How to choose the right wipers for your car: important tips

When exactly do you need to change the wipers (aka wipers)? In fact, this is a simpler question than meets the eye. It’s simple: if there is a feeling that they are not coping with their duties, it is time to send them to the landfill. Yes, wipers are the most common consumable. The brushes with which they wipe the windshield (or rear) glass are systematically erased. Moreover, they also gradually dry out and lose their properties. In general, if the glass remains too wet after each sweep of the cleaners, or they make unnecessary annoying sounds, it’s time to buy new ones (or at least replace the “rubber bands”).

• To this topic: This is the history of the windshield wipers. It’s scary to think that cars once did without them.

Wipers can be taken a couple of centimeters longer

Of course, if you need to replace the wipers, the easiest way is to remove the old ones and go with them to the nearest trusted car store. In it, you can safely hand them over to the sales assistant and ask for new ones. However, in this case, the employee will be unleashed, and he will be able to sell a random product to the client, for which the markup is higher. Therefore, it is important to know the key features of wiper blades. For example, their length may be slightly (a couple of centimeters) longer than that used by the automaker – the main thing is that the brushes do not touch each other during operation. But the shorter option will ignore areas of glass, so it is better to refuse this.

It is important to pay attention to the composition of the brushes themselves.

Of course, the brushes on the wipers themselves are called “rubber bands” absolutely conditionally. The material from which they are made contains a lot of additional components. For example, they can be coated with a graphite layer that facilitates the sliding process. Some models also add silica, which makes the brushes more elastic. Good expensive wipers have a soft part that touches the glass, as well as a hard part that holds the mounts. This approach to the construction of wipers is called composite. If there is no task to save money, this is what you should give preference to.

There are three key types of wiper blade designs

Of course, there are some special wiper options on the market in terms of design. However, about 95%, according to personal observations, are part of three groups: frame, frameless and hybrid. Each of the options has both positive aspects and disadvantages.

✓ Wireframe

Frame wipers are a classic. They got their name due to the use of a plastic or metal frame, on which several levels of the so-called rocker arms are placed. Windshield wipers of this design are distinguished by the most simple design, which was invented almost immediately after the appearance of such an accessory. Frame wipers are quite cheap and are often produced for relatively inexpensive car models. They provide a really tight fit of the brushes to the windshield, but they wear out quickly enough and do not behave very well in the cold.

⊕ Pros:

• affordable price;
• simple construction;
• maximum adherence to glass.

⊖ Cons:

• risk of icing;
• relatively fast wear.

✓ Frameless

In the design of frameless wipers, a specially curved metal plate is used, to which a brush is already attached. The shape is held precisely due to the given bend, so it simply cannot become stronger or weaker. If the car has a curved windshield too much, there can be issues with the fit of the frameless wiper – especially around the edges. However, it is important to understand that the structure in this case has a minimum of moving elements, so wear can only be on the cleaning surface itself. Frameless wipers are more expensive than frame wipers, and they are the priority for premium car manufacturers.

⊕ Pros:

• almost no risk of icing;
• slight structural wear;
• more favorable aerodynamics.

⊖ Cons:

• increased price;
• reduced adherence to glass.

✓ Hybrid

Hybrid wipers are structurally a cross between frame and frameless. That is why they combine almost all the positive aspects of the two worlds. On the one hand, hybrid wipers have a frame structure with rocker arms that maximize glass adherence. On the other hand, the frame is hidden behind a plastic box that protects the structure from outside calls and gives the impression that the wiper is frameless. However, for all this magnificence you have to pay dearly. That is why such wipers are not used as standard even on all models of premium brands.

⊕ Pros:

• minimal risk of icing;
• slight wear and tear;
• decent aerodynamics;
• maximum adherence to glass.

⊖ Cons:

• maximum cost.

Wipers also differ in mounting

There are so many different types of wipers for wipers that it’s scary to even think about it. In the 2000s, automakers began to abandon unified standards en masse and invent some of their own. There is no point in listing all the options, because many do not even have specific names. It is important to understand that when buying wipers, you can either choose the ones that match the VIN number of the car, or just search with exactly the same fasteners. What’s more, many wiper manufacturers provide a complete set of adapters for all occasions. In this case, choosing the required option is even easier.

Allocate summer (universal) and winter wipers

Not so often, but sometimes there are motorists who change their windshield wipers (just like tires) according to the seasons. They justify this by the potentially longer overall time of use of the entire kit and the possible cost savings. To take such a step or not – decide for yourself.

✓ Summer

Summer windshield wipers should be harder and less sensitive to high temperatures. However, according to personal observations, manufacturers usually do not position their windshield wipers as summer ones. There are purely winter options, as well as universal all-season ones.

✓ Winter

Winter wipers are usually frameless or hybrid in terms of design – they are practically not susceptible to freezing at low temperatures. Winter wiper blades are usually softer so that they do not turn brown in the cold. Their cost is quite high.

Wipers have additional features

Some windshield wipers have additional features. Some of them are purely marketing, but there are some really interesting examples. In principle, there are three main chips that can be considered not fundamental, but definitely pleasant when buying wipers.

✓ With replaceable brush

Several manufacturers offer replacement wiper blades. Yes, you can simply remove the old rubber bands from these, which have already served their own, and install new ones. This is often found on frameless models, the design of which itself does not particularly suffer over time.

✓ Heated

Inhabitants of particularly cold regions are advised to pay attention to heated wipers. These will not stick to the windshield along with the snow, even in severe frost. In their design there is a heating element and a wire that can be powered either from the cigarette lighter or directly from the battery.

✓ With a spoiler

There are wipers with a built-in “spoiler”. These are designed for fast driving on the track in bad weather. The specified part provides additional downforce so that the windshield wipers do not come off the windshield under the pressure of air and clean it as efficiently as possible.

The lifespan of the wipers can be extended

❶ It is better not to use wipers in dry mode – especially when the car is dirty. Sand is a rather aggressive abrasive that inevitably damages the wiper blades. However, if you dilute it with liquid, the gum will thank you.

❷ If there is old dried dirt on the windshield, it is better to remove it with a damp cloth. Using wipers for this is far from the best idea, even with the active operation of the washer. There won’t be much benefit from wipers, but their blades will definitely suffer.

❸ There is no point in trying to clean the ice on the windshield with wipers. Wait until it thaws. The brushes will definitely not cope with the frozen liquid, but it will surely ruin the rubber bands. Yes, most likely, this will not happen immediately, but the daily ritual will speed up the need for replacement.

❹ In order for the wipers to last as long as possible, it is highly advisable to remove them and wash them periodically. This can be done directly with washer fluid. Excessive dirt on the brushes will inevitably damage them with every run. If they are clean, the glasses will also be better cleaned.