How to Change Your Windshield Wiper BladesGannon Burgett - Car and Driver"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."The other day, I was driving my ol' reliable 2002 Ford Econoline when rain started to come down. I turned on the windshield wipers and immediately realized, wow, I really needed to replace them.I don't have much of an excuse. I work for Car and Driver's Gear Team, and we've been testing windshield wipers for years. After all our swapping and testing of wipers, I'm here to tell you the facts: Replacing your wipers is something you can absolutely do yourself. You'll pay way too much if the person changing your oil convinces you to add it to the service.AdvertisementAdvertisementDon't do that. Choose a set of wipers, read this handy little guide, and install them yourself. You can do it.More Car Maintenance: How to Make Your Tallights Look New | How Do Scratch Removers Work? | How to Properly Clay-Bar Your VehicleWhen Should You Replace Your Windshield Wipers?You should inspect your wiper blades at least every six months and replace them about once a year. To inspect your wipers, lift each arm away from the windshield and run your finger along the rubber. You're looking for tears, hardened rubber, cracks, anything that looks or feels like the rubberized blade is damaged.You can often tell when you have an old, crappy set of blades without manual inspection because they'll leave streaks, skip across the glass, make excessive noise, or leave sections of the windshield untouched.If you're experience these symptoms, first try cleaning the blades by wiping them with a microfiber towel and warm, soapy water. Rubbing alcohol also can work, and is more effective at breaking down tree sap that may be contaminating the rubber. But if the symptoms persist, it's probably time for a new set.Rain-X Rain-X Latitude Water Repellent Wiper BladesRain-X's Latitude Water Repellent blades have reigned as our best overall selection through several rounds of tests and retests.ProsRain-X rain repellent integrated into the bladeConsLocking clasp is difficult to open$20 at amazon.comStep 1: Identify the Right Size and AdapterEvery car model will have different size requirements for blades. To find the right size, use a tape measure to measure each blade, consult your owner's manual, or use a reputable online fitment guide. We've found Amazon's "Your Garage" feature to be fairly reliable when it comes to finding the right parts for our test vehicle, a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz.AdvertisementAdvertisementImportant: Always confirm the length of each front wiper blade. Even if they look similar, the driver's and passenger's side are often different lengths.Wiper blades attach to the arm in several ways. Hook, pin, and bayonet connectors are among the most common. Many replacement blades come with several adapters for the attachment points; make sure you install the correct one. You can check your owner's manual or compare the new adapters with the connector on your vehicle.Step 2: Prepare the CarTurn off the car. Engine off, key out.Now lift the windshield wipers and prop them up. If you can't easily lift the wiper arms away from the glass, check your owner's manual; more than likely, you will need to put them into what's commonly called the service position.This is Volkswagen's service position for replacing windshield wipers.Car and DriverStep 3: Remove the Old BladesWhen lifting wiper arms, pull them far enough away that they stay fully extended on their own. We suggest placing a towel on the windshield beneath the wiper arms to protect the glass if a bare metal arm accidentally snaps back into place.Laying down towels is not strictly necessary but is a step we recommend, since accidents happen.Collin Morgan - Car and DriverLook for a small tab, button, or pair of tabs where the blade connects to the arm. Press or pinch the release and slide the blade toward the base of the arm. With a common J-hook connection, the blade usually slides down the hook and unclips from the arm. You shouldn't have to wrestle with it. If it refuses to come off, check the instructions.AdvertisementAdvertisementRemove and replace one blade at a time, so you always have an installed blade to use as a reference.Editor's note: The J-hook-style attachment is the most common connector available, so for demonstration purposes, we will provide video how-tos on J-hook attachments.Step 4: Install the New BladesMost replacement blades come with multiple attachment adapters. Choose the one that matches your vehicle and follow the instructions on the package to install the blade to the wiper arm. Then slide the new blade onto the wiper arm by reversing the removal process. Make sure it clicks or locks firmly into place before lowering the wiper back onto the windshield.Repeat the process on the other front blade and, if applicable, the rear window blade. Be especially careful when working with bare wiper arms: If one snaps back against the glass, it could crack the glass. This is where the cushion of a towel is important, in case an accident happens.Step 5: Test the WipersA properly installed, brand-new wiper blade shouldn't skip or chirp as it slides across the windshield.Gannon Burgett - Car and DriverOnce all the blades are installed, give them a test. Spray the windshield with washer fluid and run the wipers to check that they move smoothly across the glass.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf the blade skips or doesn't sit flat against the windshield, the most likely culprit is that you have the incorrect size wiper blades or they're installed improperly.Knowing how to replace your windshield wipers is one of those small DIY things that can help save you money and improve your visibility when driving. The whole job usually takes just a few minutes, so there's no reason to hand it off to someone else who will almost certainly charge you a premium.Why Trust Us?Gannon BurgettThe Gear Team helps readers make informed purchasing choices about automotive gear, tools, and accessories through hands-on product evaluations and comprehensive testing. Car and Driver's renowned testing standards mandate that we use all products we feature and that our findings and recommendations are based on personal experience and knowledge—not hype. We won't claim to have tested something we haven't, and we'll never recommend a product we wouldn't buy ourselves.The Gear Team's product selection and gear picks are editorially independent; Car and Driver has a strict policy against accepting payment for placement in articles.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe've evaluated dozens of product categories, including tonneau covers, dash cams, and car sunshades. Visit our Tested & Trusted collection to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our testing process here.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029