The best winter windshield wiper: review, features and reviews. Winter wiper blades: selection by car

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Visibility on the road is one of the most important indicators of traffic safety. Problems with it most often arise in the cold season, when snow, slush and anti-icing reagents cover the windshield with a veil, and frost does not miss the opportunity to freeze every drop of water. Special winter windshield wipers (wipers) help to solve this issue. Today we will learn how winter wipers differ from summer (simple); how to choose the right model; how to prolong her life; and also consider the best winter wiper blades.

Difference between summer and winter wipers

To understand how well a windshield wiper is made, you need to try it in different weather conditions. It often happens that even the best summer wipers in a frosty snowy winter turn out to be absolutely useless. What is missing in them to be suitable for a harsh winter?

As a rule, when talking about a winter wiper, they mean a brush, which is additionally equipped with plastic or rubber protection, in the form of a frame-case. It prevents negativethe effect of snow, rain and frost on the windshield wiper. Winter wiper, in addition to the cover, may also have additional technological solutions. The main one is heating, which prevents the product from freezing to the glass. In the production of winter brushes, frost-resistant materials are usually used. They allow you to keep the functionality of the wipers, even in the worst weather.

Rating of winter wipers

Now that we know the differences between summer and winter models, let's define the best winter wiper blades. The rating will be based on the reviews of motorists, the popularity of the manufacturer and the price-quality ratio.

Wipers "Horse Acrobat"

This is an all-weather model of wipers, which is produced in Russia and is suitable not only for left-hand drive, but also for right-hand drive cars. The length of the brushes can vary from 41 to 65 centimeters. The minimum cost of the product is 5-6 dollars. The creators tried to adapt their windshield wiper to the harsh Russian winter as much as possible. The winter wiper does not have cavities and hinges in which frozen water can accumulate. "Acrobat" is not subject to corrosion and the negative effects of anti-icing reagents. Silicone spoiler additionally protects the frame. Rubber bands and shield are changed if necessary.

Among the shortcomings are the following. When the wipers change direction, a click may occur. Apparently, it is due to the tight fit of the brush to the glass. When the glass is not wet enough, the brushes squeak. When moving tospeeds over 120 km/h, the wiper seal drops sharply.

Alca Winter Wiper Blades

The fourth place in our ranking is the Chinese product of the German brand. The price of such wipers is 7-8 dollars. Alca winter wiper blades are available in lengths from 33 to 65 cm, so they will suit a wide variety of cars.

The protective cover prevents ice from getting inside the brush. In severe frosts and snowfalls, Alca winter windshield wipers practically do not “freeze”. Adhering snow is not a problem for them, so the owner has the opportunity to save on "anti-freeze". The low price of the wipers is also positive.

Winter Alca Winter wiper blades have a number of disadvantages. Reviews note a modest appearance - subjectively, but still. At positive temperatures, the wipers leave stains on the glass. Well, the main drawback is that the Alca winter wiper blades do not do their main task well at speeds over 100 km / h.

TRICO Ice model

The price of the participants in our rating is gradually growing and for this model it is already about 9 dollars. TRICO Ice winter windshield wipers are manufactured in Mexico. Their size ranges from 40-70 cm. According to the owners, they work silently and clean the glass well in any weather. They don't need much "non-freezing". It is noteworthy that adapters are included with the wipers, allowing you to install the product on variousfastening design.

Not without flaws either. According to reviews, the right brush copes with its task worse than the left wiper. Winter wiper TRICO Ice in heavy snow can not cope with the ice that has arisen due to sticking and melting snow.

Champion Winter wipers

These are European wipers, which, being the silver medalist, are almost the cheapest in our ranking. Champion Winter wipers cost about six dollars. In length, they can range from 41 to 60 centimeters. Soft rubber allows the model to perfectly cling to the glass. And the sealed waterproof cover prevents snow from sticking.

