While it is often overlooked, windshield wiper maintenance is very important on every vehicle. How well your wipers work directly impacts your level of visibility as a driver, and visibility is key to safe driving. If you cannot see where you are going, or even if your vision is impaired only a little, you are for more likely to have an accident. Keeping your windshield wipers healthy and well maintained is easy, by understanding what affects your wipers and how to check them, you can have a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.
How the Elements Affect Your Windshield Wipers
Sunshine, especially ultraviolet light from the sun's rays will cause windshield wipers to become dry, cracked, and brittle over time.
Moisture, above and beyond standard rain, will cause your windshield wipers …show more content…
A good rule of thumb is to wipe off or gently wash your windshield wipers each time to fill your gas tank. By adding this step to the fill up process, you won't have to remember to do it separately. Even if you tend to fill your gas tank once a week, the added cleaning will not hurt your wipers.
Use your windshield wipers as they were intended. This means that yes, you should use your wipers to slick water and rain from your windshield, as well as light dust. This does not mean that you should use your windshield wipers to remove frost and ice from your windshield. The rubber on your wipers was not meant to contend with ice. The rubber on your windshield wipers was also not meant to deal with tough or caked on mud. If your vehicle has gotten so dirty that your glass surfaces are covered in mud, you will need to wash your car manually.
If you live in an area that snows, or regularly reaches freezing temperatures, pull your windshield wipers away from the body of your vehicle. This will prevent ice from forming under the blades, thus keeping them from sticking to your