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 wipers (wipers) help solve this problem . Today we learn how winter wipers differ from summer (simple) ones; how to choose a suitable model; how to extend her life; and also consider the best winter wiper blades.
The difference between summer and winter wipers
To understand how well the wiper is made, you need to try it in different weather conditions. It often happens that even the best summer wipers on a frosty snowy winter are completely useless. What is lacking in them to become suitable for a harsh winter?
As a rule, talking about a winter wiper, they mean a brush, which is additionally equipped with plastic or rubber protection, in the form of a frame-cover. It prevents the negative effects of snow, rain and frost on the wiper. In addition to a cover, a winter janitor may also have additional technological solutions. The main one is heating, which prevents the product from freezing to glass. In the production of winter brushes, frost-resistant materials are usually used. They allow you to maintain the functionality of the wipers, even in the most severe weather.
Rating winter wipers
Now that we know the differences between summer and winter models, let's identify the best winter wiper blades. The rating will be based on feedback from motorists, the popularity of the manufacturer and the price-quality ratio.
Janitors Horse Acrobat
This is an all-weather model of wipers, which is produced in Russia and is suitable not only for left-hand drive cars, but also for right-hand drive cars. The length of the brushes can range from 41 to 65 centimeters. The minimum cost of the product is 5-6 dollars. The creators have tried to adapt their wiper to the harsh Russian winter. The winter janitor has no cavities and hinges in which frozen water can accumulate. "Acrobat" is not susceptible to corrosion and the negative effects of anti-icing reagents. Silicone spoiler additionally protects the frame. Erasers and visor change if necessary.
Among the shortcomings, the following can be noted. When the wipers change direction, a click may occur. Apparently, it is due to the snug fit of the brush to the glass. When the glass is not wet enough, the brushes creak. When driving at a speed of more than 120 km / h, the contact density of the wipers drops sharply.
Winter wiper blades Alca Winter
In 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 can have a length of 33 to 65 cm, so they will go for a variety of passenger cars.
A protective cover prevents ice from entering the inside of the brush. In severe frosts and snowfalls, Alca winter wipers practically do not “freeze”. Snow that has accumulated is not a problem for them, so the owner has the opportunity to save on “anti-freeze”. A positive fact is the low price of janitors.
Alca Winter wiper blades have a number of disadvantages. Reviews note a modest appearance - subjectively, but still. At a positive temperature, the wipers leave stains on the glass. Well, the most important drawback is that the Alca winter wiper blades do poorly at their main task at speeds above 100 km / h.
Model TRICO Ice
The price of participants in our rating is gradually growing and for this model is already about $ 9. TRICO Ice winter wipers are available in Mexico. Their size ranges from 40-70 cm. According to the reviews of the owners, they work silently and clean the glass well in any weather. A lot of “ice-free” is not required for them. It is noteworthy that adapters are included with the wipers, allowing you to install the product on various mounts in design.
No shortcomings, too. According to reviews, the right brush does its job worse than the left wiper. The winter janitor TRICO Ice in heavy snow does not cope with the ice that arose due to the sticking and thawing of snow.
Wiper blades Champion Winter
These are European wipers, who, being a silver medalist, are almost the cheapest in our rating. 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. A sealed waterproof cover prevents snow from sticking.
Champion Winter wipers also have flaws. When the second season of operation comes, the cover often starts to let moisture through. Sometimes, in severe frost, the brushes need to be “kneaded" so that they work well. At speeds above 120 km / h, the wipers begin to cope poorly with their task. Leaving the product for the summer is not recommended, since in the warm season they do not clean very well, creating stains on the glass.
Bosch aerotwin
This is a well-deserved winner in the "Best Winter Wiper Blades" rating. This model costs from $ 10, depending on the length (34-80 cm). Bosch Aerotwin wipers are manufactured in Serbia. How are they superior to other models? Firstly, a large range of sizes. Secondly, Bosch Aerotwin wipers fully repeat the bending of the glass and do not "stiffen" in the cold. Thirdly, they faithfully serve several seasons.
Among the shortcomings, one can note only a high (but quite justifiable) price and creaking in harsh conditions.
Winter wiper blades: auto selection
A good janitor should quietly and efficiently remove water, snow and slush from the glass. He should not leave streaks of water and stains. If you notice any flaws in the work of the wipers, it's time to put new winter wiper blades.
The selection of cars is as important as the selection of quality. On each package of both summer and winter wipers, you can see a list of brands of cars to which they are suitable. Please note that even with cars of the same model, but different years of manufacture, the shape of the windshield may differ.
When choosing a wiper, keep in mind that curved brushes work better than straight ones. In addition, the janitor's main cleaning tape should be flat and have flat edges. And do not forget to find evidence on the box that it is the winter wiper blades. The selection of janitors is a simple but very important task.
How to prolong the life of the janitors?
Even the most expensive and promising wiper model will not work well and will not be able to last for several years if you do not properly care for it.
The first thing to remember is that you cannot tear off windshield wipers that have frozen to glass. This rash action can lead to damage to the brushes, as a result of which their performance will drop. All you need to do if the janitor freezes is to heat the glass with a stove. While the engine warms up, the brushes move away, and you can safely go to your destination.
If the windshield is covered with a continuous layer of snow and ice, do not clean it all with janitors. From work with such glass brushes will quickly become worthless. And if the snow for the wipers is almost not harmful, then the ice is simply fatal. To clean the glass from ice there are special scrapers. It is important that there is a rubber pad on the scraper that cleans the glass without scratching it.
If there are obvious signs of dirt on the glass, such as dirt or bird droppings, do not sting with detergent. Wipers work with him much more efficiently and do not wear out. It is very important that the washer is suitable for the season. Do not mix washers in a barrel for the winter and summer seasons. This negligence can lead to freezing of the glass, which will damage the wiper. A winter janitor, covered for some reason with a layer of ice, should be cleaned before switching on. If ice forms inside the mechanism, it may break.
Periodically, you need to inspect the wipers for cracks and other damage. If you find a problem, you need to fix it right away. This will extend the life of the device and glass. The fact is that a brush with a damaged rubber tape can cause micro-scratches on the glass. They, in turn, can subsequently cause cracks and chips.
In winter, the wipers should be in the raised state as little as possible, since it leads to freezing of the springs. If the spring is covered with ice, the brush cannot lower. Windshield is periodically recommended to be covered with water repellents. This procedure will facilitate the fate of the janitors, because not so much water and snow will accumulate on the glass surface.
If you notice that the brushes do a poor job cleaning the glass, 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, washing fluid, or alcohol. The edge of the janitor should be smooth and sharp. There should be no chipping, 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. Janitors only at first glance seem like a small detail that does not need meaningful operation. This is actually not the case. And with the advent of winter, every motorist is convinced of this. Therefore, it is not worth treating wipers negligently, especially in winter, when you need to think not only about visibility, but also about ice. Remember that not only your life, but also the life of your passengers, as well as all other traffic participants, depends on driving safety.