As monsoons strike, it becomes all the more necessary to keep your vehicle in good shape to overcome hindrances like slippery roads, low visibility, dirty interiors etc. One component that plays a big role in the safety of the passengers, especially during monsoons, is the windshield wipers. They act as lifesavers in situations where you get caught in a rainstorm, snowstorm, or run into a swamp of bugs or a torrential downpour. While replacing the wiper blades once in every six months is essential, you need to be alert and take prompt action if they begin to squeak or chatter. Let us look at the evolution of windshield wipers:
Windshield wipers were first invented in 1903 and have come a long way since then. It was only in 1917 that first windshield wiper, which was powered by an electric motor, came into being. In the mid-thirties, the first windshield washer system was introduced. Late forties saw the emergence of combined windshield wipers and washer systems. This is how wipers have evolved over the years and now, act as important components that provide safety. Here are a few things to inspect in order to keep the wipers in good shape this monsoon:
- Metal corrosion, especially at claws and joints
- Visible tears and cracks, especially on the rubber’s edges
- Broken frames at joints
- Make sure that the squeegee is secure
- Move the rubber squeegee back and forth to ensure that it is flexible enough. Aged and damaged squeegees usually create streaks.
Common issues faced by windshield wipers during monsoons
- Splitting- This is usually a result of sun’s UV rays damaging the rubber squeegee
- Wearing- This is usually a result of extensive use and is common if the rubber edges are round instead of square
- Streaking- This occurs when the windshield wiper blade has dried and hardened. This can lead to cracks in the wiper blade rubber. It may be caused by tree saps, road tar etc.
Tips to maintain the windshield wipers this monsoon
- Clean the windshield and the wipers regularly
- Do not use the wipers to de-ice the windshield. Use an ice-scraper instead
- Replace the windshield wipers every six months
- Inspect the washer fluid pump for any blockage
- Treat the windshield with some rain water repellant
- Use 3 M care products to take care of your vehicle during monsoons