Tips on Maintaining Your Windshield Wipers
What exactly are windshield wipers? They are devices that are mounted on the windshield of a motor vehicle to provide limited visibility to the driver when driving in bad weather. A windshield wiper or windscreen wiper is usually a movable device used to manually remove rain, sleet, ice, water, and/ or debris from the front windshield of a car so the driver can better view what is ahead of them without having to deal with the pouring rain. Windscreen wipers do not only help you see things clearly, but they also keep your car from getting dirty from being covered by ice and rain when you drive in inclement weather. There are many different makes and models when it comes to windshield wipers, so it is important to compare the various models that are available to choose the best one for your needs.
Three types of windshield wipers are typically available. You can choose from blade-operated, drum-operated, and screen-mounted wipers. Each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing.
Most blade-operated windscreen wipers use rubber blade cartridges that are usually made of stainless steel or polycarbonate. These rubber blades have a tendency to corrode quickly, so you should make sure that you keep the rubber blades sharp and clean. Replace the blades every so often with new ones to extend the life of your wiper systems. Also, it is important to check in the owner manual for proper cleaning and maintenance procedures for each individual model.
Drum-operated windscreen wipers use suction cups instead of rubber blades to catch the drips. The suction cup can then be used to wipe away the excess water. The disadvantage of this type of wipers is that more work is required when wiping the windshield since there is no blade to help you. It is important to note that the pads must be changed when using this type of wipers, and you will need to replace them every few months.
The last type of wiper that we will discuss is the conventional type. Unlike other types of wipers, conventional windshield wipers are made from a plastic component and have a metal frame. This makes them more durable than the aforementioned three types. However, because they are plastic, they are more likely to become dirty and lose their effectiveness over time.
To maintain the effectiveness of conventional windshield wipers, you will need to regularly take care of the following parts: the rubber connection pieces, the mounting ring, the pivot rod, and the washer fluid reservoir. To keep the rubber connection pieces in good shape, make sure to regularly rotate them. If you notice that one is not rotating as intended, it is recommended that you replace it with a new one. In the same manner, you should ensure that the mounting ring, pivot rod, and the washer fluid reservoir do not get dirty.
Another important maintenance part to check is the windshield wipers' wipe angle. This refers to the tilt of the blades' opening. If the blades are not warded properly, you will observe that when you raise the wipers to their highest position, they will not actually wipe off the right amount of snow or rain on to the windshield. Instead, more will get on the windshield and potentially cause the vehicle to tip over.
To ensure proper operation of your windshield wipers, you should also ensure that you do not apply too much force on the handle while trying to raise or lower the blades. When using the handle, it is recommended that you use enough pressure to lift the handle up about 40 degrees, which will enable you to rotate the blades into place. However, if you find that you have to exert too much force, it is recommended that you use a socket wrench to remove the bolt that connects the blade to the body. After doing this, you should replace the washer and the blade with the correct ones.