It's good to have the best in life, especially when it comes to wiper blades. A set of good windshield wipers make seeing the road ahead easy, even in a downpour. That's because your blades are optimally designed to remove water and debris from your windshield to give you crystal-clear visibility in any driving conditions. These wipers are built to last with heavy-duty materials, so you can spend less time changing them out and rest easy knowing you can keep your windshield clean.
How Do Wiper Blades Work?
If you are wondering, "How do wiper blades work?", then you should look into their materials and designs. You will notice three different types of wiper blades most commonly: conventional, beam, and hybrid blades. We would like to discuss their differences and how they work so you can pick the one that appeals to you.
Conventional wipers stick to the tried-and-true rubber blades on a metal frame, so they will work for most situations. However, beam blades are made out of only rubber so they can do a better job of bending around the windshield. As for the hybrid blade, it functions similarly to the beam blade, but it has a metal frame that makes it more versatile.
Each of these blades will function differently, so you can review the different types of connectors available to help you to pick something that will work for you. You can choose between hook style, clamp style, and pin style blades for your connectors.
Types of Wiper Blades
You will need to make a note of the different types of wiper blades that we offer at AutoZone so you can find one that will work for your vehicle. For example, the wiper blades will be made out of different materials or design so you will need to consider your options to find one that you like.
- Conventional wiper blades were the most common blades for many years, featuring a rubber blade attached to a metal frame. They are pretty affordable, and they are typically replaced every six months.
- Beam wiper blades are built from a solid piece of rubber meaning they can better wrap around your windshield's curvature. They cost more than traditional blades, but are more efficient at keeping your windshield clean and they last about twice as long.
- Hybrid wiper blades look a lot like beam blades at first glance, but feature a metal frame that is coated with rubber to provide similar all weather performance.
Among these three styles, there are even more variations with how the blade connects to the wiper arm. The three types of wiper blade connectors:
- Hook style blades or U shapes feature a rotating hook that wraps around a rounded end of the wiper arm.
- Clamp style blades have an opening that the arm is inserted into and clamps on the side to hold them in place.
- Pin style blades have a horizontal hole in the middle where a pin on the arm goes through to hold the wiper in place.
Signs of a Bad Windshield Wiper Blade
Driving without resilient and long-lasting wiper blades is detrimental to your windshield. There are many tell-tale signs that your faulty blades must be replaced immediately. Hardened or broken rubber causes streaks as the blades scrape against the windshield. If you see a flimsy mist after wiping, there might be rubbish or oil embedded on the rubber.
Make sure you inspect your blades and look for gashes, scruffy edges, or blemishes on the rubber. Don't forget to check your rear wipers. You should also observe your blades' wipe pattern. If you see a series of streaks, that indicates the rubber has bent too far. A defective blade also creates screeching, whacking or throbbing sounds when in use.
No matter what kind your vehicle uses, we can show you how to replace your wiper blades with our step-by-step guide.
Buy Windshield Wiper Blades that Fit Your Make and Model
Wondering which blades fit your vehicle? Let AutoZone handle it, we make finding the right parts easy. Just enter your year, make, model, and engine up above and we'll show you parts designed to give your car maximum visibility when it's raining or snowing.
Our wiper blades hold up to water, rubble, salt, and sleet, resulting in a streak-free windshield. We have everything you need when it's time to replace your wiper blades, and we feature products from brands like Bosch, Duralast, and Rain X.
So, whether you're searching for the best wiper blades for Honda Accord sedans or a pair of Altima wiper blades, you're certain to find the perfect match for your daily driver when you check out our wide variety. We have everything you need to save on your wiper blade replacement by doing it yourself. Stop by your local store and ask our staff for advice about replacing your blades or order online from AutoZone today.