Bosch – Ask The Expert

Squeaky wiper blades can be a real distraction while you’re driving, so you’ll likely want to find the cause quickly. There are several reasons why your wiper blades might start squeaking:

• If the blade you have isn’t the right specification for your vehicle, or hasn’t been fitted correctly, then the rubber may be catching awkwardly on the glass and making a squeaking sound.
• If the blade is fitted correctly, then there could be a problem with the wiper motor or mechanism which is causing the noise.
• If it’s not a mechanical fault, then perhaps the blade has been subject to excessive strain and has simply reached the end of its life.
• Finally, if you’ve had your windscreen replaced, then the contact pressure and angle of your blades may need to be adjusted to properly fit your new windscreen.

Smearing across your windscreen can be dangerous, significantly reducing your view of the road.

Most smearing occurs because of contaminated wipers, so routinely cleaning your blades is essential to keep them working at their best. Contaminates such as insects, resins, and pollen are the biggest culprits, so be sure to regularly give you blades a wipe with warm, soapy water, or an insect sponge if you have one.

Larger debris like leaves and dirt can also badly damage the rubber of your blades, so try to remove any of these larger objects by hand before using your wipers. Making sure your washer fluid reservoir is topped up with a dedicated screenwash should also help to reduce any smearing.

Clean and well-maintained wiper blades are important all year round, but especially during the winter. This is the hardest period for your wiper blades, as the cold and wet weather can dramatically reduce their lifespan if you don’t look after them.

To keep your blades in good condition, use a screenwash that’s suited to sub-zero temperatures, and never use your wiper blades on a frozen windscreen! To prevent the rubber blades from freezing to the glass overnight, you can simply lift your blades into their upright position or place a piece of foil or cardboard between the wiper blade and the windscreen.

While regular maintenance can prevent premature damage and keep your wiper blades working well, they will still need to be replaced regularly. Your blades endure road dirt and grime, the ever-changing weather, and constant contact with your windscreen, all of which will wear them down over time.

On average, you should look to replace your wiper blades at least once a year, but you may need to change them sooner if they become damaged or stop performing.

Since the colder months can be so harsh on them, a good time to replace your blades is before and after each winter season. That way, you get the full benefit of fresh, new blades to take on the colder months, and you can then replace them after the wear and tear of the season.

Figuring out the right size wiper blade can be confusing, but you can easily find the right ones for your vehicle with Halfords’ handy online tool. Just enter your vehicle registration number and you’ll see all the blades compatible with your make and model, including a range of Bosch wipers.

Alternatively, you can visit your local Halfords store to talk through your options with a colleague and see the range of Bosch wiper blades in stock.