How To Fit Wiper Blades
Your windscreen wiper blades do all the hard work of removing rain, snow, dirt and debris, giving you a clear view of the road ahead. Worn out wiper blades can be dangerous and illegal, so every now and again need to be replaced. If you are willing to get your hands dirty, then follow our guide on how to change wiper blades and you’ll be done in no time.
How do I know when to replace my wiper blades?
Over time, your wiper blades will wear out as the soft rubber perishes. UV damage from sunlight, oil, airborne debris, moisture and just regular wear and tear will take their toll on your wiper blades. If your wiper blades are on the way out, you’ll start to notice that the blades are sticking and squeaking. They may not clear away rain as effectively or leave streaks on your windscreen.
It’s essential to change your wiper blades as soon as you notice them wearing out. If left, they can break off – leaving you without a working wiper, which is both dangerous and illegal, not to mention more expensive to fix. The best way to save money on a full repair is to replace the blades as soon as they wear out. Plus, a dodgy wiper blade is also an MOT failure – so you have been warned!
You can check the condition of your wipers by pulling the arm back from the windscreen. If you see any chips, damage or deterioration, it’s time to replace them.
We recommend replacing your wiper blades in pairs; if one is worn out, the other one won’t be far behind as they both work at the same rate. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Step-by-step guide to change wiper blades
Here’s our guide to swapping your old wiper blades out and replacing them with new ones.
Step 1: Make sure you’ve got the right replacement blades for your car
Before you begin taking your old blades off, make sure to buy the right replacement blades for your car. Wiper blades come in a variety of sizes, which can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. To help make things a little clearer, we created our windscreen wiper size guide.
You can check your car owner’s manual which should have details of the wipers you need.
If you identify the blades you need, then head to the Halfords site. Simply type in your registration number, and our windscreen wiper finder will display the right front and rear windscreen wiper blades for your vehicle.
If you’re out and about or prefer the personal touch, drop-in to your nearest Halfords where one of our trained staff will help identify the correct blades for your vehicle.
For more information on how to select the best blades for your car, check out our wiper blades buyers guide.
Step 2: Clean your screen
Before we get into it, you should give your windscreen a clean to remove any dirt and grime. Take the time to remove any dirt, tree sap or bugs that have got stuck to it as this can affect wiping quality.
Step 3: Grab a towel or cloth
When you remove the windscreen wipers, you leave the wiper blade arm exposed. If it unexpectedly snaps back, it has the power to damage your windscreen, so it’s important to provide some protection.
We recommend placing something soft against the windscreen glass, directly under the blade. A rolled-up towel is ideal, but any thick fabric will do.
Step 4: Lift your wiper arms
Once your towel is in place, lift each wiper off the glass one at a time. When the arm is raised, you’ll have access to the clip or fastening mechanism you need to remove the blades.
You should be able to lift the wiper arm when they’re at rest. On some vehicles, you may need to move your wipers into a specific position to gain access to them. Check your vehicle handbook or search online for guidance if this is the case.
Step 5: Remove your old blades
Once the blades arms are lifted, you can remove the old blades. There are a variety of mechanisms to fix your blade to the arm. Some you will need to slide the blade down the arm to unhook it. On others, you will need to remove a clip that’s holding the blade in place. If you’re unsure of the mechanism used to secure the blade to your wiper arm, you should be able to find information online.
Hopefully you’ve now removed your wiper blades, but don’t throw them in the bin. Wiper blades can be recycled at your local waste collection facility.
Step 6: Clip your new blades in
Once you’ve removed the old blades, it’s simply a case of attaching the new ones using the same method.
Be careful with the plastic coverings and be gentle with your wiper blades. Using excessive force can cause the clips or housing to crack or break. Follow the instructions and take your time.
On some cars, the passenger side and driver side wiper blades may be different lengths so make sure you are attaching the correct length blade to the correct side.
You may need to use different clips to attach your wiper blade arms. You’ll find these supplied in the box. To use this, you will need to attach the new clip to the wiper blade then attach the blade to the wiper arm on your car.
Step 7: Place your wipers back on the screen
Once your new wiper blades are securely in place, remove the towel protecting the windscreen and gently place them back on to the windscreen or rear window.
Step 8: Give them a test swipe
Take a look at the wiper blades and ensure they’re sitting on the windscreen correctly. If you’re happy, then give them a test swipe. If they’re fitted properly and functioning correctly, they should leave a streak-free finish on your windscreen. If they’re squeaking, juddering or just not working, then they may need some minor adjustments or re-fitting.
Replacing worn-out wiper blades is a straightforward process that you should be able to do on your driveway. If you want to save yourself the hassle, let Halfords do the work with fitting available from £6/€7. Windscreen wiper fitting is available at all Halfords stores.
Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club
Did you know that with the Halfords Motoring Club you can save money on the likes of wiper blades, bulbs and batteries? Join the Halfords Motoring Club today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee (or a one-off payment) to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
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