Introduction to Windshield Wiper Blades
When you are driving, one of the most important aspects is to be able to see clearly out of your windshield. When the weather conditions are bad it can reduce your visibility and leave you with dangerous driving conditions.
Being sure to have a good set of windshield wiper blades on your car is the most important step to ensure a clear view.
Types of Windshield Wipers Blades
In order to keep your driving visibility at its best, you should keep a good set of wiper blades on your vehicle. There are many different windshield wiper blades available on the market today. In order to choose the right one for your vehicle, you must first understand what the different types are. Most vehicles come with a standard blade already on the wipers. Depending on where you live and your preference, you may decide to change to another style of wiper.
Silicon windshield wiper blades are basically the same as your standard wiper blade but they are made of silicon instead of rubber. The benefit of silicon is that they offer much better visibility because they keep your windshield clearer. They also tend to last longer than the standard blades, so much so, that some companies are starting to offer silicon wipers with a lifetime guarantee.
Rain sensing windshield wiper blades are becoming more popular and some newer high-end cars are making them their standard wiper blades. These blades are able to sense when it begins to rain and they will be triggered automatically to come on. They can also determine the amount of rain falling and adjust the speed of the wipers to match the current weather conditions.
If you live in a colder area where there is a greater chance of snow or sleet, you should consider purchasing winter windshield wiper blades. There is the shaker style blade that actually vibrates the blade as it wipes. This is done to help remove some of the snow and debris that is stuck onto the blade and can provide great visibility and keep your blade from smearing the windshield. There is also the heated blade where there is a heating element inside the rubber. The heat works to melt snow and ice that is on your blade.
Windshield Wiper Maintenance
You should do regular maintenance checks on your wipers to be sure they are free from dirt and debris. You can run a damp cloth over the blade to clean it. If dirt will not come off with just a damp cloth, try putting some alcohol solution on the cloth and then wipe the blade with that. The rubber on the blade will start to go bad over time and will cause your blade to smear your window. This can be fixed very easily by replacing your blade with a new one. Each make and model of a car has a specific size of blade that fits their wipers, so be sure to look over your owner’s manual before purchasing the blades. |
