Windshield Wipers and Your Car

While windshield wipers might not be the first things you think of when you think of parts of your car, windshield wipers are still a very important component.  As anyone knows who has been caught behind a large truck in rainy weather or driving home in a freak snowstorm without properly working windshield wipers, windshield wipers are important to your driving enjoyment.  So, what causes windshield wiper blades to wear out and what components make up your windshield wipers?

What Causes Windshield Wiper Blades to Wear Out?

The least resilient part of your car’s windshield wipers is the rubber windshield wiper blade.  If you live in a harsh climate such as the desert where it is very hot or the Midwest where temperatures vary a lot, your windshield wiper blades will where out more quickly.  But, what are some other common causes that make windshield wiper blades to wear out prematurely?  One is using your windshield wipers on dry glass.  This might happen when you are trying to get sticks, dirt, or other debris off of your windshield.  In these cases, it is smart to use your windshield wiper fluid when you run your windshield wipers or to stop the car to manually remove the debris from your windshield.  Another common cause of premature windshield wiper blade wear is using your windshield wipers to scrape off ice.  Ice is a hard substance and one that can quickly damage your windshield wiper blades.  The better bet is to take the time to use an ice scraper to scrape the ice from your windshield whenever possible.  Lastly, another top item that quickly causes your windshield wiper blades to wear out is snow removal.  Some cold mornings many drivers either forget to start their car early enough or are just not motivated to go out into the cold morning to start their car at all.  So, how do you get rid of all that snow?  You use your windshield wipers for snow removal instead of your ice scraper and brush.  This is detrimental to your windshield wiper blades causing them to become warped and ineffective. 

What Components Make Up Your Car Windshield Wipers?

Besides the windshield wiper blades, what other components make up your cars windshield wiper system?  The first part of your windshield wiper is the windshield wiper arm.  Many people commonly think of the windshield wiper arm when they view their windshield wipers in general.  The second windshield wiper component is the windshield wiper linkage and can also be referred to as an offset plate.  The windshield wiper linkage connects the windshield wiper motor with the windshield wiper transmission.  The third item making up your windshield wiper system is the windshield wiper transmission that holds the wiper arm in place.  The forth component of your windshield wiper system is the wiper motor and it moves the wiper linkage activating the wiper transmission.  The wiper motor moves the windshield wiper back and forth to help clear your windshield.  The final component of your windshield wipers is the mounting bracket that holds the entire windshield wiper system together and attaches the windshield wiper to your car.