Today's Pet Peeve 1 Feb 09 (cost, famous, commercial, check)

[AliceT]

Windshield Wipers. Why can't there be a gauge or warning light to indicate when the wipers need to be replaced? Why do we have to have our vision impaired during a rain storm or blizzard because the wipers went from *fine the last time they were used* to *beyond repair*?

[Northwoods Voyager]

Thank you Alice...I had this 'problem' about a week ago when we had freezing rain. Wipers have always functioned properly until that day! I even pulled over to wipe the wipers. They appeared unencumbered. However, still had a spot where the wipers refused to wipe as promised.

Now they worked perfectly during a light rain. Go figure....

[elizamary]

Oh what a pain in the butt especially when there is salt on the roads.........Lord.

And it is usually the one on the passengers side that works great but the drivers wipers stink.

[aiangel_writer]

I agree, had problems with mine so last time it was serviced, told them to install new wipers, guess what?????? yup, these are not good either, am thinking now it must be the windshield!

[2goldens]

Originally Posted by elizamary

And it is usually the one on the passengers side that works great but the drivers wipers stink.

I thought it was just me! Is there a prevention program, maybe oil the wipers on a hot day?

[115db]

I guess many of us dont really count on rain sometimes, especially when I lived back in Az, so wipers werent as needed. But lo and behold, somehow, somewhere it rains and you realize 'thats what I needed to do, replace these blades'! And its not like you can put it off too long, the bare metal can scratch your windshield and end up costing even more in te longrun. Arrrrgh!

[Clay Lady]

Maybe they can make the wiper blades change color when they need to be replaced!

[GloryB]

the bare metal can scratch your windshield

I only had to go through THAT fiasco once!

This is when I decided to replace them each time I have my oil changed even if they seem to be working okay. It isn't really expensive and it keeps me from having to worry about it during all of Florida's famous rainy days.

[nitram]

Just remember that wiper blades are made of rubberized material and that each day in the sun dries them more and more until they completely dry up and crack and maybe do some serious damage.
Replace them at least every 2 years, in horrible conditions repalce them yearly for safety's sake.
And check them often like you should be doing with the air in your tires and motoroil in your engine.

[Crew Chief]

Yep, that's definitely a pet peeve for me, too! I know that plenty of people swear by Rain-X and other products that make rain bead up on your windshield. I had some commercially-applied stuff put on my windshield at a place that sell truck accessories and it seems to work real well. (especially with new wiper blades on a new pickup. I think I'll have wiper blades installed at every other oil change, just so I'll have fresh ones.