How To Replace Your Car Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are a necessary safety feature to any car. The problem is that they don't last forever - but rather need replacing every few years. Wiper blades are made of rubber, so they naturally wear out after several months of wiping snow, rain and dust from your windshield. Changing your wiper blades is a quick job that yields immediate benefits. Here's how to do it.

Before buying new wipers, know what part of the blade to change. Windshield wipers are made with three basic parts: the lower wiper arm that extends from the base of the windshield, the metal blade attached to the lower arm, and the rubber blade that actually wipes the windshield. When your windshield wiper blades, you're really only changing the rubber blades that get worn down by water and inclement weather.

Pick the right wipers for your car. The first thing to changing your wipers is to make sure that you have the correct size for your vehicle. Windshield wiper blades come in many sizes, even on the same car. Look in your car's owner's manual, measure the blade, or ask at an auto-parts store for the proper fit.

Remove old windshield wipers. Set wiper blades in an upright position on the windshield.Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield and depress the small tab on the underside of the wiper where it meets the wiper arm. It's often easier to remove the blades with the arms up unless the hood or some other obstruction keeps you from pulling the arm away from the windshield. Lift arm away from the windshield and pivot the blade. When the tab is depressed, slide the wiper blade off the arm by pulling the center toward the bottom of the arm.

Replace windshield wipers.Line up the new wiper blade with the arm. Move the hook on the arm over the plastic clip on the new wiper blade. Now pull the wiper and you will hear a click sound. Now lower the wiper arm slowly. Do it for other arm as well. Finally, test the wiper. Make sure it is working properly and not scratching the surface. If everything works fine you have successfully replaced the old wiper.