How to Change Your WindShield Wipers

Things You'll Need

New Wiper Blades
Needle Nose Pliers
Pocket Screwdriver
Tape Measure

Wiper blades are the most forgotten car accessory around. You don’t worry about them until the weather gets nasty and you have no visibility. Good wiper blades make your commute through rough and hazardous weather easier and safer. Make sure you clean your wiper blades regularly with a rag or sponge dipped in washer fluid. If the blades are dirty, the performance of the blade will be severely hindered and may even scratch your windshield.

It is a good idea to replace your wiper blades every 6 months to a year or when you notice deterioration in performance. The best time to change them is just before the winter season.

New additions this year include the winter blades. These blades have a special rubber cover that protects all vital pivot points so that water does not freeze and jam them. These blades are exceptionally handy if you live in areas where there are higher probabilities of constant winter storms.

Steps

Lift up the driver’s side wiper off the windshield and keep lifting until the pivot locks the wiper in an upright position. If your wiper arm only rises up a few inches DO NOT force it any higher. There is a locking tab at the base of the wiper that will allow the wiper to go past its current position.
The next step is to measure the wiper blade with a tape measure to the nearest inch. The average length of wiper blade’s on most vehicles range from 16” to 21”. Check your owner’s manual to verify the actual size of the blades.
Now you must determine how your wiper blade will be mounted on the wiper arm. There are several methods but the three most common ones include straight end connector, hook slot connector, and pin type arm.
Installation of the Hook Slot Connector.
Swing the blade upright so that you can observe the connector. You will find a tab that either needs to be pushed or lifted to release the pivot blade lock. After the tab is released, firmly shove the wiper towards the base of the arm and it should slide out easily.

Take the new wiper blade mount and line it up with the hook slot until it slides and clicks into place. There maybe adapters provided to facilitate the ease to create the mount.
Installation of the Pin Type Arm
To remove this type of wiper blade first take a look at the type of locking tab. You must have to either lift the tab from the top with a screwdriver or push the tab from underneath. Once the tab releases the pin, remove the old wiper blade sideways away from the arm. The new wiper blade will simply lock onto the pin but if it does not, the adapters provided will lock the wiper onto the arm with different size pins.
Installation of the Straight End Connector
Lift the tab on the old wiper with a small screwdriver to release the locking nub from the arm. Rock the wiper a few degrees up and down to slide the wiper out.

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Tips

When removing your wiper blades, place a clean rag on your windshield so that if the bare metal arm snaps down suddenly it will be protected from being cracked or broken.
Check your windshield wiper fluid every week or when you fill up your gas. If the weather is forcing you to use your fluid frequently, then you should check it everyday.
Use a straight pin or a needle to clear a clogged windshield nozzle opening.

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