In most of Russia, winter has already arrived, and motorists in these regions have already experienced all the delights of operating their car in cold weather and in large numbers snow.
A clean and transparent windshield should always be, but it is in winter that it becomes much more difficult to keep it clean due to more dirt on the roads and ice constantly sticking to the brushes.
What kind of wiper blades should be for winter?
In total, there are several types of wiper blades, which differ in cost.
The first type of wiper blades- these are frame brushes. The most common type of brushes, sold at any auto parts store and relatively inexpensive.
But for winter they are less adapted, because. Snow sticks to the brush mechanism.
The second type of wiper blades These are winter frame brushes. A less common type of brush, designed for use in winter and costs a little more. It differs from the first one only in a special rubber cover in which the brush frame is placed. Case increases aerodynamic drag, at speeds above 100 km / h, the windshield wiper is possible, and it is not tightly pressed against the glass.
The third type of wiper blades These are frameless brushes. The cleaning rubber edge of the brush is attached to a special polymer "ridge", which has a slight bend and fits snugly to the windshield of any shape. Because of mini size, Unlike frame brushes, windage decreases at high speeds.
In order to understand which type of brushes is more suitable for winter, you need to understand.
The fourth type of wiper blades- these are hybrid wiper blades (a kind of frameless brushes). These wipers were designed exclusively for expensive models, but every year they are installed on an increasing number of cars. At present, hybrid brushes are an element basic configuration majority modern models Korean and japanese models automakers.
It is possible for snow to stick at the joints of the casing, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of cleaning. These wipers are not recommended for vehicles that have a strong windshield curve.
How wipers fight ice
In winter, there are two main problems for wiper blades - frost and ice, which sticks to the brush and prevents it from fitting snugly to the glass.
they are not at all adapted for operation in winter - their frame is very quickly clogged with snow, freezes and the brush becomes a shapeless "snarl", which does not clean the glass at all. Such a brush will often have to be manually shaken off the ice.
- have a number of advantages over others, their frame is protected from snow getting inside with a rubber cover, such a brush is insensitive to frost and will fit well to the glass in any cold. With one caveat - as long as the rubber cover of the brush is intact, which is quite easy to damage.
- were invented in Europe and are great for their warm European winters. Such brushes perfectly clean the glass in light frosts. However, at frosts below -10, -15 degrees, their frame ceases to bend and fit snugly against the glass, and such a brush can no longer clean the glass well.
They have not only a solid construction, but are also very convenient to use in winter, and also have good aerodynamic characteristics. They make little to no noise and are easy to clean with an ice scraper or winter brush. The classic frame wiper is taken as a basis and it is already tightly closed with a metal or plastic casing, which completely repeats its shape. This increases the weight of the brush, and with it the tightness of the fit to the glass.
Which wiper blades to choose?
The choice for the motorist is small, in fact there are only two types of brushes suitable for winter operation — ,
And . Which one to choose depends on the climate of the region where the car is operated. If this Big city and the temperature in it rarely drops below -15 -20 degrees - you can use frameless brushes. If the car often drives on country roads, then it is better to prefer winter frame brushes - they will be less affected by severe frost.
Therefore, in Moscow it is recommended to use frameless wiper blades.
Safety is first and foremost visibility. In the rain, you must admit, it is much more pleasant to drive along the highway in a car, the wipers of which easily brush off dirt and water from the glass, leaving no streaks. Which brushes are best for cleaning windshields? high speed: ordinary frame, so-called winter (in a rubber case), frameless or fashionable hybrid? For the answer in the final part of the endurance tests, we brought Solaris and Camry under the tedious autumn rain on expressway landfill and successively installed all four types of wipers.
The main advantage of a conventional wiper blade is low price. In a Moscow network hypermarket, such a wiper costs about two times cheaper than similarly priced winter, frameless and hybrid brushes of identical dimensions from the same eminent manufacturer: 250-300 instead of 500-700 rubles for a 60-centimeter driver's brush for Solaris.
In the case of a hybrid, you overpay for design and aerodynamics. The rubber band (what directly cleans the glass) is exactly the same as that of the frame wiper. Structurally hybrid brush differs from the usual one only in a lower frame and developed aerodynamic body kit, hiding fittings and hinges, which reduces the turbulence of the air flow and reduces the lifting force that tears the wiper off the windshield. The advantage theoretically should appear just at high speeds! By the way, in winter, the body of the hybrid brush, which covers the hinges of the frame, including from snow, reduces the likelihood of their immobilization due to freezing.
