It’s that time of year when your windscreen wipers are probably working harder than usual. Rain, hail and snow – or all of the above – are always a likely possibility during unpredictable UK winters.
However, like every other part of your car, your wiper blades will suffer from wear and tear over time – and they do need replacing at some point. To give you a helping hand for when this does happen, we’ve put together a quick guide below, including when your blades need to be changed, the different types of blades available, how to fit them and more.
Why is it important to replace your wiper blades?
Your wiper blades are vital for keeping a clear line of vision. If they’re damaged or worn, they won’t clear your windscreen properly – which can lead to poor visibility and dangerous situations on the road.
You can also fail your MOT if your wiper blades are damaged enough. So, to avoid those annoying re-test fees, and, most importantly, to keep yourself safe, make sure your wipers are in good condition and replace when necessary.
How do you know when your wiper blades need replaced?
A tell-tale sign that your windscreen wipers need replacing is when they begin to smear or leave streaks across your windscreen. They may even be making a screeching sound or start juddering.
Rubber deteriorates over time, so, as a general rule of thumb, we recommend changing them every 12 months.
What types of blades are there?
There are various types of wiper blades, but of course, it depends on the model of your car.
- Standard wiper blades – up until a few years a go, these were the most common blades fitted to cars. They have a small rubber strip attached to the metal holder and usually around four to eight pressure points, depending on the length of the blade.
- Flat wiper blades – these sit lower on the windscreen and put more pressure on the glass, resulting in a better wiping motion, less air resistance and less wind noise when travelling at faster speeds. Plus, being smaller than conventional wipers, they provide less obstruction to the driver’s field of vision. These are fast becoming the standard fit on new vehicles, but they can only be replaced with a similar type of flat blade.
- Hybrid wiper blades – a combination of the solid conventional wiper and the more aerodynamic flat wiper. The integrated spoiler runs along the full length of the blade, reducing wind lift to maintain constant down force. This keeps the rubber blade on the windscreen for a smooth and quiet movement, especially at high speeds.
- Winter wiper blades – these are specifically designed to deal with tougher conditions if the weather does take a turn. Unlike standard blades, these have an additional layer of synthetic rubber which allows them to remain pliable and soft when the temperatures drop. This means they’re less likely to become stiff and brittle in the cold.
- Exact fit front and rear wiper blades – these are usually Original Equipment replacements designed for specific vehicles. They can be designed for vehicles which need curved wipers, uniquely shaped spoilers or special fitting adaptors.
- TRICO Neoform wiper blades – these modern blades are designed for maximum windscreen contact, conforming to highly curved windshields. Not only ensuring your blades stay where they are supposed to be, they also come pre-assembled without any extra adaptors, making your installation process quick and easy.
From Bosch to TRICO to manufacturer-specific parts, check out our full range of wiper blades here.
How do I find the right wiper blades for my car?
The best way to find the right wiper blades is to use the vehicle registration number checker on the Autoparts website. Enter your reg number and we can show you the wiper blades compatible with your vehicle.
Otherwise, have a look in your car manual or even look at the side of your current blades. If your car came with standard wiper blades, these can be upgraded to flat ones – as mentioned above, they are more efficient, effective and quieter.
What do wiper blade numbers mean?
The numbers you see on the wiper blade box are there to help you choose the right blade quickly – you’ll find the blade product number in your car owner’s manual or on the old blade itself, so you just need to look out for the right code when it comes to replacing it.
How do you replace your windscreen wipers?
Changing your wipers is easy and should only take five minutes. To help you, we’ve put together a handy step-by-step guide here that tells you exactly what to do.
Are wiper blades universal?
No, as we’ve mentioned above, there are various types of wiper blades. Cars come in many shapes and sizes – from sports cars to SUVs to small city runarounds – so you should use our online registration checker to make sure you get the right ones.
How do you clean your wiper blades?
If your wiper blades aren’t working as well as usual, they might just need a quick clean. It doesn’t take long but it can significantly improve your safety. All you need is a sponge or towel, a bucket of warm, soapy water and surgical spirit for the job. First, give your car and windscreen a clean, then pull back the wiper blades and lock them into position. Add some hot soapy water to a towel and glide it up and down the wiper blade. You can then clean the wiper arms and mechanism, clearing away any dirt or debris as you go. Finally, remove the soapy residue with the surgical sprit.
If you want to make a homemade solution version of surgical spirit, you can mix water and vinegar instead. If you do this, you’ll need to wipe the blades down with a damp cloth to remove the vinegar mixture before you hit the road.
Please note: if your windscreen wipers are squeaking, we don’t recommend using WD40. This is a water displacer which will leave streaks and marks on your windscreen and it won’t help with the rain – in fact it will just make things worse!
Looking for new wiper blades? Shop our full range of windscreen wipers here.
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