As the peak of the Spring Festival travel rush approaches, southern China is set to experience a widespread round of rain and snow. This is yet another headache for those planning to drive back to work after the holiday. According to international driving safety surveys, the rate of traffic accidents caused by worn-out wipers is about five times higher than usual when driving in the rain. Wipers are one of the minor components of a car, but ensuring your return journey is safe makes choosing the right wipers very important.
There are roughly two types of wipers: traditional intermittent wipers, which are the most common and come in three or four settings that the driver can adjust according to the intensity of the rain and visibility; and rain-sensing wipers, which are mostly used in mid- to high-end vehicles in recent years. A good wiper must be heat-resistant, cold-resistant, acid- and alkali-resistant, corrosion-resistant, able to adhere well to the windshield, reduce motor strain, operate quietly, have strong water repellency, be soft enough not to scratch the glass, and provide clear visibility. Maintenance personnel recommend replacing your wipers at least once a year to ensure driving safety.
1. First, find out what type and size of wipers your car uses. You can refer to the vehicle manual and check the specified wiper model.
There are roughly two types of wipers: traditional intermittent wipers, which are the most common and come in three or four settings that the driver can adjust according to the intensity of the rain and visibility; and rain-sensing wipers, which are mostly used in mid- to high-end vehicles in recent years. A good wiper must be heat-resistant, cold-resistant, acid- and alkali-resistant, corrosion-resistant, able to adhere well to the windshield, reduce motor strain, operate quietly, have strong water repellency, be soft enough not to scratch the glass, and provide clear visibility. Maintenance personnel recommend replacing your wipers at least once a year to ensure driving safety.
1. First, find out what type and size of wipers your car uses. You can refer to the vehicle manual and check the specified wiper model.
2. Pay attention to whether the way the wiper arm connects to the wiper stalk is compatible. Some arms are fixed to the stalk with screws, while others use a clip-on locking mechanism.
3. Pull the wiper up and run your fingers over the clean rubber blade to check for damage and test the elasticity of the rubber. If the blades are hardened, cracked, or aged, then the wiper is not up to standard.
4. During testing, set the wiper switch to different speed settings and check whether the wipers maintain consistent speed at each level. Especially in intermittent mode, make sure the wipers keep a steady pace while moving.
5. While testing, listen for any unusual noises from the motor, especially if the wiper motor buzzes but doesn’t move. This indicates rust or obstruction in the mechanical transmission parts of the wiper, and you should immediately turn off the wiper switch to avoid motor burnout.
6. Some people believe that longer wiper blades cover more area and offer better visibility. In reality, longer isn’t always better. While longer blades can increase the visible range, they also put extra strain on the wiper motor and arms. It’s okay to opt for longer blades, but make sure they don’t interfere with the normal operation of the wipers.
7. Check the wiping performance and see if there is any uneven movement or missed spots by the wiper arms. If any of the following three issues occur, the wiper is not qualified: first, erratic sweeping motion or abnormal wiper jumping; second, the rubber doesn’t fully adhere to the glass, leaving streaks; third, the glass surface shows signs of water film with fine lines, mist, or linear residues after wiping.