Due to the low frame of the hybrid brush, the number of pressure points is less: there are six of them on the 65-cm Camry wiper instead of eight on the conventional frame. Therefore, hybrids are less versatile: they work worse on glasses with a large curvature
But this problem has been radically solved only with a frameless janitor: there is nothing to immobilize there! A frameless brush will only leave wide, uncleaned streaks as a result of ice forming on the rubber band in contact with the glass. And of course, the frameless case is even better with streamlining: it is lower and more aerodynamic than other types of brushes (with the exception of a massive attachment point on a leash).
The difference in the height of the brushes is visible to the naked eye: the frame ones will obscure the view the most. But they clean the right one better than others bottom corner on heavily curved glass. And worst of all, they cope with this task ... demon frame wipers. Because the elastic metal plates in them are strongly curved in the middle, and closer to the ends they are almost straight
But for winter wipers, a rubber boot that protects the hinges from freezing has a huge windage. The lifting force is such that cleaning defects appear at 90-100 km / h, and at 140 km / h the janitor literally hovers above the glass, barely touching it - this is in the wind tunnel of AvtoVAZ using the example of the Togliatti "tens" in 2007.
At winter brushes special rubber. First, it is significantly higher to reduce the likelihood of frosting on the cleaning edge. And secondly, the rubber itself is used softer and more elastic when low temperatures Oh
But that was on the VAZ-2110 with its convex glass. Maybe on Solaris (not to mention Camry, where the glass is even flatter) everything will be different?
To minimize the impact of rubber band quality, three of our four brush types came from the same manufacturer, Federal-Mogul's Champion brand. Not found at the end of September only winter wipers Champion: they did not have time to bring them to the retail network. Therefore, we bought no less high-quality Alca case brushes, also popular in Russia.
The famous Champion makes all four types of brushes. The Easyvision series is inexpensive framed, Aerovantage - both frameless and hybrid wipers, and Winter - winter in a case. The latter have not yet been delivered to stores, so we replaced them with similar brushes from Alca
At urban speeds (up to 80 km/h), three of the four types of brand new brushes did their job perfectly: perfectly clean glass. Only frameless ones left one or two thin capillary strips. Moreover, four wipers out of four, which can be explained more by differences in the quality of rubber band batches than by the design of the brushes. Although, in theory, the rubber bands for all Champions - both framed, and hybrid, and frameless - should be the same. However, one or two thin water threads worsen the view slightly.
The end of winter marked the beginning of the wet season, and many, having torn their brushes on the ice crust on the windshield for winter months Thinking about replacing wipers. Today we deal with simple question what kind of wipers are in general, and by what parameters to choose them.
1. What needs to be done?
Select wiper blades to replace worn ones.
2. What parameters should be observed when choosing new brushes?
By by and large, there are three parameters that may differ when choosing new brushes. Wipers should be selected according to the following criteria:
- length: new brushes should be the same length as the ones available and recommended for your model;
- attachment type: new brushes must have the same type of attachment as the old ones;
- design is already a matter of taste and price, and we will consider it in the next paragraph.
A couple more remarks about the first two points. Speaking about the recommended length of wipers, it is worth remembering that sometimes it is possible to install wipers a little longer than those recommended by the manufacturer on a car. Take a look at the gap between the brushes in the rest position and the area being cleaned by each of them - if the gap is large, and the cleaning area does not reach the edges of the windshield, you can try on a brush a few centimeters longer. The main thing here is that the brushes do not touch each other during operation: this will cause unnecessary wear on the trapezium of the wipers and the mechanism as a whole.
As for the type of attachment, their classification is almost a topic for an entire article. Over the years of evolution, so many types of wiper mounts have divorced that it becomes unclear why this is needed now. The good news is that, as a rule, a whole mountain of adapters is included with the brushes, designed to install the wipers on a leash with almost any type of attachment. Of course, even in such conditions there are "unique" mounts, brushes for which you have to look for. But the most obvious decision when planning to replace the brushes is to simply remove the existing wiper, see what type of mount your car uses, and see if it's listed on the adapters list on the packaging of the new kit. In 95% of cases, there are no problems with the search.
