How to Deal with Squeaky Windshield Wipers?
2 Answers
Windshield wipers squeak due to the following three reasons: 1. Foreign objects on the windshield: When small debris like sand or gravel gets trapped between the wiper and the glass, the wiper may produce noise during operation. In this case, spraying windshield washer fluid several times to flush out the debris will usually eliminate the noise. 2. Damage to the wiper linkage mechanism: Windshield wipers are an electric linkage mechanism, and damage to any component can cause noise during operation. If damaged, visit an auto repair shop for inspection and replace faulty parts promptly. 3. Wiper angle issues: If the wiper angle is misaligned, it can also cause noise. As wipers age, they may undergo slight deformation, causing them to fit either too tightly or too loosely against the windshield, resulting in noise. In this situation, you can manually adjust the wiper angle by gently twisting the wiper arm (try both toward and away from the windshield), then test the wipers to see if the noise persists. If the noise remains, take the car to an auto repair shop for professional adjustment.
When driving long distances, it's common to encounter squeaky windshield wipers, which are mostly caused by aging wiper blades or dirt and oil film on the windshield, especially noticeable after rain. My simple and effective steps to address this: First, thoroughly scrub the windshield with glass cleaner to remove stains, which solves most noise issues; if it still squeaks, check the wiper blades for cracks or hardening, and simply buy new ones to replace them—it takes just about ten minutes. Also, check if the wiper arm pressure is too high and loosen it slightly with a small wrench. Don’t forget this is about driving safety—poor visibility on rainy nights can easily lead to accidents. I insist on replacing the blades every six months as a preventive measure. When replacing, choose softer rubber blades; they are cost-effective online, just tens of yuan, and with proper maintenance, they can last over a year. Usually, avoid parking in direct sunlight to extend their lifespan.
