Getting ready for winter season, in addition to changing the wheels, the driver must also take care of the wipers. If the windshield wipers become loose or leave streaks, they must be replaced. Indeed, in snowfalls, good visibility is simply necessary - otherwise the occurrence of emergencies is guaranteed. But how to approach the choice correctly? After all, the selection of wiper blades is a rather responsible task. In order not to get completely confused in a huge assortment, let's take a closer look at what wipers are, and find out which option is better.
The main criterion for choosing wiper blades is the ability to clean glass
There are only a few basic criteria by which drivers usually evaluate wipers:
- the ability to clean glass with high quality without leaving stains, a thin film or smudges;
- the ability to remove icing and frost from the glass, at the same time, so that the brush does not lose its shape, does not become disheveled and does not stiffen;
- resistance of wiper rubber to aggressive windshield washer components.
In terms of appearance, windshield wipers good quality the tape should have a uniform color and texture, and the blades should be made of good rubber, without any burrs and roughness on the surface. Elastic bands for wiper blades must be dense, not have bundles and must be very well attached to the body. The wiper blade holder must be tight enough, no play or free play should be created during movement - otherwise the wipers will fail very quickly.
When buying windshield wiper blades, do not forget to make sure that they are suitable for your car, not only in terms of model type and size, but also in the type of attachment. Often, for parts of the same size, the type of fastening is different, for example, for cars of the same model, but different years of manufacture, the fastenings of wiper blades can be different: button, bayonet, hook, side clip, etc. But if you accidentally purchased wipers with the wrong mount, you can always buy a special adapter. The length of the wipers can also vary markedly - on the driver's side it is about 500-450 mm, and the rear wiper blade is 300 mm or more. In general, the length directly depends on the car model.
One of the most important criteria is also the service life: according to the standard, it is 400 hours. According to the ADAC (General German car club) even best brushes windshield wipers wear out after 400 hours of operation, but cheap options fail much faster - after 100 hours. Service life largely depends on the operation. Cleaning the glass without a washer and trying to clean the ice with the wipers leads to their very rapid wear. You can extend the life of the wipers by periodically washing them from dirt and sand in the grooves, thus significantly reducing the friction force.
Types of wiper blades
In addition to the brand, country of origin, price and quality, wipers have design differences. By technical parameters wipers can be of the following types:
Car Wiper Frame
In addition to the brand, country of origin, price and quality, wipers have design differences and various technical characteristics.
There are also wipers with narrower specifications:
- winter (designed for countries with a cold climate, capable of removing ice crust, but in reality they are impractical and have rather low aerodynamic characteristics);
- original (they have an original mount and most often represent another trick of manufacturers who want to make money on consumables);
- a rear wiper used, oddly enough, on the rear window.
Wiper Blade Manufacturers
There are a lot of manufacturers of car wipers today. It is best to choose universal windshield wipers in the middle price range and above. As mentioned earlier, cheap wipers wear out many times faster.
One of the leaders in the market of car wipers was and remains the German company Bosh. Fans of frame wipers especially love this brand. Of the advantages, a very high, wide range, natural rubber coating, good tolerance to low temperatures and price can be noted. The Bosh wiper kit will last a long time, at a very reasonable cost.
Denso hybrid wiper blades are one of the the best options among hybrids. Japanese developments have always been distinguished by the highest quality and practicality. Denso wipers do not make noise, and perfectly clean the glass without leaving streaks. In addition, they are exceptionally reliable in all weather conditions. But they also have drawbacks - they are very sensitive to the road reagent and fakes are often made on them.
Champion wiper blades from an American manufacturer can be safely classified as “cheap and cheerful”. At a low price, they cope with their functions conscientiously. Sufficiently resistant to various weather conditions and do not leave streaks on the glass. Among the shortcomings, one can note the strong sticking of snow and the appearance of noise and.
In conclusion, we can say that the choice of wipers very much depends on the tastes and preferences of the car owner. It is difficult to say which car wipers are better - all have both advantages and disadvantages. Each manufacturer tries to surprise the consumer and add something of his own. Most motorists in the old fashioned way choose based on a combination of price and quality.
