your wiper blades, look for the following:

• Broken frame, which is the detachment of frame arms at joints or connection points.

• Metal corrosion, especially at joints and claws.

• Visible cracks, tears, and missing pieces in the rubber squeegee’s edge.

• Flex the rubber squeegee back and forth to see if it is still flexible. Aged squeegees will have difficulty conforming to the shape of your windshield and create streaks.

• Check the squeegee wiping edge for rounded edges which can prevent the wiper blade from making strong contact with the windshield and reduces wipe quality.

• Tug to ensure that the wiper blade has been securely installed on the wiper arm.

• Check to make sure that the squeegee is secure in the wiper frame.

As we (should) know, the materials that your windshield wipers are made of are not ones that will last until the end of time. There are a lot of ways that the world around you can degrade your wipers:

• Sun: Ultraviolet light and ozone deterioration

• Oil: Car waxes and exhaust hold rubber-deteriorating oil

• Airborne debris: Sand, mud, and dust carried in the wind

• Moisture: Acid rain and salt water (in moist air both near the shore and inland)

Now to the signs that your wipers need a change. There are a few to look out for, and if you experience multiple items on this list at once then it’s definitely time to head over to the auto store to buy new wipers.

• Streaking: occurs when the rubber squeegee dries, hardens and cracks. It can also be caused by tree sap, road tar and other foreign substances collected on either the glass or the blade.

• Skipping: occurs when the blade develops a curvature from lack of use (e.g. left in the ‘parked position’ for an extended length of time).

• Wearing: occurs with extensive use and is when the rubber edges are rounded instead of squared.

• Splitting: caused when the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the rubber squeegee, causing it to break down and separate from the frame.

• Bent refill vertebra and bent frames: cause inconsistent contact with the glass surface, creating streaking or skipping.

“How do I take care of my wipers,” you ask? Well, it’s easy!

• Clean your windshield every time you fill your gas tank.

• Gently wipe the rubber squeegee with a damp paper towel to remove any loose dirt or oil.

• Never use your windshield wipers to de-ice your windshield. Instead, either use an ice scraper or use your defroster to melt snow and ice.

• Pull your wiper blades away from the windshield during winter months to prevent ice build up on the rubber squeegee and to prevent them from sticking to the windshield.