Replace Wiper Blades To Improve Visibility And Stay Safe On The Road
Streaks and smears on your windshield can obscure your view, leading to accidents. Replacing your wiper blades regularly is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to improve visibility and stay safe on the road. Conventional, beam, and hybrid wiper blades are all available for you to choose from. Learn about each type to find which is right for your vehicle and driving conditions.
Beam Blades
While traditional wiper blades are affordable and easy to find, they can be hard on your windshield. Conventional Wiper blades snap into several contact points on a metal frame, which creates friction and limits the amount of pressure they can exert. Especially at high speeds, this can cause conventional blades to fall off the windshield. Beam blades are a sleek, modern alternative. They consist of a single steel beam covered in a rubber spoiler, and they attach to different arm types via couplers. The lack of exposed metal parts minimizes ice and snow buildup, making them perfect for winter driving.
Hybrid blades combine conventional and beam blade technology for better performance than either. They use a metal frame with pivoting suspension points to help press the rubber firmly against your car’s curved windshield. This design helps them resist wind resistance that can lift conventional blades off the windshield, and they’re priced between conventional and beam blades to maximize savings and performance.
Conventional Blades
Conventional blades are the traditional type you see on most vehicles. They consist of a replaceable rubber blade that snaps into several contact points on a metal frame. While conventional blades work fine in light rain and snow, they tend to leave streaks on your windshield over time. They also struggle at high speeds and can cause noise when they are in use.
The best wiper blades have an all-weather design and higher performance. Premium wiper blades can withstand all weather conditions year-round and can last up to three times longer than traditional blades. With durable spoilers, high-strength steel and more durable rubber, these blades can perform optimally in harsh weather.
Rubber Strips
Rubber strips are versatile materials with diverse applications across professional industries. They play an essential role in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and longevity of various systems and components. When choosing a rubber strip for your project, it’s important to assess specific factors such as temperature exposure and chemical compatibility. Evaluate the material properties of the selected strip and ensure that it’s capable of creating a proper seal.
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber strips are known for their resistance to weathering, ozone, and UV exposure. These durable materials are ideal for sealing windows and doors, as well as insulating outdoor appliances.
Expanded neoprene/EPDM closed-cell sponge rubber strip, also known as foam rubber tape, is an excellent choice for sealing gaps and insulating surfaces. This flexible material is resistant to chemicals, oil and fuel, petrochemicals, sea water, and more, and it’s available in a variety of widths, thicknesses, and lengths. It’s also easy to cut and can be trimmed using household scissors.
Weather Conditions
A well-functioning windshield wiper blade ensures that you see the road and the drivers (and pedestrians) around you. But it’s not just about the quality of the blade itself; weather conditions can also have an impact on its performance.
During the summer, excessive heat can cause the rubber material to expand and crack, leaving streaks or smearing on the windshield. Colder temperatures can also make the blades hard and brittle, making them more susceptible to damage and less responsive. Ice and heavy snow can clog the blades or even separate them from the windshield.
To help you stay safe, consider opting for beam blades that are designed with all-season versatility in mind. Their aerodynamic design reduces wind resistance, making them more effective during high-speed driving, and they have a spoiler that runs along the length of the blade to improve their stability on the windshield and prevent lift at higher speeds. These blades also last longer than conventional wipers, helping you save money on replacement costs.
Conclusion
Wiper blades often leave streaks on your windshield when the rubber elements become tattered and no longer conform to the curved windshield. Consider your climate and driving habits when choosing the right wiper blades for your vehicle. Conventional wiper blades snap into six to eight contact points on a metal frame, but beam-style blades hug the windshield for better coverage. They also resist ice and snow buildup.
