Despite being one of the most present components in any car, it’s also one of the most forgotten. After all, while we take our vehicle to the workshop as soon as we see a broken window, we only remember to replace the windshield wipers when it’s most necessary — that is, when it rains.
During this season, episodes of rain or snow are much more common, so they have a crucial function. Their simple sweeping mechanism is a great help to continue driving in situations where the accumulation of dirt such as water, dust, or snow on the windshield reduces visibility at the wheel — or can even cause a broken window.
For this reason, among the recommendations from the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT — Spain’s traffic authority) are some related to the condition of the windshield wipers, which we at Ralarsa outline for you below.
How often should we install a new windshield wiper replacement?
It’s never a bad idea to remember that keeping the wipers in good condition is a task we should never neglect. The DGT recommends to drivers — through various posts on social media such as Twitter — installing a new windshield wiper at least once a year, or even every six months in areas with extreme temperatures where heat damages the rubber, reducing sweeping efficiency.
While the main sign that it’s time to replace the wipers is when they do not clean the windshield properly, there are other indicators to take into account.
Excessive noise is a clear sign that the blades are putting too much pressure on the glass or that the rubber is not in good condition. This can happen over time, with sudden temperature changes, or with environmental dirt, which can cause a misalignment in the position of the blade and the arm that holds it.
Another recommendation we make from any Ralarsa car glass workshop is to replace the wipers as soon as you notice they leave streaks in their path, or if when touching the blade you feel any fissure or roughness. These are signs that the rubbers are not functioning properly and must be replaced.
According to the DGT, for wipers to work correctly, it is important to make sure the washer fluid tank is always full. They also recommend mixing the water with cleaning products to make cleaning the windshield glass easier.
How to use wipers in low-temperature environments?
If you live in a cold place, you’ve probably found yourself in the situation of going to get into your car in the morning and being surprised by a windshield full of ice. If so, as we explained earlier in Ralarsa’s blog on how to remove ice from the windshield without damaging it, we want to remind you that it is better and safer to remove it with a scraper rather than with hot water or the wipers themselves, as these could easily deteriorate, even ruining the wipers or causing a broken window that would need repair at a glass workshop.
As a company specialised in glass repair, we emphasise that there is a potential danger of the windshield breaking, especially if it already has some damage, due to thermal shock. In fact, one study showed that at an outside temperature of -10ºC, 80% of windshields break in less than 5 minutes after turning on the heater. At -5ºC the percentage is 70%, and at 0ºC, 59%.
Therefore, the Spanish traffic agency recommends removing ice from the windshield using a scraper with rubber in good condition to avoid scratching the glass. If you don’t have this tool, you can safely use alcohol, whose freezing point is very low, at -114ºC.
Solve all your doubts at your nearest Ralarsa car glass workshop
At Ralarsa, we offer complete services for repairing vehicle glass, such as window tinting, changing windshield wiper blades, rain treatments, and ozone treatments. In our nearest Ralarsa workshops, you can find everything necessary to care for your glass and the interior of your vehicle.
Do not hesitate to trust Ralarsa for your vehicle’s windshield repair. We are fully available to guarantee your comfort and your vehicle’s safety. Count on Ralarsa!
