“HOW TO” CHANGE YOUR WINDSCREEN WIPERS

A vehicle’s windscreen wipers play a crucial role in both you and your fellow motorists during rainy or otherwise hazardous conditions. It is recommended that you change your wiper blades at least every 6 months in order to prevent the blade’s rubber/leading edges from hardening and ultimately damaging your vehicle’s windscreen.

Knowing when to change your wiper blades

Examine your wipers for cracks
Over a period of time, your current windscreen wipers will become hard and suffer from cracks on the rubber contact areas, especially due to seasonal hot and dry climates. Inspect your wipers for any visible cracks or damage while washing your vehicle. You can purchase a new set of wiper blades and replace them at any of our AutoZone stores country wide. AutoZone stocks multiple brands of wiper blades for almost all vehicles, you can purchase yours today by locating your nearest store telephonically on 086 11 22 111 or at: https://autozone.co.za/store-locator/

Pay attention next time it rains
When windscreen wipers lose their required surface contact, the wiping action in the relevant area between the wiper blade leading edge and windscreen will create water streaks and make it very difficult for you to have good visibility, especially during night driving in the rain. On-coming vehicle lights will create water droplet images and streaks on your windscreen, and inhibit your vision. To avoid damaging your windscreen whilst replacing your wipers, it is advised to familiarise yourself with the wipers and the most effective methods to remove and replace them.Windscreen wipers are made with three basic parts; the lower wiper arm that extends from the base of the windshield, the metal or plastic blade attached to the lower arm, and the rubber blade that performs the water removal task and continuously wipes the windshield.

How to replace your wiper blades:

STEP 1: Raise the metal wiper arm away from the windscreen.
Adjust your wiper blades in a steady position that is perpendicular to your windscreen. It is important to be careful with the positioning as the metal wiper arm is spring-loaded, which could result in it snapping back and cracking your windscreen. Tip – place an old towel on the immediate windscreen area being worked on, in order to protect the windscreen from any of the possible damages which might occur as mentioned previously (snapping back wiper arm).

STEP 2:  Unhook the old wiper blade.
Inspect the joint where the rubber wiper blade meets the metal arm. There should be a small plastic stopper holding the blade in place. Press the stopper and unhook the old wiper blade to separate it from the metal arm. Tip – fit only one wiper at a time so that you can use the second wiper fitting as a backup reference for the design fitting requirements.

STEP 3: Insert the new wiper.
Slide your new wiper into the same end of the arm where you removed the old wiper blade from. Gently pivot the new wiper until the hook snaps into place to secure it. Lay the wiper back against the windscreen. Tip – use the same towel to cover the slotted body vents between the bonnet and windscreen, in case a clip or small fitting is accidentally dropped. This precaution will prevent the small fitting from falling into the water drainage grooves creating a lengthy search and game of hide and seek between you and the elusive clip.

STEP 4: Repeat with the second wiper.

The process is exactly the same for replacing the second wiper blade.

Feel free to contact our experts today for further advice on 086 11 22 111.

Test your new wipers by spraying water on your windscreen and performing a quick test to ensure everything is working correctly!

Shop AutoZone’s leading range of high-quality wiper blade solutions today via our online store – https://www.autozoneonline.co.za/

Please note this task is ranked as a 3/10 on the AutoZone Hints and Tips Difficulty Rating.

INDEMNITY: These hints and tips are for information purposes only. For more details please consult the relevant workshop manual for your vehicle. Neither Auto Parts Distributors Pty (Ltd) nor any of the AutoZone outlets will be held liable for any damage or injury whatsoever resulting from the use of the information contained in this pamphlet.