When car owners think about performing regular maintenance on their car, typically they only consider the obvious. For instance, most people change their oil, have their engine serviced and check the fluids every 3,000 miles. But this regular maintenance rarely includes checking the condition of the wiper blades. The next time you do regular car maintenance, remember these tips to make your wiper blades work better.

Blade Types

Different brands of wiper blades are made out of different rubber materials. Odds are that the cheaper the blade, the less life you will get out of it. For instance, those blades constructed with just regular rubber will last only for about six months. Those made with synthetic rubber or halogen-hardened rubber are more durable and will typically last longer. These wiper blades are a bit more expensive, but well worth it because you won't have to replace your blades as often.

Blade Arms

The arms that hold your wiper blades can also affect the performance of your blades. When checking your wiper blades, make sure there is nothing wrong with the wiper arms. The primary thing to check for is how easy it is to pull the wiper arm away from the windshield into the upright position. If the arm can be pulled away easily with no resistance, it is time to replace the entire wiper assembly to make your wipers work better.

When to Replace Blades

Often there is no way to make your wiper blades work better, so your only option is replacement. Wiper blades work like squeegees. Over time, the rubber begins to wear and can break, tear or become brittle. Generally, when your blades are failing to wipe away rain, snow or debris from your window consistently and cleanly, you need to replace them.

Source:

Car Care.org: Replace Wiper Blades for Safety

DMV.org: Replacing Your Windshield Wipers