Your windshield wipers are going to come in more and more handy as the winter grows closer and closer. Here are some tips and tricks on knowing when to replace your windshield wipers, and what are some signs that you should look out for.

Look at your blades for:

• Broken frames

• Metal corrosion

• Visible cracks, missing chunks, and rips in the rubber part of the wiper

• Make sure the wiper is flexible and doesn’t crack when you flex it

• Check for rounded edges on the rubber part – they should be crisp and square to work properly

Things that can break down your wipers:

• Sun due to UV light and ozone

• Oil from other cars and the road, especially exhaust

• Sand, rocks, dust, and other road debris carried in the wind

• Acid rain and saltwater

If your wiper does any of these things, it’s time for a change:

• Streaking, which is from a hard, cracked wiper. Make sure the streaks aren’t due to tree sap or something else caught between the blade and your windshield.

• Skipping, which comes from curvature that stems from lack of use

• Bent frames, which make your wipers virtually useless

Your wipers should be changed about every year at least, and you should check them at least once every six months. Whenever you’re at a gas station, use some of the windshield cleaning stuff and a paper towel to wipe down your blades. Remember – your wipers are instrumental in helping you see. Get the right size and the right type for the season and you should be good to go!