Car owner opinions differ: some claim that dividing wiper blades into summer and winter is nothing more than a gimmick, while others insist on the opposite. Does a brand's reputation always guarantee flawless performance? These and other questions regarding the selection and use of wipers were discussed by AvtoPortal with the owner of the dvorniki.ua store, who during the interview provided answers to the most frequent and significant customer inquiries.
AvtoPortal: Winter and summer blades. Is there a real difference between them, or is it just a marketing ploy?
dvorniki.ua: Strictly speaking, there is no separate category of "summer" wipers. Conventionally, this term could be applied to frame-type models that are already outdated. They are not suitable for the cold season because water gets into the frame joints, which freezes in frost and blocks the moving elements.
I would divide all blades into two types — "all-season" and "winter." The former include any frameless or hybrid options. Such designs have virtually no exposed hinges, and if they do, they are reliably covered by the housing. As a result, snow and moisture simply have nowhere to penetrate to cause icing.
However, the rubber strip remains a vulnerable spot in any wiper. It has thin grooves for water drainage, and these are what cause problems in winter. Snow packs into these channels, then melts and freezes, causing the rubber to lose its necessary flexibility.
Protection of the rubber strip is precisely what was designed into "winter" blades. Their working edge is coated with a microscopic layer of Teflon. The principle is the same as with Teflon cookware: liquid rolls off the surface without lingering. So here too — water does not contact the rubber but immediately runs off. Additionally, the housing of such blades is made of especially durable plastic, allowing significant masses of snow to be easily pushed off the windshield. Currently, we know of only one manufacturer producing truly "winter" wipers — the British company Trico, specifically its Trico Ice series.
AvtoPortal: How do frame wipers differ from frameless ones in real-world use?
dvorniki.ua: Frame blades have long moved into the category of unprofitable purchases. They have no advantages over frameless counterparts. All modern cars come off the assembly line equipped with frameless wipers. The reasons are obvious: the built-in spoiler ensures a tighter fit to the glass, cleaning quality at high speeds is better, and they are suitable for any season.
Moreover, on most cars produced after 2000, frame blades simply cannot be installed — the mounting type on the vehicle is designed only for frameless models. However, there are also cars where only a frame option is possible — it all comes down to the mounting design. Frame wipers are often seen on budget models like VAZ or ZAZ. But by and large, frame wipers are a legacy of past years.
AvtoPortal: How to choose wipers so as not to overpay for a big name?
dvorniki.ua: Trying a new, unfamiliar brand for the first time is always a risk, a kind of lottery. Therefore, it is wiser to rely on time-tested brands like Bosch or Trico. Of course, among inexpensive wipers, there are occasionally worthy specimens capable of competing with well-known manufacturers. But this is more the exception than the rule.
Nevertheless, for five years we have been offering Wiperblades blades in Ukraine, aiming to save our customers' budgets. This product is in demand in developed European countries — in particular, it leads online sales in the UK. We openly state that the wipers are manufactured in China, in the city of Xiamen, located on an island. The materials and design are selected so that the blades work reliably in a wide range of climatic conditions and operating modes. Our store provides a one-month warranty on them, we collect customer reviews, use these wipers ourselves, and recommend them to friends. In such a case, you can safely choose a lesser-known brand. In other situations, it is better to prefer market leaders, which I have already mentioned.
AvtoPortal: Can worn-out blades be "revived"? Is this a real way to extend their service life or a waste of time? How should wipers be maintained?
dvorniki.ua: We have been working exclusively with wiper blades for six years and can confidently say: no "resuscitation" of wipers exists. All sorts of products promising to restore the cleaning properties of rubber are nothing more than deception. In countries with pronounced seasonal changes, like Ukraine, it is customary to change wipers twice a year — in September and March. In summer, rubber suffers from high temperatures and dries out, while in winter it is aggressively affected by washer fluids in the reservoir, plus challenging weather conditions.
As for maintenance tips that can genuinely extend the life of wipers, the main ones are: use only quality washer fluids and never forcefully tear frozen blades off the glass. And one more nuance: every 200,000 kilometers of mileage, it is worth replacing the windshield itself.
AvtoPortal: How can the cleaning area of wipers be increased?
dvorniki.ua: This question has always sparked debate. There are both proponents and opponents of such modification. Through experiments, we found that in some cases it is permissible to install slightly longer blades without harming the mechanism. But each such case requires an individual approach, and I would not make generalized conclusions for all car brands. It is better to consult a specialist personally, considering the specific model and year of the vehicle.
