You probably don’t spend much time thinking about it when you’re at your Jenkintown Pontiac-Buick-GMC Dealer, but your windshield wipers are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Understanding just a little bit about how this important component works can help you when it comes time to replace your windshield wipers.

A windshield wiper works by forcing the rubber insert from the wiper blade to sweep across your wet windshield. When this happens, water builds up in a wedge formation. This is, in many ways, the same sort of thing that happens when you use a squeegee. The wiper pushes the water off of the windshield. It leaves your windshield clear and clean, allowing you to continue driving safely.

There are a number of different components that make up a windshield wiper. The windshield wiper system includes splined shafts on which the arms of the wiper pivot. In addition, there is a component that creates the back-and-forth motion of the windshield wiper. Finally, there is an electric motor for the wiper that creates the power for the entire wiper system.

Underneath a plastic cover is a small nut that holds the arm of the wiper onto the splines. The splines function to keep the shaft from slipping. This is why windshield wipers don’t just spin around in a fully circular motion. There is a metal crank assembly attached to the arm on one end, and the motor on the other. This reciprocating mechanism is also found on rear wipers, although it is usually a lot smaller than front wipers and it is often build into the motor.

The speed of your wiper blades is dependant upon the amount of energy that the motor sends from the wiper switch. The lower the voltage, the lower the speed. Some windshield wiper systems feature intermittent action. This is created by an entirely separate electrical module. This module is wired between the motor and the wiper control switch on the dashboard or on your steering column.

Regularly checking your wiper blades for wear and replacing them when necessary is an important part of keeping your Buick, Pontiac, or GMC car safe and maintained.