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Let's say you are trying to save money on your routine auto maintenance wherever you can. There is a specific area where you can pinch some pennies without putting your car in any jeopardy. This is about a way to greatly reduce your outlay for replacement parts whenever you need to replace your windshield wipers.
The key to these savings is to replace only the rubber part of the wiper and not the entire wiper arm. This means that instead of paying for the whole wiper arm structure, which includes all the plastic and/or metal parts needed to support the rubber wiper blade, you simply replace the blade itself. These rubber blades are usually called refills when you are searching for them online or in an auto parts store.
The price difference between refills and complete wiper arm assemblies can be considerable. A search on Amazon turned up three different sources of refill blades, all priced at $5.99 for a set of four 28" rubber refill blades, with some priced higher. The 28" length means that these refills can be easily cut down to the size you need for your wipers. A utility knife or heavy-duty scissors should do the trick; just measure the blade you are removing against the new one and trim to fit. On the other hand, complete wiper arm assembly replacements will cost you more, ranging from $12.89 to $41.99 for a set of two, depending on brand and vehicle.
What else should you know about windshield wiper blade refills?
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The primary issue to remember about using wiper blade refills is that your wiper arms must be in good condition before you consider replacing the rubber blades. If the wiper arms are broken, bent, or otherwise not in decent shape before you insert a refill, stop and replace that wiper arm. The wiper arm provides a stable structure for the refill to perform its work properly. Once you have done this, you are free to use a blade refill the next time your wipers are worn out, whether you prefer silicone or rubber wiper blades.
Replacing your wiper blade refills is a simple process. Once you have cut the refill to the proper length, simply insert the new refill into its frame and click it into place. Depending on the blade design, there may be a metal 'spine' that needs to be removed from the old blade and added to the new one before clicking it home.
Windshield wipers are a great help during inclement weather. There are several maintenance steps you can follow to help your wiper blade refills last longer. Keep your windshield clean and prevent residue and debris from building up by regularly using a quality glass cleaner. Clean the refills regularly and check them for signs of wear. Replace them whenever necessary.
