Automobiles are manufactured with a windshield to protect drivers and passengers, especially when driving at high speed. The windshield is designed to protect the driver and passengers by receiving all the dirt and contaminants that fly around.
Meanwhile, the windshield wipers help to clear off dirt, water, etc., from the vehicle’s windshield. However, squeaky windshield wipers can become a challenge you will have to deal with overtime.
This article unveils the common causes of squeaking sound in a vehicle’s windshield wipers and how to solve the problem.
What Causes Squeaky In My Car Windshield Wipers
There are a few reasons why your car’s windshield wipers produce a squeaking sound each time you engage them on the road. The sound is usually unpleasant, especially when you desire a quiet atmosphere as you cruise around town.
The following are various reasons why your car’s windshield wipers squeak, as well as the remedy to the situations. So, if you were wondering how to get rid of squeaking windshield wipers, pay attention to the following causes and solutions.
Accumulation of dirt and other contaminants
As you drive on the road, the wind lifts dirt, dust, sand, and other contaminants across your way. The windshield’s responsibility is to trap those dirt, dust, sand, or contaminants and wipe them off with the wipers.
However, some of the dirt or contaminants stick to the wipers, resulting in a squeaking noise over time. The solution to this challenge is to thoroughly clean your car’s windshield wipers with warm, soapy water. Then wipe the windshield wipers’ blades with rubbing alcohol.
Defective installation of windshield wipers
If the installation of your car’s windshield wipers is defective, you will necessarily experience a squeaky sound.
A common example of defective installation is when the wiper assembly is wrongly positioned in such a way that allows airflow between the car’s windshield and its wiper blades. In this, you need to uninstall and reinstall the windshield wiper assembly.
Over usage of windshield wipers
Windshield wipers become brittle over time due to over-usage. When this happens, you will constantly hear a squeaky sound each time you engage the wipers to clear off the water, dust, etc.
If you discover that your vehicle’s windshield wipers are old, kindly replace them as soon as possible. This will automatically stop the squeaky noise immediately.
Factory defects
This is a rare issue. However, manufacturers may produce windshield wipers with some defects due to mass production errors. So, if you are wondering, “Why do my brand new wiper blades squeak?” This is the issue.
When mass production defects occur, users may end up buying defective windshield wipers and start to experience a squeaky sound from day one or after some time.
If you find out that the problem is due to the manufacturer’s defects, kindly return the wipers (especially if they have a warranty). Otherwise, you may need to get a new set of wipers.
FAQs
Q: How do I stop my windshield wiper blades from squeaking?
One of the most effective ways to stop your car’s windshield wiper from squeaking is too often clean the blades on the windshield wiper with cotton cloth and vinegar.
Wiping your car’s windshield wipers with vinegar will help prevent the accumulation of dust and other contaminants that can cause it to squeak over time.
The cleaning process is pretty straightforward. Get a neat cotton cloth and dip it in the vinegar and wipe the blades once over. After that, you are good to go. Alternatively, you can wipe the blades using a neat cotton cloth and baking soda–water mixture.
Q: How do you lubricate windshield wipers?
Lubricating windshield wipers blades is one way to prevent them from squeaking. Since the blades are usually made from rubber, it is important to use lubricants that are compatible with rubber without causing any damage.
Kindly note that you need a specialized silicone spray to lubricate your car’s windshield wipers. WD-40 specialist water-resistant silicone lubricant will do a great job in lubricating your car’s windshield wipers.
If you are asking, “How do you lubricate windshield wipers?” The following procedure will help you get it done perfectly:
- Get a WD-40 specialist silicone spray.
- Shake the spray very well.
- Apply a sufficient quantity of the spray on a cotton cloth
- Wipe the windshield wipers blades gently.
- Apply some of the sprays on the windshield wipers hinge and allow them to dry for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Get a bottle of Rain-X and spray some on the car wheel screen where the windshield wiper sits.
Once you finish the process above, go ahead and fix the windshield wipers in place and test to see how effective it works.
Q: Why do my windshield wipers squeak so loud?
The major reason your car’s windshield wipers squeak so loud is because of accumulated dirt (dust and contaminants). Different contaminants find their way into a car’s windshield wipers while on the road.
These tiny particles of sand, dirt, or road salt can make the car’s windshield wipers squeak so loud. The solution to this challenge is to thoroughly wipe the windshield wipers with vinegar and a clean cotton cloth.
You can also get the wipers off and wash them thoroughly. Then, fix them back in place. Also, lubricating the windshield wipers can help eradicate the loud noise.
Q: How do I soften the rubber on my windshield wipers?
If you are contemplating how to soften wiper blades, petroleum jelly will do the job perfectly. Simply get some petroleum jelly and a neat cotton cloth.
Dip the cloth into the petroleum jelly; then use it to wipe across the windshield wiper rubbers. However, you must lift the wipers from the windshield before wiping the rubbers on the blade.
Ensure that you have sufficient petroleum jelly on the cloth as you wipe the rubber on the windshield wiper blades. This will allow the petroleum jelly to soak deeply into each of the rubbers. After that, allow the jelly to dry up within 10 to 15 minutes.
Q: How do you stop rubber from squeaking?
If your car’s rubber bushing is squeaking, the remedy is to get AT 205 Reseal. The product is a liquid that rejuvenates the rubber components in a car. Pour the AT 205 Reseal in an old spray bottle and identify your car’s bushings with rubber in its component.
Locate the torsion arm bushing, frame bushing, and strut mount bushings which include rubbers, and spray them thoroughly. The AT 205 Reseal will soak into the rubbers and rejuvenate them. Thereafter, the squeaking sound will disappear completely.
Q: What is the best thing to clean windshield wipers with?
The best thing you can use to clean a car’s windshield wipers is warm, soapy water. The warm water and soap mixture will automatically eradicate all the dirt or contaminants on the windshield wipers.
After that, you can wipe the windshield wiper blades with rubbing alcohol. Kindly get a neat cotton cloth, dip it into the rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe the windshield wiper blades. Immediately you conclude the cleaning process, kindly put the wipers back in place.
How to Make Windshield Wipers Stop Squeaking YouTube
Final Words
You’ve learned that you may have to deal with the issue of squeaky windshield wipers at least once in your car’s lifespan. Some of the causes of the problem and their respective solutions have been explained above in this article.
Now that you understand the common causes of a squeaking noise from a vehicle’s windshield wipers, it would be helpful if you cleaned the wipers regularly. You may also have to lubricate them once in a while.
Meanwhile, the windshield wipers have a lifespan irrespective of the preventive measures. Once they reach their lifespan, it would be best to replace them in order to avoid the disturbance of a constant squeaking noise.
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