Every driver knows how important a good view is when driving a car. In bad weather, not only slippery road surfaces, but also poor visibility can cause an accident. The cleanliness of the windshield is guarded by wipers that remove accumulated snow, water and dirt, providing the driver with a clear view of the road. Brushes are consumables and are replaced as they wear out. They can last two or three seasons or even a year without any complaints, but even if you have high-quality standard wipers, sooner or later they will have to be replaced. It is quite easy to understand that the brushes have served their purpose. If one or two strokes are no longer enough to clean the glass, streaks remain, a water film is formed, which impairs visibility during rain in the dark, further use of cleaners can be not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous. So, when the first signs of brush wear are noticed, you shouldn’t wait for obvious problems with visibility, and it’s better to immediately stock up on a couple of new assistants.
Features of choosing wiper blades.
The reason for replacing wipers can also be mechanical damage, as a result of which the functionality of the elements will be impaired. Surprisingly, even inexpensive windshield wipers can also be stolen. You cannot drive onto the road with missing or faulty brushes, especially in rainy and snowy weather, as stated in the traffic rules, so in addition to the unsafety of such actions, you can earn a fine for a violation. Experienced motorists have an idea of how to choose the right windshield wipers for a car and what features to take into account when choosing, but if the purchase is made for the first time and there is no experience in replacing consumables as such, then it is better to familiarize yourself with information before purchasing that will help you navigate.
Which windshield wiper blades are better, framed or frameless?
Safety on the road comes first. Wipers play an important role in ensuring this, so checking their serviceability before a trip is the task of every motorist. Selecting windshield wiper blades is an important undertaking and for a successful purchase, three main factors should be taken into account:
- Brushes size;
- Design features;
- Mounting type.
The wipers must have good contact with the windshield for high-quality cleaning, and also be suitable for the car in terms of such parameters as size and type of fastening. The manufacturer does not play a big role if they are reputable brands, but Chinese fakes are not of high quality, so you should be vigilant here. Of course, products from original manufacturers are also produced in the Middle Kingdom, then we can talk about decent quality, but if you purchase cheap analogues, you cannot count on the durability of the products. If the size and type of fastening are selected taking into account a specific brand of car (some wipers also have universal fastenings, but a small error is observed during installation), then the motorist is free to choose the brand and design at his own discretion. When deciding which wipers to install, you need to take into account the design features of the devices. Windshield wipers are divided into three main types:
- Frame;
- Frameless;
- Hybrid.
When choosing, many people are concerned about the question of which wipers are better to purchase – framed or frameless. Due to the different designs, each type of windshield wiper has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is definitely impossible to say which one is better. The main condition for a correct purchase is that the brushes properly perform the task assigned to them; the rest is a matter of taste. The installed wipers must be elastic and follow the curve of the glass surface, adhering tightly to it for the best cleaning.
Frame wipers have already become a classic; the design includes a metal or plastic frame with rocker arms and a polymer brush attached to them, which carries out cleaning, fitting tightly to the glass. Metal structural elements are prone to freezing, so they are suitable only as a summer option; modern models are made of plastic. Winter cleaners are the same design, hidden in a rubber casing to protect them from the effects of low temperatures.
Advantages of using frame cleaners:
- Low cost;
- Possibility of replacing the cleaning plate;
- Good fit to glass of various curvatures;
- Wide range of products.
Flaws:
- Short service life;
- Freezing of metal elements, immobility;
- "Sail" effect at high speeds.
Pros and cons of frameless wipers
Frameless wipers are made in the form of a curved rubber band, inside of which there is a flexible steel plate. It sets the “neighbor” a certain bending angle necessary for pressing against the windshield.
It is important that frameless windshield wipers fit the model of your car. Compatibility is determined not only by the size of the brushes, but also by the bending angle for which the inner steel plate is responsible. The problem may arise in situations with very convex glass. If frameless wipers have a smaller bend angle, they will not adhere to the entire working surface.
Pros:
- Higher cleaning quality compared to frame wipers (subject to bend angle compatibility).
- Good aerodynamics. As the vehicle speed increases, the quality of cleaning does not deteriorate.
- No tendency to icing.
- Modern and attractive appearance.
Minuses:
- The price is higher than frame wipers.
- Non-demountable design. You cannot replace just the rubber band.
- Bend angle compatibility required.
The best frame wiper blades
The manufacturer is not a key factor when choosing, but still many of them have proven themselves well in this field, so if you don’t know which brand is better to buy wipers, you should pay attention to the rating of the windshield wiper blades.