When winter comes, most car owners are limited to the fact that. Despite the fact that this procedure is the main one, do not forget about changing the wipers. They are divided into 4 types, each of which is best suited for certain conditions:
- Frame;
- Frameless;
- Winter frame;
- Hybrid.
Frame wiper blades
They are the base on which the cleaning rubber band is put on. Rocker arms in the amount of 2-4 pieces depart from the wiper leash, each of which is supplied with a tape. This design fits snugly to the glass, moving freely up and down and cleaning the surface from rain, snow and dirt. This system is collapsible, which allows you to replace rubber parts without purchasing a new frame. Thus, this kind of wipers is an economical choice.
The disadvantages of frame cleaners include that their rubber band, when worn, causes the skeleton to rub against the glass surface with a characteristic unpleasant sound, leaving scratches. The aluminum base makes the structure light, but deprives the safety margin. We can conclude that frame wipers are suitable for operation only in the warm season.
Winter frame cleaners
An improved version of simple collapsible wipers that is suitable for frost. The metal frame is coated with silicone, and the working coating consists of several layers, which allows use in winter. In addition, this option has a fairly long service life and high strength.
The disadvantage of this model of wipers is the high price. Despite the fact that they successfully clean glass from any contamination all year round, it is more profitable to use specialized cleaners for each season.
Hybrid brushes
The design of the mixed type of wipers consists of a classic frame with a compact plastic casing. These cleaners are highly aerodynamic, adhering well to the glass for good cleaning. They retain elasticity and geometry for about a year, which is 3-4 times longer than the lifespan of ordinary ones. Despite the fact that their service life is quite long, the price from 50 to 100 dollars makes you think better.
Frameless wipers
This type of cleaner does not have a separation of the skeleton and the working surface. Inside the rubber-coated band is a steel plate that presses the structure against the glass for better cleaning.
They have many advantages when operating in winter:
- When the car is parked on the street, in the cold, there is no need to raise such wipers. Their coating does not freeze to the glass, which allows you not to worry about tearing off cleaners in the morning.
- In addition to the first point, ice accumulated on the wipers is easily removed by bending in several places. They don't have joints. The entire structure is solid.
- Better cleaning due to the fact that the design fits snugly and completely to the glass. This is achieved by applying even pressure over the entire length of the brush.
- Good aerodynamic properties. With the development of high speed, such cleaners do not creak or slip. The integrated spoiler directs the air flow in such a way that the windshield wipers better adhere to the glass when there is a strong oncoming air flow.
- The low profile without protrusions allows this type of brushes to increase visibility compared to analogues. In addition, their design fits seamlessly with any kind of car.
How to choose frameless cleaners
The purchase of such wipers provides. Each machine model has its own frameless brush configuration. This diversity is dictated by the difference in the windshields of cars. Installing an inappropriate purifier will result in it not being able to do its job because it does not fit well. The windshield will become dirty, reducing visibility.
This principle is mostly relevant for budget wipers. Manufacturers of premium models assure that their devices will “sit” well on glass with any bend.
Rating of the best frameless wipers
First place
Alca Winter. The rubber of these brushes has high strength and can withstand many hours of work even in severe frost. High quality fully reveals such advantages of frameless cleaners as protection from freezing and maintaining the elasticity of the working surface.
The disadvantage of this model is the narrow specialization. Ideal in winter, in the summer they quickly lose their shape due to exposure to heat and ultraviolet radiation. This disadvantage forces car owners to have a spare set of wipers for warm seasons.
Alca Winter is highly praised by users for its excellent work in winter. Some report that the design of this model does not fit all machines, negatively affecting appearance graceful cars with their massiveness.
Second place
Heyner All Seasons. Lots of automotive publications and drivers for quiet running. After several months of operation, these wipers do not emit a single creak and rustle, providing comfortable movement. The manufacturer claims that silence in operation is achieved by using a special rubber recipe and fine-tuning the angle of work.
