How To Replace Wiper Blades
The weather in San Antonio varies from dry and hot to rainy, depending on the time of year. You’ll see 32.3 inches of precipitation in the region on average every year. While most of this precipitation is rain, you will see hail and even snowfall on rare occasions. No matter the weather, your car needs windshield wiper blades that work, cleaning and clearing rain and dirt so you can see clearly.
A new set of wiper blades run between $10 and $50 depending on your make and model and the type of use you need. Fortunately, you won’t need heavy-duty snow blades, but you still want a quality product that lasts. You can realize a significant improvement in visibility and thus safety with a relatively inexpensive part. And, you don’t need to be an engineer to replace your windshield wipers. We had our service center technicians create this step-by-step guide to help you do this independently. However, if you prefer to have a professional do this for you, you can contact our service center today for help.
Reasons to Change Your Wiper Blades
Image by Ben Stein is licensed with Unsplash License
Chemicals on the road, dirt, dust, tree sap, and other debris can damage your wiper blades over time, causing them to crack, warp, and break. In the warm Texas summer, the rubber blades dry and suffer corrosion. As a result, the blades move irregularly and clean poorly. Prolonged exposure to the sun and heat causes them to crack, worsening the problem. As rubber ages, it stiffens, which results in uneven contact with the windshield causing streaking and squeaking.
When to Replace Your Wiper Blades
Even if you never had chemicals and weather affecting your wiper blades, they wear out on their own through normal use. The rubber and silicone material eventually wear down, but many drivers don’t notice until they realize they can’t see through a grimy, streaky windshield because of the gradual process.
Most mechanics will confirm no hard and fast rule to how often you need to replace your wiper blades. It all depends on usage. If you keep your car in a garage and drive very little, your blades will last longer than if you commute 50 miles each day. Instead, experts tell you to replace them when they start to fail to clean and clear your windshield. Once you see streaking or hear squeaking, you know it’s time.
If you feel like you aren’t up to the task, feel free to bring your car to our service center, and one of our technicians will quickly do the job. However, if you have no reservations about doing this yourself, follow the instructions here, and you’ll see it clearly in minutes.
How to Replace Wiper Blades Step-by-Step Guide
Windshield wipers have three basic parts. Wipers contain the lower wiper arm, a blade of metal or plastic attached to the lower arm, and a rubber blade seated inside the metal or plastic piece that clears the rain. Replacing your wipers requires replacing this rubber blade, not the entire system. Make sure you measure the blade of each wiper before buying replacements. Often, the right blade is a different length than the left. If you have questions, you can contact our parts department and buy your blades from us.
Step One
Lift the metal arm away from the windshield at a 90-degree angle. If your vehicle’s wiper blades rest tucked underneath the hood while not in use, you must activate the wipers and shut them off when they reach the halfway point up until your windshield. Now you can lift them without interference.
Step Two
Your wiper arms should lock in place at a 90-degree angle. You can press the release button near the hook where the arm and wiper blade meet. With the release button depressed, gently slide the blade off, moving away from the arm. If you have a newer model car, you might not have a hook, only the release button. Conversely, an older vehicle might have tabs you must press to release the blade.
Step Three
Replace the old blade by sliding the new one from the opposite direction. You will likely hear the blade click into place. You can now engage the hook or tabs if your model has them.
Step Four
Now you can lower the arm down onto the windshield. Again, be gentle, as the arm was designed with tension to keep the blade pressed to the windshield. As a result, the arm could strike the windshield with force, damaging it or your wiper assembly. Repeat these steps on the other windshield wiper, and you’re finished.
Helpful Tips For Changing Wiper Blades
Different Nissan vehicles have different wiper blades, so be sure to purchase suitable blades for your car. You can buy aftermarket blades to save a few dollars but be warned. These manufacturers make blades to replace multiple vehicles, not to the exact Nissan specifications for your model. A blade without proper fit could result in different sizes and shapes and be made from lesser quality materials. In the end, you might save money but not get the performance and safety you want. That’s why we recommend you only use Genuine Nissan wiper blades.
We suggest you drape a soft cloth or towel over your windshield before beginning. As we said, the spring tension on the arm could accidentally fall against your windshield. If this happens without a blade on the arm, the metal arm itself could scratch or chip your windshield. Our technicians recommend having the new blade ready to insert to help avoid this situation.
Nissan manufactures several types of blades for every vehicle. Heavy-duty winter blades hold up better against snow, sleet, and hail. However, most San Antonio drivers know they need protection from the dusty summer and wet rainy season. In that case, a standard wiper blade should work fine.
South Park Nissan wants you to drive safe no matter where your adventurous life leads you. Our parts department stocks an expansive inventory of wiper blades to fit every Nissan vehicle. If you still have questions about how to change your wiper blades, feel free to contact our service department. If you prefer to have us change your wiper blades, you can conveniently schedule service online or stop by our I-35 South dealership when you’re in the neighborhood. If you are in the market for a great quality used vehicle, check out our certified pre-owned vehicles on the lot now! To learn more about why you should consider a certified pre-owned vehicle, click here to learn more.