Have you ever experienced driving during heavy rainfall that affected your vision on the road? Worse, have your car wipers ever stopped functioning properly in such a circumstance?
Be careful! That is a hazardous situation. Damage to car wipers can lead to an accident on the road.
Function of car wipers
Car wipers ensure that your windscreen is always clean for safe driving. They help remove residual rainwater impurities such as dust and other contaminants.
Therefore, you need to ensure that your wipers are well-functioning. You can easily maintain or replace them at home without sending your car to a service centre for installation.
Read on as we share the types of wipers in the market and several ways to extend their lifespan.
Components of car wipers
Below are the components of car wipers for your reference:
Wiper arms
Wiper arms help support the frames and blades and make sure that the movement of the wipers is carefully regulated.
Connector
A connector is an intermediate wiper blade with a wiper arm. You are advised to use the right connector to ensure that the wiper works silently and efficiently.
Spring flexors
Spring flexors ensure the rubber blade maintains an even pressure. They also ensure even wiping action along the rubber blade’s entire length.
The curvature of the spring flexors matches your windscreen for perfect contact between the blade and the glass.
Rubber element
It is made of natural or chloroprene rubber. The edge ensures maximum flexibility as the blade changes the angle at the end of each stroke across the windscreen.
The rubber element that comes into contact with the glass surface is treated with a special coating and graphite powder to reduce friction. The precision-formed profile ensures a smooth angle change as the wiper cycles up and down the windscreen.
The rubber can wear out even when not used due to weather factors and exposure to sunlight.
Spoiler
A spoiler is fitted to the windscreen wiper on the drivers’ side to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce wind-lift when driving at high speeds.
Types of car wipers
The three main types of car wipers are conventional, flat and hybrid wipers.
Conventional wipers
Conventional windscreen wipers were the most common type fitted to new cars before the existence of flat blades.
These conventional wipers are said to have a longer lifespan and better quality.
Flat wipers
Nowadays, almost all new cars are equipped with flat wipers. Flat wipers have a metal flexor that supports a rubber element with a full-length integrated spoiler to use the pressure generated by the airflow.
This allows for a flatter aerodynamic shape that reduces wind noise.
Hybrid wipers
Hybrid windscreen wipers are a combination of conventional and flat windscreen wipers.
They enjoy both aerodynamic properties and the appearance of flat windscreen wipers with the performance of conventional windscreen wipers.
The integrated spoiler runs along the entire length of the blade, reducing wind lift to maintain constant downforce. This keeps the rubber blade on the windscreen, for a smooth and quiet movement, especially at high speeds.
Tips to maintaining windscreen wipers
You do not have to spend a fortune to get high-quality windscreen wipers. Instead, you just have to know the right way to care for your car wipers.
Windscreen wipers that are well cared for can help prolong their lifespan.
Not using the wipers on a dry windscreen
Windscreen wipers are meant to be used when the windscreen is wet. Operating them on a dry surface can cause the wipers to wear out quicker.
It is best to wet the windscreen using the shower function before wiping the dust on the surface.
Clean the wiper blades
Dirt and grime accumulate over time and damage the cutting edge of the wiper blades. Contaminants can also cause the wiper squeegee to wear out faster.
Therefore, always clean the wiper blades by wiping them off with a damp cloth.
This is to prevent the accumulation of dirt under your blades.
Put the wipers up
Keeping the wipers down will cause them to warp with the shape of the windscreen.
Additionally, parking in the shade is a good habit of protecting your car. This does not just preserve your wipers but other rubber parts of your vehicle.
Check the blade rubber of car wipers
You should replace the blade rubber every six months to a year, depending on how often you use your wipers.
Some wipers break down quickly due to minimal quality and care. Here are signs you should change your windscreen wipers:
- The wipers start making noise
Sometimes, wipers can make a noise while wiping your windscreen.
As your blades age, the rubber stiffens and loses flexibility, which causes squeaking. The sound indicates that your wipers are no longer in good condition and therefore no longer effective for use.
- Residual water on the windscreen
If there are still traces of streaked water on the surface of the windscreen after the wipers have wiped it, know that it indicates that your wipers are no longer working properly.
It shows the wiper blades have already worn out, thus causing them not to be able to wipe water properly. This is dangerous as it may interfere with your visibility, especially during heavy rain and at night.
- Wiper blades vibrate when in use
If the windscreen wipers vibrate while wiping the windscreen, it means that the wiper rubber is getting worn out, or there is damage to the wiper frame.
Regularly check the wiper blades
Windscreen wipers are essential to help keep you safe on the road.
Damaged wiper blades can cause problems during sudden downpours, so maintaining them is essential.
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