How to Replace Your Vehicle's Windshield Wiper Blades

Do you struggle to see out of your vehicle's windshield in rainy weather? According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roughly one out of 10 crashes occur in rainy weather. The risk of a crash, of course, increases with poor visibility. If your vehicle's windshield wiper blades are heavily worn, you can expect poor visibility in rainy weather. The good news is that you can replace worn wiper blades without taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic.

Step #1) Purchase Replacement Blades

You'll need to purchase replacement wiper blades that are compatible with your vehicle. There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all wiper blades. Different vehicles require different wiper blades. Whether you purchase them locally or online, you'll need to choose replacement blades that are compatible with your vehicle.

Step #2) Remove the Old Blades

Now it's time to remove the old wiper blades Start by lifting each blade upright. Depending on your vehicle, you should be able to remove them by either pushing a tab towards your vehicle or away from your vehicle. Alternatively, some vehicles use pin-style blades. Pin-style blades are connected with a pin. To remove them, you'll need to turn the pin with a screwdriver so that it releases the blades from the wiper arms.

Step #3) Attach the New Blades

With the old wiper blades, you can attach the new blades to the wiper arms. You can attach the new blades using the same method that you used to remove the old blades -- only in reverse. There are tab-style and pin-style blades. If your vehicle uses tab-style blades, you'll need to pull the new blades over the arm hook until they snap into place. If your vehicle uses pin-style blades, on the other hand, you'll need to position them on the arms, after which you can secure them in place with the pins.

Step #4) Test

When finished, you should test the new wiper blades to ensure they work correctly. You don't have to wait until it starts raining. Rather, step into the driver's seat of your vehicle and turn on the windshield wipers. For a smoother function, you can spray a few blasts of wiper fluid on your vehicle's windshield as well. The new blades should move freely while wicking the water off your vehicle's windshield.

Wiper blades are inexpensive, with most costing less than $20 a pair. And by replacing worn wiper blades, you'll be able to see more clearly in rainy weather while lowering your risk of a collision.