The three common blade styles
| Style | How it is built | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional (frame) | A metal frame with several pressure points holding a rubber strip | The traditional design; the open frame can collect ice and snow |
| Beam (frameless) | A curved steel spine inside a one-piece rubber body | Low profile with even pressure along the blade; common on newer cars |
| Hybrid | A frame hidden under a smooth shell | Combines frame support with a beam-like cover |
Many vehicles came from the factory with beam blades. You can usually use any style that fits the arm and matches the size, but some cars have arms or windshields designed around one type. Winter blades with a rubber boot over the frame are another option in snowy places.
Getting the size right
The driver-side and passenger-side blades are often different lengths, and the rear wiper on a hatchback or SUV is usually a separate size again. You can find the sizes in the owner's manual, from a parts lookup by year, make and model, or by measuring the old blade from end to end.
A blade that is too long can hit the windshield frame or the other blade. One that is too short leaves an unwiped patch in your line of sight.
Connectors
The connector is where the blade clips onto the wiper arm. The J-hook is the most common in North America, but there are several others, including pin, side-pin, bayonet and push-button styles. Many replacement blades come with adapters for several arm types. Look at your arm before buying, or take a photo of where the blade attaches.
When to replace blades
- Streaks or a hazy film left behind.
- Skipping or chattering across the glass.
- Squeaking on a wet windshield.
- Rubber that is cracked, torn, hard or pulling away from the frame.
- Unwiped patches that stay in the same place.
Sun, heat, ice and road grime all age the rubber. Many owners replace blades about once a year, often before the wet or winter season, but the condition of the blade is a better guide than the calendar.
Fitting new blades
- Check your manual. Some cars have a service position that raises the wipers clear of the hood. On others, you lift the arms by hand.
- Lay a folded towel on the windshield in case the arm snaps back. A bare metal arm can crack the glass.
- Press the release tab or slide the blade off the hook, following the shape of the connector.
- Fit the new blade until it clicks, then tug gently to check it is locked.
- Lower the arm carefully and test the wipers with washer fluid.
Simple care
Clean the glass and wipe the rubber edge with a damp cloth now and then. Use washer fluid instead of running the wipers on dry glass. In freezing weather, free blades from ice before switching the wipers on, since a frozen blade can tear or strain the motor. Keep the washer reservoir topped up with a fluid suited to the season.