If you don’t do this, you risk both an accident, but also lasting damage to your car, not to mention a fine in the event of a roadside inspection: three good reasons to check straight away if your car is in order!
Owning a car is very practical, but it is also a source of hassle, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Whether it’s a breakdown, a puncture, or a noise that arises while driving, there is no shortage of unforeseen events. But not all failures are necessarily linked to chance. Some are due to a lack of vigilance on the part of the motorist. Neglecting regular maintenance, driving with insufficient oil levels, ignoring warning lights on the dashboard… all of this can lead to avoidable problems or even cause accidents.
This is the case for a car accessory that each driver must check every six months, ideally at the change of season and particularly in winter. If this is not done, the risk is real: the element may no longer work and interfere with driving. These are the windshield wiper blades. If they are worn or broken, you are in violation. As stipulated in thearticle R316-4 of the Highway Code, “the windshield of motor vehicles (…) must be fitted with at least one windshield wiper having a surface area, power and frequency sufficient for the driver to be able, from his seat, to see clearly the road.” In the event of an inspection by the police, you are also liable to a 3rd class fine, in the amount of 68 euros, which is reduced to 45 euros in the event of payment within fifteen days.
Generally, very few drivers think about changing their wiper blades until they notice that they no longer clean their windshield as well. Most of the time, they notice it at the worst time, when it’s pouring rain, or when they need to clean their windshield while driving. Moreover, “It’s not just dangerous for you, it’s dangerous for your car. When the rubber wears down to bare metal, the metal will quickly scratch and damage your windshield,” explains mechanic Scotty Kilmer in one of his YouTube videos.
As a reminder, a car’s windshield wipers wear out due to several factors. Temperature variations have a lot to do with it. Heat dries out rubber, making it stiff and less effective, while cold can crack it. Exposure to sun, UV rays and bad weather, such as rain and snow, also weakens the blades. Likewise, if you often use them on a dirty windshield, or without using the windshield washer fluid, this accelerates their wear.