The disadvantage of this model is a small rigidity. In winter, this can cause the windshield wiper to rise in some places when it freezes, allowing dirt to pass on the glass.
Heyner All Seasons owners complain that wipers leave streaks of antifreeze. In general, the quality does its job.
Third place
Denso Retrofit (LHD). This brush has proven itself with a smooth cut of the working surface, as well as high technology. Denso has a number of patents applied to this cleaner model. Among them - a progressive way of processing and modern functionality. The integrated spoiler provides high aerodynamics by resisting the oncoming air flow.
The disadvantage of this model is that it does not always perfectly cope with the main task - cleaning glass. Some specimens tend to accumulate snow on themselves, leaving dirty streaks on the glass.
Most users find that this brush performs best in warm conditions. Winter performance is most often rated at 3 points out of 5. Buyers are satisfied with the low price.
Conclusion
In order to have best review in winter, you should look at the frameless wiper blades. Tests show that they perform better in cold and snow conditions, doing a good job of cleaning glass. In general, such wipers are praised for their excellent fit to the surface of the car, combining elasticity and density. Choosing this type of brushes is based on the characteristics of the car - the bend and size of the glass.
Wipers are an integral part of every car. Now there are many types of these products. From time to time, car owners ask themselves the question: which frame wipers are better to choose? We will talk about the varieties of products and their features in our today's article.
Types
There are currently two types of elements:
- frame;
- frameless.
What are good wipers and what to choose? Each of them is different in design, but the purpose is the same. This is glass cleaning in bad weather conditions. Below we will look at both types and find out which wipers are better - framed or frameless.
Frame
This is a classic type of product that is used on all cars of the twentieth century. Some manufacturers still equip their cars with frame wipers. A feature of their design is the metal axis of the hinges. The frame is made of steel. The rubber blade is attached to the windshield by hinged rocker arms. What are good wipers? The advantage of frame elements is low cost. However, there is also a drawback - low reliability. Due to the use of a hinged structure, they quickly loosen and become unusable. Also, steel elements are prone to freezing.
plastic hinges
Recently, manufacturers of such wipers have begun to use plastic hinges. They freeze less and are better cleared of the ice crust. Also, the plastic construction provides better mobility and accuracy of the rocker arms. They are light and do not loosen like their counterparts. They fit better on the windshield. What good frame wipers produce? This is what Bosch does. But a review of the models will be a little later.
Other disadvantages
What wipers are better to put on a VAZ? If we consider cheaper, frame products, we should not forget that the quality of their assembly is not at the same level. If you save money, you can get creaking and squealing brushes, which will not only irritate with their sound, but also poorly clean the surface due to a loose fit to the windshield. The service life of such products is from 6 to 12 months. Everything depends on the quality.
Determining wear is very simple - such wipers begin to poorly clean the surface. Divorces appear on windshield. Thus, the main advantage of these products is low price. Minus - a tendency to freezing. It is almost impossible to clear such an elastic band of ice.
Frameless
Such products are more popular at the moment. They are easy to manufacture and easy to use. Their service life is twice as long as that of frame counterparts. And it does not matter what kind of hinge is there - plastic or metal. Recently, more and more manufacturers are abandoning frame solutions. There is such a tendency that soon they will leave the market altogether.
About design
These elements are made of a metal or plastic base, which is covered with rubber (often synthetic) on top. The center mount can change its geometry. Rubber bands are attached to the bottom of the wipers.
Which is better to choose depends on the season. There are winter and summer frameless solutions. The design of both elements is more aerodynamic. On the modern machines Oh they look more attractive. Frame solutions age the appearance of the car. As for the advantages of products on the plate, they work silently and ice does not stick to them. easy to clear snow. The elastic on the sides is closed with a special lining or casing. The appearance of the car is improving.
After all, the wipers are that part of the car, which, along with the mudguards, should be as inconspicuous as possible. They are almost invisible under the windshield. They look very neat. This is a big plus.
Flat "frameless"
This is one of the varieties of these products. They are cheaper than analogues due to ease of manufacture. These products use less rubber. The gum itself, which is adjacent to the windshield, is completely identical to conventional models.
