It’s Time for a Windshield Wiper Tune-Up

Wintertime brings wet driving conditions. So now is the perfect time to tune up your windshield wipers for optimum performance and visibility. Your wipers perform the essential task of sweeping away rain, snow, dirt, and grime that accumulates on your windshield.

While most stuff wipes or blows off your car, the remaining grime often sticks to the wiper. That causes blades to skip and smear, leaving a streaked windshield with reduced visibility.

Windshield wiper arm and blade

A windshield wiper consists of three parts:

• The wiper arm is attached to a shaft and is the part that moves across the windshield. The arm provides structure.
• The wiper blade attaches to the arm, which applies pressure against the windshield.
• The wiper insert is a rubber piece that slides onto the wiper blade. The insert is the portion of the system that contacts the windshield and moves rain, snow, and debris from the glass.

Windshield wiper inserts

Over time, a wiper insert wears down, and its rubber separates from the blade, making the wiper less effective. If heavy grit sticks to the wipers, they could scratch your glass.

Here’s the good news. In most cases, an easy and simple DIY cleaning dramatically extends the life of your wiper inserts and restores maximum visibility.

First, Inspect and Replace the Blades

If the wiper insert is separating from the wiper arm, it is time for a replacement.

Inspecting the condition of blades is the critical first step of a windshield wiper tune-up. Why bother to clean a relatively inexpensive blade that needs to be replaced?

Start with these steps.

• Check the ends of the wiper to ensure each insert has stayed within the wiper blade.
• If you see signs that the insert is torn, replace the wiper insert.
• To replace the insert, push the quick-release tab on the part of the blade assembly connected to the wiper blade arm.
• Push down on the tab, and slide the insert assembly down and off the wiper blade.

Press on the windshield wiper arm’s tab to remove the blade assembly.

Replacement is the same process—in reverse. Slide the new wiper insert up onto the wiper blade until it clicks in place. Please note that the driver’s and passenger’s side wiper blades are not interchangeable on many cars. Also, pay attention to the orientation of the wiper blade assembly.

The airfoil should face up. An airfoil is a small set of wings on some wiper blades that help keep the wiper arm pressing upon the glass. You want the airfoil oriented so the air pushes it down against the glass.

Insert the new blade assembly until you hear a click and the tab is engaged.

If the wiper blade shows signs of wear or was bent out of shape, replace it. Some vendors offer the entire wiper arm, including wiper blades, as a quick replacement part. Others sell new blades with fresh inserts.

While focused on the wipers, top off the windshield wiper reservoir with cleaning fluid. To prevent freezing in colder climates, use a washer mix with a de-icer.

How to Clean Your Windshield Wiper Inserts

If the inspection reveals that the wiper arm, blades, and inserts are in good condition, move forward with a thorough cleaning of the inserts.

To start, pull the blades away from the windshield by lifting the windshield wiper arm from the windscreen. It has a built-in stop that holds the blades out so you can clean and inspect them. Lift the driver’s-side wiper first.

Any all-in-one cleaner will work to clean your windshield wipers.

Several cleaners work well for cleaning wiper inserts. Some use a strong solvent like rubbing alcohol or carburetor cleaner. But an all-in-one cleaner like Simple Green or 409 works just as well.

Apply some cleaner to a paper towel and wipe along the length of the wiper insert.

The goal is to clean off all the gunk from the wiper blade and insert. Unfortunately, that muck usually contains oils and tars your car picks up from the road.

• Wet a paper towel with the cleaner of your choice.
• Next, firmly wipe the wiper insert, up and down, with the paper towel.
• Turn the paper towel often. You will be amazed at how much gunk comes off your wiper.

You might be surprised at how much gunk and dirt comes off the wiper insert.

After running the wet paper towel up and down the wiper insert several times, finish with a final wipe with a clean paper towel. This is usually all you need to do to restore your windshield wipers to their full capacity. If your car has a rear wiper, remember to clean that one as well.

There you have it. A half-hour of inspection and maintenance makes a world of difference for wet-weather visibility. Now, isn’t it nice to see where you’re going?