Check your wiper blades for these signs of wear

Look for splits and slashes, evidence of a hard wiper life.

Element has pulled away from its metal support, slaps windshield on each wiping pass

Worn down, ragged edges from winter conditions or infrequent rubber element refilling.

Hardened rubber element caused by direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes when wipers are idle. Rubber with little or no flexibility causes chatter and skips across windshield.

Usually caused by road film or chemicals adhering to rubber refill surface.

Refill too short or not properly installed loses its effectiveness and may result in a scratched windshield.

Bent arm, blade or refill is a dead giveaway, caused by ice scrapers and car wash equipment.