Ultimate Wiper Blades Buying Guide
Compared to other, more complex components of your car, such as the wheel hub assembly or oil filter, wiper blades are a relatively simple part. Or, at least, they're a car part people know all about. And in Canada, we use our wiper blades more often than drivers in more tropical climates.
They're not built to last, and it isn't uncommon to need to change wiper blades once or twice during the time you own a car.
At Parts Avenue, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help drivers understand wiper blades, how they work, and how to choose the right replacement online.
We'll cover:
- What are wiper blades?
- Key components within the wiper blade structure
- How do wiper blades work?
- Why do they matter?
- How to tell if your wiper blades need changing
- The types of wiper blades available online
- The best wiper blade brands and options
- How to choose the right wiper blades
- Frequently asked questions about wiper blade parts
What Are Wiper Blades?
Wiper blades are the thin, flexible strips that sweep across your windshield to remove water, snow, or debris. You'll find them attached to the wiper arms at the base of your windshield. Inside your car is the wiper lever, typically attached to the steering column.
In most cars, you push it up to activate the DC electric motor that powers the wiper blade and further up to increase the speed of the wiper blade movement. You would bring the lever down again to bring the blades back to their resting position. On some makes and models of cars, it's the opposite: you push the lever down to activate the motor and the motion of the wiper blades.
Every time they move back and forth across your windshield, the rubber or silicone edge should effectively clear your windshield, pushing away water and dirt to give you a clear view of the road ahead.
Sometimes, if your window is dry, dirty, and dusty, and debris is building up on the windscreen and obstructing your vision, you'll need to deploy the windshield washer fluid, most likely by pulling the same wiper blade lever inside your car towards you. If you're pulling the correct lever, you should hear a mechanical sound as the washer fluid gets sprayed onto the screen.
Every wiper blade is made up of three main parts:
- The frame or structure that holds the blade's shape.
- The rubber or silicone edge that makes contact with the glass.
- The connection fitting that locks the blade to the wiper arm.
Key Components Within the Wiper Blade Structure
Wiper linkage
The wiper linkage is made of a complex system of rods and levers sitting under your car's hood that help it move across your windshield. As the name suggests, it links the wiper arms to your vehicle and the windshield, turning the motion of the spinning motor into a sweeping one.
The wiper linkage is one of the most durable parts, often lasting up to 10 years or more. It's made of strong metals and specially engineered plastic, whereas the other materials on the wiper blade components are less durable plastic and rubber.
DC electric motor
Second to the actual blade, the motor is the most essential component of your wiper blades. Also located under the hood, you'll find the electric motor near the firewall, separating the engine and passenger footwell.
When activated, the motor produces a circular motion that the linkage mechanism turns into a back-and-forth movement.
At the core of the windshield wiper system is a DC electric motor, typically found under the hood near the firewall that separates the engine from the passenger area. This motor generates a circular motion that is transformed by a linkage mechanism into a back-and-forth movement. The motor is programmed to move at specific power ranges, typically three speeds.
Wiper motors are also rather durable, lasting for around 10 years or more.
Wiper arms
The wiper arm forms the rest of the wiper blade components and connects the wiper linkage to the blades. The left and right wiper arms are slightly different in design in terms of bend, down form, and overall length. Together, they create a bridge between the oscillating motion from the wiper linkage and the back-and-forth movement from the blade.
Wiper blade assembly
The wiper blade assembly is made of a frame or beam that provides structural support and distributes pressure across the blade. Each blade has a rubber wiping edge, also called a squeegee, that contacts the glass and removes water or debris by mechanical displacement.
Wiper blades also have a backing strip and tension rails to create the stiffness needed for the blade to conform to the windshield's contour without losing too much shape.
How Do Wiper Blades Work?
You can already see that a relatively simple component on the surface is more complex when you look at the parts.
For the wiper blades to work, the linkage and gear reduction system convert the rotational torque from the DC electric motor into the back-and-forth motion you're used to seeing from wiper blades on your windshield. It's through a process of changing the continuous motor rotation into oscillating movements using a crank and lever mechanism.
When the motor is activated and the force converted, the wiper arm applies a controlled downward force against the windshield using a spring-loaded hinge. With that, the rubber edge of the wiper blade maintains continuous contact with the glass surface, creating a hydrodynamic seal that clears the water with each sweeping motion.
More simply, you push the lever up and activate the motor, the wiper arm converts the spinning motion into a wiping one, and your windows become clear.
Why Do They Matter?
Fully functioning windshield wipers are a legal requirement in Canada as part of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Each district within Canada has its own regulations for this.
And more than the law, it's for your safety. If you live in an area like Vancouver, you'll experience 161 rainy days per year. And that's a good year.
You need to have a clear view of the road, especially at night when the bright lights of oncoming traffic are already restricting your vision. Broken or partially functioning windshield wipers and blades are a hazard to you and the people around you on the road.
