How To Remove and Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Most drivers don't replace their windshield wiper blades often enough. Experts recommend changing your blades at least once or twice a year, or whenever they show signs of performance loss. Despite that advice, the American Automobile Association (AAA) notes that the typical motorist gets new wiper blades only about once every three years.

Part of the problem may be that many motorists don't know how to change windshield wiper blades. This easy-to-use guide demystifies the process, which you can perform yourself without any technical know-how.

When to Replace Your Blades

Your blades could last for up to a year if you live in a temperate climate with relatively stable temperatures and moderate precipitation. 

Blades wear down faster with excessive exposure to heat, sunshine, and UV rays. The same thing tends to happen in climates with wide seasonal temperature variations and/or high annual precipitation. In these cases, it's safer to get new wiper blades every six months or so.

These guidelines are only suggestions, though. If you notice signs of heavy wear, change your blades right away. If your wipers can't clear rain, snow, or other debris easily and effectively, it's time for new blades. Ditto for blades that leave streaks, skip, or chatter across your windshield.

How to clean windshield wiper blades

If your wiper blades seem to be holding up, it's still a good idea to clean them about once a month. Here's how to clean windshield wiper blades that don't need to be replaced just yet:

1. Gather your materials. You'll need a bucket of clean water, a clean light-colored cloth, an old toothbrush or a soft brush, and some mild dish soap or windshield wiper fluid.
    
2. Wipe the blades clean. Immerse the cloth in your cleaning solution and wring out the excess. Gently lift the wiper off your windshield and run the damp cloth up the blade, maintaining full contact with the rubber the entire time.
    
3. Repeat as needed. Use a different section of cloth each time you make a pass up the blades. Continue wiping until you no longer see dirt or residue coming off on your cloth.
    
4. Scrub away stubborn stains. If stubborn pockets of residue won't come off, use your soft brush to scrub it away.

Buying New Wiper Blades: A Quick Primer

If it's your first time buying new wiper blades, there are a few things to know before you shop. First, make sure to look for the right blade size. You can:

• Take physical measurements of your current blades
• Ask an employee at your local automotive retailer
• Consult your owner's manual for sizing specifications

You can also use PEAK Auto's convenient Find Your Vehicle search feature to identify wiper blades that will fit your car.

Next, consider the type of blades that best match your performance needs based on factors like usage and climate. For moderate usage in temperate climates, a product like PEAK All Season wiper blades will perform reliably. PEAK Max Vision blades offer added durability, while PEAK Optix are the best wiper blades for taking all-weather durability to a whole new level.

For heavy winters, PEAK Snow Beast blades deliver elite, heavy-duty performance in clearing snow and ice with ease. Finally, don't forget about your rear-window wipers: they're exposed to the elements every bit as much as your front wipers.

How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Once you've sized and selected your replacement blades, it's time to learn how to remove windshield wiper blades and replace them with new ones. While the general steps are similar no matter what type of wipers your car uses, exact details depend on what type of mount your wipers have. While there are several variations to wiper mounts, the majority are either hook-mount, side-lock, or pinch-tab blades.

Have a big beach towel or blanket ready and lay it over your windshield glass as you work. That way, your windshield won't crack if the raised wiper arm suddenly snaps back to its down position.

Hook-mount blades

Hook-mount blades, also known as J-hook blades, are the most common type of windshield wipers. Here's how to change them:

1. Lift your wiper and lock it in the changing position. Take the wiper arm just below the blade and gently lift it straight out, away from your windshield. Extend the arm until it's perpe ndicular to your windshield glass. When you feel it gently snap into place, the blade is locked in the changing position.
    
2. Check for a tab. Some J-hook blades have a small tab where the blade connects to the wiper arm. If you find one, press it down with a flathead screwdriver or with your finger.
    
3. Remove the old blade. Line up your windshield blade so it's parallel to the wiper arm. Then, slide it off by pulling it straight down, toward your windshield glass. If the blade feels stuck, use a tool to lightly tap on its top tip until it loosens.
    
4. Add the new blade. Check the back of your new blade for a small adapter clip. Open the clip and position it so it's parallel to the blade. Grasp your wiper arm, hook it into the open adapter, and slide on the new blade by guiding it up and away from your glass. Continue until you hear it clip into place.
    
5. Return your wiper to its regular position. Lower your wiper arm back into place with a slow, fluid motion. Then, repeat this entire process for the other wiper.

Side-lock blades

Lift the wiper arm and lock it into place with a towel or blanket protecting your windshield glass. Then:

1. Open the locking tab. Find and open the little metal or plastic clip or tab that locks the blade into place. Release it to unlock the blade.
    
2. Remove the blade from the connector. Slide the blade off by gently pulling it down toward your windshield glass.
    
3. Replace the worn blade. Rotate the clip or tab adapter on your new blade into the open position. With the rubber side of the blade facing your windshield, line up the hole on your new wiper blade's clip or tab housing to the corresponding pin attachment on your wiper arm. Close the clip or tab adapter by pressing down on the latch to lock your new blade into place.

Finish up by repeating these steps for your other blade. If you need help, use this video tutorial.

Pinch tab blades

Pinch tab wiper blades come in multiple variations, which differ among manufacturers. Most use a similar installation method, which involves attaching snap-on adapters to your blades for easy mounting onto your wiper arms.

For PEAK pinch tab blades, follow this method:

1. Remove the pre-attached adapter from its housing on the outward-facing side of your replacement wiper blade.
    
2. Take the adapter component with the "M" label and install it by aligning the arrow on the adapter with the corresponding arrow on your wiper arm. Slide it into place until you hear a click.
    
3. Take the adapter component with the "A" label and attach it to the "M" adapter by lining up the circular center holes on both adapters. Push the "A" adapter down until it locks into place atop the "M" adapter.
    
4. Hook the small round tip at the end of your wiper arm into the corresponding space at the front of the adapter on your wiper blade. Rotate the wiper blade down until it locks into place. You may need to give it a squeeze once it's mounted to ensure your blade is properly locked.

This PEAK Auto pinch tab wiper blade tutorial offers a helpful visual reference, if you need one.

More Resources for Windshield Wiper Care and Maintenance

At PEAK Auto, we're big supporters of the do-it-yourself spirit and we’re here to help! Our DIY hub has how-to videos for installing every type of PEAK wiper blade, which provide easy-to-follow instructions suitable for beginners. You can also read more about maintaining your windshield wipers and learn how to improve car safety and visibility with your wiper blades. 

Now that you're all set up with new wipers, keep things clean and running smoothly by stocking up on premium PEAK windshield wash. PEAK makes special windshield wash formulations for year-round use in all kinds of driving conditions.