To replace wiper blades, lift the wiper arm off the glass, press the release tab, slide the old blade off, and click the new one on until it locks. The two things that trip people up are buying the wrong size and letting a bare metal arm snap back against the windshield.
This is one of the easiest jobs on any car, and you don’t need tools for most blades. If your wipers sit down below the hood line, there’s one extra step, covered below.
Time: A few minutes per blade.
Difficulty: Easy.
When to replace your blades
There’s no set mileage. AAA says most mechanics and manufacturers recommend changing blades every 6 to 12 months, and your owner’s manual may give its own guidance. Climate, where you park, how often you use them, and the blade type all affect how long they last. Blades on a car parked outside in harsh sun or freezing winters will usually give up sooner.
Your blades will tell you when they’re done. Watch for:
- Streaking or smearing that blurs your view in rain
- Squeaking as the blades move, which suggests they aren’t gliding smoothly
- Skipping or bouncing across the glass, often from rubber that has hardened
- Visible damage, such as cracks, tears, or frayed edges
Before you buy new ones, rule out dirty glass. A film on the windshield or grime along the rubber can cause streaks all by itself. Give the glass a proper clean using the car window guide, wipe the blades with a damp cloth, and try again.
How to get the right size
Your owner’s manual lists the correct blade sizes. You can also measure the blades on the car. Check both sides, because the driver and passenger blades are often different lengths, and don’t assume the previous owner fitted the right ones.
Parts stores and blade makers usually have a lookup by year, make, and model. If your car has a rear wiper, check that one separately, since it often uses a different blade.
You’ll also see two main styles:
- Conventional blades have a metal frame that holds the rubber in place.
- Beam blades are curved, with no exposed frame, and resist wind lift better.
Your manual and the lookup tool will tell you what fits. Match the connector type as well as the length. Some blades come with several adapters in the box, so look at the package diagram before you start.
What you need
- New wiper blades in the right sizes
- A towel or thick cloth
- Your owner’s manual
- A tape measure, if you’re measuring the old blades
If your wipers hide under the hood
On many newer cars, the wipers rest down below the edge of the hood and can’t be lifted from that position. Forcing them can damage the wiper or the hood. These cars have a service position that brings the arms up to where you can reach them.
How you get there depends on the car:
- Stalk method: On one recent Kia, you have 20 seconds after turning off the engine to hold the wiper lever up for about 2 seconds, and the wipers move to the top of their sweep.
- Menu method: Many Volvo models use a setting on the center display.
Your owner’s manual gives the exact steps. Look under wipers or blade replacement. When you’re done, lower the arms gently and turn the wipers on so they return to their resting position. Don’t run the wipers while the arms are raised.
Step by step
- Turn the wipers off. Make sure they’re parked, or in the service position if your car has one.
- Lay a towel on the windshield. Put it where the arm would land. If the arm snaps back, the towel helps protect the glass. The spring in that arm is stronger than it looks.
- Lift the arm away from the glass. Hold it by the arm, not by the blade, which can bend. Most arms stay up on their own. If yours doesn’t, keep a hand on it.
- Find the release. Look where the blade meets the arm. There’s usually a small tab, button, or latch.
- Press or lift the release. Hold it down while you slide the old blade down the arm and off the hook. It can take a firm tug the first time.
- Check the new blade. Compare it with the old one. Fit an adapter if the package tells you to, and peel off any protective plastic.
- Fit the new blade. Line it up with the hook on the arm, push until it clicks, and secure the release. Give it a gentle pull to make sure it’s locked.
- Lower the arm gently. Set it back on the towel, then slide the towel out from under it. Never let the arm fall.
- Repeat on the other side. Do them one at a time, so you can use the second old blade as a guide if you get stuck.
- Test them. Spray some washer fluid and run the wipers. They should clear the glass in smooth, quiet sweeps. If the fluid is low, top it up using the car fluids guide.
Always return the arms to the glass before you drive.
How to make new blades last
- Wipe the rubber with a damp cloth when you wash the car. Grit on the blade acts like sandpaper on the glass.
- Don’t run wipers on a dry windshield. Use washer fluid first.
- Clear ice and heavy snow with a scraper and brush, not your wipers.
- In winter, make sure the blades aren’t frozen to the glass before you turn them on.
- Add a quick blade check to your car care checklist. It only takes a moment, and you’ll spot wear before a storm does.
Common mistakes
Letting the arm snap down. This is how windshields get cracked. Keep the towel in place and control the arm until the blade is on.
Buying one size for both sides. The blades are often different lengths. A blade that’s too long can hit the frame or the other wiper.
Forcing hidden wipers up. If they won’t lift, your car almost certainly has a service position. Check the manual before you pull.
Lifting by the blade. It can bend the blade, and bent blades skip. Use the arm.
Not checking the click. A blade that isn’t locked can come loose while you drive. Pull on it gently once it’s on.
Skipping the rear wiper. It’s easy to forget, and it wears out too.
Blaming the blades for a dirty windshield. Clean the glass first. You may save yourself the cost of a new set.
When to hire a pro
Most people can do this in a parking lot, right after buying the blades. If you’d rather not, ask your technician to handle it at your next oil change.
See a mechanic if the arm itself is bent, if the wipers don’t move or don’t park properly, or if new blades still chatter or leave streaks on clean glass. Those can point to a worn arm or a motor problem, and a new blade won’t fix either one.