Which are the Best Windshield Wipers?

With the winter weather closing in on us, it is important to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter season.  There are quite a few different things you can do to make sure your vehicle won’t leave you stranded or in a risky situation this winter.  For a few tips, check out last year’s article on how to Get Your Car Ready for Winter Driving.

One of the big things that is worth checking on your vehicle is the condition of your windshield wiper blades.  Your windshield wiper blades are one of those things you don’t think about unless they’re malfunctioning.  On most vehicles, they are completely out of sight and out of mind when they aren’t being used.  On top of that, your windshield wipers don’t have any regular change interval.  Many dealerships or mechanics will recommend you change your windshield wipers every 30,000 miles whether you think you need new ones or not, but there is no warning light or mileage sticker to remind you.  In this article, we’ll discuss which are the best windshield wipers for your car.

The reality is, windshield wipers are a relatively inexpensive part to replace and for such a low cost, they provide a huge safety benefit to you as you operate your vehicle.  Being able to see is essential for you to be able to properly operate your vehicle.  Properly functioning windshield wipers provide you with clear vision ahead and behind so you can make the best decisions to pilot your vehicle through even the worst weather.

When considering a wiper blade, there are two main things to consider, the material the blade is constructed out of, and the system used to apply pressure to the blade.

The construction of the blade is an important factor to consider because it affects how to blade will clear your windshield as well as how long the blade will last.  The blade should be made out of a material that will not degrade with exposure to sunlight, can withstand a wide range of temperatures and will maintain a sharp edge to effectively clear your windshield even after months of use.  Blades are usually made from soft rubber, silicone or other synthetic materials.  It’s important for the material to be durable and strong to help the blade keep its shape but also soft enough to conform to the windshield to clear it completely without leaving streaks.  In our experience, the best of both worlds is either a 2-piece blade which has a stiff backing material with a soft blade or an “T” shaped blade that has a soft blade with a wide backing for strength.

It is also important to consider the system used to apply pressure to the blade.  Since the blade is flexible and needs to follow the contour of your windshield as it passes over it, each wiper blade has a system to keep even pressure on the blade from one end to the other.  The 2 basics styles are a beam-style blade or traditional style blades.  The beam style blades have the advantage of having continuous pressure across the whole blade surface but have the disadvantage of losing their pressure in a short amount of time compared to a traditional style blade.  Traditional style blades have the disadvantage of only having a few specific pressure points on the blade surface but have the advantage of holding their shape and pressure for years.

Choosing the right wiper blade for your vehicle is an important choice.  We recommend you choose a premium wiper blade to ensure it’s made from the best possible materials and that you choose a beam-style blade if you intend on regularly changing blades or a traditional style blade if you want to get the most life out of your blade.

Of course, a wiper blade is only as good as the windshield washer fluid that it uses to keep the windshield clear and clean so make sure along with your new windshield wipers you refill your windshield washer fluid with a top quality fluid like BlueDevil Windshield Washer Concentrate.  BlueDevil Windshield Washer Concentrate allows you to make up to 16 gallons of washer fluid that is safe for your new wiper blades and the finishes on your car while still have an industrial strength cleaning formula.

For more information about BlueDevil Windshield Washer Concentrate, visit our product information page here.

You can purchase BlueDevil Windshield Washer Concentrate at any of our partnering local auto parts stores like:

• AutoZone
• Advance Auto Parts
• Bennett Auto Supply
• CarQuest Auto parts
• NAPA Auto Parts
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Pep Boys
• Fast Track
• Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
• S&E Quick Lube Distributer
• DYK Automotive
• Fisher Auto Parts stores
• Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
• Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
• Salvo Auto Parts
• Advantage Auto Stores
• Genuine Auto Parts stores
• Bond Auto Parts stores
• Tidewater Fleet Supply
• Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
• Any Part Auto Parts
• Consumer Auto Parts

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best_windshield_wiper.jpg – by Georgeclerk – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link