How often should you change your windshield wiper blades

Wiper blades are a must but something we often forget about keeping a regular maintenance schedule on. I have been asked how often should you change your wiper blades. If you look on the internet or look it up in a tech book, you will get every 6 months.

This isn’t actually true, I have to change mine every 3 to 4 months. If you live in a nice area with moderate temperatures and mild weather, then possibly yes. Living in areas where it rains or snows more out of the year than not, there will be frequent changes.

Texas, Arizona or any desert type areas where the heat is high, kills wiper blades. You will definitely have to change your wiper blades often if you live in Florida or any beach areas.

Not only do you have the heat, there is a lot of sand carried by the air. There is also all the elements from the ocean that also cause wiper blade changes to be more frequent.

Wiper Inspection

To know when to change your wiper blades. I would suggest inspecting your wipers every quarter of the year. It wouldn’t hurt to make it part of your regular preventive maintenance check but always look for the following:

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If you are experiencing any the following issues with your wipers, it is time to change them:

Is There a Way To Make Wiper Blades Last Longer?

There are many ways to Make Your Car Last Longer, and starting with the wipers helps that process. To help your wipers last longer, clean your windshield often, like when you are filling up with gas. Most stations always have a cleaner solution, a hand held sponge/squeegee and towels.

When you are done cleaning the windshield, use the wet towel to wipe the squeegee edges of your wiper blades. Keeping your car clean with regular washes will help everything last longer including the wipers.

This is a tip, after using your wipers, pick the wiper blade up off the windshield and set it back down. This will allow the blade to set more at rest and keep its designed shape longer.

Never use your wipers as an ice scraper during the winter, properly scrape the ice of with a real ice scraper. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Use the right tools for the right job?”. It is amazing how that can apply for the simplest of things.

Installing Wiper Blades

One would think that this should be an easy job. However,  even with 40 years of automotive experience, I get those blades that I just can't get free. They all have release tabs and are generally the same. Although, once in a while, one has fused into the metal arm or the tab will not flex to release.

Most cars allow the wiper arms to flip straight up to make servicing them easier. This can be a potential issue. If that arm were to flip back down without a wiper blade on it, you may get a broken windshield.

You can help prevent this from happening by using the package the new wiper came in. Place the package on the windshield to catch that arm just in case it does flip back down. However a bath towel or anything soft will work, just something to think about.

The basic instructions to removing the wiper blades are as follows:

There are a lot of different types of wiper blades and the way they mount. The ones above are the most common and in use today. The year of your car and possibly the manufacturer is the reason for the variety of types. Here is a chart of the other types.

Recap - How often should you change your windshield wiper blades?

It would be a good practice to routinely change your wipers at least every 4 months. Provided your environment isn't a harsh one.

To know when to change your wiper blades. Inspect your wipers at least every quarter for splits or nicks in the rubber edge of the blade. If any wear or damage is present, replace them. 

Look for twisting or warping in the rubber. If the blade is no longer holding a straight in line shape, the blade is bad.

Look at the wiper blade framing, most are plastic today but some are still metal. Ensure that all the connected points haven't popped apart and that the rubber blade is flat and fully contacting the glass.

Remember, your environment can determine the life of your wipers. So in normal and moderate weather conditions, wipers can last up to 6 months.

If the edge of the rubber blade is no longer trying to stand up and down, or is bent and laid over. Replace them regardless of how long they have been on the car.

Visual or listening to your wipers in operation is your best indicator. If they are squeaking, streaking, chattering, leaving lines or smearing the water instead of clearing the windshield, it is time to replace them.