But the look of these wipers is a little worse. In terms of functionality, they are in no way inferior to their "brothers". Below we will look at another type of cleaner that is rarely found on our roads.
hybrid
Initially, such wipers appeared in Japan. They can be seen on Toyota, Nissan cars. It is believed that they are more reliable than just frameless counterparts. Their advantage is in the quality of assembly and construction. After all, the gum in the body is fixed so well that the wiper drive will break rather than play in the plate or the rubber element will crack. They are also well suited for winter use. They are silent, and you can clear them of ice with an ordinary scraper.
Their design consists of a classic frame element. Outwardly, it is closed with a plastic casing. In this case, the weight of the brush increases, as does the force of contact with the windshield. But such elements are not put on cars that have a strong windshield bend. The plastic casing simply will not allow the rubber band to remove snow or water drops from there. Now such products are produced not only in Japan, but also in Germany. Which company wipers are best? We will talk about this further by comparing products from different manufacturers.
Manufacturers overview. Anco Contour
These are Mexican frameless wipers. Now the kit can be purchased for 900 rubles. The length of the brush is 50 centimeters, which is suitable for most modern passenger cars and crossovers. Wipers were tested, as a result of which they received a rating of 3.8 out of 5 possible. Reviews note the lack of Russian-language installation instructions. Among the advantages is the possibility of mounting elements on a pin lever.
There is a set of adapters. Fixation - quick release. The fit of the brush to the glass as a result of the tests carried out is not encouraging. In the center, the new wipers leave an uncleaned strip.
Bosch Aerotwin
The cost of a set of products is about 600 rubles. The length of the brushes is 53 centimeters. During the tests, Bosch Aerotwin received a rating of 4.36 out of five possible. The packaging is very high quality, but getting the wipers out of it is inconvenient - you can injure your finger on a sharp edge. Again, there are no Russian-language instructions here. The quality of cleaning is practically the same as the previous version. The product sometimes leaves an uncleaned strip.
But due to the low price, Bosch Aerotwin got almost a point higher than the Mexican counterpart.
Heyner Hybrid
This Oddly enough, their cost is less than the rest - 300 rubles per set. The length of each brush is 50 centimeters. Instruction only for German which causes inconvenience. There are two adapters for different levers. Fixation without backlash, very tight (although you need to make a lot of effort). In the course of research, such wipers left the fewest uncleaned strips.
In combination with the low price, these products received a maximum rating of 4.5. What are the best wipers to choose? These are the best cleaners in terms of price to quality ratio. They look great, do not catch the eye and do not spoil the look of the car.
Separately about winter wipers
As we noted earlier, there are summer and winter products. It would seem that you need to carry both types of wipers with you in order to replace them with winter ones at the first snow, or in spring with summer ones. But, as the reviews say, this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Often in such winter products, low-quality elastic is used, which lasts one season and falls apart. But it all depends on the build quality. Also, winter elements are noisy. Compared to summer ones, they are more massive. Therefore, many people use one set of summer, but high-quality wipers, all year round. These elements are also distinguished by the type of coating that is applied to the gum. Below we will consider this issue in detail.
Which wipers are better - silicone or graphite?
There are products with graphite and silicone filler. The first one has been used for a very long time. Until silicone solutions appeared. In the first case, graphite-coated rubber is used. Such products cost 2 times cheaper than silicone ones. But does it make sense to overpay? Definitely there is. The fact is that graphite coating cannot provide such a lubricant as silicone.
As a result, the cleaner cannot easily move across the glass surface. He starts to creak. And it stops only after water or snow has appeared on the windshield. Silicone ones work silently even in the absence of these components. Therefore, they serve much longer, do not scratch the glass and do not create a visiting creak inside.
Conclusion
So, we examined frameless and framed Which ones are better to choose - it depends on the budget and the car itself. For modern cars, of course, frameless elements are suitable. But if this is a "Classic", the choice is definitely the second one. In terms of functionality, they almost do not differ, so everyone chooses based on design.
