How do you maintain your windscreen wipers?
What products and methods should be used to maintain windscreen wipers?
As dirt accumulates on your windscreen, your wipers leave marks. To clean them, you should use products that are harmless to the rubber on the blades, such as white vinegar, hot soapy water or windscreen-washer fluid.
To clean them, proceed as follows:
- remove the wipers from the windscreen
- apply your chosen product on a clean microfibre cloth and rub the wiper up and down, pinching the blade until there are no more black marks on the cloth
- rinse the cloth
- clean your windscreen with a non-ammonia glass cleaner or windscreen-washer fluid, then wipe with another clean microfibre cloth
- treat the hinged parts with a lubricant at the base of the wipers
- lower the blades.
How do you preserve your wipers and extend their life?
Windscreen wipers have a life of about one year. To preserve them, check the condition of the frame, blade and hinged parts once a month. Make sure that they are not bent and that the assembly does not exert too much pressure on your windscreen. Also, consider de-greasing and re-orienting the nozzles if you notice that the washer fluid does not distribute properly on the windscreen.
Here are some additional tips:
- store your vehicle out of the sun, which can prematurely damage the rubber
- wash the windscreen regularly to remove stubborn dirt
- never use the wipers dry, nor for wiping snow or ice
- take off your wipers if they are frozen.
Now you know how to maintain your wipers to prolong their life. However, if your wipers scratch the windscreen, the rubber gets squeaky, or the blades do not drain water properly, it’s time to change them so that you can continue driving safely.
