Wiper and washer system car spares

A wiper system has a very important function: it removes rain, snow and dirt from the surface of the windscreen, providing good visibility for the driver and the ability to travel by car in bad weather. It also helps to keep the rear window clean. Road safety directly depends on the performance of this system. Therefore, driving in rain and snow with faulty wipers is prohibited by law.

Design of the wiper system

The wiper system includes the following components:

• Switch – in most cars this is located on the steering column. The driver uses it to operate the system or select operating modes. It also turns on the washer jets.
• Electric motor – this generates torque that is transferred to the windscreen wiper arms and then the blades.
• Linkage – this is a system of arms that transforms the rotation of the electric motor into the pivoting motion of the wiper arms.
• Wiper arms – these transmit the force from the linkage to the blades.
• Blades – their working part is a rubber element which directly contacts the windscreen surface.
• Washer fluid reservoir – this is installed under the bonnet to hold the washer fluid.
• Pump – this pumps the fluid and feeds it under pressure to the nozzles.
• Nozzles – these are installed on the bonnet and spray washer fluid onto the windscreen.

Maintenance tips

• Do not allow wiper blades to operate when the windscreen is dry; otherwise, they’ll scratch the glass and their rubber parts will be damaged.
• Adjust the wipers so that the blades don’t reach beyond the edges of the windscreen.
• Never turn on the wipers if the blades are frozen to the windscreen. You should wait until the ice melts a little. It is advisable to remove it by hand with a scraper.
• It is recommended to lubricate wiper blade pivot pins and wiper linkage pivot shafts occasionally.
• Dilute concentrated windscreen washer fluid in the proportion recommended by the manufacturer. Adding too much water is dangerous as the fluid may freeze when it’s cold.
• Don’t leave your wipers up when you park. This weakens the springs in the wiper arms.

Symptoms of malfunction

When the rubber elements are worn or the blades do not adhere to the windscreen tightly enough, the surface is cleaned poorly. Dirt, moisture, and streaks may remain on the glass. Occasionally, the wiper system may produce unusual noise during operation, such as knocking and squeaking. This often results from faulty pivots. If the wipers operate in one mode only or fail to turn on at all, this means either the electric motor or the steering column switch has a malfunction. Faulty washer elements usually have one common symptom: no fluid supply to the windscreen. In some cases, if the wiper system is leaking, you may notice puddles under the car after it’s been parked for a while.

Causes of malfunction

All parts of the wiper system should be correctly adjusted to ensure its proper operation. For example, if the arms are incorrectly installed, the blades will not return to their initial position after switching off. If they reach beyond the windscreen edges during operation, the electric motor might break. Trying to turn the wipers on when the blades are frozen to the glass produces a similar effect. When rubber seals are worn out, water and dirt get inside the hinges, causing them to rust, wear out, and become jammed.

As for the washer jets, using pure water in winter is the most dangerous thing for them. If it freezes and you try to turn on the jets, the pump might fail.

Autodoc.co.uk: only high-quality automotive products

Our shop is the best place to buy wiper system components. Thanks to our wide range of products, you can easily find all the parts you need. You will receive them in one parcel. Apart from automotive parts, you can also buy washer fluid from us. We provide a warranty to back up the quality of all our products.