With winter coming and the weather getting worse, now is the perfect time to make sure your windshield wipers are doing well and will be able to manage any weather that’s thrown at them. Keeping your windshield wipers in good shape also makes sure that your windshield stays free from scratches and damage from wipers that might be broken. Check out the ways to make sure your wipers are good to go below!

Look at your blades for:

• Broken frames

• Metal corrosion

• Visible cracks, missing chunks, and rips in the rubber part of the wiper

• Make sure the wiper is flexible and doesn’t crack when you flex it

• Check for rounded edges on the rubber part – they should be crisp and square to work properly

Things that can break down your wipers:

• Sun due to UV light and ozone

• Oil from other cars and the road, especially exhaust

• Sand, rocks, dust, and other road debris carried in the wind

• Acid rain and saltwater

If your wiper does any of these things, it’s time for a change:

• Streaking, which is from a hard, cracked wiper. Make sure the streaks aren’t due to tree sap or something else caught between the blade and your windshield.

• Skipping, which comes from curvature that stems from lack of use

• Bent frames, which make your wipers virtually useless

If you do find that it’s time for new wipers, stop into Galles Chevrolet and talk to some of our service professionals about which wipers are best for you!