3. What are the designs of wipers?
This is exactly the third item from the previous list, which is not critical, but depends on your preferences and budget. Note that we will not take into account exotic options like heated wipers, but consider ordinary mass brushes, which make up 99% of the market.
In general, modern wipers are divided into three types:
- frame;
- frameless;
- hybrid.
Frame wipers- these are those that have been familiar to everyone for a long time: they have a metal or plastic frame with rocker arms, and the glass is cleaned by a polymer brush fixed on two metal guides. Their advantages stem from their age and design: they are the cheapest, and the design provides maximum adhesion to the glass even in the bend area. Cons - from the same place: the more in the design mechanical parts, the more it is subject to wear, and in winter the frame of the wipers is covered with ice, ceasing to fulfill its direct duties of “fitting” the glass.
Frameless wipers- these are the same two metal guides holding the cleaning element, but no longer on the frame, but in a plastic case. Such a janitor keeps its shape precisely due to the bending of the metal insert, and it will no longer bend more than it is. Therefore, on strongly convex glasses there is a risk of getting uncleaned corners. But there is no mechanics here: it is a one-piece element, and only the directly cleaning surface wears out. Accordingly, the frosting of the brush is minimal, and the one-piece design also has a positive effect on the noise background - usually without frame brushes give an aerodynamically favorable shape. That's just to pay for a frameless janitor will need more than for the "ancient" frame.
hybrid wipers is a combination best qualities from the first and second types. They have a frame with rocker arms, which ensures a good fit of the cleaning strip to the glass, and they also have a developed plastic casing that covers this frame. The brush turns out to be efficient, heavy and solid, and thanks to the same aerodynamic shape, it presses even harder against the glass on high speeds. But you just have to pay for all this splendor, almost like for a pair of frame and frameless janitor separately.
subspecies hybrid brushes you can also consider the so-called "winter" wipers. This is also a frame structure, but completely hidden in a sealed casing that prevents the ingress of water and snow and the accompanying freezing. Of the pluses - softer cleaning elements, designed for low temperatures, and a decent service life. Of the minuses - the size is even larger than that of hybrid brushes, the need to replace brushes seasonally and pay for them as for a "specialized" thing.
4. When should you change your brushes?
This question is much simpler than it might seem: you yourself will see and feel that it's time for the brushes to be in the trash. It is worth remembering corny that wipers are consumables, and their service life rarely exceeds a couple of seasons. If the wipers do not remove water and dirt after one or two strokes, smearing stains on the glass, there is nothing to explain. Another unpleasant feature of poor-quality or worn-out brushes can be a water film that remains after the cleaning element passes through the glass: in the rain at night, this film “smeares” the headlights of oncoming cars, critically worsening visibility. Of course, the janitor cannot remove the water dry, but if you feel obvious disadvantage visibility, and you are blinded by every oncoming car, this may be a reason to stop by the store for new couple brushes.
This is a key element of the car window cleaning system from road dirt, dust, insects. From how much quality brushes, depends final result. The fact is that not all of them fulfill their main purpose as it should be. This is due to many factors, which we will discuss in this article. In addition, we will consider the rating of wiper blades and decide on the choice of a quality product.
General information and concepts
High-quality brushes do not leave traces of dirt and streaks on the glass. This, in fact, is the main selection criterion. But besides this, there are many other factors. Some rubber bands creak, others tan in cold weather. All this is inherent in brushes Low quality or those that have already developed and are subject to immediate replacement.
The rubber used to make the brushes must be of high quality. This is due to the fact that the unit is operated all year round, regardless of weather conditions. Mud, snow or frost - it doesn't matter. In any case, the brushes must work correctly and provide good visibility driver while driving. If you do not change the rubber bands, then even if they are of the highest quality, their efficiency will gradually decrease. When the time comes for replacement, it is advisable to buy only high-quality products, but this is not as easy as it seems at first glance.
What to be guided by when choosing?
Many of us pay attention first of all to the cost. In the background is the brand. The more famous and proven it is, the better. This approach can be called correct only partially. The thing is that not always a high price indicates high quality, although this is often the case. As well as a well-known manufacturer does not guarantee that the brushes will work effectively both in summer and winter.
