A mound or slush of snow can easily block a beautiful view (and your safety too) when not properly removed during a trip.
That’s why, in this article, we teach you how to get the best winter wiper blades via a keen eye for important details.
WHAT ARE WINTER WIPER BLADES?
Photo Credit: Kritzolina via Wikimedia Commons
Winter wiper blades as the name suggests, are a set of stem-like structures that are moving back and forth on your windshields, to remove any debris that may be blocking your vision while driving.
Unlike ordinary wiper blades, winter wiper blades are made of a thicker rubber that is specifically formulated to resist freezing and cracking in cold weather.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WINTER WIPER BLADES?
The most obvious benefit of having winter wiper blades on your vehicle, is they maintain proper visibility on and off the road. In the United States, it is estimated that there are approximately 21 million vehicles that need winter wiper blades. That’s because more than 20% of vehicle accidents are caused by ice and snow.
Having a clear vision of what lies ahead of you will help you quickly react and avoid any hurdle that may suddenly pop up, and can cause fatal accidents. Other benefits are given above.
WHO INVENTED THE WINTER WIPER BLADES?
The winter wiper blades are only a part of an entire “windshield wiper” which was invented by Mary Anderson in 1902. According to her great, great niece, Sara Scott Wingo, the idea struck her aunt during a New York winter trip. While riding a streetcar, Mary noticed that her driver kept stopping his vehicle every now and then, to remove snowflakes on his windshield.
She then made a sketch of the windshield wipers, labeling them as, a “window cleaning device.” But it wasn’t until the following year when she applied for her invention’s patent.
HOW DO WINTER WIPER BLADES WORK?
The winter wiper blades are the edges that touch the surface of your vehicle’s main window or windshield; thus, performing the primary cleaning function. But to do so, the wiper arm connects them to the wiper transmission that’s responsible for controlling their movements.
On the other hand, the wiper motor is what gives the wiper transmission and wiper fluid pump the power to operate. It’s located between the compartment and engine. The wiper fluid pump is the special storage that squirts internal water out for intentional cleaning purposes, which is activated by the wiper interior controls on the steering wheel.
ARE WINTER WIPER BLADES EASY TO INSTALL?
Yes, winter wiper blades are easy to install. In fact, it only takes about a minute or less.
WHAT KIND OF MAINTENANCE DO WINTER WIPER BLADES REQUIRE?
Honestly, winter wiper blades’ maintenance isn’t too demanding because they only need simple tools and practices to ensure their performance consistency.
- Winter wiper blade inspection – it can be done every time you stop by a gas station for refueling. It’s normally a part of refueling where they also check the condition of your wipers and clean them based on the approved standard.
- Windshield wipers lifted up – some people raise the windshield wipers, so they don’t accumulate snow and stick to the windows.
- Use warm soapy water – cleaning your winter wiper blades is like cleaning a dirty fuel transfer tank at its early stage. It’s best with the help of a clean rag or paper towel and soapy water, to soften up stubborn snow and other dirt.
- Rubbing alcohol on wiper blades – putting alcohol on your winter wiper blades helps remove remaining water and soap after the main cleaning process.
HOW LONG DO WINTER WIPER BLADES LAST?
Winter wiper blades last for about 1 year at max. But they need to be replaced at least every 6 months to prevent any possible wear and tear issues that may affect your vehicle in the long run.
Some signs that your winter wiper blades need a replacement:
- Squeaky/noisy sound when in use.
- Portions of the rubber surface are starting to scrape off.
- Scratches are forming on your windshield’s surface.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WIPER BLADES?
There are different types of wiper blades to suit your various preferences.
- Conventional wiper blades – have multiple contact points that act like suction cups to keep the rubber in place during the wiping process.
- Flat wiper blades – are also called the “toothless” wiper blades because the springs take the place of the blades on the rubber surface, apply force on your windshield to remove dirt.
- Hybrid wiper blades – are a combination of conventional and flat counterparts.
- Winter wiper blades – are special wiper blades resilient against cold environments. Check out the best winter wiper blades this 2022 to find out which brand suits your needs.
HOW MUCH ARE WINTER WIPER BLADES?
The average cost of winter wiper blades is between $15 and $30. The labor for winter wiper blade replacement is at $8-$12 which is still separate from the product cost. These are only estimated prices because the exact amount is hard to determine, since it still varies from one place to another and the length of time it takes for the blades to be replaced.
| Type of Wiper Blade |
Estimated Cost |
| Conventional wiper blades |
$10-$16 |
| Flat wiper blades |
$11-$19 |
| Hybrid wiper blades |
$10-$18 |
| Winter wiper blades |
$12-$26 |
CONCLUSION
For those who live in cold-weather regions, buying winter wiper blades is a huge investment. This is because only they can tell what it’s like when the combination of ice and snow take its toll. While skimping on buying a separate set of winter wiper blades can save you a few bucks, you lower your safety level and may eventually find yourself on the bad side of the bargain. Share us your own ideas when choosing winter wiper blades by commenting below.
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