The best wiper blades for winter in Canada

Windshield wiper blades are designed for specific weather conditions.

In the summer, you mainly have to deal with rain and bugs on your windshield. Summer blades have a lightweight design, so they can easily glide over the glass to clear away water and bug residue. When the temperature drops, however, summer blades get held up by snow and ice. This reduces their flexibility, speeds up damage to the blades, and leaves you with a streaked view.

Winter wipers, on the other hand, can handle the cold because they have an extra layer of synthetic rubber (usually silicone), which allows them to stay supple without tearing.

Within their weather specification, wiper blades come in conventional, beam, and hybrid designs:

• Conventional: Made with a rubber blade and metal frame and are most common with older vehicles.
• Beam: Has an internal spring-metal beam instead of an external frame. Curved design helps them hug the windshield more closely.
• Hybrid: Combines the design of conventional wipers with an aerodynamic rubber shell.

Conventional blades are standard for the spring and summer, but beam and hybrid are ideal once winter rolls around.

Once you know what style of blades you want, you need to know what length to get. Check your owner’s manual for this number. You can also find this information by looking up your vehicle model online or by measuring the blades you currently have.

As long as they are purpose-built to face the tougher weather, all brands of winter wiper blades will perform similarly. As an example, these Trico Ice wiper blades are a popular choice for winter. Don’t forget to change your rear windshield blade, too. Your owner’s manual may provide a specific recommendation for your vehicle, though.

You can find a wide selection of windshield wiper blades on NAPACanada.com. Add your vehicle details to the top left corner of the website to be matched with products guaranteed to fit.

To handle everything winter throws at your windshield, change to winter wiper blades before the first snowfall. This can be anytime between late September and early December, depending on where you drive. Switch back to summer blades when the last of the snow melts. However, if you notice any tears, cuts, or delamination on your wiper blades, change them early.

No matter what type of blades you choose, the natural rubbers in them will deteriorate over time, especially when they’re exposed to extreme temperatures. Install a new pair of winter wiper blades each year to keep your view of the road clear.

Wipers come with detailed instructions on how to install them. For tips, check out our guide to changing wiper blades.

You can only get the full benefits of your winter wiper blades if you pair them with the right washer fluid. Just like wiper blades, washer fluid is formulated for certain types of weather.

Winter washer fluid focuses on clearing away road grease and salt. Thanks to a generous dose of antifreeze, it breaks up ice on contact instead of freezing. All windshield washer fluids list the lowest temperature they can handle so you can pick one suitable for your climate. Remember to check your washer fluid level every three months and top it up as needed.

For questions about choosing winter wiper blades, visit a NAPA Auto Parts store to speak with an expert.