Rain or Shine: Why Wipers are a Year-round Essential

Clear visibility of the road ahead is essential to keeping you, your passengers and your vehicle safe in all seasons.

Not only is poor visibility frustrating, but it can increase the risk of road accidents, whether that is due to missed junctions, colliding with unseen objects or reduced sight distance and reaction times.

Ensuring your wipers are in good condition is essential throughout the year, especially with the UK’s unpredictable weather – several environmental factors not only challenge visibility, but can significantly impact wiper lifespan, and they vary from season to season.

Spring and Summer

Pollen and dust increase massively in warmer, and particularly drier, weather – they can coat your windscreen and cause a dangerous glare when the sun hits, reducing visibility and increasing strain on your eyes – removing this quickly and cleanly is crucial for safe summer travels.

Bugs and sap are also at an all-time high in the summer months, leaving sticky residue on the windscreen that can smear and contribute to glare – not to mention bug remains are corrosive. Having high-quality wipers to remove bugs as soon as they hit the glass helps prevent damage to your windscreen.

During the sunnier months, intense sunlight and heat can dry out, crack and warp your wiper blades, as well as misshape them over time, preventing proper contact with the glass.

Autumn and winter

The rain and sleet in the winter months is naturally a huge test of your wiper durability, where quick and efficient windscreen clearing is essential to good visibility and driver confidence in winter conditions. 

Wet roads, particularly after snow, can throw up road salt, slush and dirt, which have a huge effect on visibility; making sure you have high-quality blades for this weather is essential.

Additionally, snow and frost on your windscreen can chip and tear degraded rubber blades, decreasing their efficiency - if your blades start to struggle, its best to replace them as soon as you can.

Signs your wiper blades need replacing

• Streaking – If your blades leave streaks on your windscreen, they are likely at the end of their lifespan. It is worth lifting the blade to check for cracking or splitting of the rubber, or whether they simply need a good clean from debris.
• Smearing – Smearing is also typically caused by worn blades, but can be made worse by poor quality washer fluid.
• Skipping – Skipping blades are often due to a blade being out of shape, usually from a lack of use – if blades continue to skip after repeated use, they will need to be replaced.
• Squeaking – Blades can squeak due to incorrect assembly, misalignment, as well as built-up grime and degraded rubber. Check that the blade is connected to the wiper arm correctly and that it is positioned right on the glass – if it is making contact but still squeaking, it’s definitely time to replace them.

An Affordable Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference 

Wiper blades are one of the most cost-effective upgrades for your vehicle, yet they play a crucial role in ensuring clear vision and safer driving. 

With Wiperblades.co.uk you can purchase the wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin, Valeo and Lucas.

Plus, with our easy-to-follow fitment videos and expert guidance, you can install them in under a minute—keeping your windscreen spotless with minimal effort.