Today, almost all groups of goods that can be attributed to automobiles are counterfeited. In particular, this applies to spare parts, automotive oils, coolant, etc. Wiper blades are no exception. That is why the Bosch bought for a lot of money does not always bring joy and satisfaction with the result, because it can simply be packed in beautiful wrapper Chinese fake. And since it's about road safety, it's better not to joke and shop only in trusted places.
Rating of winter wiper blades
The winter period is characterized by low temperatures and the presence on the frontal and rear window ice. The composition of rubber for brushes used in winter is somewhat different from the usual. The point is that at big minus rubber dubeet and ceases to perform its immediate task. To avoid this, you need to be able to choose the right brushes.
Many prefer the frame structure. But this is practically meaningless, which is what experts focus on. The fact is that the frame structure contains large quantity metal and plastic elements. They have the ability to freeze in frost. Therefore, until everything thaws, they will not work or they will, but not too well. Although today there are manufacturers offering us a frame structure that is of high quality.
The best framed wiper manufacturers
I would like to point out right away that high efficiency achieved by adding rubber to the rubber. This gives plasticity, which does not disappear even at low temperatures. At the same time, such brushes have an impressive price tag, so not everyone will take them for themselves. Maruenu Gyraless Snow Blade is the leader in our rating. Key Feature is that the frame is completely sealed and galvanized. Therefore, moisture does not get into it and there is at least some protection against corrosion. In addition, the elastic bands themselves are made of rubber with a small addition of tourmaline. This approach ensures high quality in any weather conditions even at sub-zero temperatures.
Another worthy contender for leadership is Avantech Snowguard Polar. Pretty solid graphite-coated brushes and a reinforced frame, which is also airtight. More affordable, but serve no more than 2 winters, although this figure is better than many. It is worth paying attention to Alca Winter. True, there is nothing special here, but the brushes are fully compatible with various models auto. You can talk about a good assortment.
Frameless brushes
From the name you can guess that the movable rocker system is absent in this case. A metal bar is responsible for pressing the rubber band to the glass, which is located along the entire length of the rubber band and holds it in place. correct position. The advantages of such a solution include:
- attractive appearance;
- easy replacement of brushes;
- uniform distribution of pressure;
- high reliability.
Experiments have shown that such brushes work better at high vehicle speeds, since there is no windage effect, as with frame brushes. Optimum values of aeroacoustics and aerodynamics are achieved. For the winter period, models equipped with a spoiler (Flat Blade) are more suitable. This is due to the fact that the spoiler, with an oncoming air flow, creates additional pressure on the brushes, pressing them even more against the glass. Now consider the rating of winter wiper blades that do not have a frame.
The best among the best
After testing, where the main requirements were such characteristics as elasticity at a temperature of -20, cleaning quality and clamping pressure, 5 manufacturers were among the leaders. The first place went to brushes Maruenu AS. Elastic band in this case made of rubber and impregnated with graphite. It is worth noting that in budget models almost always used spraying, which is quickly erased. There is also a complete impregnation, which provides efficient work under any weather conditions. There are no vibrations and slippage on the glass. Also, such brushes are resistant to ultraviolet radiation and the aggressive environment of the washer fluid. Generally great choice, however, such a pleasure will cost a lot (3000 rubles).
In second place are Bosch Aerotwin. The brushes are made of composite rubber with the addition of rubber. Everything here is done with high quality, there is no hint of squeakiness and poor fastening. Included is a special adapter for non-standard connections. Closing out our 2016 wiper blade rating is Denso DF. Acoustic comfort is perfect, thanks to the adjustment to the windshield profile.
Do you need heated brushes?
Recently, special kits have appeared that are equipped with heating. For this, an elastic a heating element. Such a system serves to maintain the elasticity of the gum even in severe frosts. The function is quite useful, but such a kit will cost a lot, and problems may arise during installation.
Now popular manufacturers of heated brushes are Burner and Consul Winter. In the first case, upon purchase, you will receive a thermal relay with a fuse and a power button. Additionally, you can purchase a special remote control for remote start systems. The second set is more budgetary, but does not lag behind in quality. The installation can be done independently, although there are some peculiarities.
