The first issue in the Springtime Auto Maintenance Series.

This Series is especially for those vehicle owners located in the vicinity of Maryland and Virginia who understand the value of keeping their car safe and protect their investment through on-going maintenance. As seasons change from the harshness of Winter to the renewal that Spring offers, assuring that your vehicle is road ready for spring and summer driving is important.

Maintaining your windshield wipers and changing the wiper blades on your vehicle regularly is more important than you might think.  Being a safe driver means being aware of your surroundings.  But, when the weather takes a turn for the worse bringing rain or when darkness sets in, you must be able to rely on wipers that leave your windshield with a consistent, clean clear wipe.  Otherwise, your 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 and darkness.  You must also rely on them to keep your windshield clear of road tar, mud spattering or other messy deposits like insects or bird droppings.  Worn wiper blades will not remove such debris.  Instead, they smear the mess and obscure your vision even more.  If you begin switching out your wipers regularly, you can avoid these problems and keep your eyes clearly on the road.

When to Change Your Windshield Wipers

When your blades are past their physical prime, inspection will show signs of wear such as cracking or discoloration, and they will not perform well – causing streaking or skipping.  The blades might squeak or chatter when they need to be replaced.  Some newer wiper blades come with a wear-indicator which will show  when they need to be replaced.   If your wipers don’t have a special indicator, the rule of thumb is to change them at least once per year, and every six months is preferable. So if you have been procrastinating about changing wiper blades, take a few minutes to make this a priority.  It could mean the difference in your family’s safety.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency in Rockville, PA, we want you to be safe and accident-free.  As you prepare your vehicle for spring and summer driving, don’t forget to assure that your auto insurance coverage is up to date.  If you have had changes in vehicles or drivers recently, check with your insurance agent to be sure that you are fully covered and are receiving the best rates available.