The life of the wiper blades can be increased by frequently cleaning the glass with a cloth and chemical glass cleaners. Using an ammonia-based cleaner will help remove road grease and oil residue from the windshield. When using such products, care should be taken not to pour them into the windshield washer reservoir, as they can have a harmful effect on the vehicle's paintwork.
- Wiper blades and windshield wipers should be checked periodically for damage, loose parts and wear on blade elements.
- Even if the blades are not used, the rubber parts of the windshield wiper can become discolored due to exposure to sunlight and environmental chemicals, scratching the glass. If inspection reveals that the rubber parts of the windshield wipers have hardened or crumbled, replace the wiper blades. If the check does not reveal anything unusual, wet the wipers and let them run for a few cycles, then turn them off. Uneven cleaning of the glass and streaks indicate that the windshield wipers need to be replaced.
- Road dust can settle on the wiper blades and reduce their effectiveness, so the wiper blades should be washed periodically with soapy water.
- The operation of the windshield wiper mechanism can cause bolts, nuts and clamps to loosen, so they should be checked and tightened with the blades.
- If the windshield wipers do not clean the glass completely, then you can replace only the rubber blades. The brushes and levers themselves usually only need to be replaced if they become damaged.