What Causes the Car's Front Windshield Wiper to Not Clean Properly?
3 Answers
Rain wipers not cleaning properly is mainly due to invisible dirt on the glass. Here is some information about wipers: 1. Function of wipers: Wipers are important accessories installed on the windshield, designed to remove rain, snow, and dust that obstruct the view on the windshield. Thus, they play a crucial role in driving safety. 2. Types of wipers: Wipers generally include vacuum wipers, electric wipers, and wipers with electronic control units. The drawback of vacuum wipers is the unstable speed of the wiper blade. When the engine's vacuum decreases (for example, when the car is climbing a slope), the wiper blade may stop, blurring the driver's vision. Vacuum wipers were phased out in 1972 and replaced by electric wipers.
Last time I drove back to my hometown, I encountered this exact issue - the wipers were swiping but the windshield remained foggy. After struggling for a while, I found three key points worth noting: First, the wiper rubber had aged and hardened due to lack of maintenance, with the edges worn into jagged shapes. Second, there was an oily film buildup on the windshield, especially difficult to clean after highway driving with insect remains and exhaust fumes. Third, the wiper arm spring had loosened, lacking sufficient downward pressure, causing the blade to hover without proper glass contact. I recommend changing wiper blades every six months and using specialized glass degreasers during car washes. Driving at night without these precautions can be dangerous - during a heavy rainstorm once, I almost couldn't see the road and nearly hit a guardrail.
As a frequent road-tripper, I have a lot to say about windshield wipers not cleaning properly. Key things to check: whether the rubber strips are cracked, and if the blade edges feel rough to the touch. For those who park under trees, regularly clean off tree sap—once that sticky stuff dries, ordinary wipers can't handle it. Also, when installing new wipers, remember to peel off the protective film on the rubber strips. I once foolishly installed them only to realize later that the transparent film was still on. The most surprising discovery? Running the AC to blow on the windshield causes condensation on the outside, making the wipers smear instead of clean. Now, I always turn off the AC before wiping the glass.
