Original equipment wiper blade manufacturer, TRICO, is urging workshops to offer free wiper blade checks and says now is an opportune time to promote greater wiper awareness.

With darker evenings upon us, TRICO says wiper blades are an excellent and profitable consumable for both factors and workshops to focus on.  This is especially relevant as following a bright summer many wipers will have damaged rubber due to UV rays.

To assist, TRICO is suggesting that workshops offer a free winter wiper blade check and has compiled a helpful checklist that they can use to assess the blade’s condition and identify if it needs replacing:

Clean screen
Ensure the windscreen is thoroughly cleaned using warm water or specialist glass cleaning fluid. In particular pay attention to the areas at the top and bottom of the wipe area, as dirt and debris collect there. Also check the glass for any cracks or chips, these are a safety hazard in their own right, but can also damage the wiper blade rubber.

Safe and secure fitment
Check the blade is securely fixed to the arm. The blade should rotate freely, parallel with the wiper arm, to allow it to flex over the screen, but there should be no wobbling or movement perpendicular to the arm. This movement can be a sign of wear from the blades flipping over and could eventually cause the blades to come apart during use. Naturally, if the blade shows excessive movement it should be replaced immediately.

Blade edge check
Gently clean the rubber blade edge with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any dirt or residue. Check along its length for any imperfections in the rubber, in particular check at either end that it has not split. Ensure that the rubber element returns to a central position and is not flipped over and set in one direction. If the blade fails any of these checks, it should be replaced.

As blades are not only affected by rain and snow, but also the UV rays from the sun, TRICO recommends that wiper blades are replaced every twelve months to ensure maximum effectiveness and visibility.

Wipe check
Using the washer spray or a mister bottle to spray the glass, operate the wipers and check that there are no missed areas, water smears or multiple streaks that impair vision. Any light misting remaining after the wipe should disappear quickly. Naturally, blades that leave streaks or smears should be replaced immediately.