Why Your Windshield Wipers Squeak and How to Stop It
It’s almost impossible to ignore windshield wipers when they squeak. Many people liken that awful, repetitive noise to the disturbing sound of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard. If you hear squeaking, you are probably going to find it distracting while you are driving. You won’t be able to relax to music or focus on the road. Of course, you also should not ignore the noise because it’s a symptom that your wipers don’t work efficiently, are likely to fail, and may even cause damage to your valuable windshield.
Why Do Windshield Wipers Squeak?
Consider some reasons why your windshield wipers might make distracting noises and how to stop the squeak:
Wiper or Windshield Contamination
Dust or other road debris may have dirtied either your wipers or your windshield. You may not be able to see contaminants that well against the dark wiper blades. You should be able to check this problem by cleaning your wiper blade and window glass with a commercial cleaner or a rag that has been dipped in vinegar. Afterwards, you can just run your windshield washer to rinse the blades and window.
Even though you should find cleaning your wiper blades a simple and quick chore, it’s important to attend to this task promptly. Dust, sand, and small pebbles can scratch the window as they rub against it. It’s usually best to avoid using petroleum-based solutions, like WD-40, on wiper blades. If you use products like this frequently, they can dissolve the rubber and shorten the life of your blades.
Poor Wiper Installation
These days, it’s common to buy new wiper blades at an auto parts store. Very often, the employees at this kind of store will offer to install simple parts as a convenience to customers. This allows you to stop, make a quick purchase, and be on your way without getting your hands dirty.
However, it’s not likely that these employees are trained technicians. Some wiper assembles and some wipers are more complex than others. If cleaning your blades doesn’t fix your problem, you might bring your car to us to have the wiper and blade installation checked by a professional.
Old Rubber
Many people don’t realize that they should replace their wiper blades at least once a year, and sometimes, they may require changing after only six months. Depending upon conditions, the materials used to make the flexible part of the wiper often get hard and brittle over time. This can cause squeaking, and it also may cause your wiper break to break just when you need to use it during a rainstorm. In other cases, the hard rubber might even damage your window glass.
Wiper blades don’t cost a lot, and your driving safety depends upon them. You may not notice that your wipers don’t work very well until you get caught in a downpour, so you’re better off changing your blades on schedule.
Manufacturer’s Defect
Some folks have complained after they bought new wipers from an online source or a local auto parts store. They were very disappointed because their the wipers squeaked from the first day. Even if the wipers were installed correctly, it’s possible that they have a defect from production and need to be replaced immediately.
In some cases, the wipers may have been improperly stored in the box for a long time, so the rubber has already hardened or cracked even though they were never used on the road. You should also be entitled to return the blades for a refund. You may be doing the original seller a favor by letting them know that their wipers were defective or aged. Next time, you may want to purchase your wiper blades from a more trusted source.
What Other Noises Do Damaged or Aged Wiper Blades Make?
Your blades may not squeak; however, they may make a rubbing or clattering noise. This might get louder when the windshield is too dry to provide enough lubricant to give them a smooth track to run across. You may not even hear a noise but simply notice that your window isn’t getting cleared well.
Typically, the source of any of these problems will be similar to wiper blade issues that cause squeaking. In some cases, the assembly may also need to get adjusted because it doesn’t apply the right amount of pressure to the glass. In other cases, the wiper blades may need replacement or the wiper assembly might require an adjustment.
Where to Get Help with Wiper Blades?
Neglecting problems with your wipers can compromise your vehicle’s safety and cause permanent damage to your window glass. Luckily, repairing or replacing malfunctioning wipers usually won’t cost you a lot of money, and it is one of those affordable preventative measures that you can make quickly to protect your valuable car.
If you suspect that your vehicle may need windshield repair, contact Anthony Volk Auto Glass today at (610) 436-9727. Our experienced and trained technicians can diagnose your issues and suggest solutions that will get you back on the road quickly and safely.
Tags: auto glass care, windshield care, windshield wipers
