The first rains of the season descended on Gauteng this week, heralding in what will hopefully be a summer of plentiful rain, filling dams and watering crops. What it also means is that it’s the time to check and if necessary replace, your wiper blades.

A Step-By-Step DIY Guide to Changing Your Windscreen Wiper Blades

Your windscreen wipers are one of the most important safety features of your car. And yet they're often overlooked when it comes to maintenance! When was the last time you changed your wiper blades? If it's been more than six months, or if you can't remember, then it may be time for change!

Keep An Eye On Your Current Blades

When it comes to safe driving, visibility is key. In rainy conditions, a decent pair of windshield wiper blades can save your life. Yet, as with most car parts, they do wear out after a while. How can you tell when it’s time to get some new ones? You  need to listen closely whenever the wipers are in use. If the blades make any slapping, squeaking, or chattering noises, discard them as soon as possible.

Cleaning Your Blades

Here’s a money-saving tip. Assuming your wiper blades are performing smoothly and you don’t hear them making any weird sounds. But what should you do if the contraptions have been smearing dirt all over the windshield? Not to worry. In this scenario, you probably won’t need to buy new units right away. Instead, simply dip a rag or paper towel into some rubbing alcohol (hand sanitizer works pretty well too) and use it to clean off the blades (for best results, clean the windshield as well). Doing so will extend the life of your present blades for another month or two—after which time, you will have to bite the bullet and finally discard them.

Go  Shopping

Alright, so you have determined that your blades have got to go. Visit our Start My Car  parts store. Once you’re there, you’ll want to get the right blades for your car. Any of our helpful salesmen will measure your blades and give you replacement blades of the  correct length and compatible with the attachment points on your car’s wiper arms. Alternatively, if you are one of our thousands of customers located throughout SA, you can merely hop onto Startmycar.co.za and search by your make and model to find compatible blades.

Measuring Your Wiper Blades

There are up to three wiper blades on the typical passenger car. Two at the front and one at the back (typically on hatchbacks and SUVs). The longest blade is usually the front driver’s blade, followed by the front passenger blade. The rear blade is usually the smallest. The fitting position of the blade is clearly shown on the Start My Car website once you have inputted the Make, Model, Variant and Year.

Simply use a ruler or a tape measure to measure wiper blade size for a better replacement. Following international practice, wiper blades are often measured in Inches. If you need to convert CMs to inches, simply multiply the CM value by 0.3937.

So, a 405mm length = 40.5cm = 40.5x0.3937 = 15.98 inch, which is basically 16 inch.

Types of Wiper Blades

There are three types of wiper blades: conventional, beam and hybrid. All three have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

• Conventional Wiper Blades: These are the most common type of wiper blade, and they’re made of metal. They’re durable but can be difficult to install.

• Beam Wiper Blades: These blades are made of plastic and are very easy to install. However, they’re not as durable as metal blades.

• Hybrid Wiper Blades: These blades are a combination of metal and plastic, and they’re the most durable type of blade. However, they’re also the most expensive type.

Changing Your Wiper Blades

Once you’ve determined the size of your wiper blades, it’s time to change them! The process of changing your windshield wipers is so simple that anyone can do it, and it only takes a few minutes. So let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Materials

 The first step is to gather the necessary materials. You’ll need a new set of wiper blades and a screwdriver. If your car has blade covers, you’ll also need a pair of pliers.

Step 2: Locate the Wiper Arms

 Next, locate the wiper arms on your windshield. These are the metal bars that hold the wiper blades in place. Climb into your car, turn it on, give your windshield a squirt of wiper fluid to lubricate its surface, and then start the wipers. When the two blades reach their apex, immediately turn the vehicle off. You’ll want the upper tip of both blades to be pointing towards your car roof.

Step 3: Remove the Old Blade and Fit the New Ones 

Once the wiper arms are up, you should be able to see the wiper blades. The blade is the sturdy frame containing the long, rubber strip that actually touches your windshield. Each frame is connected to an arm, which swings the blade to and fro over the glass. Grab onto the arms and gently pull them forward until they’re standing upright at a 90-degree angle to the windshield.

If your car has the “Hook” Type mechanism, you will notice a small tab or  lever

that you can press to release the blade. Generally, you can disconnect the blade by using a finger to push the said tab either outwards or inwards. As you do this, grab the blade and pull it down parallel to the wiper arm. Eventually, you’ll have taken it off completely.

Figure 1: A Hook-Type Wiper Blade

Figure 2: Removing A Hook Type Wiper Blade

If your car has a “Pin” type mechanism, typically found on vehicles built in the 1990's, and decide to replace the windshield wiper blades, you are likely to find that your car uses a pin type windshield wiper assembly. This means that the wiper blades attaches to the wiper arm with a has a pin or clip. While it may appear to be a complicated job, actually, pin-type windshield wiper blades are some of the easiest to replace. But, like everything else automotive, there's a trick to it.

• Place a flat-bladed screwdriver between the wiper blade and the wiper arm.
• Twist the screwdriver to the right until the blade dislodges from the wiper arm.

Figure 3: A Pin Type Wiper Blade

Figure 4: Removing A Pin Type Wiper Blade

Step 4: Install the New Wiper Blade

Assuming you haven’t done so already, remove each new blade from its packaging. Now return the arms to their erect, upright position. The next step will depend on what type of attachment mechanism your car uses for its blades. You can of course refer back to the diagrams above.

On hook type blades, slide the arm hook up and over the tab, then pull the blades upwards until you hear a “snap.” This signifies that the new units are secure and ready for action. On pin type blades, the fresh blade will have a small hole in its body. Simply align the hole with the pin, and it will snap into place to lock the new blade.

Step 5: Repeat the Process on the Other Blade

Repeat this process for the other wiper blade. Once both blades are installed, you can lower the wiper arms back into place.

Step 6: Test Your New Wipers

The final step is to test your new wipers. Turn on your car and activate the wipers. Make sure they’re clearing the windshield properly and that they’re not making any noise.

Maintain Your Windscreen Wiper Blades With these Tips  

Now that you know how to change your windscreen wipers, it’s important to know how to maintain them. With proper care, your wipers can last for up to a year. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Check your blades regularly and replace them when they start to show signs of wear.
• Clean your blades regularly with soapy water and a soft cloth, or rubbing alcohol. This will remove any built-up dirt and grime.
• If your blades get bent, use a pair of pliers to gently straighten them out.
• Don’t forget to check your wiper fluid levels! If they’re low, top them up.

It's important to keep your wiper blades in good condition, so they can continue to do their job properly. Follow these tips and you'll be able to keep your windscreen clear all year long!

Shop Our Wide Range of Quality Wiper Blades 

We have a wide range of high quality and reliable spare parts for cars at Start My Car. We know that it's important to have a good set of wiper blades, so we offer a range of different types to choose from. Whether you're looking for conventional, beam or hybrid wiper blades, we have the perfect option for you. We also have a wide range of other spare parts and accessories available, so be sure to browse our website today!