Driver safety on the road depends on many factors - every detail of the car and the reliability of all its components are important. The good quality of such an accessory as car wipers is an additional guarantee that there will be little threat to the safe movement of the vehicle. In particular, we are talking about weather factors, because high humidity, rain or snow on the windshield can negatively affect the visibility of the road while driving.
Below we will try to briefly and clearly explain how to choose wipers for a car, highlight their advantages and disadvantages, and select the most important parameters for consideration. Let us immediately note that the common advantage of all types of wipers is their affordability. Therefore, even if one or another type of this accessory does not meet your expectations, you can safely replace it with any of the alternative options.
Types of wipers for cars and their characteristics
We have familiarized ourselves with the names of all existing types of windshield wiper blades; it remains to find out the pros and cons of each of them. Many car enthusiasts will confirm that the most common are frame windshield wipers on cars. At a minimum, this can be explained by the fact that cars come off the production line with just such windshield wiper blades. Manufacturers equip cars with frame wipers not only because of their versatility, but also because of their low cost. The design of this type of windshield wiper blades includes the following components:
- metal carcass;
- connecting elements;
- cleaning rubber band.
It is the last component that is subject to rapid wear. But if the rubber band itself can be easily and without consequences changed, then in the event of a malfunction of the “rocker arms” - the movable elements of the metal frame that ensure a tight fit of the wiper to the glass - a complete replacement of the accessory is recommended. And yet, what is the most important thing to consider when choosing wipers for a car? We will try to gradually and objectively understand this issue.
Choosing wipers
There are parameters by which you can choose the best windshield wipers with brushes. Many drivers are familiar with the fact that wipers only clean a certain area of their working area. This is due to the loose fit of the rubber band to the glass due to wear of the rubber bands or deformation of the frame.
To clean the windshield, only one long wiper, or two, or three, can be installed, as well as one wiper on the rear window.
The service life of windshield wipers is affected by the quality of the rubber of the blades. If the rubber bands are too soft, then when cleaning the dirt stuck to the glass, the rubber bands will tear. If the rubber bands are made of hard rubber, they will be wear-resistant, but they may not fit tightly to the glass. Therefore, the main correct choice depends on the optimal choice of brushes.
The optimal brush material is silicone. Silicone brushes are more expensive, but they also have a longer service life. There are special brushes for winter, designed to work in cool weather.
The length of the wipers should be selected according to the dimensions specified in the vehicle's operating manual.
Typically, the driver's side has a longer wiper blade. If you want to buy wipers longer than they were installed, you should take into account that they can touch the rubber seal of the windshield and also touch each other.
Depending on the makes and models of cars, wipers are attached differently. There are the following mounting methods:
- Hook (Hook or J-Hook).
- Push button.
- Side pin.
- Side clamp (Pinch tab).
- Side mounting.
- Bayonet arm.
Advantages and disadvantages of frame wiper blades
As already mentioned, if the rubber band is worn out, it is not necessary to replace the wipers with new ones; it is enough to buy this one component and continue to use the accessory, keeping the windshield clean. This is very profitable and convenient, and therefore is the main advantage of frame wipers, but let us remind you that the average lifespan of such an accessory should not exceed one year. Additional advantages of this type of wiper blades include the following:
- as such, replacing the cleaning tape (“rubber band”) is a very simple and quick process that does not require additional waste of money or time. You can do this yourself, even if you are a beginner. The new part is adjusted to the size of the old one using scissors or a knife, threaded into the rocker arm mounts and fixed with steel plates;
- As for the mentioned plates and the entire frame as a whole, the steel from which this element is made is very strong and durable. It is impossible to accidentally damage frame wipers;
- the presence of plastic covers on the rocker arms, providing additional protection from contamination. Thanks to them, moisture and dirt do not enter the hinges. But be careful, not all models of frame brushes are equipped with such parts;
- accessibility in every sense. Not only the budget, but also the prevalence of this type of wipers allows you to easily find and buy a new accessory at any point of sale of auto parts.
Of course, these car windshield wiper blades have their drawbacks and the main culprit is the “skeleton” hinge joints. Firstly, dirt getting into the rocker arms (including ice or just snow) can help immobilize the entire connection. This can also happen due to contamination or rusting of these same rocker arms. The tightness of the rubber band to the glass will be broken and the accessory will no longer perform its functions. Secondly, the mentioned susceptibility to rusting processes and, as a consequence, damage to the paint layer and the appearance of corrosion centers is also a cosmetic drawback, which is also important.
