# SD on squeeky windshield wipers...still use em? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 20, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117 "2009-05-20T23:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/1 "2009-05-20T23:30:11Z")
Out here in Arizona, we go a long time between rain storms. I know the sun dries out the windshield wiper blades, but I replaced them about five months ago. Now, today, amazingly, it actually rained! I turned on the wipers, and they are squeeking like crazy. However, the are not streaking and seem to be working just fine. Any need to change the blades? Other than beeing very annoying, they are working OK. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/2 "2009-05-21T15:25:40Z")
I’d replace them, simply due to noise. Twice a year isn’t outside the realm of normal replacement times. I generally do it at the beginning of summer (need to do it shortly, probably overdue), and just before the first snows of winter (or in the middle of it, depending on the streaking :D) ---
**Author:** ![King\_Solomon\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@King\_Solomon\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Solomon_Hill)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/3 "2009-05-21T16:52:48Z")
I’ve never tried this, it could well be an urban myth, but i’ve heard that sanding them down or ‘sharpening’ them with sand paper can reduce the sqeak. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/4 "2009-05-21T19:28:54Z")
Twice a year for replacing blades? Maybe it’s just the lovely Seattle weather helping to keep things moist, but my current set of wipers is more than a year old and we used them to replace a set that was about three years old. ---
**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/5 "2009-05-21T20:10:57Z")
I live in the northeast, and I found I’ve had to replace blades 2x per year (sometimes 3x) to keep them working properly. The summer sun cracks the rubber, and the winter ice and salt does a number on them as well. About four years ago I got some [silblades](http://silblade.com/) and have never needed to change the blades out again. Worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/6 "2009-05-22T02:36:15Z")
Yeah but for desert folks, replacing blades 2x/year at $30/set would mean paying $20 per use. That’s the OP’s real complaint. ---
**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/7 "2009-05-22T03:12:51Z")
I was trying to point out the Silblades are much more durable than standard blades and last significantly longer. Yes, they are $25 per blade whereas ones from Autozone or whatever are like $7 - but I spent $50 to get silblades 4 years ago, which only had to last 2 years to break even ($7/blade X 2 blades X 2 replacements/year = $28/year the old ones were costing me). Since the silblades are made of silicone and not rubber, they are not going to dry out and crack in the desert heat like the standard rubber ones do. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/8 "2009-05-22T13:43:39Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Yeah but for desert folks, replacing blades 2x/year at $30/set would mean paying $20 per use. That’s the OP’s real complaint. Very valid. In New England, I’m happy to get 6 months out of a pair, but they are in use constantly here. Between bugs, rain, snow, sand, salt, and a need for a clean windshield (I hate dirty windshields with a passion), we tend to go through them a bit. I hadn’t thought of how they might last in a low use location. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-on-squeeky-windshield-wipers-still-use-em/497117/9 "2009-05-22T14:08:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Yeah but for desert folks, replacing blades 2x/year at $30/set would mean paying $20 per use. That’s the OP’s real complaint. “Desert folks” should keep a new pair in the car, still in their packaging until needed. When needed, they should be put on. Then take them off the next day when they aren’t needed any more, put the old crappy ones back on, and put the new ones back in the car until needed again. New blades should last about 20 years. Problem solved.