Wiper blades - ws-autoteile.com

How does a windscreen wiper work and what does it consist of?

The windscreen wiper or the wiper blade is available for the front windscreen and in some vehicles also for the rear windscreen. Above all, the rubber lip of the wiper blades is exposed to the greatest stress and is therefore more worn than the other components of the windscreen wiper.

The wiper blades work best when they have enough window cleaner or liquid between them and the windows. Then they provide a clear view even in bad weather. Too much soiling, ice or a too dry windscreen, on the other hand, will put excessive strain on the wiper blades and thus accelerate wear. The most common types of soiling are:

Dust
Pollen
Insects

What types of windscreen wipers are there?

In general, one can distinguish between the two types "bow wiper" and "flat bar wiper".

The bow wiper is the classic among the wiper blades. It is mainly used with older vehicles and frequently with rear window wipers of newer vehicles. The bracket distributes the force from the wiper arm to the wiper rubber and presses it evenly onto the windscreen. Thanks to new technologies, the bow wiper has also developed further. Above all, a so-called two-substance technology is used for the wiper rubbers. These are rubbers of two different degrees of hardness, the harder side being the one that rests on the windscreen. This ensures a very good wiping result and a long service life.

Additionally there are also bow wipers with at least one spoiler. This increases the aerodynamic properties and the windscreen wiper is pressed more strongly against the windscreen at higher speeds. Due to the higher contact pressure, the performance of the bow wipers is also maintained at high speeds. Mounting and changing the windscreen wipers is also child's play, as a Quick-Clip adapter is often used. All you need to do is simply hook in the wiper blade and snap it into place. You can continue driving. If no adapter is available, you can read the steps for installation in the operating manual of your vehicle.
The flat bar wiper is the new generation of windscreen wipers. It has a flat design and provides good aerodynamics with its integrated spoiler. Especially at high speeds, the flat bar wiper is pressed particularly well against the windscreen. In addition, it is said to last 30% longer because it is more evenly worn.

The two-substance technology is also used for the rubber compounds in the flat bar wiper. As an additional effect, the design also reduces wind noise when driving. Installation is also very simple here, as the wiper blades have pre-assembled original adapters.

When should windscreen wipers be replaced and what should I bear in mind?

Normally a wiper blade lasts one year, depending of course on the degree of use. Rear windscreen wipers usually have a longer life because they are less stressed. If the windscreen wiper smears or squeaks, this indicates that the rubber lip is worn. The first step is to clean the rubber lip and windscreen with a damp cloth and a little detergent. If the streaks and squeaking remain or if the visual inspection shows that the rubber has eroded or hardened, replacement is inevitable.

If a windscreen wiper rubs, this may also be due to the fact that there is too little liquid on the windscreen. A test with the windscreen washer system shows whether the rubbing is still present. Then there is a bigger defect or the windscreen still has too many wax residues from the washer. It should also be checked again and again whether the wiper arms on the windscreen wipe synchronously. If they move asynchronously, this is also an indication of deeper damage.

If the wiper blades have to be replaced, make sure that the size and dimensions are correct. The most important thing is the correct holder. You can determine the length by simply measuring the wiper blade. Please note, however, that the dimensions of the two front wipers and the rear windscreen wiper may differ. Therefore each wiper should be measured separately.

The length of the wipers may vary from brand to brand. Smaller deviations are also no problem. However, the wiper blades should not be too large, so that they may even protrude beyond the window. Neither should they be too small, as the area they clear will not provide enough visibility.

In addition, it is advisable to hold the wiper arm when changing the wiper blades, as the arm is tensioned by means of a spring. This could cause the wiper to pop onto the windshield from the upright position, which in the worst case could cause the windshield to crack.

What happens if the windscreen wipers are not replaced?

Thanks to a dirty windscreen, the driver can see little and react too late to dangerous situations. Likewise, streaks also like to create light reflections, which also impair visibility and distract the driver. When driving, the eyes focus on the close-up area, i.e. the dirty windshield, and are therefore not constantly focused on the road in front of them. This means that other road users or obstacles can quickly be overlooked, thus increasing the risk of an accident.

The same applies of course to the rear window wipers. If it no longer functions properly, dangers from behind can no longer be detected or can be detected too late. Of course, this is particularly important when reversing and parking, where every centimetre counts.

How can the life of a wiper blade be extended?

It is worth cleaning and maintaining the wiper blades regularly, so that the wiper replacement is delayed longer. Basically, the wiper blades should be wiped at least every 6 months with warm water and a little detergent. However, various circumstances may require more frequent cleaning. These include:

Trips in dusty terrain
There's a lot of pollen dust on the windshield
The car's under a lot of trees

Beside the windscreen wipers themselves, it is also advisable to remove accumulated dirt from the bonnet. Smaller stones, leaves and branches tend to accumulate under the windscreen and can then easily get under the wiper blades while driving. It can also be worthwhile to clean the windscreen thoroughly once again. In some car washes, the wax residues are not rinsed off thoroughly enough and this can also restrict the movement of the windscreen wipers. The same is also worthwhile for the rear windscreen wipers at the rear.

In winter when there is a risk of ice, it is also important not only to enrich the windscreen water with antifreeze, but also to pay attention to the following when parking the car:

Raise windscreen wipers as far as possible or
Use protective cover

Only so the wiper blades do not freeze on the windscreens. In some newer vehicles the wiper arms are "hidden" under the bonnet and can only be set up automatically. In this case it is recommended to use a protective film instead of placing it if there is a risk of ice. This is because the automatic system allows the wiper arms to start moving when the engine is started, thus damaging the paint. In principle, you should also avoid using the windscreen wipers as ice scrapers.

What to consider when buying new wiper blades?

As an ADAC test proves, the quality of windscreen wipers is important. In the test, brand products such as those from Bosch, Denso, Valeo and SWF were among the best. Cheap products, on the other hand, are ultimately more expensive because they wear out faster and therefore have to be replaced earlier. The ADAC also advises against using windscreen wipers made of natural rubber. They are much too susceptible to weather conditions and therefore do not last very long.

If you buy wiper blades, you should pay attention to the following quality features:

Wiper rubbers should have a hard wiper lip, as this is more durable and the wiper quality is improved (to be recognized e.g. at Bosch by the Power Protection Plus technology).
Optimum aerodynamics, e.g. in the form of a spoiler, so that the wiper blades function well even at higher speeds.

To find the right windscreen wiper and rear windscreen wiper in our online shop, simply select your vehicle or enter the KBA key numbers from your vehicle registration document. You can then choose the right wiper for your vehicle from our brand range of wiper blades. To make the search even easier for you, we have also created wiper sets which, for example, combine the wiper blades for the front and the rear windscreen wipers in one package. Should you have any further questions regarding wiper blades, please feel free to contact our Service-Team.

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It all depends on the right wiper blade!