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We had quite the winter with lots of snow and rain.  Our windshield wipers really had a good workout.  Unfortunately mine did not survive.  The wiper on the driver’s side literally shredded.  Strands of rubber would dance across my windshield.  So I figured it was time to get new ones.  (Talk about stating the obvious!)

Over the past few years wiper technology has really changed.  In the good old days we basically had the conventional rubber wipers.  Now we have choices.  We still have the conventional ones but we also have winter wipers that are designed to help prevent ice and snow buildup on the blade.  Some wiper blades are coated with water-beading technology to help repel rain, sleet and snow.  There are blades that are a blend of silicone rubber that are designed to last years not months.   They do not become stiff, tear and crack like plain rubber wipers and they remain flexible in extreme temperatures.  And I am sure there are others on the way.

Even though good wipers are vital to our safety when we are behind the wheel, they are constantly overlooked.  We think about oil changes and regular vehicle maintenance.  We think about tires and tire pressure and topping up our windshield washer fluid.  But we don’t give our wipers much thought.  I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know they had a shelf life so to speak.  I just figured “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I just assumed that wipers always left streaks.

How long your wipers will remain effective depends on a lot of things.  For example, there are many environmental factors to consider.    Rain, snow, sand, mud, dust, tree sap, salt, car waxes and even the sun all can take their toll.

So be kind to your wipers.    Make sure you clean your windshield every time you fill your gas tank.  That should help a bit.   Wipe down your wiper blades with a damp cloth every so often.  During the winter months make sure you scrape ice off your windshield before starting your wipers and lift the wipers off the windshield to stop them from sticking.

I have to say that I am thrilled with my new wipers.   I can’t tell you a thing about them.  I don’t know if they are rubber or silicone or what.  I left all those decisions up to my trusted mechanic.   All I know is that they clean my windshield beautifully,  giving me a streak-free view of the road.