Quick, Affordable Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

Airplanes, railway locomotives and even space shuttles have them. The earliest ones designed for automobiles where hand-cranked, then later vacuum-powered. Today they can be heated, set to operate at a variety of fixed speeds or only intermittently. Some even use optical sensors that activate them automatically and regulate their speed based on the amount of water on your windshield. No other feature of today's automobiles, other than the headlamps and brake system, is credited with helping drivers avoid more accidents than your car's windshield wiper system.

That's why experts recommend you clean your wiper blades every time you fill your gas tank, inspect them thoroughly at least every six months, and replace them as soon as possible if you see any sign that they might be worn or damaged.

During a light rain worn or damaged wiper blades can restrict your visibility and hamper your ability to react quickly in a sudden emergency, even in everyday driving. During a sudden downpour or nighttime shower, eyestrain from poor visibility can lead to driver fatigue and practically double the chance an accident might occur. But, if you haven't already replaced your worn wiper blades, you can now do it quickly, affordably and effortlessly the next time you visit your local tire retailer.

How do you know when your windshield wiper blades need replacement? If your car, truck or SUV has an automatic washer/wiper feature, simply activate it. The system will squirt some washer fluid over the windshield and the wiper blades will make a few quick passes. If you see any streaks, smears or areas that didn't wipe dry, it's probably time to replace your wiper blades.

Wiper blades basically operate like squeegees. A wiper arm sweeps the blade across the windshield and the blade clears the water away. However, all wiper blades eventually nick and crack with age. UV rays, ozone and air pollution accelerate the aging process. Road grime can build up over time. Wiper blades can become torn and damaged by snow and ice. Pressure over the length of a worn or damaged blade then becomes uneven. Streaks and smears suddenly begin to appear. In some cases the blade may even loose contact with the glass surface as it tracks over the windshield and leave excess water there instead of clearing it away.

Windshield wipers come in a variety of different styles and sizes. Some cars have only one blade, most have two. Some systems wipe in tandem, others wipe in opposition to each other. Blade length can vary anywhere from 12 to 28-inches.

Premium, low-profile replacement blades are designed to deliver excellence all-season performance in the one-piece, frameless wiper systems used on most of today's high-end import and domestic brands. Some feature an almost razor-sharp blade made of patented rubber compounds specially formulated to resists the damaging effects of UV rays, ozone, air pollution and road grime.

Some replacement blades are designed to deliver high water removal, especially at highway speeds. They feature built-in spoilers and other aerodynamic design characteristics to help hold the blade against the glass a high speeds. Don't forget, even in a light rain shower, more water accumulates over the surface area of your windshield the faster you drive.

Others quality replacement blades are designed to deliver consistent, streak-free wipe-after-wipe performance with look of a factory-true OEM blade. And others, often called "winter blades," feature an extra-thick wiping edge which remains flexible even in the coldest temperatures, along with a rubber cover over a heavy-duty frame to help protect it from the damaging effects of slush and snow.

Regardless of the car, truck or SUV you drive most tire retails can quickly and affordably replace your worn or damaged wiper blades. Most tire retailers stock and install high-quality replacement wiper blades from ANCO, Bosch, Rain-X, Valeo and other well-known wiper blade providers.

Many tire retailers make it a point to check the condition of your wiper blades as part of a free multi-point vehicle inspection whenever you purchase replacement tires, have a wheel alignment or coolant check, or anytime you have regular maintenance performed.

Some also offer no appointment necessary windshield chip repair using a high-tech liquid resin and UV light system requires that virtually eliminates any waiting or drying time.

However, if you see streaks, smears or areas of your windshield that do not wipe dry, head for your local tire retailer today. Don't wait for a sudden downpour to tell you your worn or damaged wiper blades need replacement.

Some tire retailers also offer special windshield wiper promotions, in addition to generous coupon savings. When you add them together, they can make replacing your worn or damaged wiper blades more affordable than you can imagine. Plus many tire retailers will also install your newly purchased wiper blades for Free when you purchase them at the retailer.