Valeo Silencio Performance
Brushes from the French brand have many advantages and are among the best among framers today. The product has many advantages, including reliability, durability of the cleaners, high cleaning efficiency and noiselessness. They are presented in a wide range, but are only suitable for leashes with a hook; the products are not supplied with adapters. This type of fastening is very common, so for many motorists Valeo brushes will be a real godsend.
Bosh Twin
German Twin frame brushes with a more elegant, but no less effective design than French cleaners. As in the previous case, adapters are not supposed to be fastened with a hook. Wipers perform well in winter, withstanding low temperatures and efficiently clearing snow from the glass. The disadvantage is the hard edge, which reduces the service life of the product.
Heyner Exclusive
Heyner wipers are of decent quality at a reasonable price; they are no worse than wipers from more expensive brands and can be installed on various types of leashes. It is possible to replace the working plate, which saves money and appeals to many car owners. The only negative is that in winter the rubber part can move away from the surface, so the driver will have to raise the wipers when the car is idle.
Caring for wipers
Whatever windshield wipers you choose, you need to properly care for them, and then they will serve you as long as possible.
Follow these steps:
- periodically remove and wash the wipers with warm soapy water;
- Monitor the condition of the windshield wiper arm - periodically lubricate the hinges;
- check that the brushes do not touch the glass seals;
- Do not turn on the wipers immediately when the glass is frozen, first free them from ice manually.
Watch the video review of the wipers below.
Best Hybrid Wiper Blades
So we come to the most modern wipers. Let's consider the best hybrid brushes that have the advantages of both types of cleaners of previous generations - frame and frameless. Their cost is an order of magnitude higher, but their service life is noticeably longer.
Denso Hybrid Wiper Blade
Denso hybrid brushes rightfully deserve all the laurels; they are highly efficient and any contamination is not a problem for them. Wipers do an excellent job of removing melted ice from the glass, not to mention snow, dirt or water, so taking into account the reasonable price, this is the best option for the winter. The package includes adapters, so choosing brushes for any car is not a problem; another plus is ease of installation.
Valeo First Covertech
High quality for the right price. Brushes are among the most expensive, which of course is not encouraging, but at the same time they have a fairly long service life, effectively and gently clean the surface, and have excellent aerodynamic characteristics. The wipers have a universal mount, they are attractive in appearance and overall very good. This is not to say that the price is completely justified, since the same Denso is no worse, but costs much less.
Heyner Hybrid Graphite
An excellent cost option with universal fastening and high-quality cleaning. There may be a lack of edge seal on some vehicles, but overall Hybrid Graphite is a good choice. The cost of the brushes is even cheaper than some frame brushes, and they offer better efficiency, so they have no equal here.
This is where the rating of car wipers comes to an end, but this does not mean that other brands that are not included in it are unworthy representatives of products in the car market. Any ratings cannot be completely objective, so the car owner should not rely entirely on them when choosing, although the tops of the best, as well as reviews from other motorists, help to navigate. Every year, the lists of the very best are replenished with new models that displace the previous holders of first places, and since wipers are still a consumable item, nothing prevents you from switching from one to another, more advanced one as they wear out. In practice, the best brushes are produced by serious companies that have established roots in the market and every year introduce innovations to improve product quality. The choice should not be taken carelessly, because during bad weather and poor visibility, the right cleaners will not only add comfort, but also help avoid accidents.
When do brushes need to be replaced?
The answer is more than obvious: when the car owner sees that the brushes have become unusable, do not remove water or dirt, and leave streaks, it’s time to throw them away. Wipers are a consumable item and should be replaced after several seasons. Another “bell” that reminds you to replace the brushes can be a situation where, due to a worn brush, a water film remains on the glass. It impairs visibility at night and increases the brightness of headlights from an oncoming car. Such situations require immediate replacement of old wipers with new ones.
Everything about car windshield wiper blades and wipers
When the windshield wiper blades become unusable and cease to cope with their main responsibilities, the car owner is faced with the question of how to replace the worn-out wipers. The shelves of car dealerships are overflowing with brushes from different manufacturers, types and designs, so much so that simply sorting through all the suitable and unsuitable options is already a whole story. And how can you find exactly those ideal brushes that will delight you with the quality of their work, reasonable price and appearance?
