Symptoms
- Visible tear, crack, or missing chunk of rubber on the blade
- Poor wiping performance, streaking, or a scraping metal-on-glass sound
- Rubber may look dried out, cracked, or brittle
- Blade may be flapping or not making full contact with the glass
Likely causes
- CommonUV and weather exposure over timeSun and temperature cycling naturally degrade wiper rubber over roughly six months to a year.
- CommonIce scraping damageUsing the wipers to help clear ice, or scraping ice with a hard tool near the blade, can tear the rubber.
- Less commonManufacturing defect or low-quality bladeCheaper blades can degrade faster than name-brand equivalents.
What to do
- Inspect the blade edge closely for tears, cracks, or missing sections of rubber.
- Do not use wipers to clear ice or heavy snow, since this is a common cause of tearing.
- Measure your current blade length or check your owner's manual/parts store lookup for the correct size.
- Lift the wiper arm and release the old blade using the tab or clip specific to your blade type (refill vs. full blade replacement).
- Install the new blade until it clicks securely into place, then lower the arm gently back onto the glass.
- Test the wipers with washer fluid to confirm smooth, full contact across the glass.
Tools and parts
Wiper bladesSearch: “wiper blades for [year make model]”
When to call a pro
This is one of the easiest DIY car repairs; most auto parts stores will also install new blades for free if you buy them there.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.