Wiper blades have the very straightforward responsibility of removing water, snow, and anything else obstructing your view of the road. They typically operate silently, though sounds like squeaking can occur and signal that there’s a problem.
You can make your windscreen wipers stop squeaking by wetting the windshield before turning them on. Besides that, cleaning the windshield and wipers thoroughly and removing all dust and debris on them also helps. Lastly, replace old or damaged with new ones and ensure that they’re adjusted correctly on your windshield to use them without any noise.
Read through this guide as it starts off by explaining whyyou’re hearing your wipers squeak when they shouldn’t.. Then, you’ll know which solution to apply, all of which are also shared in this article.
Let’s get started!
Why Are My Windshield Wipers Squeaking?
Firstly, let’s get to the core of the problem by understanding why your windshield wipers squeak when you use them. By right, they should glide over your windscreen, barely making any noise. So, squeaking is a clear-cut sign that there’s a problem that you should not ignore.
Windshield wipers typically squeak for one of the following reasons:
- The windshield is dry: Firstly, you must understand that windshield wipers can only work correctly when the windshield is wet. So, turning using them while there’s no moisture on the windscreen is almost guaranteed to cause squeaking.
- The wiper blades are dirty: Wiper blades are designed to remove dirt and water from your windshield to maximize visibility. However, dirt and debris from the road can get trapped between the blade and the windshield, causing friction and, therefore, noise.
- The wiper blades are old: Wiper blades, like most of your car’s components, wear out with time. After 6 months to a year, the blades will wear out. They’ll fail to glide without resistance over your windscreen and create squeaking noise, among others.
- The wiper blades are wrong or misaligned: Not all wiper blades are made the same. Instead, each type is designed to be compatible with specific car makes and models. Using the wrong ones on your car will, by default, make them misaligned and prevent them from gliding smoothly over your windscreen. As a result, they’ll squeak.
From the list above, it’s easy to see that there are many reasons why your windshield wipers are squeaking. Plus, it’s not always the wiper blade’s fault. So, don’t go out and immediately buy new wiper blades when you hear them squeak.
With a bit of troubleshooting, you can resolve the issue without spending any money.
Read: Honda CR-V Grinding Noise When Turning
How Do You Stop Windshield Wipers From Squeaking?
Knowing why your windshield wipers are squeaking is only half the battle. Now, it’s time to figure out how to stop them from making that noise.
More importantly, it’s also crucial for you to know how to prevent those noises from coming back again.
Here are some of the most effective solutions for eliminating and preventing the squeaking noises from your windshield wipers:
1. Ensure That Your Windshield Is Wet
First, you must always check and see that your windshield is wet when you use your wipers. So if it’s not raining out, you can splash some water on the windscreen before triggering the wipers.
Of course, that’s not a practical way to do things if you’re driving on the road. That’s why all cars have a feature enabling you to spray wiper fluid on your windscreen.
The precise steps differ between car brands and models. Still, it generally involves pulling or pushing the wiper lever or twisting its knob to make that happen.
You can refer to your car owner’s manual to learn which steps apply to your car’s make and model.
Read: Why Car Overheats?
2. Wash Your Windshield
Earlier, you read that one possible cause for your wiper blades squeaking is your windshield is covered with dirt and debris. That mess will cause friction when the wiper blade moves, resulting in a squeaking noise.
That’s why another effective solution is to take your car to the car wash or clean it in your driveway . That simple task which a lot of people neglect will get rid of all the dirt and debris causing this problem and eliminate the squeaking noise.
Of course, you should wash your windshield regularly, especially if you drive on dusty routes often. Doing so will prevent your wipers from squeaking in the future.
Read: Why Car Windows Fog Up?
3. Clean Your Wiper Blades Thoroughly
The first two methods above are effective if the root cause of the squeaking isn’t the wipers themselves. Now, let’s look at how you can stop the noise if the wipers are to blame.
Firstly, you’ll want to clean your wiper blades thoroughly. Detaching them from their wiper arms will allow you to inspect each blade closely and clean them more effectively.
Then, once you’re confident that they are free from any dirt and debris, you can reattach them to the wiper arms.
Always remember to test them a few times after reattaching those wipers. That way, you can ensure that the noise is gone instead of experiencing them again the next time you drive.
4. Reattach And Readjust Your Wipers
Squeaking and other noises can also happen when your wiper blades aren’t installed or aligned correctly.
So once you’ve ruled out all the other causes and solutions, remove your wipers from the wiper arms. Then, carefully follow instructions to reinstall and readjust them correctly.
Those instructions are likely in your car owner’s manual or in the wiper blade’s packaging.
Another great solution is to browse Youtube for instructional videos that apply to your particular type of wiper blade or your car’s model.
You’d be surprised at how many informative and specific videos like that are available online if you tried looking.
Read: How Much Is an Inspection for a Car?
How Do You Know When To Replace Your Windshield Wipers?
After you rule out all the causes and solutions listed above, it’s time to consider replacing your windshield wipers. They’re likely worn out, so the rubber no longer glides smoothly over your windshield. The friction it generates is the source of that squeaking noise.
You should replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months. However, you’ll want to do it more frequently if your wipers often experience extreme temperatures.
For example, the windshield wiper’s material degrades faster in the scorching hot sun. Plus, it’s less efficient when temperatures are extremely low outside, too.
Aside from squeaking and the lifespan of your wipers, here are a few other signs that you need to change them quickly:
- Broken rubber on the wipers
- Streaks or film being left on the windshield after using them
- Any other physical signs of damage on the wiper blades
Remember: never assume that replacing your windshield wipers is something you should delay. Those wipers exist to keep your windshield clear and maximize your visibility on the road.
In other words, windshield wipers are indirectly related to keeping you and your passengers safe while driving.
Read: How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Windshield Without Insurance?
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s important to remember that windshield wipers shouldn’t make any noise when you use them. But, of course, that’s assuming that the windshield is wet in the first place.
Never take your wipers lightly, even though they seem less important than other car parts. Those small parts will ensure you can see where you’re going at all times, even when it’s raining or snowing. So, invest in high-quality wipers, clean them when they squeak and replace them when necessary.
