Windshield wipers are essential components of your car that you might overlook. The stress of driving in a heavy downpour with sluggish wipers will give you a reason to make a repair shop your next port of call. Besides the inconveniences of driving with faulty wipers, the fault can lead to costlier problems like damage to your windshield glass. Unlike changing your car's engine oil, windshield wipers do not have expiry dates, and you cannot as well use your car's mileage to determine their longevity. However, the following are the tale-tell signs which will give you a hint that you need to change your car's windshield wipers:
Squeaking noises: the wiper blades are made in a way that they should glide smoothly across a wet windscreen. However, with time, they will wear out, and instead of a smooth glide, they will develop a squeaking noise. The noise indicates damaged rubbers and the need to replace them as soon as possible.
Vibration and chattering noises: after some time, your car's wipers will begin to move at an uneven rate. Additionally, the wipers might have chattering noises and fail to wipe your windscreen cleanly. It happens when the blades' gaps move faster than the pieces that come in contact with the windshield and cause vibration. It is an indicator of impending disaster, and it would help if you visit a repair shop immediately.
Wet spots: The windshield wipers' blades will wear out over time. The consequence is that they will no longer efficiently wipe your windscreen but instead leave wet traces on the screen. It becomes an inconvenience that could cause accidents when driving in extreme weather. It is a perfect indicator that you have overused your wipers and need to change them soon.
The above signs are just indicators of faulty wipers. However, even if your wipers don't pose some of the above signs, you must change them regularly. You risk being stranded on a highway under a heavy downpour because of arbitrary faulty wipers. If you need windshield wiper replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to Longview Auto & Tire today!