This Auto Maintenance Series is especially for  car owners like yourself located in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania who understand the need for vehicle safety and wish to protect their investment through on-going maintenance. As seasons change  - especially during the heat of winter, assuring that your vehicle is road ready can be critical.

Taking good care of your windshield wipers and maintaining the wiper blades on your vehicle is more important than you might think.  Part of safe driving is being aware of your surroundings.  You must be able to rely on wipers that leave your windshield with a consistent, clean clear view when the weather takes a turn for the worse bringing rain or other inclement conditions.  Obscured vision could cause you to collide with another vehicle or even drive off the road.

Your windshield wipers not only offer you clear vision during rain.  They also keep your windshield clear of spattered mud, road tar, insects, bird droppings and other messy deposits.  When your windshield wiper blades are worn, they will not remove such debris.  Instead, theyoften smear the mess and obscure your vision even more.  By switching out your wipers regularly, you avoid these problems and assure that your drive is safe.

When Should You Change Windshield Wipers

The first clue that your windshield wipers are past their physical prime is often streaking and skipping during use.  You will also know that they need replacement when inspection shows discoloration,cracking and other signs of wear.  Moreover, the wiper blades might chatter or squeak on your windshield when they need to be replaced.  Some newer wiper blades come with a wear-indicator showing when they need to be replaced.  The rule of thumb: Change them at least once per year (every six months is preferable).

Clean, intact windshield wiper blades could make a difference in your family's safety. So if you have been procrastinating about changing wiper blades, take a few minutes to make this a priority.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we want you to be safe and accident-free.  As you prepare your vehicle for safe driving, don’t forget to see that your auto insurance coverage is up to date as well.  And, if you have had recent changes in drivers or vehicles, check with your insurance agent to be sure that you are fully covered and are receiving the best rates available.