Windshield wiper blades are one of the most overlooked pieces of equipment in your car. No one really thinks about changing them until they break. Having the best windshield wiper blades is important.
Some blades have been shown to deteriorate after as little as 4-6 months. It is recommended that you change your wiper blades at least twice per year. Some of the early signs that you may need to replace your wiper blades are streaks, or blind spots while driving in wet weather at night.
Not only is it important to be able to see through your windshield. It is also important that you change your wipers so that a torn wiper does not eventually crack your windshield leaving you with a costly repair. Wiper blades are a fairly inexpensive fix that you can change yourself. We will go over some things to consider when it’s time for you to change yours.
How many windshield wiper blade types are out there?
Price is usually affected by the type of blade you’re looking to buy and also the brand. There are three different types of blades to choose from on the market today. The first is what is called a frame type. This style of blade uses a metal frame to support rubber blades. This is the cheapest and most widely used item today.
The second most commonly used is the winter wiper. This has a rubber shell around the framework to keep it from collecting snow and ice buildup. When snow and ice begin to build upon the wiper it can put a strain on the mechanism that is controlling the blade. This in turn decreases flexibility. When flexibility decreases the wiper blade cannot contour to the form of the windshield, causing less water, snow, and ice to be removed from the driver’s view. Some winter wipers are made from silicone instead of rubber. This causes the blade to be more pliable in colder temperatures.
Last but not least, there are beam style wiper blades. These are one continual piece that allows the blades to form to the curve of the windshield better. They also have a better look than some more common blades. The beam-style blade has been shown to last longer than traditional blades, and compare very closely to performance in snow and ice as the winter blade. Beam style blades also have not metal frame which means no rust will build up over time.
How to choose the best wiper blades for you?
When searching for the best windshield wiper blades, it is important that you take the following factors into consideration. There are many different types of wiper blades out there and choosing the right one can be difficult. Your vehicle owner’s manual is a good place to start if you are uncertain about which ones to purchase. Not only are there three different types of wiper blades to choose from, but there are also brands to take into consideration. Bosch or Rain-X brands tend to be more expensive than your generic store brands.
There will also be many different variants when purchasing. These variants can increase performance some, but in the end, is more of a marketing tactic to get you to purchase the product. These variants can include rain repellant, “aerodynamic design”, pictures of a windshield with crystal clear picture (photoshopped mind you), and claims that you will get better gas mileage as well.
To cut through some of the confusion, when purchasing windshield wiper blades here are some things to consider.
- Beam Style Wiper Blades perform better.
These wiper blades have a seamless fit to the vehicle and leave no room for debris to obstruct vision. Beam blades conform to the curve of your windshield in any weather condition, leaving a clear view of the road.
- Choose synthetic rubber over traditional rubber type blades.
This style of blade will hold up better in the long run over traditional rubber. Synthetic rubber wiper blades will not deteriorate in the sun. Mostly all beam style blades have a synthetic rubber blend. This blade is resistant to heat and extreme cold. Synthetic rubber blades perform the best in extreme conditions.
- Look for a performance spoiler
Spoilers are rubber material that covers most of the blade. A good spoiler will provide additional protection for the blade from the elements this will prevent debris from building up.
Again most people do not consider changing their wiper blades until they absolutely have to. But paying attention to the wear and deterioration of your wiper blades will mean that you are able to see in wet and dark conditions. Drive safe!!
