Changing/replacing windscreen wipers: this is how it works!

Thomas Wachsmuth June 5, 2022 Car repair & tuning guide

Reading time 5 Min.

When driving, you should always have a clear view. But if there is an excessive amount of flower dust and pollen in the air, a yellow layer of dust quickly accumulates on the car window. It is all the more important then that the wipers work optimally. In the following article you will find out what needs to be considered when changing and how to increase the service life of the wiper blades.

better regular replacement of windshield wipers
Remove pollen from the pane immediately with glass cleaner
Clean the wiper blades with a damp cloth only

Especially in spring, a short stop under trees is enough and the entire car is covered in yellow pollen. This is not only particularly annoying for allergy sufferers, but also significantly impairs vision when driving.

Pollen: Clean windows as soon as possible

Although the dust itself is harmless to man and machine, it should still be removed. If you remove the yellow layer on the front and rear windows immediately with glass cleaner If you remove them, you have a clear view again and are not blinded so quickly by the low sun, in the morning or in the evening. In addition, the wiper blades do not draw any unsightly streaks. Furthermore, the windscreen wipers should be changed regularly, as broken wipers can also scratch the windscreen in the worst case. Functional windshield wipers are also a necessary criterion for the Main inspection, which is why it is essential to change the wipers in good time.

In six steps to the new wiper

Be careful when changing windscreen wipers: a sudden snap of the wiper arm can quickly crack the windscreen glass.
Always protect the pane with a towel or rag during the change.
Depending on the vehicle, you should consult the manual for a specific maintenance position for the wiper arms.
The wiper blades are attached with a plug or clamp mechanism.
Tip: If you place the old, dismantled wiper next to the wiper arm in the appropriate setting, this will make assembly easier.
If the new wiper blade clicks into place, it is correctly attached
If necessary, the rear window wiper should also be checked and replaced.

Keeping the perspective: How to increase the service life of the windscreen wipers

Regular cleaning of the front and rear windows.
As soon as the windshield wipers smear, you should clean the windshield with glass cleaner.
Observe the concentration of the windscreen cleaning agent specified by the manufacturer and dilute if necessary.
Attention: Never treat the wiper blades with aggressive cleaners, otherwise the coating that helps the blades slide will be destroyed.
Wiping with a damp cloth is sufficient to remove even heavy dirt from the wiper blades.
After a car wash with the wax program, be sure to have the staff give you a special cleaning cloth to remove the wax residue from the windscreen and to guarantee the normal function of the windscreen wipers.
Also check if the wiper arm is bent or fully seated on the glass.
Tip: The Re-cutting of the wiper rubbers can save money.

What should you look out for when buying windscreen wipers?

There are different types of wipers: Newer flat blade wiper or wipers with older ironing technique. Information on suitable vehicle types and years of manufacture can usually be found on the wiper packaging.
The assembly of the wipers is more complex, but they are cheaper. A better alternative are the more expensive flat blade wipers, but it is not always easy to convert.
Since windscreen wipers age and change their properties even during storage in the shop, it is advisable to choose a dealer with a large number of customers so that the goods do not lie there for long.

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

In this tuningblog category there are guides and instructions for common defects/repairs on the vehicle and for installing accessories/tuning parts. Our articles explain in a simple way common defects and the corresponding repairs and they also explain how the first signs of a defect become noticeable. In most cases, we also have initial clues to the repair instructions in our repair instructions approximate costs listed. The goal of ourAuto Repair Guide“ is to create a head start in knowledge for the next visit to the workshop with initial tips. This may save you from tedious troubleshooting and you may even be able to do small things yourself. The same applies, of course, to the installation of accessories/tuning parts. Here, too, we would like to help with the implementation with instructions and tips. There are many other posts on this as well. Below is an excerpt of the last and HERE there are all previous instructions.