Summer windscreen wiper care is something that's easy to overlook. Your windscreen collects everything – dead insects, tree sap, dust and pollen. You switch on the wipers to clear it, and they just smear the mess everywhere. Then you're driving into the sun or facing oncoming headlights at night, and you can barely see. Do you know how little it takes to avoid all that? Just three things: good wiper blades, the right screenwash and a clean windscreen.
Why is summer so hard on your windscreen wipers?
- The sun and heat gradually harden the rubber on your wiper blades.
- Insects and tree sap stick to the windscreen, and the wipers just spread them around.
- Dust gets trapped between the blade and the glass, acting like sandpaper.
- Tap water leaves limescale deposits on both the windscreen and the washer jets.
Which screenwash should you use in summer?
Summer screenwash isn't just coloured water. It's designed to break down stuck-on insects and tree sap on your windscreen. If you use plain water, you won't remove them. You'll just smear them around even more. You can also buy concentrated screenwash. Dilute it with water in the correct ratio, and it'll last you ages.
How can you look after your wiper blades?
- Never run your wipers over a dry windscreen. Spray some screenwash first.
- When you wash your car, give the wiper blades a wipe with a cloth and some glass cleaner too.
- Clean your windscreen inside and out. That greasy film on the inside makes it harder to see clearly as well.
- As soon as your wipers start leaving streaks or juddering across the glass, replace them.
There's one thing I'm asking you not to do: never try to scrape dried-on insects off with dry wipers. You could scratch your windscreen, and once those scratches are there, you'll notice every single one when you're driving into the sun or facing oncoming headlights.
How often should you replace your wiper blades?
Usually once a year. Just before winter is a good time, but if they're already leaving streaks after summer, why wait? Genuine wiper blades have the correct length and fittings for your particular model. They sit properly against the windscreen and don't chatter. It's as simple as that.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you park under trees, clean your windscreen more often. Don't let the sap dry on the glass, because getting it off afterwards can be a real struggle.
If your wipers are already leaving streaks, have a look at the genuine wiper blades and screenwash products in the Das Auto Service shop. We select them specifically for your car model, so you know they'll fit properly.
What you'll find in our shop
Genuine Audi summer screenwash, 3 litres
Genuine Audi summer screenwash breaks down stuck-on insects and tree sap on your windscreen.
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Audi summer screenwash concentrate, 40 ml
Dilute the Audi summer screenwash concentrate with water, and it'll last you a long time.
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Audi universal glass and surface cleaner, 500 ml
Audi universal glass cleaner removes that greasy film from the inside of your windscreen.
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- Front windscreen wipers by car model
- Car care products in our shop
- When should I replace my wiper blades, and how do I choose the right ones?
- Which screenwash should I use in winter?
- Hot weather and your car: battery, tyres and air conditioning
Frequently asked questions
Can I use just water in my washer reservoir during summer?
I wouldn't recommend it. Water won't break down stuck-on insects, and it leaves limescale deposits in the washer jets.
How often should I replace my wiper blades?
Usually once a year. But if they start leaving streaks, don't wait. Replace them sooner.
Why do my windscreen wipers judder or chatter across the glass?
Most often, the blade rubber has hardened, the windscreen is dirty, or the blades simply aren't the right ones for your car.