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Oct 03, 2023

Six tips to stop your windscreen wipers squeaking

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We’ve all experienced the annoyance of squeaky windscreen wiper blades, especially on a miserable and rainy day. However, with a few simple steps, you can tackle this problem and make your next commute a little less hellish.

Here are some tips to help you stop your windscreen wipers from squeaking:

Your wiper blades wipe off not only water but also grit, dust, and other particles that accumulate on your windscreen. This build-up can cause your wiper blades to squeak. Cleaning your wiper blades is an easy solution to tackle this problem.

You can use hot soapy water or isopropyl alcohol with a paper towel to wipe the blades, replacing the paper towel regularly until the blades are clean. An alternative is using alcohol wet wipes and leaving a pack of these in your car will come in handy for tackling squeaky wipers while on the road.

Cleaning your wiper blades is pointless if you don't clean your windscreen. Use ammonia-free glass cleaner and a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the windscreen, ensuring it is is smooth and free from dirt and grime.

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Make sure that you have enough washer fluid. A good washer fluid not only gets the dirt off better but also helps stop squeaking by acting as a lubricant.

Wiper blades are designed to trail after the wiper arm, switching sides as the arms move back and forth across the windscreen. The blades should never dig into the windscreen or drag across it vertically.

If they do, adjust the arms by gently twisting them so that the blade doesn't sit flat on the glass - but be gentle, only a small angle is needed and you don't want to break the arm.

New blades may be stiff and need time to bed in properly, while old blades can harden from exposure to the elements. If your blades are too stiff, you can soften them by putting some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and rubbing it along the blade. Which will also clean them!

If your blades are split, worn, or too stiff, then they need replacing. Replacing wiper blades is a straightforward process that involves releasing a small clip or tab at one end of the arm. You can then slide the old blade out and the new one back in.

It's important to not cheap out on new blades either, as low-quality aftermarket blades can sometimes be even noisier than worn good quality blades.

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