Replacing vehicle wiper blades

[amcnj]

How often do you replace your vehicle wiper blades? Is it on a set timeframe? I was looking at them the other day and wondered how long it had been. I looked back through my records and don’t know if I ever have changed them on a vehicle that is now over 4.5 years old.

I have read that yearly or sooner is usually recommended. In the past I basically changed them when I noticed they were not doing a good job, or visually noticed cracks or splits on the blades themselves.

I haven’t noticed any issues yet, and am not sure what previously was the longest I have gone without changing them. I do drive less now though.

 

[TAX GUY]

When they stop clearing the windshield is when I do it. One of my biggest pet peeves is a dirty windshield, inside or out, so once they start to wear out and not wipe clean, they get replaced. That's typically once a year, sometimes two years depending how bad of a winter we have (more use)

 

[sam_gordon]

I change mine when they no longer do a good job. I don't worry about 'x' days/months/years. If they're clearing well, no need to change. If they're not, change them.

 

[fla4fun]

It depends. When I was working and had to park in the sun all day, I replaced them once a year. Now that I am not working, and it’s parked in the garage, I don’t have to replace them as often. Inspect them regularly and replace when they don’t do the job. They are one of the cheaper items to replace on a car so there’s no point in putting it off when they need changed.

 

[DeeBee3]

Agree with previous posters - I do keep track of the dates, but mainly it's when I see they are not cleaning properly or getting cracked themselves.

 

[Dan Murphy]

In the past, usually twice a year, after the winter and after the summer. Retired now so not as much use and as above, in the garage more, so more like once a year. I feel wipers deteriorate slowly, like eyesight or hearing. We adjust to the reduction in performance without being aware of it. And when we first get glasses for our eyes, or hearing aids for our ears (I do not have those yet), we are amazed at the difference and wonder how we did without. I find the same true of wipers. So I change before they are really needed.

 

[LuvOrlando]

In the Northeast I try to do them all twice a year. Typically I aim for around now, since the summer heat was likely tough on the wiper materials and I need them to work in winter weather, then I swap them out again after the winter because I'm reasonably sure the stuff in the winter wiper fluid formula is probably tough on them too. Since I do them frequently I don't get the priciest wiper blades, mid range is fine.

 

[RamblingMad]

Depends where I live. If the humidity is high, they tend to last longer than if it's dry.

 

[_19disnA]

There is no set time to replace blades, it depends on a number of factors. If you live in a part of the country with snow/ice, blades are more easily damaged in winter driving. Some people use the blades to clean ice from the window instead of clearing the windshield before driving which can lead to shorter blade life. In warm/sunny climates, blades can also deteriorate due to the sun exposure. I would change them whenever you find they aren't doing a good job at cleaning the windshield. Regardless of where you live, over 4 yrs seems like a very long time to go without replacing them.

 

[Meriweather]

Once a year. We don't get a lot of rain all year. It is pretty seasonal, but hot and they rot after awhile

 

[DLgal]

I always have them swapped out when I take my car for its annual oil change. I don't drive a lot and the car is parked in a garage in a mild climate where rain is rare.

 

[Alicefan]

I just bought a used car the other day and that was the first thing I did. I can't stand having old squeaky blades! I love getting new ones and I totally agree with the poster that said it's one of those things that you have no clue how bad they are until you get new ones. Also, not having wiper fluid is one of the worst tortures you can put me through. lol

 

[Skippy918]

I think i still have the originals on my 6yo car. I bought replacements but haven’t installed them yet.

 

[lynxstch]

Twice a year,,after summer, and after winter. They don't always need it, but they are inexpensive enough to replace both the front ones and back one, and since I do it myself, it's not a big job for me.

 

[tvguy]

I replaced the blades on my then 3 year old car last year. But it sits outside all the time, and while the old ones worked fine, I felt it was time.
My 2 year old car is garaged, and unless they start malfunctioning, I will wait.
The big question is, do you buy the $11 replacements or the $39 replacements? Auto parts guys here suggested buying the cheaper blades and replacing them more often.

 

[Skippy918]

I replaced the blades on my then 3 year old car last year. But it sits outside all the time, and while the old ones worked fine, I felt it was time.
My 2 year old car is garaged, and unless they start malfunctioning, I will wait.
The big question is, do you buy the $11 replacements or the $39 replacements? Auto parts guys here suggested buying the cheaper blades and replacing them more often.

I buy the refills from the dealership cause I know they’ll have the correct size and type in stock.

 

[tvguy]

I buy the refills from the dealership cause I know they’ll have the correct size and type in stock.

My 2018 Ford has never been back to the dealership, it has only needed oil changes which my independent mechanic does.

Our 2020 Toyota came with free oil changes for the first 2 years, so it has been back, but July was the last free one, and since the dealer wants $140 for an oil change, it won't be going there from now on unless it has a recall or needs warranty repairs.

 

[sam_gordon]

I buy the refills from the dealership cause I know they’ll have the correct size and type in stock.

You're throwing away money. You can get the correct size from multiple places a LOT cheaper than the dealer (and probably the same manufacturer). They're also very easy to swap out. If you go to AutoZone, they'll even do the swap for you at no charge.

I personally like the Rain X brand.

 

[RamblingMad]

If you live where it rains a lot, getting a more premium blade makes sense. Check out this video.

I'm out in the desert, so Costco cheap is good enough for me.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I had my wiper blades replaced when I got my tires rotated the last time. They said they looked pretty bad and asked me the last time I had them changed. My answer was: I haven't. I have had the same car for 4 years, I figured it was about time. The wipers I had really didn't do much besides smear water all over the windshield.