The Importance of New Windshield Wipers Before Fall
Windshield wipers are easy to overlook—until you need them during a sudden downpour. After months of exposure to Virginia’s summer heat, UV rays, dirt, insects, and road debris, your wiper blades may not be ready for the changing conditions that come with fall.
Worn wipers can leave streaks, skip across the glass, or fail to clear water effectively, reducing your ability to see the road, pedestrians, signs, and other vehicles. Replacing worn windshield wipers before fall is a simple maintenance step that can make a noticeable difference in visibility.
At Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service, we recommend making wiper blades part of your seasonal vehicle check as Virginia transitions from summer into fall. We have multiple shop locations throughout central Virginia, including two in Ashland at 106 Junction Drive Ashland, VA 23005 and 10383 Leadbetter Road Ashland, VA 23005, two in Midlothian at 11201 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235 and 13937 Hull Street Rd N, Midlothian, VA 23112, and one in Fredericksburg at 9407 Onyx Court Fredericksburg, VA 22407.
How Do You Know When Windshield Wipers Need Replacing?
Wiper blades don’t always fail all at once. Rubber gradually deteriorates, and performance often gets worse over time.
Your Wipers Leave Streaks or Miss Areas
A properly functioning blade should make consistent contact with the windshield and clear water with each pass. If you’re seeing streaks, patches of water, or hazy areas after using the wipers, the blade may be worn or damaged.
This can become particularly noticeable when driving at night. Water and streaks on the windshield can scatter light from headlights and streetlights, making it more difficult to see clearly.
Your Wipers Chatter, Skip, or Squeak
Wipers that chatter or skip across the windshield may have hardened, cracked, or damaged rubber. You may also notice squeaking even when there’s enough moisture on the glass.
Virginia’s summer heat and sun can be hard on rubber components, including wiper blades. By September, blades that worked adequately in spring may no longer provide a clean, smooth wipe.
Inspect the rubber for cracking, splitting, or separation. If the blade is visibly damaged or no longer making even contact with the glass, replacement is a better option than waiting for performance to deteriorate further.
Why Check Your Wipers Before Virginia’s Fall Weather?
Better Visibility for Rain, Leaves, and Shorter Days
Fall creates a different set of driving conditions. Days become shorter, rain can reduce visibility, and wet leaves can make roads more challenging. A dirty windshield combined with worn wipers can make those conditions even harder to navigate.
Don’t forget the windshield washer system, either. Make sure the reservoir contains washer fluid and verify that the spray nozzles work properly. A good set of wipers isn’t much help if you can’t clean dirt and road grime from the windshield when needed.
Fall is also an ideal time to look beyond your wipers. Check your headlights and exterior lights, tire pressure and tread, battery, brakes, fluids, belts, and hoses. If your vehicle is approaching a recommended service interval, Ferber’s provides factory-scheduled maintenance to help keep important maintenance items on schedule.
Virginia drivers should also remember that windshield wipers are among the items evaluated during the state’s annual safety inspection. Ferber’s provides Virginia State Inspections at our authorized inspection locations.
If your wipers are streaking, skipping, squeaking, or simply haven’t been replaced in a while, don’t wait until the next heavy rain to discover they aren’t doing their job.
Contact Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service in Ashland at 804-550-2886, or (804) 550-3535, in Midlothian at (804) 665-9500, or (804) 601-1110, and in Fredericksburg at (540) 898-8324 for your fall vehicle maintenance needs.
A fresh set of windshield wipers is a relatively small maintenance item, but when Virginia’s fall weather arrives, having a clear view of the road can make a significant difference.