Do It Yourself (DIY): How to Change Car Windscreen Wipers

When it comes to car maintenance, there are a few things you can take care of yourself. The DIY world of the internet has made it easy and accessible to get a multitude of tasks done with in-depth video tutorials and blogs. In this article, we are attempting to do something similar by explaining how to change windscreen wipers.

The most important aspect while driving a vehicle is visibility, as it plays a crucial role in the safety of the passengers, the driver, and the other people on the road. Windscreen wipers are responsible for wiping the dirt, rain, snow, and smears from the windshield, giving us a clear and clean view of the outside. But each windscreen wiper has a fixed lifetime, and we need to change it regularly to avoid any tampering with the visibility.

Before we move forward with how to change windscreen wipers, let’s first a look at why you need to do it. 

Why should I replace the Windscreen Wipers?

To have a smooth, accident-free ride, the driver needs to have a good view of what’s coming and going on the road. It is one single most crucial aspect of driving a car. Moreover, to keep your car in a roadworthy condition, you need to pass an MOT (for more than three-year-old cars). An MOT inspector also looks at the condition and working of your windscreen wipers, which can be the reason for failing the test. 

If you live in a place where rain or snow is a common weather condition, people have to rely on their cars’ windscreen wipers to get through the drive. Especially in the UK, where it is believed to be raining for 131 days out of 365 days, this can go even higher in other parts of the country, making the efficiency of wiper blades an important factor. 

With the dust, corrosion, UV light damage, airborne debris, and moisture, the rubber and the blades are susceptible to a decrease in performance. This eventually leads to a smearing effect of water and dirt, obscuring the view of the driver. 

Even if you stay in a place without a rainy climate, the blade of the wiper gets worn out over time with the exposure to sunlight, cold temperature, etc. You should look to replace them every 12 months or so, either by yourself or with the help of a car servicing centre. 

Also Read: Car Windscreen 101: How to Take Care of Your Car’s Windscreen?

How will I know when to replace wiper blades?

There are many signs that your windscreen wipers give away when they’re losing their strength. The most obvious one is the drop in their performance and efficiency, leading to smear marks of dirt and streaks of water on the glass. They could also be making a dreadful squeaky noise or a shuddering effect as they swipe from one end to another. 

Additionally, you can always check the condition of the windscreen wipers by running your fingers through its length, looking for any cuts or tears. Make sure you’re paying addition to the rear wiper blade too.

How to Change Car Windscreen Wipers?

Step 1: Picking the right replacement blades

Windshield Wipers are made with three basic parts – the wiper arm that runs from the base of the windshield, the metal/plastic blade attached to the lower arm, and the rubber blade that wipes the windshield. 

It is important to match the size of the replacement blades with the original one to achieve the perfect and accurate fir. You can either use a ruler or a measuring tape to determine the length of the old rubber blades. You can then proceed to any car shop and get yourself the exact same size.

Many drivers make the mistake of buying the same size for both sides. It is often that one side is an inch or two shorter/longer than the other one. 

Step 2: Cleaning it!

Before you install the new windscreen wipers, it is important to give your windshield a good clean to remove the collected debris, dirt, or anything else that might hamper the working of the new blades. 

Step three: Protect the glass

The third step to understanding how to change the windscreen wiper is protecting the glass. 

This is a very minor but important step to prevent any mishap or accident that would lead to additional expense. Once you remove the blades from the wiper, it can snapback due to its spring-loaded mechanism, and crack the windshield. 

To avoid this mishap, you just have to fold up a towel or any sponge cloth and place it on the glass, just under the blade. If in case, the arm does snap back, it will be protected by the towel. 

Also Read: Rainy Season Car Care: 10 Tips for Driving in the Rain

Step 4: Lift your Blades

Once you have the protective towel in place, lift the windscreen wipers, one at a time. You will need to look for the clip or a fastening mechanism that is holding the blade. In some cases, you might have to place the wipers into a certain position before working. You can find this information in your car manual or simply ask your mechanic. 

Step 5: Removing the Blades

The next step is to unclip the old blades & replace them with new ones. To remove it, there are multiple ways to do so- it can either be hooked to an arm or simply have a clip holding it in place. Remember that the windscreen wipers may be working differently than what is mentioned here, and you should take a look at the instruction leaflet. 

Step 6: Putting the new blades in

Using the same mechanism that you did to remove the blades, attach the new ones. Try not to force the blade into its place, as there might be a different technique to do so. It is also recommended to look for any plastic covering on the rubber. 

While you’re learning how to change windscreen wipers, it is important to judge the wiper blades size accurately as each side differs in the measurement. 

You should also check the packet for any additional clips that may be needed to secure the windshield wiper. 

Step 7: Placing it back

Now that you’re done with replacement, it is time to place them back on the windshield. Remove the protective towel and then secure the new wiper blades into place. Make sure there are no gaps as they should sit on the glass without any trouble if fitted properly. 

If you’re struggling with getting the blades fit accurately, you can come down to Acton Service Centre for quick help. 

Step 8: Testing them out

Once you have checked the placement of the blades, try giving your windscreen wiper a test drive. The new blades should be able to wipe the water effortlessly. If you encounter any noise or judder, try adjusting them properly before trying again. 

This brings us to the end of the article on how to change windscreen wipers. Hope this was helpful to you. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to comment below.