Installing car wiper blades is a straightforward maintenance task you can complete in about 10 minutes with no special tools. The most critical steps are ensuring you buy the correct size blades for your specific vehicle and carefully following the attachment mechanism's instructions to avoid damaging the windshield or the wiper arms.
The first step is purchasing the right replacement blades. Wiper blade sizes are measured in inches and vary by car model, even from the same manufacturer. You can find the correct size in your vehicle's owner's manual or by using an in-store guide at an auto parts store. Here are the typical sizes for some popular models:
| Vehicle Model | Driver Side (inches) | Passenger Side (inches) | Rear Wiper (inches) |
|---|
| Honda CR-V | 26 | 16 | 12 |
| Toyota Camry | 26 | 18 | - |
| Ford F-150 | 22 | 22 | - |
| Tesla Model 3 | 26 | 19 | - |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 26 | 20 | - |
To install them, lift the wiper arm away from the windshield until it locks in a service position. Be very careful not to let the metal arm snap back onto the glass, as this can crack it. Press the small tab on the underside of the old blade where it connects to the arm, and slide the blade off. New blades typically use one of three connectors: a J-hook, a pin arm, or a bayonet-style clip. Most modern aftermarket blades are universal and designed to clip securely onto the common J-hook arm. Listen for a definitive click to confirm it's locked in place. Gently lower the arm back onto the windshield. Finally, apply a windshield washer fluid solution to clean the glass and test the new wipers on a low setting to ensure smooth, streak-free operation.
