Wiper Blades – Types and Tips

	Rapidly changing road, weather and traffic conditions make properly functioning windshield wipers is extremely important. That's why PartSource is here to give you the inside scoop on when and how to replace these safety-critical parts. We'll also help you pick the right brand of wiper blades for your specific needs. Let’s go!
	A Few Things Before You Begin
	In case you need them, you can always find free print outs of specific vehicle instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell on Demand at your local PartSource store. Everything you need for this job can be found at your local PartSource store. Ask a Parts Pro about what you'll need for the job. It's better to have extra spare parts ready for anything that might need to be replaced. The last thing you want to do, is go shopping when you have the car up on the jack. When taking parts apart, be organized. Keep similar parts together in a safe place where they won't get lost and layout parts in a way that will allow you to put them back in the same order.
	Make Safety Your Top Priority
	Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Make sure you have all of your tools and supplies before you begin – the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you have the car on the jack. Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace. Always wear your safety glasses, a dust mask and latex gloves. Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance. Finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

You should replace all wipers on your vehicle at the same time, not just one at a time. Replace them with the appropriate type of wipers for your area, driving conditions, etc. every 6 months to a year.
IMPORTANT - NEVER let a wiper arm snap back against the windshield. This can cause your windshield to crack
Types of Wiper Blades available at PartSource: Trico Innovision Jointless design provides even pressure across the entire wiper blade Better wipe on highly curved windshields Low profile design for reduced wind-lift at high speeds Two hinge rubber element allows easy pivoting, and a smooth, quiet wipe Performs well in all weather conditions, with no exposed parts to clog with ice and snow Pre-assembled to fit most popular wiper arm styles Bosch Micro Edge Excel Specially blended rubber wiping edge reduces streaking and improves wear resistance Fully enclosed metal tension spring maintains wiping performance in all seasons Uniquely blended rubber compound reduces "chatter" and improves flip over flexibility DirectConnect system allows easy installation on over 90% of vehicles Aerodynamically designed steel frame improves blade contact at highway speeds Trico Exact Fit Exact Fit wipers provide just that: an exact fit for your vehicle with no adapters to sort through 51 part numbers that cover nearly 100% of vehicles Trico Winter Industry leading coverage for winter wiper blade applications Protective rubber boot prevents the clogging of snow and ice, maintaining even wiping pressure

Wiper Blade Installation Tips

Take a look at your vehicle. Can you access the wipers easily? Are they hidden under the hood line? To make changing them easier, you may have to turn on the ignition, turn on the wipers and shut the ignition off when the wipers are at their highest point. The method of installation depends on the style of wiper arm. The styles below covers most vehicles. Side Lock Style How you remove side lock wipers will depend on what kind of wiper is currently on your vehicle. If it is an original equipment style use a flat screwdriver, and press the spring lock down in the middle of the wiper and slide the wiper off the arm. If it is a universal style wiper with an adapter, removal will still vary between manufacturers, but generally, you will use a flat screwdriver to pry off the plastic adapter from the wiper arm pin. Once the old wiper is off, compare it to the new wiper to ensure you have the proper length. Installing wipers on a side lock wiper arm will vary slightly between manufacturers. With Trico Exact Fit and Bosch Micro Edge Excel, simply slide the new wiper over the pin, and push down until it locks in place. For most other designs, slide the wiper over the pin, and snap the locking adapter in place. IMPORTANT – Always check that the new wiper blade cannot be easily pulled off! Hook Style The hook is the most common wiper arm style on modern cars, and also one of the easiest to work with. To remove the wiper, simply push up on the tab under the wiper, and it will unlock from the hook. Slide it back to remove the hook from the adapter, turn the wiper blade up, and then slide the wiper blade forward off the arm. Some manufacturers use a slightly different type of adapter for the hook style arm. You may need to use a screwdriver to pop a tab up in front of the hook. This tab stops the wiper from sliding back off the wiper. Once the old wiper is off, compare it to the new wiper to ensure it is the proper length. Slide the wiper arm through the wiper blade, place the arm into the adapter behind the hook, and slide it forward into the hook until you feel it lock in place. IMPORTANT - Always check that the new wiper blade cannot be easily pulled off! Bayonet Style To remove the bayonet style wiper, lift the locking lever or tab, and pull the wiper off the arm. Remember to not let the wiper arm snap back against the windshield. Once the old wiper is off, compare it to the new wiper to ensure they're the same length. To install new wipers, pull the tab back, slide onto the wiper arm until the tab locks in place. With some bayonet-style wiper blades, you may need to install the adapter onto the wiper arm first, and then install the wiper blade onto the adapter. IMPORTANT – Always check that the new wiper blade cannot be easily pulled off! Two-Screw Bayonet Style To remove the two-screw bayonet style wiper blade, simply undo the screws and slide the old wiper off. If the screws are rusted, or break, you'll need to get new screws. Once the old wiper is off, compare it to the new wiper to ensure the new one is the proper length. To install the new wipers, attach any necessary adapters, line up the screw holes, and reinstall the screws. IMPORTANT – Always check that the new wiper blade cannot be easily pulled off!
If you don't see your style covered here, check out Trico's installation website

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