Tell the truth, you pay very little attention to your windscreen wipers and they are probably at the end of your car care priority lists. You ought to push them up a couple spaces because they are more important than you think.

Improper care and lack of maintenance can lead to extensive damage to your vehicle’s windscreen, obscure your vision, and put you, your passengers as well as other road users in danger.

Simple tasks such as removing debris, cleaning the windscreen wiper blades, and ensuring that windscreen wash remains in the reservoir could save your car and pockets some pain. Maintenance is fairly easy. You could do it yourself or pay a visit to your car care professional to get it done and. They could even show you how to do it.

Before we get into it, here’s a quick lesson. Did you know that your car has an entire system to clean your windscreen? It is generally called the windscreen washer system and it includes the windscreen washer fluid reservoir, washer fluid pump, hoses to spray the fluid, windscreen washer nozzles, and the windscreen wiper system.

Here are some tips to help you with maintenance.

FIVE TIPS TO CARE FOR YOUR WINDSCREEN WIPERS

Ensure that you have windscreen washer fluid in the reservoir

If you attempt to use the windscreen washer system when there is no fluid, an undue amount of stress will be placed on the pump and it will wear out.

Though washer fluid is in the reservoir to be used for cleaning the windscreen, it also performs another function. The washer fluid acts as a lubricant for the system parts, including the pump and the hoses. If there the reservoir is dry, internal parts of the pump may corrode and they can degrade. If the pump doesn’t operate efficiently or if the rubber lines dry and crack, there may be leakage, it may stop working optimally, or stop working completely.

Without fluid in the reservoir, you won’t be able to clean your windscreen using that mechanism. This can present a huge safety problem if you are driving in conditions where, for example, you could get dirt on your windscreen. The wiper blades will only cause a smear.

Running the wipers on a dry windscreen is not advised. Permanent damage to the wiper blades is highly likely and the windscreen will probably get scratched.

A scratched windscreen can be a nightmare, especially at night. Your best or only option will be to replace it and you will pay a hefty price. Using washer fluid is the best way to prevent any frictional damage. So, ensure that the reservoir doesn’t run dry.

Change wiper blades often

Wiper blades are made out of rubber. So, overtime, they tend to harden, especially if they are exposed to the sun for extensive periods. Using them when the rubber hardens will reduce the performance and drastically increase the chances of your windscreen getting scratched. Damaged blades may also leave streaks or they may not efficiently remove water from the glass. When they underperform, your visibility gets skewed which means your view, as the driver will be impacted.

Some car care professionals may tell you to change your windscreen wiper blades every six months. At the very least, you should change them once a year. Regularly checking them for damage may push you to changing them sooner than the recommended time frames.

Outside of sun exposure, other factors that lead to deterioration of the blades may include debris and misuse such as using them when there is no windscreen washer in the reservoir.

Clean blades to extend their life

Windscreen wiper blades get dirty and that will contribute to deterioration over time. If you don’t regularly clean them, dust particles may accumulate and cause severe damage to the windscreen the next time you use the wipers. If they make noise, it is an indication that your blades may need to be cleaned.

Car care professionals will encourage you to use a clean and soft microfibre cloth with plenty of water to clean your wiper blades. Using dishwashing detergent to help remove dirt and grime from the wiper blades is a hack that you could test out. Many swear by it. Using strong cleaning agents to clean your wiper blades is discouraged. They may corrode or damage the rubber on the edges.

Another hack is to keep a cleaning kit in your car trunk. It should contain microfibre cloth, a spray bottle containing vinegar, and rubber protectant. To clean the blades, soak the cloth in vinegar and run the the cloth across the full length of each blade, making sure to clean both sides. Consider that hack or check your car care professional regularly to clean them for you.

Tighten wipers for optimal performance

The windscreen wiper is a mechanical part of your car which requires maintenance. If you ignore it, the arm may become loose which will result in poor performance when used. Technically, you may just need a screwdriver to tighten it back in position. You should be able to remove the cap over the wiper arm and adjust the corresponding screws. Please ensure that you do not over-tighten as it may lead to excessive friction between the wiper blades and the glass. This may cause damage to both. Though tightening the wipers may seem fairly simple, the process may be different depending on the car. So, check the vehicle manual or your car care provider.

Next week, we will drive home the point on the importance of checking your headlights, brake lights, and indicators.

This is the fifth article in the weekly series, ‘Car Care Tips’ where we highlight various aspects of a car, how to provide care and maintenance for optimal performance while ensuring safety. This series may feature your favourite mechanic or others from the motor vehicle industry.

Read the fourth installment of Care Care Tips below:

Car Care Tips | Dashboard warning lights and their meanings

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