YOUR WINDSHIELD: FACTS AND COMMON PROBLEMS

What is a windshield wipers and purpose does it serve?

A windshield wiper is a device that is used to remove ice, snow, rain, hail and flying debris from a windshield. Windshield wipers are a legal requirement in the auto glass Toronto area as they rapidly wipe away all flying debris and other elements that can cause the driver to become distracted. Windshields are very important as they prevent many motor vehicle accidents from occurring.

Brief History On Windshield Wipers

In the 1903, three very wise individuals patented windshield cleaning devices; Robert Douglas, John Apjohn, and Mary Anderson. Mary Anderson also invested the windshield. The very first windshield wipers were not electric, as they are today. A lever had to move inside of the car in order for the wipers to work. As technology advanced, a lady by the name of Charlotte Bridgwood patented the very first automatic windshield wipers in 1916. Unlike today, her windshield wipers relied on a series of rubber rollers as opposed to blades.

Common Windshield Wiper Problems

As any other mechanism, windshield wipers do have their common problems. It is very dangerous to drive with broken, or faulty windshields as it can snow, rain, or hail at any given moment. The effectiveness of your wipers will allow you to determine whether you need to have them replaced or not. If it is raining and your wipers are smearing water in one direction, you need to have them replaced. Your wipers are either the wrong size, too old, or too hard. Wiper blade chattering is another common issue in the Toronto area. If your wipers are giving off a shattering noise, it means it is not wiping water away the way it is designed to. Buildup of oil, wax or even grease, are common reasons as to why your wiper blades may give off the chattering sound. It is advised by the auto glass Toronto industry experts that all residents wipe their blades off immediately with a toxic free cleaner for the purpose of removing any grease or oil. If this still does not work, you could be dealing with a bent wiper arm. You would then be advised to buy brand new windshield wipers. One of the most frustrating problems windshields have is their inability to wipe away water beads. Of all things, water beads should be the easiest for windshield wipers to wipe away. If the water beads on your windshield are not wiping off, do not jump to conclusions and assume your wiper blades are not working. The fact is, the condition of the air has a lot to do with the wiper’s ability to dispose of water beads. Due to the amount of pollution in the Toronto area, your wipers could stop working as efficiently as they used to. In a case like this, you are advised to wipe all of the dirt, and residue build up off of your windshield. You can use a wax or a high-quality glass cleaner in order to remove residue and dirt. Do not use water as that will not do the job. Wiper blades that smear in both directions are also a common problem. Quite often, if your wiper blades do this, they are either warn out, or dirty. You must clean your wipers and windshield regularly in order to avoid this issue. If you already do that, and the issue still remains, then you will need new wipers immediately.

Dangers Of Driving With Faulty Windshield Wipers

A very large number of factors can impair your vision while driving along the Toronto roads. Due to this, many auto glass professionals have invented a plethora of items that decreases your chances of being involved in life threatening situations. Your windshield wipers are one of these many safety items. It is important to understand what your windshield wipers do for you. Ultimately, they removes anything from your windshield that obstructions your view. Obstructed views and distracted driving accounts for over 200 deaths per month in theauto glass Toronto district. If it is raining outside, and your wipers are faulty, or even broken, you will have a very hard time seeing the road. In addition to this, your chances of crashing on the highway go from 10% to %70 when you have faulty windshield wipers. A lot of drivers in the Toronto area do not change their windshield wipers as often as needed. It is recommended you change your wipers every 6 months. This recommendation has been put in place by the auto glass experts for the purpose of your safety. Driving around with faulty windshield wipers could lead to high fines, tickets and horrible car accidents. It is advised that you purchase high-quality windshield wipers as this increases your chances of being safe.

How to Properly Inspect Wiper Blades

In the Toronto area, many motor vehicle operators have no idea that their wiper blades are faulty until they stay driving and they realize they need them. It is advised by the experts at Auto Glass Changers that all residents thoroughly inspect their wiper blades on a regular basis. During the inspection process, you need to look for any visible cracks in the rubber squeegee’s edge, ensure the wiper blade is securely attached to the wiper arm, check for metal corrosion at the claws and joints of the wiper blades, check for the detachment of the wiper frame, and most importantly, check the squeegee wiping edge for any rounded edges. Rounded edges reduce the effectiveness of your wiper blades which prevents it from doing its job correctly.

Extend The Life Of Your Wiper Blades

If you are buying new wiper blades every month, now is your time to stop. Refrain from using your windshield wipers for the purpose of de-icing your windshield. You should use an ice scraper instead as using your wiper blades will eventually cause them to become warn out. Is has been said by many industry experts that you should clean your windshield every time you put gas in your car. The constant buildup of gas and other toxic chemicals can have a negative effect on your windshield which will then affect your wipers. During winter months, when your car is parked, pull up your wiper blades. This is thankfully a common practice in the Toronto area. By pulling up your wiper blades, you are preventing them from sticking to the windshield. Constantly maintaining the cleanliness of your wiper blades is very important. The constant buildup of dirt and reside overtime, will cause your wiper blades to become weak, and this will ultimately decrease the amount of time it has to operate.

Stay Safe

You need to be very cautious when it comes to your wiper blades. Follow the steps above to ensure you are protecting the safety of yourself, and the others around you. Treat your wiper blades with care, and never forget how important they are. In the Toronto area, police officers and the Auto Glass Industry professionals aim to reduce the number of accidents on the road due to obstructed views. You can reduce this number by ensuring your windshield wipers are in great shape. Continue to drive safely, and remember to inspect your wipers on a regular basis.