About hybrid brushes
We reviewed frame and frameless structures with you. Each species has its strengths and weak sides. Recently, hybrid brushes are gaining more and more popularity. They are practically devoid of flaws and have all strengths frame and frameless wipers. Structurally, they have a hinge-lever system. This is inherent in frame brushes. But the system is designed in such a way that the possibility of moisture or dirt getting on the hinges is completely excluded. This is achieved through the use of a sealed fairing. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to increase downforce, regardless of the configuration of the windshield. Essentially, this universal brushes. Secondly, the fairing allows you to evenly and with the necessary effort to press the gum against the windshield.
In any case, rating automotive type we'll consider. But first I would like to say about slight disadvantage such a design. It is included in the cost of the kit. Usually it is 1.5-2 times more expensive than normal frameless brushes. In this case, the service life is about one year.
Rating of hybrid wiper blades-2016
Denso stands out among the most popular manufacturers of this type of brushes. The organization has been manufacturing since 2005 and is famous for its high quality products. The toggle mechanism is hidden behind a stylish sealed housing that is almost invisible. At the same time, the range is simply huge and includes all standard sizes. The matte black finish makes the design unique. This is not surprising, because brushes from this manufacturer installed as standard on many premium cars.
If we consider the rating of wiper blades for winter hybrid type from the company "Denso", then in the first place - Denso Wiper Blade. The elastic band is made of natural rubber with a graphite coating. The frame is made with low profile and covered with black matte paint. Reviews of professionals speak of the highest quality of the product and relatively affordable cost. The kit will cost about 1000 rubles, which is not so expensive compared to competitors. Good feedback and about Trico Hybrid. As in the previous case, natural rubber and graphite coating are used. They operate silently and keep the windshield clean even at speeds over 180 kilometers per hour.
Top Producers
Behind for a long time exploitation various types wipers from manufacturers from around the world, motorists have formed a rating of wiper blades-2016. These are firms that control the quality of production at all stages and produce consistently good brushes. For example, if the rating of frameless wiper blades brings one company to the first place, then in the general list the situation may change somewhat.
In the first place has long settled German company Bosch. Pleasantly surprises not only with the quality and range of products, but also pricing policy. The cost of the kit, depending on the size, usually does not exceed 1500 rubles. In second place - the French company Valeo. The company has been manufacturing brushes for a long time and focuses on the reliability of products. In third place - Heyner is from Germany. A large assortment allows you to choose not only the length, but also required type mounts. Of course the rating best brushes windshield wipers and their manufacturers does not end there, about which a little below.
Cheap and cheerful
Often we try to buy something more budgetary, and at the same time we want high quality. If we are talking about wiper blades, then there are no special problems. Again, in this case, it is better to bypass Chinese products for the simple reason that there is big choice European brands and the cost does not differ much.
At the same time, you can be sure that the Japanese Denso will work for a long time and will not creak after several hundred kilometers. This is especially true for hybrid type brushes. If we are talking about frameless, then it is worth looking aside American manufacturer champion. Great budget brushes of good quality. Often they go for more than 2 years, although there are cases of squeaks and immediately after installation. So here you can stumble upon marriage. But "Alka" from Germany is a budget solution and is practically not faked. Optimal choice for those who count their money and appreciate German quality.
There are many more manufacturers, in particular from Europe and the USA, where they make noteworthy brushes. These are Italian "Sparko", American Trico, etc. In any case, you need to be able to make right choice. For example, some manufacturers fall into the rating of winter wiper blades in 2016, but others for all-weather use.
When winter comes, most car owners are limited to the fact that. Despite the fact that this procedure is the main one, do not forget about changing the wipers. They are divided into 4 types, each of which is best suited for certain conditions:
- Frame;
- Frameless;
- Winter frame;
- Hybrid.
Frame wiper blades
They are the base on which the cleansing cloth is put on. rubber band. Rocker arms in the amount of 2-4 pieces depart from the wiper leash, each of which is supplied with a tape. This design fits snugly to the glass, moving freely up and down and cleaning the surface from rain, snow and dirt. This system is collapsible, which allows you to replace rubber parts without purchasing a new frame. Thus, this kind of wipers is an economical choice.
The disadvantages of frame cleaners include that their rubber band, when worn, causes the skeleton to rub against the glass surface with a characteristic unpleasant sound leaving scratches. Aluminum base makes the structure light, but deprives the margin of safety. We can conclude that frame wipers are suitable for operation only in the warm season.