What wipers to install on a car in winter
At subzero temperatures, there is a risk that the brushes may freeze to the glass, snow will stick to them, or the rubber will become oak and will not cope with its function. Therefore, the choice of wipers in winter should be approached with particular seriousness.
The oldest and most common type of winter brushes can be called frame brushes in a case. The cover prevents ice and snow from freezing on the brush elements. The rubber composition is completely suitable for winter conditions. The mobility of the wipers is maintained, and the rubber itself does not harden.
A progressive type of winter blades is heated wipers. The heating element will prevent the brushes from freezing and maintain their elasticity. To function, they must be connected to the vehicle's electrical network. It is better to install such wipers at a service station.
Advice. If special blades for winter are not used, it is necessary to raise the wipers during a long stop in snowy and frosty weather.
If the decision on the design and size has already been made, then the final choice can be made with the help of reviews from other motorists. Real reviews will help you evaluate the quality of a product from a particular manufacturer. As practice shows, original spare parts or brushes from leading companies, which constantly introduce new technologies and materials to improve the final product, perform better in use.
High-quality windshield wiper blades will help you avoid accidents in bad weather and will not fail you at the most inopportune moment.
Pros and cons of frameless wipers
Frameless models are considered to be more successful from an aesthetic point of view. Instead of a metal base, they have an evodium plate - it helps bend the rubber edge. The spring mechanism ensures uniform pressing of the blade to the glass (along its entire length). To understand which wipers are better, framed or frameless, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the latter, compare information about both types and focus on your own conclusions, needs and expectations. Among the advantages of wipers that do not have a metal base are the following:
- durability, which, moreover, ensures their attractive appearance. Such wipers are not afraid of corrosion, the paint retains its brightness for a long time;
- the cleaning edge is evenly pressed against the surface, making it possible to effectively clean glass with any curvature;
- high aerodynamics (even at high speed such wipers operate silently);
- the absence of articulated joints contributes to resistance to contamination (especially snow and ice);
- maximum visibility due to low profile.
As for the disadvantages of this type of brushes, there are fewer of them, but the seriousness of each of them can be decisive in choosing the optimal option. Experienced car enthusiasts consider the following 3 factors to be the disadvantages of frameless wipers:
- Expensive;
- The need to select windshield wiper blades for the car (this is especially true for cheap frameless models, which, for example, do not always cope with cleaning convex glass);
- The inability to replace one part, in particular the rubber band, and, if it is damaged, the need to purchase a whole new accessory.
Which windshield wiper blades are better, framed or frameless, each driver determines for himself. Often the make and model of the car, the features of its windshield and, in fact, the feasibility of the same costs play a big role. Budget options are not necessarily losing, and expensive ones are not always logical.
The best frameless wiper blades
The top of the blades continues with frameless wipers, which are distinguished by their quality and efficiency, as well as good aerodynamics.
Denso Flat Blade
Famous Japanese brushes regularly appear in ratings, and for good reason. An excellent aerodynamic shape that provides excellent contact with the glass at high speed, an elastic base with a good edge, as well as universal fasteners (the kit includes adapters that can be easily mounted on the bracket) make the wipers an ideal choice for all seasons. The downside of the brushes is that they are not the best resource, but overall the choice is more than successful.
Bosch Aerotwin
The Bosch concern offers high quality series brushes, excellent adhesion to the glass surface, which increases with speed due to its shape, cleaning efficiency and universal fastening. The wipers are quiet, the elasticity of the structure remains even at sub-zero temperatures, the working plate also copes well with dried-on dirt, so they can be used at any time of the year. Among the shortcomings is that the attachment of the base to the plate is not very well implemented, and also the resource is not very long.
Valeo Silencio X-TRM
French wipers are famous for their efficiency and excellent quality of material, they are silent, and at high speed they perform their best, performing their task perfectly. The brush mounts are suitable for leashes with a hook, are easy to install and are securely fixed. Smooth movement is maintained even with considerable wear, and elasticity is not lost at low temperatures. The wipers demonstrate an excellent service life, but the disadvantage can be considered the high cost of the products, although it is fully justified by the quality offered.
Hybrid wiper blades
This type combines both the advantages and disadvantages of the other two types of wipers discussed above. There are rocker arms, hinges, and a plastic body, but the height of the frame is significantly lower than that of classic windshield wipers. The tight fit of the blade to the glass allows the use of hybrid wipers even in cars with a very convex glass profile. This is especially true for station wagons and hatchbacks. But, again, the cost of such brushes is quite high, but the service life and quality of cleaning cope quite well with compensating for this shortcoming.
Based on this, we recommend purchasing windshield wiper blades that best meet your needs and the costs of which will be justified. Below we have compiled a small rating list of the most popular companies that produce high-quality wipers of all possible types.