Frequent breakdowns, numerous rituals for the "resuscitation" of certain components and cleaning the windshield await every motorist who has not found the time to prepare for harsh winter conditions. More serious problems begin to occur when vital mechanisms fail, including the glass cleaner. Having underestimated the importance of this device at low temperatures, you will have to do some of its work personally. Otherwise, there is a high probability of accidents due to poor visibility. In this article, we will look at which windshield wiper blades are best for winter and how to choose the right one.
How not to make a mistake?
Paying too much attention design features, many motorists forget about the quality of the working surface of the device. Before choosing windshield wiper blades for the winter, you need to make sure that the polymer strip that directly cleans the glass surface is resistant to severe frosts. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to determine by touch, the material should not be too hard or soft.
Which exit? Read the description of a specific product in detail and use the help of a sales manager. The selection of winter wiper blades for cars will allow you to avoid oddities with sizes and inappropriate fastening systems. A good help in choosing will be the recommendations of specialists, which you will find on our website in the article about "wipers".
Types of brushes: pros and cons
It is quite difficult to advise which winter wiper blades to buy with the modern abundance of items. Each driver has his own preferences and predilection for certain properties or characteristics. Below is a list of popular types of brushes:
- Frame models represent the most popular category. Their rubber edge is pressed against the glass surface due to a special system of rocker arms. The advantage of this solution is the uniform distribution of pressure along the entire length of the working surface. However, in winter, frame brushes are more prone to freezing than others. The wide design is quickly clogged with snow, which completely negates their positive effect.
- Winter brushes are a modification of the above type. To protect against moisture and snow, their rocker is covered with a special rubber cover. At the same time, winter framed wiper blades have a large windage and at high speeds they load the wiper electric drive to the maximum. Plus, these models have a high probability of depressurization of the cover. If moisture gets inside and freezes, a complex cleaning procedure with preheating will be required.
- Frameless products are simpler. Instead of a metal frame, the rigidity and pressing force of the wipers to the surface is provided by a rubber-plastic housing with a solid and absolutely smooth cleaning surface. At the same time, its height is significantly lower than that of previous models. Such characteristics make these brushes as efficient as possible at high speeds. Their main disadvantage is that almost all winter wipers on a car without a frame are designed for operation only at temperatures above -20 ° C.
- hybrid wiper blades for winter are distinguished by a frame pressing system with minimal design dimensions. Accordingly, the key advantages of the previous types, embodied in one product, suggest a higher cost.
In the video below, an expert from our company gives advice on choosing wiper blades for the winter.
The IXORA hypermarket offers a wide range of spare parts and components from popular brands DENSO, HELLA, VALEO, BOSCH, etc. Our experts will always help you make a choice so that you can buy winter wipers for a specific car model in accordance with your preferences.
We wish all motorists a successful wintering without snow jams and traffic jams on the way!
DENSO are presented in the table below.
| Manufacturer | Part Name | Detail number | Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENSO | Wiper high profile 40mm] 600mm 24] | DM560 | BMW X5 (E53) (00-);CHEVROLET CRUZE (09-);CITROËN C3 I (02-);FORD TRANSIT (00-06) |
| DENSO | Hybrid wiper blade DU-040L | DU040L | CHEVROLET AVEO (04-11);CHEVROLET SUBURBAN (00-06);FORD FIESTA IV (95-02);FORD FIESTA V (01-10) |
| DENSO | Wiper blade frame 14"/350mm | DU035L | AUDI A3 (96-03);AUDI A4 (00-04);AUDI A4 (94-01);BMW 3 (E36) (90-00) |
| DENSO | Wiper Blade Low Profile 31mm] 500mm 20] | DM050 | FORD ESCORT V (90-94);FORD ESCORT VI (92-95);FORD ESCORT VII (95-02);FORD MAVERICK (93-96) |
| DENSO | Wiper Blade Low Profile 31mm] 350mm 14] | DM035 | CHEVROLET AVEO (04-11);CHEVROLET BLAZER S10 (93-05);CHEVROLET SUBURBAN (91-00);CITROËN BERLINGO (96-) |
| DENSO | Wiper blade low profile 480 mm | DUR048L | NISSAN PRIMERA (02-);OPEL VECTRA C (02-);VW GOLF III (91-99);VW GOLF IV (97-08) |
| DENSO | Wiper Blade Low Profile 500mm | DUR050L | AUDI A6 (94-97);AUDI A6 (97-05);BMW Z4 (E85) (03-);BMW Z4 (E86) (06-) |
| DENSO | Wiper blade low profile 530 mm | DUR053L | NISSAN MICRA (03-10);NISSAN MICRA C+C (05-);NISSAN PRIMASTAR (01-);OPEL VIVARO (01-) |
The most popular HELLA wiper blades are shown in the table below.
