Motor Expo 2026

Some people need to park their cars in the sun for a long time, "fearing that the rubber of the wiper blades will deteriorate from the heat, thus lifting the wiper arms while parked in the sun."

However... little do you know that> the spring in the wiper arm will weaken and break down faster. The essential parts that make a wiper work at full efficiency include the blade and the rubber strip, which are responsible for wiping water from the windshield. Normally, they have a lifespan of about 1-2 years. If used longer, the rubber will harden or tear, regardless of whether it's lifted or not. Another part is the wiper arm, which has a spring that pulls the blade tightly against the glass, receiving force from the lever and motor. This part is more expensive than the blade. Lifting the arm when parked in the sun causes the spring to be constantly stretched, shortening its lifespan. This results in having to pay several times more if the entire assembly needs to be replaced.

If you have to park outdoors, there's no need to lift the wiper arms, because not only does it not help extend the blade's lifespan, but it also causes the spring in the wiper arm to fatigue, making it wipe even worse!

Because wiper blades made of rubber, no matter how good and expensive they are, will all deteriorate. Whether you lift the blades up to prevent them from touching the glass or don't lift them at all, the lifespan of the blades will not be different. Wiper blades typically last about 1 year and a bit. If they start not wiping cleanly, replace them immediately. Nowadays, they are sold for just a few hundred baht per blade.

Leaving the wiper arms lifted for extended periods also affects the spring that holds the wiper arm tightly against the glass. These arms receive force from the linkage lever and electric motor. If this spring becomes fatigued, not only will the blade not adhere tightly to the glass, but if it needs to be replaced, it will also be several times more expensive than the blade.

The way to check if the wiper rubber has deteriorated is not just by looking at whether the rubber is torn, but also by observing its ability to sweep water droplets from the glass surface cleanly. If you examine the wiper rubber through a magnifying glass, you will see that its "edge" has a right-angle shape. Each angle is designed to sweep water in a specific direction and will lean slightly during operation. This right-angle has a special shape, developed through decades of research and testing, to ensure clean wiping, silent operation, and sufficient lifespan.

For correct usage, absolutely do not operate when the glass is dry. Some people use it to wipe dust from the glass; 3-4 wipes can wear down its edge until it's past its lifespan. Always remember: before operating the wiper blades, always spray water onto the glass first!

Source:  Formula magazine/ autoinfo.co.th