Exact Answer: 6 Months to 12 Months
Windshield wipers refer to that part of the vehicle which can be used to clean the windshield. It helps to clean dirt, ice, rain, snow, or fog. These wipers do these tasks with just the press of a button and thus, are hugely important for the well functioning of the vehicle.
Generally speaking, there are two windshield wipers on the front windshield and one wiper on the back windshield. However, since windshield wipers are the most exposed part of the vehicle, they are prone to many damages. Thus, they should be regularly replaced and taken care of.
How Long Do Windshield Wipers Last?
| Ramge of Life | Life Expectancy |
| Minimum life | 2 to 3 months |
| Average life | 6 to 12 months |
| Maximum life | 1 to 2 years |
Windshield wipers can be categorized into three life ranges. These are the minimum life expectancy, average life expectancy, and maximum life expectancy of the windshield wipers. These categories are generalized and not based on any hard and fast rules.
Almost all windshield wipers have a life greater than one to two months. This is the minimum life expectancy and it is rarely found that any wiper lasts for less than this period. If any wiper lasts below this period, then a person certainly needs to assess his spending.
The average life expectancy for most windshield wipers is between 6 months to a year. Most wiper blades complete their lifetime within this period. The windshield wipers rarely cross this time frame as the wear and tear these blades go through makes them out of use sooner.
However, the maximum can windshield wipers can go for is not beyond 1 to 2 years. If the vehicle remains unused or underutilized for a long time, its life will certainly increase as the wiper has not performed as per its full potential. Thus, the maximum expected life expectancy for windshield wipers is between 1 to 2 years.
Furthermore, if the vehicle owner takes care of the vehicle, particularly wipers, in this case, its average lifespan can increase. Gentle and frequent cleaning of the wipers would certainly be instrumental in bringing about a substantial increase in its life. It should also be well-lubricated with appropriate lubricants.
Why Do Windshield Wipers Last So Long?
The effective life of the windshield wipers depends on a multitude of factors. These relate to the usage, storage conditions, and operating environment conditions. These factors jointly impact the working of the windshield wipers and make a mark on its life.
The usage conditions of the wipers are a major factor in influencing the life of the wiper blade. Generally, the more the wiper is used, the more its effective life reduces. The life of the windshield wipers is affected by the wear and tear it undergoes and not its time.
The hard glass of the windshield slowly decays down the wipers whenever the wiper embarks on cleaning the glass. Thus, after a period, the windshield wipers are no longer the same as they would have undertaken immense changes.
Besides usability, the other important factor affecting its life is the environment. This includes its storage environment and its operational work environment. If the wiper is made from rubber, it might have a short life as the rubber wears out sooner on is exposed continuously to sunlight.
Under environmental conditions, windshield wipers are impacted by rain, heat, and cold. While the effect of rain on the wiper is all but visible, the effects of hot temperatures make it contract to lead to breakage. On the other hand, the effects of cold temperatures make it contract to result in its breakage.
Conclusion
Windshield wipers are useful in cleaning the windshield glasses, thereby, removing dirt, rain, and snow. Windshield wipers last between 6 months to a year but if it is taken good care of, they can last for up to 2 years. On the other hand, poor care and adverse conditions may make it last for just a couple of months.
The life of windshield wipers depends on their usage and environmental conditions. More usage means a shorter life period while better environmental conditions incline for long life for the windshield wipers.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1327619/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-36282-7
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