Windshield wipers are an essential safety feature, helping you to see clearly in wet or snowy weather. But like any other part of your car, they can wear out over time. If your wipers are starting to streak or skip, it's time to replace them.
Changing windshield wipers is a relatively easy task that you can do yourself in just a few minutes. All you need is a new pair of wipers and a few basic tools. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps on how to change windshield wipers.
Before you start, make sure you have the right size wipers for your car. You can find this information in your owner's manual or by looking at the old wipers. Once you have the right wipers, gather the following tools:
How to Change Windshield Wipers
Follow these steps to change your windshield wipers:
- Gather tools and materials.
- Lift wiper arm off windshield.
- Press release tab.
- Slide old wiper blade off.
- Slide new wiper blade on.
- Lower wiper arm.
- Repeat for other wiper arm.
- Test wipers.
With a little care and attention, you can easily change your windshield wipers in just a few minutes.
Gather tools and materials.
Before you start changing your windshield wipers, you'll need to gather a few tools and materials:
- New windshield wiper blades: Make sure you have the right size wipers for your car. You can find this information in your owner's manual or by looking at the old wipers.
Tip: It's a good idea to replace both wiper blades at the same time, even if only one of them is streaking or skipping.
- Wrench or pliers: You may need a wrench or pliers to loosen the nut or bolt that holds the wiper arm in place.
Note: Some wiper arms have a plastic cap that you can remove by hand. If your wiper arms have these caps, you won't need a wrench or pliers.
- Clean cloth: You'll need a clean cloth to wipe down the windshield and the new wiper blades before you install them.
- Bucket of soapy water: You can use a bucket of soapy water to clean the windshield and the new wiper blades.
Once you have all of the necessary tools and materials, you're ready to start changing your windshield wipers.
Lift wiper arm off windshield.
Once you have gathered your tools and materials, you can start changing your windshield wipers. The first step is to lift the wiper arm off the windshield.
- Locate the release lever: On most cars, there is a release lever located near the base of the wiper arm. This lever is usually made of plastic and is black or gray in color.
Tip: If you can't find the release lever, consult your owner's manual.
- Press the release lever: Once you have located the release lever, press it down. This will release the wiper arm from the windshield.
- Lift the wiper arm: Once the release lever is pressed, you should be able to lift the wiper arm off the windshield. Be careful not to drop the wiper arm, as this could damage the windshield.
- Prop up the wiper arm: Once the wiper arm is lifted off the windshield, prop it up with a stick or other object. This will keep the wiper arm out of the way while you are replacing the wiper blade.
Now that the wiper arm is lifted off the windshield, you can proceed to the next step, which is to press the release tab.
Press release tab.
The next step is to press the release tab. This tab is located on the wiper arm, near the base of the wiper blade.
- Locate the release tab: The release tab is usually a small, black or gray plastic tab. It is located on the wiper arm, near the base of the wiper blade.
- Press the release tab: Once you have located the release tab, press it down. This will release the wiper blade from the wiper arm.
- Slide the wiper blade off: Once the release tab is pressed, you should be able to slide the wiper blade off the wiper arm. Be careful not to drop the wiper blade, as this could damage the windshield.
- Inspect the wiper blade: Once the wiper blade is removed, inspect it for signs of wear or damage. If the wiper blade is worn or damaged, it should be replaced.
Now that the old wiper blade is removed, you can proceed to the next step, which is to slide the new wiper blade on.
Slide old wiper blade off.
Once you have pressed the release tab, you can slide the old wiper blade off the wiper arm.
- Grip the wiper blade: Grasp the wiper blade firmly with one hand.
- Slide the wiper blade off: With your other hand, slide the wiper blade off the wiper arm. Be careful not to drop the wiper blade, as this could damage the windshield.
- Inspect the wiper blade: Once the wiper blade is removed, inspect it for signs of wear or damage. If the wiper blade is worn or damaged, it should be replaced.
- Clean the wiper arm: Once the old wiper blade is removed, clean the wiper arm with a clean cloth. This will remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the wiper arm.
Now that the old wiper blade is removed and the wiper arm is clean, you can proceed to the next step, which is to slide the new wiper blade on.
Slide new wiper blade on.
Once you have cleaned the wiper arm, you can slide the new wiper blade on.
- Align the wiper blade: Align the new wiper blade with the wiper arm. Make sure that the wiper blade is properly seated in the wiper arm.
- Slide the wiper blade on: Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm. Be careful not to force the wiper blade on, as this could damage the wiper arm or the wiper blade.
- Press the release tab: Once the wiper blade is properly seated on the wiper arm, press the release tab. This will secure the wiper blade to the wiper arm.
- Test the wiper blade: Once the wiper blade is secured to the wiper arm, test the wiper blade by turning on the windshield wipers. Make sure that the wiper blade wipes the windshield evenly and smoothly.
If the wiper blade is not wiping the windshield evenly or smoothly, you may need to adjust the wiper arm. Consult your owner's manual for instructions on how to adjust the wiper arm.
Lower wiper arm.
Once you have tested the wiper blade and are satisfied with its performance, you can lower the wiper arm.
- Release the prop: If you used a stick or other object to prop up the wiper arm, remove it now.
- Lower the wiper arm: Slowly lower the wiper arm back onto the windshield. Be careful not to drop the wiper arm, as this could damage the windshield.
- Secure the wiper arm: Once the wiper arm is lowered, secure it in place by pressing down on the release lever. This will lock the wiper arm in place.
- Test the wiper arm: Once the wiper arm is secured, test it by turning on the windshield wipers. Make sure that the wiper arm moves smoothly and that the wiper blade wipes the windshield evenly and smoothly.