Start your search today with Parts Avenue, the most-trusted car parts provider in Canada.
How to Tell if Your Wiper Blades Need Changing
It's quite easy to notice if your wiper blades need changing. Some of the common signs include:
- The wiper blade will drag across your windshield.
- Streaks and smears appear.
- Squeaking or chattering noises when the wiper blade is moving.
- Visible damage like cracks, tears, or a bent frame on the wiper blade.
It's recommended to change your wiper blades every 6 to 12 months, although we know many drivers don't do that. The actual lifespan of a wiper blade depends on how much you use it and at what speed.
The Types of Wiper Blades Available Online
Conventional
Conventional wiper blades are the oldest type of wiper blade technology.
They're designed with a spring-loaded metal frame that has multiple pivoting links keeping the rubber squeegee insert in place, made from graphite coating to reduce friction. Across the frame are also roughly 4 to 8 contact points that distribute the pressure so that contact with the windshield is even.
We'd say this design works the best on flat or curved windshields.
Beam
Sometimes called flat wiper blades, beam wiper blades are a one-piece, frameless blade instead of the multi-joint structure of conventional designs.
The tension required comes from the flexible steel beam spine within the rubber body. The rubber itself is typically made from a synthetic rubber or silicone with friction-reducing coatings. The slight curvature of the beam is designed to mirror the contour of the windshield, keeping the pressure continuous along the length of the blade.
Hybrid
Hybrid wiper blades are a type of wiper blade that combines some elements of beam and conventional bracket blades. They use a metal subframe to give it the rigidity it needs and a polymer shell or aerodynamic cover to cover it. That aerodynamic feature reduces drag and effectively prevents debris or ice buildup.
Hybrid wiper blades are often made from a high-grade synthetic or silicone rubber with advanced coatings to prevent friction damage.
Silicone
Silicone wiper blades are similar to beam-type wiper blades, but the wiping rubber is made from silicone instead of natural or synthetic rubber. They're specifically designed for a longer service life and enhanced hydrophobic performance.
With their design, they effectively resist the UV degradation that's common with conventional wiper blades, and they can withstand extreme temperatures.
Most silicone wiper blades are also paired with the same aerodynamic hybrid design to make the most premium product.
Rear Wiper Blades
Rear wiper blades are always smaller and use a beam or hybrid structure for compactness and reliability. They're specifically designed to withstand vertical mounting and reversed sweep angles, and they always last longer than front windshield wiper blades because they're not used as often.
Rear wiper blades still should be fully functioning as per Canadian law.
The Best Wiper Blade Brands and Options
At Parts Avenue, we sell the best wiper blade front kits for a range of different makes and models of cars. We only stock the most premium original equipment manufacturer-level parts from Top Quality and Flextreme.
Top Quality
Top Quality produces the wiper blades online that your car needs at an affordable price. They've recently released wiper blades with an exclusive improved flexible spine that gives maximum screen contact and an efficient clean.
They also use a premium blend of graphite-coated rubber blades and a bracketless design for better resistance against ice and snow buildup.
Flextreme
Flextreme is one of the best wiper blade brands. They are excellent because they fit on 98% of vehicles, so you don't necessarily need to worry if they will fit your motor. They also have a design without articulation to prevent ice and snow from accumulating.
The aerodynamic model also ensures constant pressure to prevent smudgy traces and prevent the wiper blade from rising.
How to Choose the Right Wiper Blades
Use our online fitment check tool.
At Parts Avenue, we've made it easy to buy wiper blades that will fit your car. All you need to do is put in the year, make, and model of your car, and it will tell you whether the wiper blade will fit.
You don't want to buy a blade that's too big or too small, as it may not fit the windshield properly.
Pick the design.
Conventional designs are fine, but we would recommend buying a hybrid or beam design because they're more efficient and last longer. Hybrid and beam designs will still fit most makes and models if you pick the one suitable for your car.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wiper Blade Parts
How often should wiper blades be replaced to maintain optimal visibility?
It's advised to change your wiper blades every 6-12 months, but if you rarely use them and they're in good condition, they can last longer.
What are the main differences between conventional, beam, hybrid, and silicone wiper blades?
The main differences are the material used and the shape. Conventional wiper blades still work well, but considering it's an inexpensive part, we'd recommend buying hybrid or silicone wiper blades.
How can I ensure the wiper blades I buy online are the correct fit for my vehicle?
You can use the Fitment Check tool on the Parts Avenue website or consult your car's driver's manual to find out what size wiper blade will fit your car.
At Parts Avenue, we have an excellent collection of wiper blades online suitable for a wide range of cars. If you need help understanding which wiper blade will fit your car or have any doubts, you can contact one of our team members at info@partsavenue.ca.
Start your search today with Parts Avenue, the most-trusted car parts provider in Canada.