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When the words high performance and automobiles are mentioned together, windshield wiper blades are not usually what immediately comes to mind. The truth is that all the performance under the hood is not going to do one bit of good if forward or rearward visibility is impaired. Worn and malfunctioning windshield wiper blades can in fact be dangerous regardless of what kind of vehicle you drive. One moment of impaired vision can quickly translate into an accident. The good news is that replacing and even upgrading wiper blades takes minutes and can provide improved visibility even in the worst of weather conditions.
At its most basic, the windshield wiper is a thin strip of rubbery material attached to an assembly that holds the strip against the windshield. The job of the windshield wiper is to squeegee water, snow, dirt, bugs, and the like off the windshield and clear up the forward line of vision. Rear wiper blades also come in handy to remove the same from windows facing backwards. If most of your driving is done in a temperate climate then the simplest of wiper refills or wiper blades may be the answer to your entire windshield wiper needs. If heavy rains, snow, slush, or downright harsh weather is more the norm than upgrading to heavy-duty or higher performance wiper blades may be the better solution to seeing clearly.
Oddly enough, the harsh weather and extremes in heat and cold are not the main factor in wiper blade decay. Most wiper blades take their greatest amount of abuse while sitting idle baking in the hot sun. The same UV rays that make the days long and lazy in summer can cook the flexibility and usefulness out of the material the wiper blades are made of. The irony is the end of summer often brings with it some of the worst in weather. Worn blades that worked fine during the occasional summer squall or shower will usually give up their usefulness when the first winter storm hits.
Wiper Refills | Back To Top
The first and often least expensive option in upgrading the windshield wipers is a fresh set of wiper refills. The wiper refill is simply a replacement for the strip of rubber that meets the windshield. Wiper refills are a good option if the wiper blade assemblies are still in decent shape. These refills come in a variety of lengths and widths. Swapping in the new for the old can restore clear vision in seconds. Measure both or all wiper blade lengths and note the width before purchasing wiper blade refills. Even though it may not look it, wiper blades are often different lengths. A pair of pliers and some patience is all that's required for wiper refill replacement.
Wiper Assembly | Back To Top
Next up the grade in windshield wiper improvement is to replace the entire wiper blade assembly. This type of replacement is best if both the rubber wiper refill and wiper blade assembly have seen their better days. Here is where upgrades to heavy-duty replacements can be made. Every penny counts on the assembly line. Factory wiper blades are often manufactured with low cost in mind. Aftermarket wiper blade replacements can bring improved performance with a simple remove and replace. Heavy-duty wiper blades specifically constructed for use in more severe weather are designed to move heavy snow and slush off the windshield. Some of these wiper blades are encased in a sleeve of rubber for added squeegee effect and protection from corrosive road salt.
Sport Mode | Back To Top
Choosing a sportier wiper blade upgrade may be the answer if most of your driving is done in a more temperate climate where heavy-duty or severe weather wiper blade upgrades are not required. Improvements in the rubber compound in the wiper material can help clear vision during more spirited driving. Multiple edge wiper blades satisfy the 'more is better' school of thought. Some sportier blades even feature built-in aerodynamics designed to better hold the wiper blade down on the windshield during spirited driving. An array of colors and finishes are also available for a custom look along with improved performance.
Wiper Replacement | Back To Top
Whether you choose a simple refill replacement or an upgrade to multi-blade carbon-fiber finish custom units, the key point to remember is to replace worn windshield wiper refills or wiper blades before the big storm hits. Attempting to drive through a heavy snowstorm in the middle of the night is absolutely the wrong time to find out the windshield wipers are not working as well as they should. Checking or replacing wiper refills or blades every six months is playing things on the safe side. While replacing wiper refills or wiper blades is relatively easy, Advance Auto Parts makes it even easier. Purchase a set from Advance Auto Parts and we will install them for you!
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