When it comes to preventative car maintenance, most drivers don’t think about their windshield wipers until they’re performing poorly, falling apart, or making a screeching sound as they scrape across the windshield.
As someone who tends to install windshield wipers only when they start to show signs of wear, I was surprised that auto parts stores and windshield wiper manufacturers recommend replacing them every six to 12 months. Putting on new blades that often might be an added expense, but you don’t want to get stuck in a rainstorm with worn-out wiper blades!
Turns out, replacing your windshield wipers is easier than replacing the air cabin filter, and it’s a cheap job to DIY. Here’s a quick lesson on how to install windshield wipers, how often to replace them, and how much you can expect to spend, plus a step-by-step video walkthrough to make changing your wipers a breeze.
Most windshield wiper blade manufacturers suggest replacing your wipers at least once a year. However, many blades can last longer than 1-2 years. Since offering to install new windshield wipers after a heavy downpour is an easy way for mechanics to upsell you extra work, it’s important to know when to replace them.
If your wipers cleanly wick away water without leaving streaks on your windshield, they’re still good to go. Be sure to check your windshield wipers regularly as you don’t want to wait for the rubber to separate or for the wiper blades to make streaks or screeching noises when in use.
At best, worn-out wiper blades can cause damage to your windshield, which is an expensive repair especially when considering how affordable the blades are in the first place. At worst, failed wiper blades can impair your visibility in rainy and snowy conditions, putting you and other drivers at risk.
Whether you buy your windshield wiper blades in an auto parts store or online, the selection can be overwhelming. Wiper blades are categorized by length in inches, and size charts for both front and rear wipers are found in auto parts stores and online. Simply search for your make and model. You can also consult your owner’s manual for this information.
The answer for how to choose the best windshield wiper blades comes down mainly to price point. Walking down the windshield wiper blade aisle at any parts store can be overwhelming when it comes to selection, so start by determining your budget. There are plenty of wipers that get the job done for around $20 (per blade). We’ve also put together a list of the best windshield wipers and what to look for to help with the buying process.
The most affordable option is replacing just the rubber part of the wiper blade and reusing the metal or plastic wiper arm, but this is actually more labor intensive than just replacing the entire wiper blade/arm assembly.
Check out the video below to see just how easy it is to install your windshield wiper blades, but please do not attempt any wiper blade sword fighting at home.
Once you’ve selected the right wiper blades for your vehicle and your budget, the hard part is over! The first step to install wiper blades is to remove the old ones. There are different designs when it comes to attaching the wiper blade to the wiper arm depending on the make and model of your vehicle. These include hook, pin, or straight end designs, but most wiper blade refills are universal so they should have attachments for all three options.
Pro Tip: When installing new wiper blades, slowly lower the wiper arm onto the windshield protected by a rag or piece of paper as shown below. Doing so will avoid the spring-loaded arm from accidentally falling down and damaging the windshield.
Some replacement wipers have a plastic protector mounted on the blade’s rubber edge. If that’s the case, be sure to remove this before testing out the new windshield wipers.
Remembering when to replace your windshield wipers can be a hassle, but FIXD has you covered! The free FIXD app can help you keep track of maintenance items including tires, oil changes, and windshield wipers. It’s easy to set up in a few minutes under the Maintenance tab in the app, so you know when it’s time for the next replacement. Don’t get caught in the rain with worn out windshield wipers!
The average cost to have windshield wipers replaced at a repair shop is $49 in parts (for all blades) and between $26 and $33 in labor costs, for a total of $75-$82. Knowing how to install windshield wipers yourself, though, is quick and easy, and can save you lots of money. Spend as little as $20 per blade, depending on which brand you choose.
As you can see, replacing the windshield wiper blades on your car is quick and easy. Installing them yourself will save you money, but more importantly, it will keep you safe with better visibility in rainy, snowy, or foggy weather conditions.
