It's time to check - what is the condition of the car's wipers
Car wipers are one of the important elements of car equipment that provide the driver with the necessary visibility. Serviceable wipers are important in every season. We mostly use them in the fall and winter when we have to deal with a large amount of precipitation.
Defective damaged wipers are not able to clean the glass well, leaving marks and places where you can't see through, which makes driving significantly more difficult or even impossible. Worn out wipers are also unable to drain water during rain or snow in winter, which also leads to huge visibility problems and can cause an accident or hit a pedestrian.
When we talk about wipers, we mean the most frequently replaced blades that wear out. From time to time, however, other damages also occur - in some cars, the wiper arms are damaged (they do not touch well or are corroded) or their drive mechanisms. Wipers can also stop working as a result of a breakdown in the electrical installation (the current does not reach the drive mechanism) or a fuse burns out. Even the best wipers are unable to clean the glass without copious amounts of the appropriate wiper fluid.Cleaners of average quality can last several months, up to half a year. The cheaper ones usually need to be changed every three months, but it all depends on the season as well. The original wipers last several years.They wear out the fastest in winter. Improper use can greatly shorten their service life.When should we replace the car wipers?- When streaks remain on the glass as a result of a damaged wiper end. - When opaque areas remain on the glass as a result of a bent wiper blade or, less commonly, a damaged arm. - When during cleaning the glass appears foggy as a result of problems with the wiper blade that is in direct contact with the glass. - When the wipers are unable to remove the water during heavy rain.- When the wiper squeals or screeches and bounces on the glass as a result of dirt or a damaged wiper connector. - When there is visible damage to the tire – detachment of part of the feather, delamination, etc. - When there is visible damage to the connector, which is not able to hold the wiper in the necessary way (the connectors are made of plastic, an inexperienced user can damage them during the installation of the wiper). They are produced flat, without bending and without an additional tire (aerotwin - "banana" type) and standard, with a frame. The advantages of the former are aerodynamics, better fit, simpler construction, more interesting appearance and quieter operation.Wiper brand manufacturers also indicate the type of wiper arm used and whether it has a spoiler or additional features. On the wiper packaging there is a list of models for which it is suitable (for some cheaper replacements it can be misleading or incomplete ). Some models of frameless wipers are sold with several connectors, which allows them to be installed on many car models.How does a typical frameless wiper installation work? (a general option that does not apply to all BMW models!)- Lift the wiper arm up.
- Press the clip on the underside of the wiper connector. - Push the old wiper in the direction of the car glass. - Be careful not to drop the arm as it is without a wiper on the glass: in this way it is very likely to break it! - Insert the connector of the new wiper into the metal hook on the wiper arm. - Press the new wiper slightly in the direction opposite to the car glass until you hear a characteristic clickIf you are not aware of the procedure, we recommend that you ask our employees for more detailed information. What leads to the destruction of wipers?- Operation with a small amount of wiper fluid. The tank must be full. Rubbing the glass dry not only destroys the wiper, but also scratches the windshield. - Low-quality wiper fluid. - Washing the car windows with wax shampoo. - Operation of wipers in winter on icy windows. This is the most common reason for the destruction of wipers during the winter season.- Plucking frozen wipers by driving them or using a scraper. Windshield deicers are best for gently loosening frozen wipers. - Cleaning heavily soiled glass, for example covered with a lot of mud, dust and sand (as a result of off-road driving). - Not using the wipers for a long period of time. Improper installation (not following the instructions, force installation) which damages the wiper connector.Exposure to strong sun in the summer leads to faster wear of the wiper rubber.Car wipers are often an under-appreciated friend of every driver, ensuring good visibility in every season of the year. Driving with faulty wipers causes a lot of discomfort, and at the same time it is a prerequisite for an accident.