| Manufacturer | Part Name | Size, mm | vendor code |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELLA | Wiper | 600 | 9XW190680241 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 500 | 9XW178878201 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 500 | 9XW190680201 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 550 | 9XW190680221 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 450 | 9XW190680181 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 530 | 9XW190680211 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 600 | 9XW178878241 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 650 | 9XW190680261 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 525 | 9XW178878211 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 800 | 9XW184107321 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 550 | 9XW178878221 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 480 | 9XW190680191 |
| HELLA | Wiper | 350 | 9XW178878141 |
| HELLA | Wiper blade hybrid | 650 | 9XW204584261 |
The most popular VALEO brand wiper blades are shown in the table below.
| Manufacturer | vendor code | Name | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALEO | First Covertech VFH35 350mm | 4 | ||
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH40 400mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH45 450mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH48 475mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH50 500mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH530 530mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH550 550mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH600 600mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH650 650mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade hybrid (hook) | First Covertech VFH700 700mm | 4 | |
| VALEO | Wiper blade frameless (hook) | First FB Pyramid VFAM 350mm | 3 | |
| VALEO | Wireframe wiper blade | First Conventional VF65 650mm | 1 |
The most popular BOSCH brand wiper blades are shown in the table below.
| Manufacturer | Name | vendor code | Applicability* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch | Wiper | MITSUBISHI Lancer (C6_A, C7_A) 1988-1993; TOYOTA Camry IV (V20) 1996-2001; TOYOTA Corolla VI (E90) 1987-1993 | |
| Bosch | Wiper |
The safety and comfort of driving a car largely depends not only on the performance of components and systems, but also on the serviceability of individual, at first glance, not so significant details. These elements include car wipers, because poorly cleaned glass significantly limits visibility, interfering with a full view of the road.
Therefore, if you notice that even after work there are still stripes and stains on the windshield, it is better to think about replacing the old wipers. But how do you know when the time has come? Do not run to the store because of a few stripes on the glass? In fact, there may be several signs, and we will now talk about this in more detail.
1. How to know when it's time to change your windshield wiper blades
If the wipers of your car have ceased to perform their work efficiently, first of all, you should clarify the exact cause of this phenomenon. For example, the poor quality of the wiper blades may be due to the presence of an oil film on the glass or damage to the "rocker" of the wiper. Also, a loose fit to the glass is often due to insufficient fixation of the lever. In the event that this is not the reason, the next “suspects” are rubber brushes. In some cases, they have to be changed immediately, while in others you can still try to “reanimate”, say, with the help of sandpaper.
So, if your vehicle has been in the sun or in the cold for a long time, the wiper blades could simply be deformed, and carrying out repair activities will come in handy. In those cases when the windshield wipers began to “hack” unexpectedly, it is likely that the cause should be sought in their pollution. It is possible that sand has got into the groove of the gum, and it is he who prevents it from bending in the right direction. In winter, instead of sand, frozen water often appears in the grooves, as a result of which the brush simply freezes to the glass. After cleaning out all the dirt or ice, you may find that the part itself is still usable.
