Wiper blades are made of
rubber and exposed to the environmental conditions. Although rubber is a
somewhat durable material, its chemical compound changes rapidly in
either extreme heat or cold conditions. Rubber can quickly deteriorate
under such conditions. The job of the wiper blade is to clean the
windshield and allow proper visibility on demand. However, many
car owners disregard the task of the wiper blade until it's not performing to the standards of its expectations.
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Why wait until you can't see through your windshield before
realizing it's time to replace the blades? The only time you use the
wiper blades in your vehicle is during inclement weather. Summer doesn't
require cleaning sand, salt and debris being splattered on your
windshield from the car in front of you, yet it's the most harmful
season to wiper blades. Intense heat dry rots the rubber base of the
wiper blade. The rubber cracks or rips or the blade collapses from UV
damage. Because you haven't needed them, when they are called upon, you
realize you cannot see well or they're compromising your visibility.
Unfortunately, that's when most drivers change their wiper blades.
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Most all wiper blade manufacturers recommend replacing them
at least once a year. Some recommend every six months, but depending on
the season you're about to encounter, that may prove to be a little more
profitable for the wiper blade manufacturer. Regardless, the blades
should be inspected at the start of each season--most importantly winter
and summer. Winter weather wreaks havoc on visibility to begin with and
a weak blade is going to fail on you. Summer rain storms can be
intense, and if a wiper blade cannot keep up with the amount of water
falling, the
safety of your driving is going to be scrutinized.
For your safety, the wiper blades should be changed during the autumn
or late autumn season. This will give you a brand new blade to battle
winter months with. They should be inspected after winter and or
replaced again in late spring for the summer months if desired or
necessary.
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Just like any other component on your car, if you look and listen to the
performance
of the wiper blade, it will give you telltale signs of its weakening.
Disregarding the signs when they occur will place you and your driving
skills at risk. Audible signs of wipers that should be considered for
replacement include skipping and annoying chattering sounds when the
blades rub against the windshield or squeaking when operating. Visual
signs of blade deterioration are cracks in the rubber of the blade, rips
of the blade from the body of the rubber and blade collapse where the
blade sits horizontally against the windshield
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