When To Replace Ford Windshield Wipers

Only a few things are more annoying than a streaky windshield in rainy or snowy weather. The most common cause of a streaky windshield is a bad wiper blade.

Windshield wiper blades last between 6 months and a year. The amount of time depends on your area's climate and how often you use the wipers.  So if you’re getting streaks all over your windshield, the first thing you should check are your windshield wipers. This tutorial will walk you through the process of checking your wipers.

What Causes Windshield Wipers To Fail?

Old wiper

Windshield wipers aren’t made to last forever. They’ll wear out sooner or later. Certain conditions cause them to fail sooner than average:

  • Snow and ice on the windshield. Snow and ice are abrasive and wear the wipers quickly.
  • Extreme sun and heat, which degrades the rubber blades.
  • Rainy climates, where wipers are used often.

Checking Your Windshield Wipers

Sometimes it’s obvious when a windshield wiper blade has gone bad. Other times, it’s not so obvious. If you’re not sure whether your wiper blades have any life left, give them a good visual inspection. Some worn wipers may look okay from a distance, but you’ll notice some obvious signs when you look closely.

When inspecting your windshield wipers, look for the following:

  • Cracks, tears, and/or missing pieces in the rubber
  • Rounded edges on the rubber blade

You can also move your windshield wiper blades back and forth. When doing this, observe how the blades conform to the shape of your windshield. Aged wiper blades won’t be so flexible anymore.

Also, tug on the rubber part to see if it’s still securely installed on the wiper arm.

If your windshield wipers appear to have issues, then it’s time to replace them.

Replacing Your Windshield Wipers

Replacement wiper

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a person who has never driven a car before. Anyone can replace a pair of windshield wipers right at home. All you have to do is to:

We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions about diagnosing bad windshield wiper blades.