Electric Vehicle Windshield Wiper Replacement A DIY Guide
How to Replace Your Windshield Wipers
Your windshield wipers are among the most important consumables on your car. Get caught out in the rain with a bad pair of wipers and your visibility can be drastically reduced, which vastly increases the risk of an incident. And no one likes an incident. So weve provided instructions and tips from an expert on how to safely replace your wipers.
Road & Track spoke with Kevin Hines, senior technician at McLaren Philadelphia, to learn the correct way to swap wiper blades efficiently and safely. Hines is North Americas only factory-certified McLaren F1 technician, which means his day job is working on $20 million exotics. If anyone understands changing wiper blades, its him.
Before reading any further, we suggest consulting your cars owners manual for exact instructions on how to swap wiper blades on your car. The manufacturers suggestions may differ from the instructions below.
Choosing the Right Blades
There are a ton of different wiper blade options out there, but the primary thing is of course to make sure you have the right blades for your make and model car. When deciding which variant works best for your windshield, keep an eye out for reputable brands and make an informed decision. Go OEM if you want to take out the guesswork.
If you drive a common car from a big-name brand, theres a good chance youll be able to find compatible wipers at your local auto parts or department store. If you drive something a bit less common, you might have to go online to find a set that fits.
Replacing Windshield Wiper Blades
Most cars dont require tools to replace windshield wiper blades; youll need only both hands. Locate the blades on your car and lift the wiper arms into the air. Usually theyll hold themselves in place under spring tension, allowing you room to easily switch out the blades. On some cars, you may have to lift the hood to gain access to the arms.
Now comes the part youll have to figure out on your own: how to physically remove the wiper blade from the arm. There are dozens of different manufacturer designs of this connection, but most require a bit of fiddling around and some minor bending to get the wiper off. We suggest referencing your owners manual to find out how to remove the blades on your car without breaking anything.
Once you have the wipers off, take extreme caution. Any time I do a set of windshield wipers, whether its on my personal truck or a McLaren F1, I always protect the windshield with something, Hines tells us.
With the wiper blades off, the metal wiper arm is poised to make contact with the glass. If you accidentally bump into it in the midst of changing blades, it could slap down and crack the windshield. I never like to let the arm stand in the air without a wiper blade on it, Hines says. Ive been on the verge of tears because of windshields that Ive broken.
Professional Grade Microfiber Towels (Pack of 6)
Professional Grade Microfiber Towels (Pack of 6)
Our recommendation: Get a towel or two and lay it on the windshield to act as a barrier between the glass and the wiper arm. This way, if the arm does suddenly swing down, it hits the towel and not your delicate windshield. The last thing you want is for a quick DIY job to turn into a $300 windshield replacement.
Take the wipers you just removed and lay them next to your replacement set. Make sure both are the same size and length and have the same connection points. After youve confirmed your new wipers will fit, pop them on using the reverse method of what you did to take off the old wipers. After youve secured the new wipers to their respective arms, gently lay the arms back onto the windshield.
Get in your car, flip on the accessories, and turn on your wipers to make sure they work as intended. Ensure theyre not making contact with any part of the car theyre not supposed to, such as the cowl or windshield frame. If they arent, congratulations, youre done.
Brian Silvestro is Hearst Autos' former lead deputy editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine where he contributed car reviews, industry interviews, and more. He has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
How to Change Windshield Wiper Blades At Home
You often take for granted the benefit of having reliable windshield wipers. When its raining or the windshield gets dirty, its helpful to have the power to clean it off right away. So, what do you do when the wipers need to be changed? Its important to learn how to change windshield wiper blades if you want to continue seeing clearly.
In this guide, we walk you through the steps and show you when to change the wiper blades. We also cover the cost of windshield wiper blades and discuss whether you are equipped to change them yourself.
How to Change Windshield Wiper Blades
Determine What Parts Need to be Changed
Its important that you understand what part of the wiper blade actually needs to be changed. There are three parts to the average blade, depending on the car model. You have the lower wiper arm that sits on the base of the windshield. Theres also the plastic or metal blade that attaches to this arm. Finally, theres a rubber blade that wipes off the windshield.If the wiper blade, the rubber part, is what needs to be changed, you can follow our instructions. Otherwise, you are going to need directions that deal with the other two parts.In most modern cars, the windshield wipers are only sold as complete units, and the rubber blade cant be replaced separately.
Measure Wiper Blade
Wiper blades come in varying sizes. You have to purchase the right replacement blades for your vehicle. To determine the right size, measure the rubber blade with your measuring tape or ruler. You want these exact measurements to ensure the new blades match up. You can also look up the measurements in your owners manual or on most auto parts catalogs. Keep in mind that many cars use a different size for the passenger and drivers side blades. Dont simply assume that the two measurements match.Also, the hook attachment must be the same as your old wiper blades. Modern cars use many different hooks and therefore it is easiest to buy special wiper blades made for your car model.
