Are you getting the best from your windscreen wipers
Are You Getting The Best From Your Windscreen Wipers?
What do you do when you go out to your car to drive somewhere? If you are a responsible driver you should give the tyres a quick check, make sure you have enough oil and water, and also check how much petrol or diesel you have, but do you ever check your windscreen wipers?
For most people the answer is probably no yet they are essential to how safe you are when driving. For example if the condition of your wipers is really bad your car may not even get through its MOT successfully. It might seem like a small thing, but if they cannot clear your windscreen of water, dirt and other hazards, they will not be safe to use.
This is why it pays to check them regularly to make sure they are doing the job they are designed for. The best way to do this is to test them when the car is stationary.
Wash your windscreen and then put the wipers on. Watch for any spots that aren’t wiped clean as they should be. This could point to a problem with the blades and mean that they need replacing.
The simplest way to keep your blades in good condition is to clean them from time to time. It’s easy to do this when you are washing your car, but it is surprising how many people forget to do it. You will need to pull them out from the screen to clean the windscreen anyway, so take this as an opportunity to clean the blades as well.
Some people are puzzled as to the best way to clean them, but the best answer is really the obvious one. You should have some windscreen washer fluid to hand to fill up the reservoir with, so use this to clean the blades as well. Find a clean and non-abrasive cloth and dip it in some of the fluid. You can then wipe down the length of the blades to remove any dirt that may be caught up on them.
This is also a good opportunity to check the condition of the blades themselves. For example if there are any nicks or tears in them you will want to replace them as soon as possible. Any damage to the blades will result in the windscreen being cleaned and cleared far less efficiently. If you cannot see through it properly it will be a hazard to your driving.
Eventually though all blades will need replacing. Windscreen wiper repair is an essential part of keeping your car roadworthy and safe, so make sure you keep them clean and replace them as soon as they start to cause any problems.