Winter frame cleaners
An improved version of simple collapsible wipers that is suitable for frost. The metal frame is coated with silicone, and the working coating consists of several layers, which allows use in winter. In addition, this option has quite long term service and high strength.
The disadvantage of this model of wipers is the high price. Despite the fact that they successfully clean glass from any contamination all year round, it is more profitable to use specialized cleaners for each season.
Hybrid brushes
The design of the mixed type of wipers consists of a classic frame with a compact plastic casing. These cleaners are highly aerodynamic, adhering well to the glass for good cleaning. They retain elasticity and geometry for about a year, which is 3-4 times longer than the lifespan of ordinary ones. Despite the fact that their service life is quite long, the price from 50 to 100 dollars makes you think better.
Frameless wipers
This type of cleaner does not have a separation of the skeleton and working surface. Inside the rubber-coated band is a steel plate that presses the structure against the glass for better cleaning.
They have many advantages when operating in winter:
- When the car is parked on the street, in the cold, there is no need to raise such wipers. Their coating does not freeze to the glass, which allows you not to worry about tearing off cleaners in the morning.
- In addition to the first point, ice accumulated on the wipers is easily removed by bending in several places. They don't have joints. The entire structure is solid.
- Better cleaning due to the fact that the design fits snugly and completely to the glass. This is achieved by applying even pressure over the entire length of the brush.
- Good aerodynamic properties. With the development of high speed, such cleaners do not creak or slip. The integrated spoiler directs the air flow in such a way that the windshield wipers better adhere to the glass when there is a strong oncoming air flow.
- The low profile without protrusions allows this type of brushes to increase visibility compared to analogues. In addition, their design fits seamlessly with any kind of car.
How to choose frameless cleaners
The purchase of such wipers provides. Each machine model has its own configuration frameless brushes. This diversity is dictated by the difference in the windshields of cars. Installing an inappropriate purifier will result in it not being able to do its job because it does not fit well. Windshield will get dirty, reducing visibility.
This principle is mostly relevant for budget wipers. Manufacturers of premium models assure that their devices will “sit” well on glass with any bend.
Rating of the best frameless wipers
First place
Alca Winter. The rubber of these brushes has high strength and can withstand many hours of work even when severe frost. High quality fully reveals such advantages of frameless cleaners as protection from freezing and maintaining the elasticity of the working surface.
The disadvantage of this model is the narrow specialization. Ideal in winter, in the summer they quickly lose their shape due to exposure to heat and ultraviolet radiation. This disadvantage forces car owners to have a spare set of wipers for warm seasons.
Alca Winter is highly praised by users for its excellent work in winter. Some report that the design of this model does not fit all cars, negatively affecting the appearance of elegant cars with its massiveness.
Second place
Heyner All Seasons. A bunch of automotive publications and drivers for a quiet ride. After several months of operation, these wipers do not emit a single creak and rustle, providing comfortable movement. The manufacturer claims that silence in operation is achieved by using a special rubber recipe and fine-tuning the angle of work.
The disadvantage of this model is a small rigidity. In winter, this can cause the windshield wiper to rise in some places when it freezes, allowing dirt to pass on the glass.
Heyner All Seasons owners complain that wipers leave streaks of antifreeze liquid. In general, the quality does its job.
Third place
Denso Retrofit (LHD). This brush has proven itself with a smooth cut of the working surface, as well as high technology. Denso has a number of patents that are applied in this model of cleaners. Among them - a progressive way of processing and modern functionality. The integrated spoiler provides high aerodynamics by resisting the oncoming air flow.
The disadvantage of this model is that it does not always perfectly cope with the main task - cleaning glass. Some specimens tend to accumulate snow on themselves, leaving dirty streaks on the glass.
Most users find that this brush performs best in warm conditions. Winter performance is most often rated at 3 points out of 5. Buyers are satisfied with the low price.
Conclusion
In order to have best review in winter, you should look at frameless brushes wiper. Tests show that they perform better in cold and snow conditions, doing a good job of cleaning glass. In general, such wipers are praised for their excellent fit to the surface of the car, combining elasticity and density. Choosing this type of brushes is based on the characteristics of the car - the bend and size of the glass.
