Even if you feel daunted by some of the bigger car repair procedures and would rather leave those to a professional, there are still quite a few simple weekly checks you can do that don’t require special tools.
One of these is checking your wiper blades and recognising when they need to be replaced. Simple checks like these can help you spot problems before they turn into more serious trouble, ultimately saving you money.
How to check the condition of your wiper blades
Step 01
Lift the wiper arm from the glass until it locks in the upright position, taking care not to allow it to spring back against the glass. If the arm doesn’t lock in position, hold it firmly whilst you check the blade.
Step 02
Wipe the cleaning edge of the blade using a clean cloth dipped in undiluted washer fluid.
Step 03
Run a finger along the edge of the blade to check the rubber for damage. If there are any cracks or splits a new blade should be fitted.
Step 04
To fit a new blade, first turn the blade at right angles to the arm. Some blades have securing tabs that need to be released before the blade can be removed. Note which way round the blade fits before removing it, to help when fitting the new blade.
Step 05
Depending on the type of new wiper blade you’re fitting, fit the correct adaptor to it – check the instructions supplied with the new blade for details.
Step 06
Fit the new blade to the arm, making sure that it’s pushed fully home, then lower the arm gently onto the glass. Check that the wipers work before driving the car.
Buying new wiper blades
If you’re on a tight budget you can buy wiper blade ‘refills’, which means just the rubber, but to fit these you’ll need to dismantle the blade, and this can be very fiddly. It’s advisable to renew the whole blade because the springs that hold the blade against the glass weaken with age.
You can buy new wiper blades from most car accessory shops, and from authorised car dealership parts departments. When you go to buy new blades you’ll need to know the make, model, and the year of manufacture of your car.