If the wiper arm is not moving smoothly or the wiper blade is not wiping the windshield evenly or smoothly, you may need to adjust the wiper arm. Consult your owner's manual for instructions on how to adjust the wiper arm.
Repeat for other wiper arm.
If your car has two wiper arms, you will need to repeat the above steps for the other wiper arm.
- Lift the wiper arm off the windshield: Locate the release lever on the wiper arm and press it down. This will release the wiper arm from the windshield.
- Press the release tab: Locate the release tab on the wiper arm and press it down. This will release the wiper blade from the wiper arm.
- Slide the old wiper blade off: Grasp the wiper blade firmly with one hand and slide it off the wiper arm with your other hand.
- Slide the new wiper blade on: Align the new wiper blade with the wiper arm and slide it on. Be careful not to force the wiper blade on, as this could damage the wiper arm or the wiper blade.
- Lower the wiper arm: Slowly lower the wiper arm back onto the windshield. Be careful not to drop the wiper arm, as this could damage the windshield.
- Secure the wiper arm: Once the wiper arm is lowered, secure it in place by pressing down on the release lever. This will lock the wiper arm in place.
- Test the wiper arm: Once the wiper arm is secured, test it by turning on the windshield wipers. Make sure that the wiper arm moves smoothly and that the wiper blade wipes the windshield evenly and smoothly.
Once you have replaced the wiper blade on the other wiper arm, you are finished changing your windshield wipers.
Test wipers.
Once you have replaced the wiper blades on both wiper arms, it is important to test the wipers to make sure that they are working properly.
To test the wipers, simply turn on the windshield wipers and let them run for a few minutes. Pay attention to the following:
- The wipers should move smoothly and evenly across the windshield.
- The wiper blades should wipe the windshield evenly and smoothly.
- There should be no streaking or skipping.
If you notice any problems with the wipers, such as streaking, skipping, or uneven wiping, you may need to adjust the wiper arms. Consult your owner's manual for instructions on how to adjust the wiper arms.
Once you are satisfied with the performance of the wipers, you are finished changing your windshield wipers.
Tip: It is a good idea to test your windshield wipers regularly, especially after a heavy rain or snowstorm. This will help you to identify any problems with the wipers early on, before they cause any damage to your windshield.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to change windshield wipers:
Question 1: How often should I change my windshield wipers?
Answer 1: It is recommended that you change your windshield wipers every 6 to 12 months, or more often if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions.
Question 2: What are the signs that my windshield wipers need to be replaced?
Answer 2: Some signs that your windshield wipers need to be replaced include streaking, skipping, chattering, or smearing. You may also notice that your wipers are not wiping the windshield evenly.
Question 3: What tools do I need to change my windshield wipers?
Answer 3: You will need a new pair of windshield wiper blades, a wrench or pliers (if your wiper arms have bolts or nuts), and a clean cloth.
Question 4: How do I remove the old windshield wiper blades?
Answer 4: To remove the old windshield wiper blades, first lift the wiper arm off the windshield. Then, press the release tab on the wiper arm and slide the old wiper blade off.
Question 5: How do I install the new windshield wiper blades?
Answer 5: To install the new windshield wiper blades, simply slide them onto the wiper arms. Make sure that the wiper blades are properly seated and that the release tabs are engaged.
Question 6: How do I test the new windshield wipers?
Answer 6: To test the new windshield wipers, turn them on and let them run for a few minutes. Pay attention to the following: the wipers should move smoothly and evenly across the windshield, the wiper blades should wipe the windshield evenly and smoothly, and there should be no streaking or skipping.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about how to change windshield wipers. If you have any other questions, please consult your owner's manual or a qualified mechanic.
Transition paragraph:
Now that you know how to change your windshield wipers, here are a few tips to help you keep them in good condition:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you keep your windshield wipers in good condition:
Tip 1: Clean your windshield wipers regularly.
Dirt and debris can build up on your windshield wipers over time, which can cause them to streak or skip. To clean your windshield wipers, simply wipe them down with a clean cloth and a mild detergent.
Tip 2: Avoid using harsh chemicals on your windshield wipers.
Harsh chemicals, such as ammonia or bleach, can damage your windshield wipers. If you need to clean your windshield wipers with a chemical cleaner, be sure to use a mild detergent that is specifically designed for cleaning car parts.
Tip 3: Don't use your windshield wipers on a dry windshield.
Using your windshield wipers on a dry windshield can cause them to skip and chatter. If you need to clean your windshield without using your wipers, you can use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth.
Tip 4: Replace your windshield wipers regularly.
Even if your windshield wipers are still working properly, it is a good idea to replace them every 6 to 12 months. This will help to prevent them from streaking, skipping, or chattering.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
By following these tips, you can help to keep your windshield wipers in good condition and extend their lifespan.
Transition paragraph:
Now that you know how to change your windshield wipers and how to keep them in good condition, you can be sure that you will always have a clear view of the road.
Conclusion
Changing your windshield wipers is a relatively easy task that you can do yourself in just a few minutes. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can be sure that you will change your windshield wipers correctly and safely.
Here is a summary of the main points:
- Gather the necessary tools and materials.
- Lift the wiper arm off the windshield.
- Press the release tab.
- Slide the old wiper blade off.
- Slide the new wiper blade on.
- Lower the wiper arm.
- Repeat for the other wiper arm.
- Test the wipers.
By following these steps, you can be sure that you will have a clear view of the road, even in the most inclement weather.
Closing Message:
So next time your windshield wipers start to streak or skip, don't be afraid to change them yourself. It's a quick and easy task that anyone can do.