DIY: How to Change Windshield Wipers

Sooner or later, your windshield wipers will need to be changed. If you already know howto change windshield wipers,check out these helpful tips to check for wear and tear, as well as a checklist for how to change wipers yourself. If you’d rather have the service team at the Porterville Ford in Porterville change your wipers, they’ll have you back out there with a better view of the road in no time!

Signs That You Need to Change Wipers

Even around Visalia, where snow and ice are not normal occurrences, sooner or later, your windshield wipers will fail, and it will be time to change wipers. The normal lifespan is six to twelve months, but you should be on the lookout for these signs:

• The rubber on the blades is cracked or failing
• Wipers are leaving streaks on the window
• The blades are separating
• You hear a screeching noise
• There are gaps in what the wiper blades are clearing
• The blades are scratching the glass
• You are finding chunks of the blades coming off

Try cleaning the wipers first

The undertaking of how to change your windshield wipers starts with a blade inspection. To make sure the issue is with the blades, try pulling the wiper blades up and running your fingers across them. Do you feel dirt and debris? Wash it off and check again. If the problem remains, it is time to change wipers.

Should You Change Your Wipers Yourself?

The process of how to change your windshield wipers is straightforward, and as car maintenance costs go, it is relatively inexpensive, especially considering the safety importance of an unobstructed view while driving. 

If DIY is not for you, there is good news. You can contact the Porterville Ford parts department near Tulare to get the process rolling. Check the site to see the benefits of ordering OEM parts, and then make an appointment at Porterville Ford.

If you want, you can order your OEM Ford parts yourself and have them shipped to you directly or have them sent to the Porterville Ford near Delano. Check out the procedure below on how to change your windshield wipers, and if you are confident that you can do it, go for the DIY! 

The DIY Method to Change Your Own Windshield Wipers:

1. Stop your windshield wipers when they are in an upright position. 
2. Carefully move them away from the windshield. 
3. Check the instructions on the replacement windshield wiper package to see how to remove them (this will involve depressing a tab so you can pull it off or sliding it off with the wiper arm). 
4. Throw out your old wiper blades.
5. At this point, clean your windshield so that dust and dirt won’t get on the new windshield wipers. 
6. Put the new blades on, using the same method used to take them off, but in reverse. 
7. Repeat the procedure on the other blade.
8. Slowly and carefully, return the windshield wipers to their normal position.

The entire process should only take a few minutes.

Porterville Ford Service Center Can Help 

Remember, the Porterville Ford service center near Delano is always there to help, whether you want to order Ford OEM parts to DIY or have our professional service team take care of it. Contact the Porterville Ford service team to get started!