The Ultimate Guide to Windshield Wiper Blades

It’s getting dark, the rain is coming down hard and you can barely see out your windshield. You flip on your windshield wipers, but they aren’t up to the task of keeping the road ahead of you clear.

It is every driver’s worst nightmare and one that could have been avoided.

Good quality windshield wiper blades are essential for keeping you and the other people on the road safe. Replacing your windshield wiper blades at the right time is an integral part of regular vehicle maintenance.

But how do you know when to replace your wiper blades? And how do you make sure you’re buying the right ones for your vehicle?

Victory Lube is here to help!

How Often Do I Need to Replace My Windshield Wiper Blades?

A good way of knowing when to replace your wiper blades is the changing of seasons. It’s recommended that you replace your wiper blades at least twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. That way, you have good wipers for the spring showers and the winter snowfall.

While it’s always a good idea to change your wiper blades at least two times a year, there can be other signs that it’s time to get your blades replaced:

• Chattering/skipping: Some wiper blades can develop a ‘curve’ in the rubber while the car is parked. The blade will then make a chattering sound as it passes over the windshield.
• Streaking: The wiper blades will leave behind darkened streaks, which can be hard to see through. Streaking tends to be caused by dry rubber that has hardened and cracked.
• Worn rubber: The wiping edge will be especially rounded because the wiper blades have been used for too long.
• Split rubber: If your blades are too old, you may start to notice deterioration and splitting in the rubber.
• Squeaking noise: When in use, the wiper blade will make a squeaking noise that indicates that part of the rubber or silicone has been damaged.
• Vibration: Parts of the rubber from the wiper blade are moving faster than the wiper blade’s arm.
• Wet Areas: Your wiper blades will need to be changed if they fail to clear the windshield of water.

While these are the most common signs that your windshield wiper blades need to be replaced, our wipers page has more information!

Wiper blades that are in good condition keep you, your loved ones and other people on the road safe. Don’t leave changing your wiper blades until the last minute!

How do I check if my windshield wiper blades are in good condition?

Not sure whether your blades are in good condition? Do these tests on your vehicle:

• Spray the windshield with washer fluid to see if the wipers are clearing the entire windshield.
• Watch the wiper blades when cycling and resting to verify they are making full contact with the window.
• Lift the wiper off the windshield and visually inspect for damage to the rubber of the blade.
• Run your fingers down the rubber blade that touches the windshield to ensure that there are no tears or imperfections to the wiper blade.
• Inspect the end caps of the wiper blade to make sure they are not separating.
• Check the mounting clip to verify that it is seated correctly on the wiper arm.
• Feel the rubber to ensure no glass is embedded in the blade, which will prevent damage to your windshield glass.

Which windshield wiper blades should I buy?

Knowing what size windshield wiper blades your car needs is easy. You can check your car manual for the right size, or drive to your nearest Victory Lube and let the experts tell you what size wiper blades your vehicle needs! We will make sure that they fit and do the job right.

Victory Lube offers a three-month guarantee when you purchase wiper blades. Not performing the way you expected? Take them back to your Victory Lube store and we’ll replace them for free!

How do I maintain my new wiper blades?

Wiper blades should be maintained so that they have a long life. Ensuring the quality of your wiper blades can help you avoid a dangerous situation.

If you follow these steps below, you should notice a difference in your wiper blades’ longevity.

• Clean your windshield every time you fill your gas tank.
• Gently wipe the rubber part of the wiper blade with a damp paper towel to keep them clean.
• Never use your wiper blades to de-ice your windshield! This will reduce the lifespan of even the best wiper blades.
• Pull your wiper blades away from the windshield during the winter months to prevent ice build-up on the blade and to prevent them from sticking to the windshield.
• Don’t run your wipers on a dry windshield.
• Keep your windshield clean.

It’s dark out and the rain is coming down hard. You flip on your windshield wipers to see the road ahead…

And Voila! Your view is clear! Thank goodness you get your wiper blades at Victory Lube.

Keeping up to date with your windshield wiper blades helps make sure that for all the moments you need a clear view, you have it.