Dirty Rumours: Debunking Common Wiper Blade Myths
We’d forgive you for not giving your wiper blades much thought when you’re out on the road, but if you don’t, then there is...
We’d forgive you for not giving your wiper blades much thought when you’re out on the road, but if you don’t, then there is a good chance you might be prone to reckoning that some urban legends are in fact lore.
Indeed, it is worth understanding the importance of your wiper blades.
While you may consider them simply equipment to clear your windscreen when it’s raining, did you know that driving with malfunctioning or overly worn wiper blades is against the law and you could be prosecuted?
Moreover, if your wiper blades aren’t up to the job of clearing your windscreen, your car will fail its MOT. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons for MOT failure, even though changing them is a cheap and easy thing to do.
In short, wiper blades are more important than you think – they can mean the difference between being allowed to drive or not.
So, while we’re at it, here are some other widely considered myths that need to be debunked to ensure you remain safe and legal on the road.
After all, every day is a school day…
Which Wiper Blades Fit My Vehicle?
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It’s an entirely risk-free way to ensure you are buying the correct wiper blades for your vehicle… it takes seconds and means no more time-consuming shop searches!
Myth 1: You Don’t Need to Change Wiper Blades in the Summer
The famously volatile UK summer climate notwithstanding, the generally warmer climes of the summer period should mean that you use your wiper blades less during these months.
And yet, there is strong evidence to suggest that it is during this time that you’re more likely to need a pair of new wiper blades, even if it is not raining.
Firstly, it is a misnomer that you don’t use wiper blades at all when it isn’t raining. After all, think of all the gunk that emerges during the summer – the bugs that have met their maker on the windscreen, the gooey sap that emanates from the wildlife around you, the dust wafting over from dry fields, the poop bombed on your car when you parked under that tree.
All this debris will end up on your windscreen, and your first instinct will be to squeeze the washer fluid and get the wiper blades working. However, this debris is rougher than mere water and swiping your blades over it to clear it is more likely to cause damage to the rubber.
So, while your wiper blades might get less use in the summer, when you do use them – and you will – there is a much higher chance of doing enough damage to necessitate an entire change before the weather turns.
Myth 2: Wiper Blades Will Last Years
It is entirely up to you when you change your wiper blades, but while modern technology ensures your current set will last longer than they used to, they aren’t ultimately built to be endlessly durable.
As with any item that has a contact surface patch, wiper blades will wear over time – more so, if they are used to clear more than just water.
While we are prone to adapt while driving even if visibility is impaired, it is worth taking a moment when you’re next in the car to really look at your wiper blade performance.
If they leave streaks or they’re not moving smoothly, it is time to treat yourself to a new set and instantly marvel at the improvement in your visibility when you’ve fitted them.
Myth 3: Squeaking Wiper Blades Means They Are Damaged
As with most items on a car, a bit of TLC might be all that is needed to get it back to peak working order.
Debris and residue on the windscreen could result in your wiper blades squeaking, which might be a false alarm that they need replacing.
If so, get some warm soapy water and a clean cloth and give the blades a firm but gentle wipe in a single direction. You’ll likely come back with a black, grimy line which could have been the culprit all along.
If so, then your wiper blades should return to cleaning your screen quietly - if not, then the time has definitely come to buy some new ones.
Myth 4: Using an Oily Substance On My Windscreen Will Repel Water
We all know that oil and water do not mix, which by some logic might lead you to believe that applying a thin layer of oil on your windscreen will help raindrops disperse when they fall on it.
However, oil can be corrosive to the rubber of your wiper blades, making them degrade faster and require more changes down the line. Moreover, oil is more likely to leave streaks across your windscreen, impairing visibility.
There is technology out there that has seen wiper blades fitted with a silicone blade that coats your windscreen in a light film to help disperse water – such as the Valeo Everguard Silicone Wiper Blades - but you should not try this yourself.
Myth 5: Using a Spray Like WD40 Will Help My Wiper Blades
WD40 is a simple and effective way to prolong the life of components that might have become stiff, squeaky or rusty, but you should avoid applying it to wiper blades.
While the mechanism of your wiper blades might become worn over time, applying WD40 or a lubricant like it runs the risk of it getting onto your blades and your windscreen.
It can be corrosive to the rubber on the blades and cause them to stop cleaning properly, as well as leave your windscreen with streaks that will impair visibility and be difficult to get off.
Myth 6: You Can Use Any Cleaner as Windscreen Washer Fluid
We’ve all been in a situation where we go to use the windscreen washer fluid and we have run out, leaving you very aware of your dirty windscreen until you’ve refilled it.
In these moments it might be tempting to simply place any cleaner in the tank if it is to hand, but many household cleaners use substances that will be corrosive to the rubber on the wiper blades.
If you’ve run out then use glass cleaner to wipe down your windscreen manually, but don’t put it in the tank.
Once you have, make your way to the nearest supermarket or petrol station to stock up on some proper windscreen washer fluid.
When Is The Right Time To Change My Wiper Blades?
Wiper blades undergo a lot of stress when they are fixed to your car. As well as being a moving component exposed to the elements, the materials will inevitably wear down gradually when in use as they are making constant contact with the windscreen.
Indeed, wiper blades cope with more than simply wiping away water from your windscreen during rainy conditions – UV rays from the sun, deposits of oil from other cars around you, bugs and unforeseen debris all take their toll on them.
Wiper blades are designed to be durable and sturdy to withstand these challenges but they will ultimately wear down over time and if you don’t replace them, they could be classified as dangerous or illegal –your car won’t pass an MOT if this is the case.
So how do you know when to replace them? When driving, you might notice over time that the rubber blades will clear the windscreen less evenly, leaving some streaks of moisture in places. They may also start to squeak as the rubber encounters friction on the windscreen.
Regardless, it is recommended you change your wiper blades every 12 months to ensure you are getting optimum windscreen wiping performance.
If in doubt, you can inspect them close up and assess the blades for any blemishes, such as chips, tears and unevenness. If this occurs, then the time has come to get new wiper blades.