Now let's look at the signs of the need for replacement in more detail. If streaks remain on the windshield, this indicates the presence of tears or scratches on the surface of the wiper blade. In particular, the stripe(s) may appear in the field of view on the driver's side or be distributed around the entire perimeter of the glass. In such cases, if the number of strips of water slightly obstructs the driver's view, then replacing the brushes is recommended, but not necessary. In addition, you can fix the problem by cleaning the glass from sand, dirt and dust.
If water stains and stains remain on the glass after the wipers work, then most likely the cause should be sought in a depressed and deformed brush. It is precisely this kind of damage that leads to long-term downtime of the machine under the sun or in frosty weather. Also, the loss of elasticity of the parts can be explained by the fact that the brush simply lay in the warehouse for several years, as a result of which the rubber bands dried up.
To check the elasticity of the brush, it is enough to take it to the side, and then sharply release it. It should bend easily and immediately return to its original position. To “cure” such a part is sometimes obtained by soaking it in gasoline and then washing it in soapy water. Silicone grease and subsequent processing of the part with sandpaper also helps to eliminate deformations. But most often, when stains appear, it is better to replace the wiper blades immediately.
In some cases, the wipers may leave radial streaks on the glass, indicating the presence of corrosive processes. You can try to correct the situation with the help of the same soaking.
2. Wiper blade selection
What should be the ideal wiper blade? In fact, nothing supernatural is required of her, and all that any car owner needs is a high-quality glass cleaning from a water film and stripes that interfere with the view. Besides, a good brush should “be able” to quickly get rid of frost and icing, without stiffening at the same time. Also definitely an important factor is the resistance of rubber to various chemical compounds found in glass cleaners or products used by highway services.
However, the product's compliance with all these requirements largely depends on the manufacturer, series and design of the brushes, as well as on the type of their attachment and size. As an additional selection criterion, it would not be out of place to pay attention to the presence of a “spoiler” and a wear sensor.
Installing too long brushes is highly undesirable, as this reduces the pressure on the glass, which means that it will not be easy to achieve effective cleaning. In winter, it is better to give preference to frameless products or those that have a special protective cover that protects the rocker hinges from icing.
When using standard frame wipers, periodically changing the rubber bands can prevent problems. True, this is only in the case when the hinges of the rocker arms and adapters are in normal working condition.
But back to the question of choice ... What to pay attention to in the first place? Firstly, there should not be any roundings on the working edge of the tape, and it itself should have a uniform texture and color. Secondly, remember: there are no burrs and chips on “healthy” rubber, and the movement of the tape when the frame is bent passes without jamming.
3. Rating of wiper blades
Sometimes even such a trifle as the choice of a windshield wiper blade can really spoil your nerves. In such situations, the advice of friends, acquaintances or even strangers who have experienced this or that product on their own often helps. Subsequently, all these recommendations are made into one list, called the product rating.
So wiper blades are topped by wipers. HEYNER ALL SEASON, which differ from other models in their low speed, and even after several months of active use, they continue to slide on the glass without squeaks and rustles. According to the manufacturer, this effect was achieved thanks to the use of a proprietary rubber compound and a carefully selected edge attack angle. The disadvantages of the product include an insufficient level of rigidity, which is especially noticeable in winter.
In second place are the softest representatives of the frame type - brushes. DENSO NDDS, which guarantee high-quality cleaning of the glass surface at any time of the year. Such products do not scratch during operation, and a successful design and well-chosen attachment points guarantee a tighter fit of the brush to the glass. The main disadvantage of this type is the rapid wear of rubber, and with the onset of spring, the brushes begin to creak. But this does not immediately affect the quality of cleaning.
Completing the top three are representatives of a winter, frameless type of brushes called ALCA WINTER. The medium-hard rubber used here perfectly withstands long-term operation in conditions of low temperatures and heavy icing. So, during the night of vehicle downtime, they do not lose their elasticity and are immediately put into operation, without requiring time for defrosting or cleaning.
The main disadvantage of this product is the need for another set - summer brushes, because even the highest quality product intended for use in winter will not withstand constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation and will quickly become unusable. Also, the disadvantage of using such wipers is their appearance, and if they look quite appropriate on massive SUVs, then the brushes will not look on a smaller car.