Champion Winter wipers also have disadvantages. When the second season of operation comes, the cover often begins to leak moisture. Sometimes, in severe frost, the brushes need to be “kneaded” in order for them to work well. At speeds above 120 km / h, the windshield wipers begin to do their job poorly. It is not recommended to leave the product for the summer, because in the warm season they do not clean very well, creating stains on the glass.

Bosch Aerotwin

This is a well-deserved winner of "Best Winter Wiper Blades". This model costs from $10, depending on the length (34-80 cm). Bosch Aerotwin wipers are produced in Serbia. Why are they superior to other models? First, a large range of sizes. Secondly, the Bosch Aerotwin windscreen wipers completely follow the curve of the glass anddo not "stone" in the cold. Thirdly, they serve faithfully for several seasons.

Among the shortcomings, one can note only a high (but quite justified) price and creaking in harsh conditions.

Winter wiper blades: selection by car

A good wiper should silently and efficiently remove water, snow and slush from the glass. It should not leave streaks of water and streaks. If you notice any shortcomings in the work of the wipers, it's time to install new winter wiper blades.

Selection by car is as important as selection by quality. On each package of both summer and winter wipers, you can see a list of car brands to which they fit. Please note that even for cars of the same model, but different years of production, the shape of the windshield may differ.

When choosing windshield wipers, keep in mind that curved blades work better than straight ones. In addition, the wiper's main cleaning tape should be even and have flat edges. And don't forget to find proof on the box that these are winter wiper blades. The selection of wipers is a simple but very important task.

How to extend the life of the wipers?

Even the most expensive and advanced windshield wipers won't perform well and last for years if not properly cared for.

The first thing to remember is that wipers that have frozen to the glass cannot be torn off by force. This rash action can damage the brushes, causing them toperformance will drop. All that needs to be done if the janitor is frozen is to heat the glass with a stove. While the engine warms up, the brushes will move away, and you can safely go to your destination.

If the windshield is covered with a continuous layer of snow and ice, you should not remove it all with wipers. From working with such glass, the brushes will quickly become unusable. And if snow is almost not harmful for windshield wipers, then ice is simply fatal. There are special scrapers for cleaning glass from ice. It is important that the scraper has a rubber pad that cleans the glass without scratching it.

If there are obvious traces of dirt on the glass, such as dirt or bird droppings, do not spare the detergent. With it, the wipers work much more efficiently and do not wear out. It is very important that the washer is suitable for the season. Do not mix winter and summer washers in a barrel. This negligence may result in frost on the glass, which will damage the wiper. The winter wiper, covered for some reason with a layer of ice, should be cleaned before turning it on. If ice forms inside the mechanism, it may break.

Periodically inspect windshield wipers for cracks and other damage. If you find any problem, you need to fix it right away. This will extend the life of the device and glasses. The fact is that a brush with a damaged rubber band can lead to micro-scratches on the glass. They, in turn, can cause cracks and chips in the future.

In winter, the windscreen wipers should be as little as possible in the raised position, as it leads to freezing of the springs. If the spring is covered with ice, the brush will not be able to lower. The windshield is periodically recommended to be coated with water-repellent agents. This procedure will facilitate the fate of the wipers, because not much water and snow will accumulate on the glass surface.

If you notice that the brushes do not clean glass well, try cleaning the rubber blade first. Sometimes this is enough to bring the wipers back to life. You can clean the brush with a napkin or cloth soaked in water, washer fluid, or alcohol. The edge of the wiper should be smooth and sharp. There should be no nicks, gaps or chips.

Conclusion

Today we figured out how winter wipers differ from summer wipers, chose the best winter wipers and figured out how to care for them. Wipers only at first glance seem like a small detail that does not need meaningful operation. Actually it is not. And with the advent of winter, every motorist is convinced of this. Therefore, you should not treat windshield wipers negligently, especially in winter, when you need to think not only about visibility, but also about ice. Remember that not only your life depends on driving safety, but also the lives of your passengers, as well as all other road users.