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Basic Maintenance

Your Windshield Wipers: When to Replace Them and How

MyFirstCar Team · · 4 min read

Windshield wipers are one of those things you don’t think about until you’re driving in a downpour and suddenly can’t see anything. By then, it’s a little late.

The good news: wipers are one of the cheapest and easiest things to replace on your car. There’s genuinely no excuse not to keep them fresh. Let’s talk about when, why, and how.

Signs Your Wipers Need Replacing

You don’t need a mechanic to tell you your wipers are shot. You’ll notice:

  • Streaking — The wiper leaves lines of water across the windshield instead of clearing it cleanly
  • Skipping — The blade bounces or chatters across the glass instead of gliding smoothly
  • Squeaking — A loud squeaking noise when they run (on wet glass — dry glass always squeaks a bit)
  • Smearing — Water gets pushed around but not cleared
  • Visible damage — Cracked, torn, or missing pieces of rubber on the blade edge
  • Lifting — The blade doesn’t make full contact with the glass, especially at highway speeds

If you’re noticing any of these, it’s time.

How Often Should You Replace Them?

Every 6-12 months is the general rule. But it depends on your climate:

  • Hot, sunny climates: UV rays and heat dry out the rubber faster. Closer to 6 months.
  • Cold, snowy climates: Ice and salt are rough on wipers. Closer to 6 months.
  • Mild climates: You might stretch to 12 months.

A good habit: check your wipers when you change your clocks for daylight saving time (twice a year). If they look rough, swap them.

Types of Windshield Wipers

Conventional (Frame-Style)

The traditional design with a metal frame and rubber blade. Cheapest option ($8-15 per blade). They work fine but have more pivot points where they can weaken and miss spots.

Beam (Bracketless)

A sleeker, one-piece design that hugs the curve of your windshield better. Better performance in snow and ice since there’s no frame to clog up. Cost: $15-30 per blade. Most modern cars come with these.

Hybrid

Combines the aerodynamic shell of a beam blade with some internal frame structure. Good performance, mid-range pricing ($12-25).

Winter Wipers

Heavy-duty blades with a rubber boot covering the frame to prevent ice buildup. Great if you deal with real winters. $15-25 per blade.

Our recommendation: Beam-style blades are the best all-around choice for most drivers. The extra $5-10 over conventional blades is worth it for better performance and durability.

How to Replace Your Wipers (It’s Really Easy)

Replacing wipers takes about 5 minutes. No tools required.

Step 1: Figure Out Your Size

Your car likely uses two different sizes — a longer blade for the driver’s side and a shorter one for the passenger side. Check your owner’s manual or use the fitment guide at any auto parts store (or their website). Common sizes range from 16” to 28”.

Don’t forget the rear wiper if your car has one (SUVs, hatchbacks, wagons).

Step 2: Buy the Right Blades

Head to any auto parts store, Walmart, or order online. The packaging will tell you which cars each blade fits. Most blades come with multiple adapters to fit different attachment types.

Step 3: Remove the Old Blade

  1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield (it’ll stay up on its own)
  2. Find the release tab or clip where the blade meets the arm
  3. Press the tab and slide the blade off the arm
  4. Be careful! The bare metal arm can scratch or crack your windshield if it snaps down. Lay a folded towel on the glass just in case.

Step 4: Attach the New Blade

  1. Slide the new blade onto the arm until it clicks into place
  2. Gently lower the arm back to the windshield
  3. Repeat on the other side
  4. Test them with washer fluid

That’s it. You just did car maintenance. Feel good about it.

Bonus Tips

  • Clean your wipers regularly. Wipe the rubber edge with a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol every few weeks. It removes grime and extends their life.
  • Don’t use your wipers on a dry windshield. It accelerates wear and can scratch the glass.
  • In winter, lift your wipers off the glass when parking overnight. Prevents them from freezing to the windshield.
  • Replace both blades at the same time. They wear at the same rate, and mismatched wipers look (and work) weird.

The Bottom Line

Windshield wipers are a $20-50 fix that takes 5 minutes and directly affects your ability to see the road. There’s no reason to drive around with wipers that streak, skip, or smear.

Check them every six months, keep a spare set in your trunk if you want to be extra prepared, and replace them as soon as they start underperforming. Your visibility — and your safety — depend on it.

MyFirstCar tracks all your maintenance items, including the easy stuff like wiper replacements. Get reminders when it’s time to swap them out so you’re never caught in the rain unprepared. Learn more →