Summer Car Wiper Maintenance Guide: Keep Your Windshield Clear and Scratch-Free

Summer time can be challenging for car owners. Wipers on a car are a simple but very essential part of the standard equipment list. This inconspicuous feature makes a world of a difference during the monsoon. However, during the summer that precedes it, they must be taken care of in order to prove useful in the following months.

There are many aspects and elements which affect how a car’s wipers perform. Here are some essential wiper care tips for summer which every car owner should be aware of.

Summer Care for Car Wipers 

The wipers of a car are the only real solution to clear visibility during a downpour. Thus, whether you have a new car or a used car, they have to be taken care of. In the summer months, they face a different challenge – heat. The wiper blade ends which make contact with the windscreen are usually made of rubber. The close contact of the rubber strips, enabled by the spring action wiper arms enables even cleaning of a car’s windscreen.

These rubber portions of the wiper blades, while quite durable, are affected by the summer heat to the point of hardening or even deteriorating from the high temperature. They are also affected by low temperatures, humidity and oxygen levels.

Here are five top tips for windscreen wiper care for your car in the summer.

Wiper Care Tip 1: Clean the Windscreen

If parked in the open, leaves and twigs or bird droppings can land on the windscreen. While the former can be disposed of easily, the sun’s heat can quickly harden the latter and make them more difficult to remove. Use a good amount of water and lightly wipe down the glass for best results.

Having a clean windscreen is the easiest way to protect the wiper blades, and not just in the summer. Always use the washer along with the wipers on a hot day. The dust can lead to micro-scratches on the windscreen.

Wiper Care Tip 2: Clean the Wiper Blades

While a clean windscreen is one thing, the wiper blades themselves can accumulate dust, dirt and deposits over time. Carefully cleaning the edges of the wiper blades can help remove rough deposits and dirt, thus, extending the life of the wiper blades.

Use a soft and moist micro-fibre cloth. A mild dish washing liquid also helps. Do not use stronger detergents as they may affect or even damage the rubber edges.

Wiper Care Tip 3: Top up the Washer Fluid

This is probably the most basic and easiest way to take care of your car wipers in the summer. Topping up the washer fluid ensures a steady reserve of cleaning solution and source of moisture. There are special purpose solutions for wiper washer fluid available; however, there is a simpler home solution.

Use a litre or two of water and add a spoonful or two of dish-wash liquid and mix it well. Open the car’s bonnet and look for what is usually a white cylindrical washer fluid reservoir with a blue lid. Flip it open and carefully pour in the washer fluid solution

Wiper Care Tip 4: Moisten the Rubber Blades

The edge of the wiper blades which are in contact with the windscreen may harden due to the heat and this may lead to scratchy sounds or squeaks which are signs of trouble. Periodically wiping down the length of the blades gently or using petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) helps moisten the rubber and soften contact with the windscreen.

With the proper contact and with a clean surface, there is low abrasion and no scratches or lines. This extends the life of the wiper blades and cleans the windscreen efficiently thereby helping increase your car’s resale value.

Wiper Care Tip 5: Check Wiper Tension

For the best contact, the wiper arm and spring need to have just the right tension to create the right amount of pressure. Check that the bolts are tight on the main arm joint. Lubricate the springs under the arm and check the tightness. Allow the blades to gently slap the windscreen upon release to allow them to make just the right contact.

If you are looking to buy a second hand car then this is one of the areas you should add to your used car checklist.

Conclusion

Wipers are an important piece of equipment for improving visibility. This is true for the monsoon, yes, but also when it is not always possible to clean your windshield if you need to get somewhere in a hurry. Checking your wiper blades, cleaning them periodically, and topping up the washer fluid often are simple ways to extend their life and keep your windscreen clean and free of scratches.

Using the recommended wiper blades or those of a high-quality can go a long way in helping keep this simple but necessary bit of kit working right.