Purchase Replacement
You need to get the new wiper blades in your hand before you can replace them. Knowing the measurements and type, you are now ready to purchase a high-quality replacement.If you arent in a hurry, you might prefer to buy the wiper blades online. These prices are often better than whats found in the store. Otherwise, you can visit your local auto parts store or big box store to get the replacement blades.
Raise Wiper Arm
Pull the wiper arm from the windshield. It should remain in the upright position, sitting perpendicular to the glass.Use great care while pulling the arm away. Because the wiper arm is spring-loaded, it could easily snap back onto the glass and create a crack.
Unhook Blade
You must unhook the blade from the arm to get it out. Every blade is attached in different ways, so you may want to read the owners manual for more information if you arent sure.In some cases, there will be a plastic stopper that holds the blade on the arm. In this instance, you press on the stopper to unhook the old blade from the arm. Other designs use pins to secure the blade in place instead of the hook.While you figure out how to get the blade off, hold securely to the arm with the alternate hand so it doesnt snap back on the windshield. Additionally, you can put a folded towel on the glass as a secondary measure.
Install New Wiper
Once you get the old blade off, its time to put on a fresh pair. Slide your new blade into place where the old blade was once sitting.Secure the new wiper blade with whatever hook or pin is used with the construction. Lay this wiper back onto the windshield gently and repeat the steps with the second one. You will follow the exact same instructions with the second blade and the rear blade if that also needs to be changed.
Test New Wipers
Now you are ready to test out your new wipers to see how they work. Shoot some windshield wiper fluid on the glass to use your new wipers.If the fluid level is low, now is the time to top it off. You shouldnt see any streaks or strange noises when using the new wipers.
When to Change Windshield Wipers
Regular Maintenance
For some people, it makes more sense to replace the wiper blades at regular intervals, even if there are no signs of wear. The majority of automakers recommend changing the blades every six to 12 months.
If you take your vehicle in for regular service, the blades might be changed as part of the typical maintenance schedule. Read the owners manual to see whats recommended.
Cracks/Peeling Blades
A visual inspection of the blades helps you determine when to change them. If the rubber is cracked or starting to peel, its time to get some new ones.
The UV rays and inclement weather will eventually breakdown the rubber material. If you allow the peeling and cracking to continue, you may notice chunks of rubber missing completely.
Streaking
The new blades are going to clean off the windshield with complete clarity. If the blades are leaving behind nasty streaks, its a sign that the rubber is no longer effective.
You may also have trouble getting dirt off of the glass. The simplest bug dropping or piece of dirt can become impossible to remove once the wipers fail.
Squeaking Sounds
Sometimes, it only takes your ears to figure out that something is wrong with the blades. Once the squeaking sound starts, you know that its time to replace them.
Keep in mind that the blades can squeak if they are used without enough liquid on the glass. If thats the case, the problem might not be related to worn-out rubber after all.
RELATED: How to Fix Squeaky Windshield Wiper Blades (& Replacement Cost)
Lacking Contact
If the wiper blades are in extremely poor condition, contact might be limited. With chunks of rubber missing from the blade, it becomes difficult for anything to be cleaned from the glass.
Pay attention to the streak left behind. You should see the whole windshield cleared. If theres a section that doesnt appear to make contact, try changing the blades.
Blades Skipping
Theres also the chance that the blades are going to skip. When the blades are in great condition, they will smooth gently across the windshield.
If it is skipping along the glass, its time to inspect the rubber material. Otherwise, there could be something wrong with the wiper arm itself.
Can You Replace Windshield Wiper Blades Yourself?
Its not difficult to replace the windshield wiper blades. If you have beginner expertise with cars, you should be able to walk through the steps with ease. There are no special tools needed and you can usually replace the blades in a matter of minutes.
If you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself or you are having trouble, you dont necessarily need to pay a repair shop. Most auto parts stores will change the blades for free if they are purchased from that location.
Wiper Blade Replacement Cost
Most wiper blades cost $20 or less for a pair. Of course, if you want high-end wiper blades from companies, such as Rain-X, you may spend a little more on the quality.
Additionally, there dont need to be any labor charges. Either put the blades on yourself or buy them from the auto parts store to get free installation.
RELATED: 10 Best Winter Wiper Blades Review & Buyers Guide
Is it difficult to change wiper blades?
It is not difficult to change wiper blades in most car models. However, on some modern cars the bracket can be quite difficult to figure out. Most auto parts stores offer a free replacement if you buy wiper blades from them, so if youre not sure, you can ask them for help.
Should I replace both wiper blades at the same time?
Yes, it is recommended to replace both wiper blades at the same time, although it is not necessary. However, wiper blades are quite cheap and if you want to avoid problems in the future, it is best to replace both at the same time.
How often should you replace your wiper blades?
It depends on the make of your car, the quality of your wipers, the climate, and how often you use them. In general, however, most mechanics and manufacturers recommend replacing your wipers every 6 to 12 months.
Are wiper blades sold in pairs?
Yes, most modern wiper blades are sold in pairs. However, you can also buy wiper blades separately, so its important that you carefully check the package before buying.
Categories: Guides, Maintenance
