Windshield Wipers: What Are They and How Do They Work?

When you’re driving in heavy rain or snow, you’ll need a good set of windshield wiper blades to help you see the road ahead. Windshield wipers can remove water, snow, leaves, pollen, and other types of debris from your windshield, allowing you to drive safely and avoid collisions caused by a lack of visibility. There are three types of wiper blades that provide different advantages in different driving situations. Here’s the information you need so you can choose the best windshield wiper for your ride.

What Are Wiper Blades and How Do They Work?

Have you ever tried cleaning a window with a squeegee? That’s basically how your vehicle’s windshield wipers work. An electric motor transmits power to a long rod that sets the wiper blades in motion. The windshield wiper arm goes back and forth while the rubber blade wipes water, snow, wiper fluid, and other debris from your windshield. There are three main types of windshield wiper blades: conventional, beam, and hybrid.

Most cars have a conventional wiper blade that features a rubber blade attached to a metal frame. Beam wiper blades are different because they have a hingeless rubber strip instead of a traditional metal frame. These wiper blades have grown in popularity as standard equipment in certain luxury vehicles because of their sleek design. Hybrid wiper blades combine elements from both conventional and beam wiper blades for all-weather performance.

There are also different styles of windshield blade connectors like hook, side pin, and bayonet. These connectors determine how the wiper blade attaches to the wiper arm.

Different Types of Wiper Blades and Connectors

Not all windshield wiper blades and connectors are the same. Each one is unique in its design and function. You’ll have to consider the advantages of each type of wiper blade and connector to figure out what’s best for your vehicle. First, let’s take a look at the different types of wiper blades.

Conventional

This standard windshield wiper consists of a metal frame that supports a rubber blade. The conventional blade is also the most affordable of the three because of its simplicity and availability.

Beam

This windshield wiper generally does a better job of cleaning your windshield than conventional blades because of its hingeless rubber strip. Beam wipers apply even pressure with every stroke. However, they’re a lot more expensive than conventional blades.

Hybrid

Hybrid blades combine both conventional and beam-type designs. They feature a plastic casing that conceals some portions of the hinge while still allowing debris to pass through. 

Next, we’ll discuss the different types of windshield wiper connectors and their uses.

Hook

This connector has a J or U-shaped hook that clips or locks the wiper blade into place.

Side Pin

This connector features a tiny pin on the wiper arm that fits into a hole on the wiper blade attachment.

Bayonet

This connection secures the blade assembly to the wiper arm using a spring catch or lever under the wiper arms.

When to Replace Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are necessary for road safety because they can remove debris from your windshield. You should always keep them in good condition because you’ll need them when rain, snow, dirt, or leaves fall on your windshield. Depending on the climate, wiper blades can last anywhere from six months to a year. We recommend replacing your wiper blades once every year to stay safe.

Several factors can cause wiper blades to fail. The rubber on the blades can become brittle when exposed to UV rays. A cracked blade can affect your wiper’s performance and leave noticeable streaks on your windshield. If you see grime, dirt, or water on your windshield even after spraying your windshield fluid, you may need to replace your wipers. A damaged blade can also produce screeching or squealing noises when in use.

There’s no good reason to put off replacing your cracked wiper blades. If you want to save some money, you can try replacing your wiper blade using our comprehensive repair guide.

Check these tutorial videos on how to replace your wipers:

Buy Wiper Blades at CarParts.com

Are you looking for high-quality windshield wiper replacements for your vehicle? CarParts.com has you covered. We have an extensive catalog that includes aftermarket wiper blades from the best brands in the automotive industry like Valeo, Bosch, and Crown. Our wiper blades have undergone strict quality control testing to deliver maximum visibility in the most difficult driving conditions. Our wiper blade replacements are available for different locations on your vehicle, like the front and rear. We also offer framed and frameless blades for various makes and models.

CarParts.com lets you order aftermarket wiper blades from the comfort of your own home. With just a few clicks, you can get a set of wiper blades delivered in as fast as two business days so you can get back on the road in no time. Shop at CarParts.com now to get the best deals on windshield wipers!