Windshield Wiper Replacement Guide and Tools

Windshield wiper replacement can be tricky for first-timer. Windshield wiper blades are an important piece of you automobile. They help you drive properly and safely in severe weather conditions. Like most of other automobile parts, wiper blades require replacement after regular periods of time. They are made of rubber and they wear rather quickly over time.

Whenever you windshield wiper blades lose the ability to wiper your windshield properly, you know it is time to replace them. But getting them replaced by a professional can cost you plenty of money and your precious time. You have another option, a better one. You can replace the windshield wiper blades yourself and save time and money. They are not difficult to replace at all.

Step 1 – Know the Type of Wiper Blades You Need

Before you can start windshield wiper replacement, first thing you need to know is the type of wiper blades your car has. Older cars have the ones with bracket around them. Newer cars usually have bracket-less wiper blades. Know which one your car needs and purchase a pair.

You can head over to your local auto store to buy the wiper blades for the year and model of your car. Or, you can purchase them online. Amazon usually has good deals with fast shipping. If you have the Amazon Prime, you should definitely get them online. It’s just so much easier.

Step 2 – Remove the Old Wiper Blades

Now that you have the wiper blades ready, it’s time to take off the windshield wipers that are not working properly. Removing them is simple, but you still have to be careful. The arm holding the wiper blade is made of metal, and the windshield is glass. They are in close proximity and pulling and pushing can end up getting your windshield scratched up. That’s not something you want.

Now to remove the wiper blades, pull the whole assembly away from windshield and towards you. Use one hand to hold the wiper blade arm. With the other hand, you need to depress a small tab where the blade and arm connect. While keeping the tab pressed, slide off the wiper blade. Pulling the center of the blade towards bottom of the wiper blade arm helps.

Be careful not to scratch the windshield! Have a look at this page if you do end up scratching it. You can repair the scratches if you like.

Step 3 – New Windshield Wiper Replacement

Now this last step of windshield wiper replacement is very simple. It’s the exact opposite of the removal step. Slide the new wiper blade the same way you took out the old one. Once everything is in position, press it from sides to make sure it all clicks. And that’s it, wiper blade replacement is that easy.

There are many companies that manufacture all kinds of wiper blades. Some make good products and some make bad ones that don’t last long. When purchasing wiper blades for your car, you have to decide whether you want to go with quality or affordability. Rain-X is one manufacturer that is known for making quality automotive parts. Their wiper blades are really good and I highly recommend that you check them out. They last for a while too, giving you more time between tedious replacements.

Windshield wiper replacement can be difficult for some people. Especially if you have never done it before, you don’t know what to press or push or pull. Just following written instructions can be difficult sometimes. So, I have included some videos for you to watch. The videos below will show you how to replace your windshield wiper blades step-by-step. I hope you find them useful.

Here’s a real simple and the best video which shows you how to replace the blades.

Here’s a video that provides you more than enough details and covers all types of windshield wiper blades.

If you were successful at replacing the windshield wiper by yourself, do let us know in the comments below. We would love to know the level of difficulty you experienced. Which brand of windshield wiper blades do you prefer? Do let us know. Windshield wiper replacement can be fun and save you money.