Spiffy’s FAQ’s: How often should I change my wiper blades?

Automotive Maintenance, Automotive Service, Car Care, FAQ's, Oil Change

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Spiffy’s Car Wash FAQ’s: How often should I change my windshield wiper blades?

At Spiffy’s, the fine folks of Tuscaloosa, Alabama often come into the city’s ONLY Full-Service Car Wash to get an oil change. Yes, we do that, too! More often than not the customers that take advantage of our service department bring a truckload of questions about automotive care with them.

One question that we hear quite a bit is with regard to replacing windshield wiper blades.

If your windshield wiper blades leave streaks and smears, or if they scrape and chatter even when there is plenty of moisture on the glass, you probably need new wiper blades. If you find yourself ducking and dodging your head like a boxer avoiding punches when the weather is bad…it is very likely that you should replaces your wiper blades.

Let your eyes and common sense dictate when to change wiper blades. Wiper blades should be able to easily clear water, snow and slush. This is especially true if you live in an area where salt is used on the roads because dried salt can practically make a windshield opaque. If you pull a wiper arm away from the windshield, you might find tears or cracks in the wiper blade — other signs they need replacement.

Before you replace the wiper blades, though, try wiping them clean with a damp cloth and make sure the wiper arm isn’t bent or broken and that the blade sits snugly on the glass. Sometimes just lifting the arm off the glass and letting it snap back into place will make the blades seat more snugly on the glass and work better.

Wiper blades are inexpensive (typically less than $20 for a pair on most vehicles). So when in doubt, do it now — before you need new ones. If you own an SUV, minivan or hatchback, check the rear-window wiper blade as well.

One additional option to consider is treating your windshield with a water-repellent solution like Rain-X. Next time you bring your vehicle into Spiffy’s Car Wash ask our staff about adding Rain-X to your service.

For more information about the Car Wash, Detail or Maintenance services provided by Spiffy’s Car Wash check out the rest of our website!

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Spiffy’s is Tuscaloosa’s ONLY Full-service Car Wash. And, we do Oil Changes, too! Make sure that you ‘Like’ Spiffy’s on Facebook by clicking this link.