Autos: windshield wiper replacement

Self-tutoring about car maintenance: the tutor mentions an observation.

On Saturday I bought some replacement windshield wiper blades. Today I installed them.

Getting the old ones off was easy – it’s not always. Putting a new one on, I didn’t get that satisfying “click” the instructions suggested. I took it off again, trying to find why not.

I stared at the replacement wiper, then the instructions, for awhile. To say the least, they were subtle. Finally I noticed the clips that keep the wiper from escaping the hook.

Apparently, with this type of wiper (and with the kind of wiper hooks our van has, but there are many others), the clip doesn’t fit into the hole in the hook, like I’d expect. Rather, there are two clips that pinch from either side above the hook loop. They’re small, but noticeable, and prevent the wiper from slipping.

Once I realized what to look for the job was easy.