It’s simple to remove the old wipers and put in the new ones at home because windshield wipers are among the simplest auto repairs. To keep your windshield clean, we’ll demonstrate how to change windshield wipers.
It’s easy. Just measure your wiper, remove the old, attach the new, and test them out. Keep reading.
Things You Should Know
- Change the wiper blades by unlatching them from the end of the wiper arm and pulling them off.
- By pulling the lever at its base and lifting the wiper arm off of your windshield, you can remove a clip-on wiper arm.
- Take off a bolt-on wiper arm by unscrewing the retaining nut with a socket ratchet.
- By sticking a pin through the holes on the base of a spring-loaded wiper arm, you can remove it from your car.
How to Change Windshield Wipers?
Here is the easy step-by-step guide:
Measure the Wiper Blade Size and Get Compatible Replacement Blades
Utilizing a tape measure to determine the proper size of wiper that the vehicle will require is the first step in replacing the windshield wipers on a vehicle. Because many vehicles use one short blade and one long blade to maintain a clean windshield, be sure to measure both wiper blades. It’s a good idea to write down or keep a record of the year, make, and model of your vehicle to make sure you get the appropriate wiper blades.
With this knowledge in hand, head online, drive to an area Walmart, or stop by a nearby auto parts store to buy a set of windshield wipers that are compatible with your car. Ask a staff member for assistance if you’re still not sure which wiper blades you need because the wrong wiper blades might not fit your car properly or be the proper length if you buy them.
Remove the Old Wiper Blades
You can begin the project as soon as you have a fresh set of compatible wiper blades. Removing windshield wipers isn’t a complex process, though initially learning how to remove wiper blades can be tricky if you have never seen it done before. Lay down an old towel after lifting the wiper arm away from the windshield. If the arm suddenly snaps back into place, the towel will catch it, protecting the windshield from injury. After removing the old wiper blade, you could choose to lower the arm to the windshield and cover it with a sock until it’s time to swap out the blade.
Find the tiny tab on the windshield wiper blade where it connects to the wiper arm. By pressing this small tab, you can release the old wiper blade and slide it off the wiper arm hook. To remove the blade from the pin on the wiper’s arm if the windshield wipers have a pin instead of a hook, you should first pull up on the blade’s tab. If required, a flat-head screwdriver can be used to assist in pressing or lifting the tab.
Install the New Wiper Blades
Simply slide the new wiper blade into the same slot as the old wiper blade to install the wiper blades. Simply align the new blade with the wiper arm’s hook, slide it up until you hear and feel a click to show that the blade has snapped into place, and repeat as necessary. Just be careful to install the proper wiper blade on the proper wiper arm, as some vehicles have mismatched wiper blade sizes and mixing these up can cause the wipers to malfunction.
If your windshield wipers use pin-type connections instead of the more common hook connection then you have to slip the new blade over the pin and close the tab to lock the new blade in place. Once you’ve completed the process with both wiper blades, take off the towel and carefully lower the wipers to the windshield.
Test the Newly Installed Wiper Blades
The last step in any repair you make to your car should always be testing the replacement parts to make sure they were installed properly. If you don’t want to wait for it to rain, you can spray windshield wiper fluid or water with a hose to moisten it. This gives the new wipers something to slide across that is wet, and it will also give you a good idea of how well the new wiper blades are cleaning the windshield.
Start the wipers after turning the key. If there are any streaks, you should think about using alcohol wipes to clean any dirt off the rubber on the wipers. Test the wipers once more. If streaks continue to appear on your windshield or the wipers don’t seem to be cleaning it evenly, the wipers may not be properly fastened to the wiper arms or you may have chosen the wrong wiper blades.
Inspect the wipers and make any corrections necessary to the installation. If everything is in order and you’re still having issues, you might need to take your car to a mechanic to figure out what’s wrong.
How Much Are Windshield Wipers?
Windshield wipers are one of the cheapest parts of your car, so there’s no reason to put off changing them over after six months have gone by. Even with labor, changing one blade should only cost $12 to $16. You can now change your own windshield wipers for as little as $5 to $10 per blade.
FAQs
Is It Hard to Change Wiper Blades?
You only need your hands to replace the windshield wiper blades on the majority of cars. Find the wiper blades on your car, then raise the wiper arms. Usually they’ll hold themselves in place under spring tension, allowing you room to easily switch out the blades.
How Many Years Do Wipers Last?
Well, like many products we consume, it varies by price and brand. Cheaper blades will last on the lower end of four to six months, while reinforced all-season windshield wiper blades boast a lifespan of up to a couple years, in some cases.
How Many Times Should You Change Your Windshield Wipers?
The general rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades every six to twelve months. But based on where you live and how frequently you drive, you might need to replace them sooner.
Can You Use WD40 on Wiper Blades?
Before we kick-off the cleaning, whatever you do, you shouldn’t be cleaning your wiper blades with WD40, ever. If you use WD40 on your wiper blades, the water-displacer will leave streaks and marks, not remove the rain, but rather make it worse. You have been warned!
Summary: How to Change Windshield Wipers?
Luckily enough, learning how to replace windshield wipers is easy with this wiper blade replacement guide:
- Measuring Your Wiper
- Removing the Old
- Attaching the New
- Testing Them Out
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
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