How to ruin brushes ahead of time
There are several true and very simple ways to “kill” wipers. The first is to use wipers on dry glass. Many people have at least once encountered a situation where the car windshield is dusty and the washer reservoir is dry. And it seems like the liquid is lying around somewhere in the trunk, water is available in the water supply, and filling it up is not a problem, but the driver is already late and decides to run the wipers dry. A couple of swipes and the glass is more or less clean. Yes, this oversight alone will not critically shorten the life of the brushes, but a dozen or two such manifestations of laziness - and the cleaning element comes to an end. In addition, when you run the wipers dry, you scratch the glass too.
The second method is also tied to driver laziness, but in its winter manifestation. Agree, you have more than once seen a car with icy glass, on which the windshield wipers scrape unsuccessfully. Over time, they will clean the windshield, but not at the cost of perseverance, but of the banal melting of ice. But the health of the “rubber bands” suffers greatly. A hand scraper will do this job much faster.
And one more important point. You can ruin not only the wipers, but also the windshield. If you trust the installation of brushes to sellers, be sure to check whether they have removed the protective plastic from the cleaning element. In our practice, there are cases where people simply forgot about these linings and seriously wiped the windshield.
Let's summarize. When choosing windshield wiper blades, you need to pay attention to their design and choose the one that best suits your preferences, do not miss the length and type of fastening, and also do not forget that they should be changed in a timely manner, otherwise you may find yourself in an extremely unpleasant situation on the road that could have been avoided , spending a little time and several thousand tenge.
What else to pay attention to
In addition to the design, there are two more parameters that you need to look at. The first is length. New brushes should be at least no shorter than those recommended for your car model. Otherwise, the view from the windshield will be noticeably worse, which is quite obvious. At the same time, nothing prevents you from installing the wipers a little longer. It should not be abused. If you go too far with the size, the brushes will touch each other or other body elements, and this is not only unpleasant, but also harmful.
The second parameter is the type of fastening. In most cases, the type of fastener can be specified. Almost all models of wipers come with a whole bunch of different adapters and adapters, so choosing the right one won’t be difficult. But this approach works for the time being and not with every car. There are leashes with very exotic fastening systems, for which a standard set of adapters is simply not suitable. Before purchasing wipers, pay attention to this.
Which brand of brushes to choose?
In pursuit of buyers, manufacturers of car brushes use non-standard technical solutions. Some are appreciated by drivers, others are accepted with skepticism. According to reviews from car owners, successful and inexpensive accessories are produced by the Alca brand from Germany. Its products occupy a leading position in the niche of medium and low-priced goods.
It, as experts note in their reviews, does not in any way affect the reliability or durability of the product. Due to the low cost, the manufacturer's car brushes are not counterfeited. The car owner buys an original product with a guarantee.
The remaining places in the ranking belong to the following companies:
Bosch (Germany).
The range of products is not limited to 2-3 models. From the brand you can choose an accessory of the required functionality and price. The company is famous for its flexible pricing policy, high quality products, and their safety.
Denso (Japan).
The company is among the first brands to release hybrid variants of devices. Its products are innovative and durable.
MegaPower (Germany).
Produces accessories for high performance vehicles. The company sells products in the mid-price segment. It is durable, reliable, but not supplemented with useful functions.
Trico (USA).
The manufacturer aims to sell devices that meet the requirements of car owners. Before releasing a part for sale, brand engineers analyze the shortcomings of competitors' products. Create an improved model.
Heyner (Germany).
The versatility of the products is the manufacturer’s motto. Its auto windshield wipers are suitable for most vehicles. They are not inferior in reliability and service life to competitor brushes.
When deciding which car brushes are better, one should not lose sight of the practicality of their manufacturer’s achievements. Professionals recommend evaluating all characteristics before placing an order. After all, safety depends on the quality of the accessory.
Sources
- https://life-with-cars.ru/ekspluatatsiya-avtomobilya/sovety-voditelej/shhetki-stekloochistitelej/
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tuning wiper blades
The market willingly offers various “tuning” brushes to improve the appearance of cars.
Pampering? The market willingly offers various “tuning” brushes to improve the appearance of cars. Pampering?
When to replace?
The Internet gives a lot of different recommendations: every six months, every year, before every winter or before every maintenance. It is more logical to trust common sense and a reasonable assessment of the real state of the “janitors”. Brushes should be changed when their performance has deteriorated (visibly noticeable to the eye), without waiting until it gets even worse. Especially if we are talking about the autumn-winter period with long twilight. Safety comes first, and it greatly depends on visibility.