Criterias of choice
Length . As a rule, the wiper located on the driver's side is larger in size than its “neighbor”. In fact, this does not affect the quality of cleansing in any way. The most important thing is that the first one should not be longer than 650 cm, the second one – 350 cm.
Rubber quality . The best product was recognized as one that used rubber with increased resistance to frost, as well as the effects of all kinds of liquids. Experts recommend considering rubber models, as they last much longer than their rubber counterparts.
Appearance . Under no circumstances should new windshield wiper blades show any damage in the form of scratches, abrasions, etc. In addition, each edge should be sharp and not rounded, as this affects the strength of the fastening.
Suspension type . There are frame brushes with a supporting structure that fits tightly to the glass, frameless models that have a metal plate and an interesting design, as well as hybrid ones that have a supporting frame and an elastic element at the same time.
Rating of windshield wiper blade manufacturers
The experience of drivers around the world shows that windshield wiper blades are a very important accessory that performs a number of critical functions that ensure the safety of all road users. For all this to work, when producing wipers, it is important to work on high ergonomics, wear resistance of products, and their resistance to ultraviolet radiation and temperatures. All these requirements, due to the compliance of the tested wiper models, are met by the following manufacturers:
- Anco (Mexico);
- Bosh (Germany);
- Champion (Belgium);
- Heyner (Germany);
- Valeo (France).
Bosch wipers are considered the most common in our country. The products of this German company have had a good reputation for many years. Of course, this is a generalized, formal rating, the data of which does not mean that accessories from other manufacturers do not deserve attention. When choosing wipers for your car, we recommend following the logic that the best windshield wiper blades are those whose advantages are more valuable to you than their disadvantages.
Install and test
Since our test is a consumer one, we will not be guided by any GOST standards or subject the brushes to specially invented tests. The main task is to evaluate the quality of cleaning in real conditions over several months of the St. Petersburg winter.
Four blades were installed in pairs on two editorial cars, after which they periodically swapped places (fortunately, they were interchangeable in size) to reduce the impact of a particular windshield.
All brushes were installed using a hook-type mount, and three of the four have protective covers on the mounts. Only the Alca brush did not have a casing - the pores of the attachment would become clogged with road dust. Moreover, it was possible to put the brush on the hook only with some effort: the leash turned out to be noticeably wider than the narrowed channel of the nozzle. And after a few months, in order to remove the brush, I had to literally knock it out.
The Goodyear brush guard cannot be installed due to the bend in the arm (left). The most convenient installation is for Bosch wipers (on the right).
Not all is well with the Goodyear brush. The mechanism has a completely removable cover - it turned out to be impossible to install it back. Vehicle arms in the area of the attachment have a curved shape, which is incompatible with the straight attachment of tire brand wiper blades.
Valeo and especially Bosch brushes have the most competent fastenings. Made in the form of an opening “hood”, they are easy to install, clearly fixed and securely closed with protection.
Second month and first frosts
A month of working brushes on cars and the first zero crossings changed the situation a little. Valeo and Goodyear brushes took the leading positions. The French one turned out to be the most resistant: no matter how we scratched it on the frozen glass and no matter how much dirt and sand we poured on it, the cleaning of the entire area was always excellent.
It was as if the Goodyear brushes had gotten used to it - they stopped producing annoying smeared streaks, and in the rain they worked perfectly on the entire surface of the glass, only sometimes cleaning the edges the second time.
The photo of frosted glass clearly shows how the Bosch brush begins to work by fan crushing with the sound of a ratchet. In cold weather the same thing happened on clean glass
After a month of use, miracles happened with the Bosch brush. We don’t know what kind of spoiler is used in the design, but at highway speeds, when swung upward, the wiper began to “fly up”, that is, in places it came off the glass. We even began to suspect that a loose leash fastening was to blame, however, when we checked everything and swapped Bosch and Goodyear brushes, the situation did not change. The American brushes still behaved perfectly, but the German ones began to malfunction on the upward stroke, leaving wide streaks along the edges, although they removed all the moisture on the return pass.
Photo on the left: Alca and Bosch wipers are susceptible to tanning in the cold. Photo on the right: tanning Alca (left) left a huge stain
Alca brushes turned out to be the most sensitive to the first frosts. The rubber, hardening in the cold, bent in the center and generally stopped cleaning the center of its zone, leaving a huge wet spot in the middle of the glass. As soon as the car was washed, it was warm, its properties returned to the warmed and soft cleaning surface, and the brush cleaned the glass more or less tolerably. All this indicates savings on the quality of rubber.
