How to Maintain Car Windshield Wipers?
4 Answers
Car windshield wiper maintenance methods are: 1. When removing dust from the windshield surface on sunny days, spray glass cleaner to avoid dry wiping; 2. Manually remove stubborn, hard dirt on the glass; 3. When lifting the wiper blades during car washing or daily cleaning, handle them gently; 4. Before use in winter, first use an ice scraper to remove ice chips from the windshield surface; 5. Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures; 6. Clean the wipers correctly; 7. Regularly check the wiper blades for cracks or damage; 8. When the car is not in use for extended periods, lift the wipers; 9. Promptly remove accumulated water from the wiper blades and glass; 10. Turn off the wipers before shutting down the engine.
I've found that the key to wiper maintenance is keeping the rubber blades clean. Every time I wash my car, I wipe off tree sap and dust from the wiper blades with a damp cloth. These contaminants not only damage the rubber but can also scratch the glass. In summer, I try to park away from direct sunlight as rubber deteriorates quickly under high temperatures and is prone to deformation and cracking. When encountering freezing rain, I always use a glass de-icer before activating the wipers - forcing them can damage the motor. I make it a habit to check the washer nozzles monthly for clogs (a paperclip works fine), and adding some neutral detergent to the washer fluid prevents scaling and blockages. When wipers start squeaking, it's time to consider replacements. I typically change the rubber blades every six months - spending a few dollars is much more economical than damaging the windshield.
Winter in the north is really unfriendly to windshield wipers. I keep a soft rubber scraper in my car. When I find the glass frozen in the morning, I manually remove the ice first. Forcing the wipers to start might even cause the linkage to deform. Last year, I tried covering the windshield with a canvas, which was indeed more convenient than scraping ice. When driving in the rain, don't rush to turn on the wipers. If there's a lot of sand on the glass, rinse it twice with washer fluid first, as the rubber blades are most afraid of dry grinding against sand and gravel. For daily cleaning of the edges of the rubber blades, I simply use a tissue soaked in windshield washer fluid to wipe them. Stubborn tree sap can be removed with alcohol swabs. Remember to avoid acidic cleaners, as prolonged exposure can harden the rubber material. Regularly add some lubricating oil to the pivot of the wiper arm—this small detail can prevent the joint from seizing up.
Car wash veteran taught me these wiper maintenance tricks: Use a professional oil film remover on the windshield monthly, and clean surface dust with a soft brush normally. When rubber blades feel stiff, spray some dashboard wax and wipe to restore flexibility instantly. During summer and fall when tree sap is abundant, parking away from greenery is the fundamental solution. If wipers don't clean properly, try swapping the blade positions before replacing them, allowing worn sections to rest. Never use tap water or laundry detergent in the washer tank - mineral deposits severely damage the spray system; I use purified water mixed with professional windshield fluid. Tighten loose wiper arm mounting screws promptly, otherwise they'll gradually scrape off-track.
