What Are the Reasons for the Noise When Car Wipers Scrape the Windshield?

[SanColeman]

Car wipers scraping the windshield produce noise due to the following reasons: 1. Loose contact at the U-joint of the wiper arm or aging and wear of the rubber blade; 2. Misalignment of the wiper arm angle, causing the wiper to exceed a 0-degree angle with the windshield surface; 3. A sticky windshield, often caused by a layer of hard-to-remove mixed oil film formed due to lack of cleaning. The method to use car wipers is: 1. Locate the wiper control lever on the lower left side of the steering wheel; 2. Push the wiper lever up one notch to activate the wipers; 3. To turn off the wipers, push the lever down to the 'off' position. Wipers can be categorized by their driving mechanisms into mechanical, vacuum, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric types.

[EmersynFitz]

I've been driving a taxi for over a decade, and the squeaking sound of wipers on glass is very common. Usually, it's caused by hardened rubber wiper blades due to aging, which creates a squeaking noise when rubbing against the glass, especially in dry weather. Oil stains or dirt on the windshield can also cause unusual sounds, so it's important to clean it regularly with professional cleaners instead of using ordinary tissues. Additionally, loose springs in the wiper arms causing uneven pressure or improper installation leading to misaligned wiper blades can easily produce noise. If wiper blades aren't replaced for a long time, their wear and deformation will result in louder noises, compromising driving safety—not only is it annoying, but poor visibility during rain increases the risk of accidents. Therefore, inspect the condition of your wiper blades every quarter and replace them promptly.

[DiElla]

When I first bought my new car, I also wondered why the wipers always made noise. Later, I realized it's mostly because the wiper blades harden or the windshield gets dirty with bug residue or tree sap. Another reason could be rust or looseness at the wiper arm connection points, causing squeaky sounds during operation. I recommend not skimping on off-brand accessories—they’re poor quality and often fail quickly. Keeping the windshield clean is essential; spraying some washer fluid before driving can reduce noise. Persistent noise might damage the motor and increase strain, leading to soaring repair costs. Early action is simple—either clean them yourself or replace the wiper blades at a repair shop. It costs little but brings much peace of mind.

[SanMaci]

As a homemaker who frequently drives my kids around, the squeaking of windshield wipers is the most annoying thing; it's mostly caused by an unclean glass surface with dust and grease buildup that makes the wipers screech when wiping. Cleaning the glass with a degreaser during weekly car washes can help improve the situation; another reason could be aged or cracked wiper blades, where the rubber loses elasticity and increases friction—replacing them with new ones will instantly quiet them down. Don't ignore these small noises, as they can distract you from driving safely and pose significant risks.