Windshield wipers can be an overlooked part of your car’s safety system. If your wipers are not working properly, visibility may be severely reduced when it rains or snows. It’s important to be able to spot faulty and inefficient wiper blades as soon as possible so that you stay safe behind the wheel. While your auto insurance in San Antonio, TX helps to protect you, this regular maintenance can help ensure your wiper blades are in good shape.
Prioritize maintaining your wipers
- Clean the rubber element every time you fill your gas tank. Remove loose dirt and road grime from the windshield.
- When washing your car by hand, use a non-abrasive glass cleaner and a wet sponge to clean the windshield and rubber elements of the wiper blade.
- Inspect your wipers once a month.
Inspect your wipers regularly
Wiper blades are made out of rubber and can wear even with limited use. The blades should be inspected regularly and replaced, if necessary, every six to 12 months. If your blades get damaged and are cracked or torn, they can struggle to remove debris and rain from your windshield, making driving potentially dangerous.
Replace your wiper blades
Believe it or not, but changing your wiper blades is a simple task. If you’re not confident about your skills, leave it to the professionals at the garage. If you want to do it yourself, follow these steps:
- Measure – Measure the wiper blade length or check your car’s owner’s manual for the correct blade size.
- Remove the old wiper – Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield. Depress the small tab on the underside of the wiper where it meets the wiper arm. Slide the wiper blade off the arm by pulling downward.
- Attach new blade – Push the wiper blade tight onto the arm. When it is in correctly, you’ll hear it click into place.
- Test – Test the wipers are working correctly after installation. It’s better to do it now than in the middle of a downpour!
Contact Jerry R. Carnahan Insurance to learn more about protecting your vehicle in San Antonio, TX with reliable auto insurance. We’re here to help!