Many of us don’t give a thought to our windshield wipers until they’re well past the point where they need to be replaced. You might think they’re working well enough, and tell yourself you’ll change them one day. But you may not know that in addition to being dangerous, cracked and broken wiper blades can permanently scratch the glass of the windshield.

Just like other systems in your car, windshield wipers need to be inspected and replaced regularly, ideally every six months. Make it a point to clean your wipers periodically by wiping the blades with a wet towel to remove the dirt and debris that may have accumulated.

Many factors can damage the soft rubber of your car’s wiper blades, including extreme weather and dirt. Look for any cracks or areas that are worn or seem hardened. You can also check for corrosion on any of the wiper parts.

This is also a good time to check the wiper fluid. Inspect the level and add more fluid if needed. Check the spray nozzles to make sure they’re working and spraying evenly. If there’s a problem, you can try gently wiping the nozzle to see if it’s being blocked by dirt.

Some of the signs that you need new windshield wipers include a skipping motion in the wiper’s movements, a squeaking sound when you use the wipers, streaks or smears on the windshield, and poor visibility while using the wipers.

When it’s time to replace your wipers, you have a few choices. You can buy a new pair at Walmart or an auto parts store, but we don’t recommend going this route. You’ll want to buy wipers that were designed for your car. The best place to do that is at a dealership like Knudtsen Chevrolet. We can recommend and install the right wipers for your vehicle. You don’t want to get a cheap pair of wiper blades you’ve installed yourself only to have them fail to work properly in the middle of a storm.

Visit the Knudtsen Chevrolet Service Center to have your windshield wipers inspected or replaced. We’re located at 1900 E. Polston Ave. in Post Falls, Idaho. We’re easy to reach, right off I-80, with convenient hours to accommodate your busy schedule.

Call us at 877-310-0364 to schedule a windshield wiper inspection or for any maintenance and repair issues. One of our service representatives will be glad to help. Or use the Schedule Service page on our website and schedule your visit online. We look forward to helping you soon!