3 Tips for Replacing Your Windshield Wipers
by Debra Morgan
Windshield wipers are an essential part of your vehicle, though they often get overlooked until they are needed. If you have noticed that they are squeaking or not working as they used to, it is time to replace them. Here are some tips for replacing the wiper blades.
Know What Type of Wiper Arm You Have
It helps to first find out what type of windshield wiper arm you have so you can follow the right steps for installing new wiper blades. Some wiper arms make the process a little more difficult, but the basic premise is the same. If you have a hook-slot connector, you are in luck, because this is the easiest to change. You will only need to move the arm of the wiper up, remove the blade, and then put on a new one. If you have a pin wiper arm, there is typically a pin behind the wiper blade that is pulled out before removing and replacing the wiper blade. The most difficult tends to be the straight end connector, since you often need a screwdriver in order to remove the mechanism holding in the wiper blades.
Remove the Old Wiper Blades
Once you have determined what type of wiper arm you have, you will be able to follow the basic steps to remove the wiper blade. If you have the typical hook-slot connector, there is a tab that is moved aside, letting you pull off the wiper blades. They should slide off easily once the tab is out of the way. If you haven't yet purchased your new wiper blades, remove them and bring them to a local auto repair shop so you can get the same size. Otherwise, dispose of the old blades and get ready to install the new ones.
Install the New Ones
Take your new wiper blade out of the package and line it up with the wiper arm. The new wiper blade should have a clip that fits inside the hook located on the windshield wiper arm. Move the wiper in place, sliding it down the arm until it locks in place. Make sure you pull it down tightly. You will hear a click once it is in the right place. You can then replace the tab. The steps might be slightly different if your vehicle has a different type of wiper arm. Repeat these steps for the other wiper blade and test them out.
If you feel you cannot do this, however, you can take your car into a car repair service for more help.
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About Me
I've been running an auto service shop for the past 30 years. The trends in cars have changed a lot over that time, and cars are becoming a lot more complicated and automated. People can't fix many items on their own cars any more as you need a computer to diagnose most issues. People use their cars a lot more these days as we live further away from workplaces and schools so it's important for me to be able to get cars back quickly. I have had to keep learning about how the new cars run and I keep a lot of hints on this site so you can all learn the things you can do to make your cars run better.