Next on the list are brushes. SPARCO SPC-10XX, differing from previous models in their versatility. The mounting hardware included in the kit allows you to install them on almost any vehicle, and specially selected materials of manufacture make these parts equally effective both in summer and winter, no matter if it's raining outside or a blizzard.
Also, the brushes are supplemented with special plastic pads that protect them from freezing and dirt getting into the hinged joints of the frame. On the gum of the brush there is a graphite coating, which significantly reduces the coefficient of friction. You can appreciate this advantage at the first light rain, and even in such conditions they are distinguished by a low noise level. The main disadvantage of the product (according to car owners) is that even a slight icing of the part worsens the quality of cleaning, and on the way back, the brushes only smear the dirt.
The fifth place in the ranking is occupied by wiper blades DENSO WIPER BLADE HYBRID, which, according to many motorists, can be called the best in their class. So, they do an excellent job with their main function, and the glass cleaned by them takes on the appearance of a new one. No streaks, streaks or dead spots are the result of DENSO WIPER BLADE HYBRID wipers. Even after 100 hours of operation, the glass cleaning efficiency of these wipers will not deteriorate in any way.
But, of course, nothing is perfect in this world. And its own drop of tar is present in any barrel of honey. The fact is that the initially indicated type of brushes was produced at a factory in Japan, but today their production has also been established in Korea. There have never been any complaints about Japanese products, since their quality has been proven by years of practice, which cannot be said about Korean products, the service life of which is limited by a two-month warranty. A little work - and that's enough! Since the external differences of both species are hardly noticeable, they are evaluated “on average”.
The next step in our ranking is occupied by summer brushes. HEYNER HYBRID- the leader of the Dunst rating and the winner of the test drive of the magazine Za Rulem. Among positive qualities such products are simple and reliable fixation on the levers, resistance to high temperatures and ultraviolet, as well as the absence of streaks and film even after long continuous operation.
The disadvantage of the described design is that such brushes are good only in the summer, but in winter one design flaw “crawls out sideways” - the lack of protection at the attachment point of the brush with a lever. The swivel joint gets clogged with ice very quickly and the brush cannot move normally. In such a situation, instead of narrow strips of dirt, one clean strip appears at the top or bottom of the glass, and on the rest of the glass, the brush simply does not come into contact with it.
The seventh place in the ranking of the highest quality wiper blades is occupied by wipers DENSO RETROFIT(LHD), which have very good aerodynamics, thanks to which many car manufacturers use the specified product in normal mode. In fact, Denso has patented a whole list of technical solutions that are present in the frameless, but rather rigid Retrofit brushes.
So, the composition of the gum material is somewhat different from other Denso models. The elastic cut is perfectly even, for which the most advanced processing technology was used in the production of the product, and the low-profile insert holds the inverted angle of attack well. The brush profile runs in the wind tunnel for a very long time, which is why its resistance to air flow is less than that of all other models. In addition, the built-in "spoiler" provides a high level of aerodynamics.
Of course, all this is good, but as for the direct duties of the brush, it does not always cope with them. Small errors appear mainly in winter, when the product is most susceptible to snow sticking. Individual specimens in sub-zero temperatures leave behind dirty stripes, which eventually become covered with a crust of ice.
At the end of the rating, I would like to mention the brushes of such a well-known company as BOSCH. So, it is believed that the most durable rubber is the rubber on the wipers BOSCH ECO. Such brushes have a well-designed metal frame with an anti-corrosion coating applied to it and a rather rigid rubber “blade”. The frame ensures that the brush fits over the entire surface of the glass, and at the same time guarantees a minimum lifting force that pushes it back. Moreover, you can get all these advantages at a fairly reasonable price, which is very rare for a good quality framed brush. The rubber edge successfully withstands all tests, including ultraviolet.
However, giving preference to this model, make sure that you do not slip a fake, because only the original product will have the described advantages, and cheap Chinese counterfeit products cannot withstand even minimal criticism. True, the original also has one drawback - sometimes the brush is difficult to install, but this applies only to some models of machines.