When cars were first made, they had no windshield wipers and drivers had to get out to clean out the windshield be it when it was raining or snowing. But on one snowy day, Mary Anderson saw that was an issue since her driver came out to clean the window regularly.
This gave her the idea of a device that could do the cleaning automatically and thus the first windshield wipers were born which weren't accepted at first. It wasn't until a decade after that manufacturers started adding wipers as standard equipment. From 1916 till now this simple device has evolved quite a bit as now there are different versions of it.
This gave her the idea of a device that could do the cleaning automatically and thus the first windshield wipers were born which weren't accepted at first. It wasn't until a decade after that manufacturers started adding wipers as standard equipment. From 1916 till now this simple device has evolved quite a bit as now there are different versions of it.
Types of Wipers
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| Source: instagram.com/trapomalaysia |
Standard
A conventional or standard wiper blade is one that has been around for the longest and looks much like a coat hanger. Most vehicles come with standard car wipers for sale since they are affordable and pretty simple when it comes to replacement. A conventional car wiper in Singapore is widely available and you'll find it in almost every auto accessories store.
Flat
What is quickly becoming the norm on newer vehicles is the use of flat wipers. These are often called retrofit wipers and are made without that coat hanger shape to them. This makes them able to lay flat on the windscreen as tension is put on the blade so it stays in contact with the surface across the whole movement. This design also helps reduce wind noise.
Hybrid
A hybrid wiper blade makes for the most aerodynamic solution since it has a shape that is between a flat and a standard wiper. It utilises the construction of a standard wiper and the blade of a flat wiper. This makes for an even better contact with the glass and a quieter ride. Of course, a hybrid windscreen wiper comes at a much higher cost than both a flat and conventional wiper.
Spoiler
If you buy spoiler car wipers you essentially get wipers with a small spoiler along the length of the blade. This may look more for aesthetic appeal than anything but, in fact, it serves a purpose. The spoiler is what keeps the blade in contact with the glass at higher speeds since the air hits the wiper in a way that makes the blade move closer to the windscreen.
What to Look for in Wiper Blades
Source: freepik.com
Compatibility
The first factor you should consider when searching for a car wiper in Singapore is its compatibility with your vehicle's wiper arm. There are various different designs such as J-hook, top-lock, Bayonet, pinch-tab and more. If the wiper is not compatible with it you won't be able to install it.
Material
There are two different materials you can choose from when it comes to the blade itself and those are rubber and silicone. Rubber is the more common material which is more affordable and makes for a fairly good contact but it doesn't last that long. Silicone blades are much more durable and they can withstand UV radiation a lot better which means they won't crack or leave streaks even after a long time.
When To Replace Wiper Blades
Source: freepik.com
Noise
When you do have wipers that need to be replaced you will hear them scrapping along the windscreen and it will be quite abrupt. This usually happens when the windscreen is dry.
Damage
Damaged wiper blades are ones that are cracked or deformed. These may not necessarily make noise but they can fly out of the wiper and flap around the windscreen.
Streaks
The most indicative sign of all and the earliest symptoms of bad wiper blades are streaks left on the windscreen be it when raining or on a hot summer day. Replacing blades at this stage means less damage on the surface of the windscreen.
Installing New Wiper Blades
Removal
1. Removing a wiper blade starts by first lifting the wiper arm up and away from the windscreen so that you prevent damaging it while replacing the blade. First, you need to remove the old blade which is done by unlatching the blade from the wiper.
2. This is done in many different ways depending on the locking mechanism of the wiper. Make sure to check out the car wipers for sale on your car before you start taking the blade out.
Installation
1. Once the blade is removed put the new one in and secure it in place with the mechanism. Ensure that the blade is aligned properly in there so that when the wiper arm is put down onto the windscreen it doesn't obstruct anything.
2. The blade shouldn't come in contact with the other wiper arm or the side of the windscreen or scuttle panel. The last bit may also signify that you have a longer blade than usual. Once on the windscreen, test out the new wipers and see if they do well.
Spoiler
If you buy spoiler car wipers you essentially get wipers with a small spoiler along the length of the blade. This may look more for aesthetic appeal than anything but, in fact, it serves a purpose. The spoiler is what keeps the blade in contact with the glass at higher speeds since the air hits the wiper in a way that makes the blade move closer to the windscreen.
What to Look for in Wiper Blades
 |
| Source: freepik.com |
Compatibility
The first factor you should consider when searching for a car wiper in Singapore is its compatibility with your vehicle's wiper arm. There are various different designs such as J-hook, top-lock, Bayonet, pinch-tab and more. If the wiper is not compatible with it you won't be able to install it.
Material
There are two different materials you can choose from when it comes to the blade itself and those are rubber and silicone. Rubber is the more common material which is more affordable and makes for a fairly good contact but it doesn't last that long. Silicone blades are much more durable and they can withstand UV radiation a lot better which means they won't crack or leave streaks even after a long time.
When To Replace Wiper Blades
 |
| Source: freepik.com |
Noise
When you do have wipers that need to be replaced you will hear them scrapping along the windscreen and it will be quite abrupt. This usually happens when the windscreen is dry.
Damage
Damaged wiper blades are ones that are cracked or deformed. These may not necessarily make noise but they can fly out of the wiper and flap around the windscreen.
Streaks
The most indicative sign of all and the earliest symptoms of bad wiper blades are streaks left on the windscreen be it when raining or on a hot summer day. Replacing blades at this stage means less damage on the surface of the windscreen.
Installing New Wiper Blades
Removal
1. Removing a wiper blade starts by first lifting the wiper arm up and away from the windscreen so that you prevent damaging it while replacing the blade. First, you need to remove the old blade which is done by unlatching the blade from the wiper.
2. This is done in many different ways depending on the locking mechanism of the wiper. Make sure to check out the car wipers for sale on your car before you start taking the blade out.
Installation
1. Once the blade is removed put the new one in and secure it in place with the mechanism. Ensure that the blade is aligned properly in there so that when the wiper arm is put down onto the windscreen it doesn't obstruct anything.
2. The blade shouldn't come in contact with the other wiper arm or the side of the windscreen or scuttle panel. The last bit may also signify that you have a longer blade than usual. Once on the windscreen, test out the new wipers and see if they do well.
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