When to Replace Your Wipers for Clearer Drives

Why do you need a winter and a summer pair of windshield wipers? Even though they’re not too expensive, is it worth spending that extra money? After all, aren’t windshield wipers…windshield wipers? In this blog post, we’ll explain in detail why switching windshield wipers during the year helps drivers in Canada.

Does Weather Really Make a Difference?

Yes, it does.

Within Canada, wipers can be exposed to temperatures that plunge down to -50 ˚C and soar to +50 ˚C. Although where you live probably doesn’t have those extremes year-round, manufacturers construct wipers to perform well in these temperatures.

Driving conditions matter, too, especially in winter. Road salt sprayed onto your windshield by the vehicle in front of you accelerates wear. Frame-style blades will become slowly damaged from ice build-up, and snow accumulation can reduce overall effectiveness.

Summer Windshield Wiper Blades

Despite their name, these blades also work on the warmer days of spring and fall. They’re lightweight and designed to clear rain and bugs from your windshield.

They are manufactured to retain their shape in the hot temperatures of summer, but this means they get stiff and can crack in the cold. In addition, their lightweight design makes it difficult to clear ice and snow. They can even break under those conditions.

Winter Windshield Wiper Blades

These blades have been engineered to remain soft in winter weather, but strong enough to remove snow and ice from your windshield. They have an extra layer of synthetic rubber (usually silicone) to keep them supple, and a rubber cover or boot protects the wipers’ arms from ice build-up.

If you keep these blades on in summer weather, the blades will become soft, streak your windshield, and reduce visibility. They will also tear.

All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades

Some wiper blades have been designed to last all year. Many have two features to support winter use.

Some winter wiper blades include a ceramic coating on the rubber. This isn’t a coffee mug attached to your wipers. Instead, it’s an ultra-thin layer that reduces friction between the blade and the glass. The result is a smoother, quieter wipe with less wear on the rubber.

Many all-season windshield wiper blades will also have a bracketless design. The bracket—or frame—on a conventional wiper blade meets the blade at several touchpoints to hold it against the windshield. Water can seep into these touchpoints, freeze, and break them.

A bracketless design doesn’t have a frame. Instead, the blade is thicker and stronger, which makes a frame unnecessary. You can find this design in summer and winter blade products, although it’s much more common in winter blades.

Other Components of Your Windshield Wiper System

You can achieve a clear view in most situations because of several components and mechanisms working in tandem.

For example, your windshield wipers have their own motor and transmission. If anything in that system becomes damaged, it’ll affect your wipers’ ability to properly clear your windshield.

Furthermore, worn or bent wiper arms lose spring tension and can’t hold the blade firmly against the glass.

Your automotive technician can diagnose and repair these issues.

When the Rubber Hits Your Windshield

When your windshield has pitted or scratched glass, or the glass is coated with road film or silicone wax, new wiper blades won’t clear up your view. Some scratches and cracks you may already see. However, others can be small. A technician can assess your windshield during your seasonal maintenance appointment.

When Should You Replace Windshield Wipers?

Depending on your climate and driving conditions, replace your windshield wipers—including the rear wiper—every 6 to 12 months. In harsh Canadian winters, blades may wear out faster because of ice build-up and road salt.

Don’t judge only by time, though. Look out for these other problems, too:

• chattering or skipping across the glass
• cracked blades
• damaged arms
• squeaking on wet glass
• stiff or hardened rubber
• streaking in one direction
• water beading at the edges of the wipe pattern

Some brands even have a usage indicator that changes colour over time. However, if the entire wiper blade no longer touches the windshield, it’s time to replace it. You can read more about the best windshield wipers for your vehicle here.

For more questions on when to change your windshield wiper blades, visit your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre. One of our friendly technicians will be happy to help you.