Why Are Your Wipers Scratching the Windshield, and Can You Fix It?
Why are my wipers scratching my windshield?
Wipers can scratch a windshield when the blade rubber is worn, when dirt sits on the blades, or when they run on dry glass. To stop new scratches, clean the blades and the glass, spray washer fluid before you wipe dry glass, and replace worn blades. As a general guide, AAA advises new wiper blades every 6 to 12 months.
Sources and date
As of 2026, the causes, the signs of wear and the replacement advice in this guide come from Quebec's SAAQ, two AAA clubs (the Auto Club Group and AAA Oregon), the Consumer Reports wiper blade buying guide (2016) and the owner manuals of two vehicle makers. The inspection faults come from the vehicle inspection rules of Virginia (19VAC30-70) and Utah (R714-160-15). This guide found no official source on polishing a wiper scratch out of the glass.
What makes wipers scratch the windshield
| Cause | How it can scratch the glass |
|---|---|
| Worn rubber | Worn blades can scratch the windshield. |
| Dirt on the blades | Dirt that sits on the blades may scratch the windshield. |
| Dry glass | A vehicle maker's owner manual warns that wipers run on dry glass could scratch it and damage the wiper rubber. |
New wipers still scratching? Check these two things
Signs that your wiper blades are worn
- Streaks or smears across the glass: the most common sign of worn blades.
- Skipping or chattering while the wipers move, or an area that the blade misses.
- Damaged rubber: the wiping edge is cracked, torn or uneven.
- A film that stays on the glass after each wipe.
Replacing worn wiper blades: when and with which blade
Replace wiper blades at the first signs of wear in the list above. Rubber that has turned rigid or chipped also means that you need new wipers. When you buy the new blades, choose the blade that your owner manual specifies: one vehicle maker's manual says to use only the specified blade.
How to stop wipers from scratching the windshield
- 1Wet the glass before you wipe
When the glass is dry, spray washer fluid before you turn the wipers on.
- 2Wipe the rubber and the glass clean
Clean any debris from the rubber of each blade, and from the strip of glass where the blades park when they are off.
- 3Clear snow and ice first
In winter, get the snow and ice off the windshield before you run the wipers.
Can wiper scratches fail a safety inspection?
| Fault | Virginia | Utah | Other provinces and states |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiper blades | Rejected when the rubber is brittle, worn, torn or ripped | Rejected when the rubber wiping element shows physical breakdown | Rules differ: ask your provincial or state inspection program |
| Windshield scratches | Rejected for a driver-side scratch more than about 6 mm (1/4 in.) wide and 15 cm (6 in.) long inside the area that the wiper covers, except the bottom 7.6 cm (3 in.) of the windshield | Rejected when the glass is scratched, discoloured, clouded or pitted to a level that obscures vision | Ask the same program which scratches fail |
Related guides
- Common Reasons Vehicles Fail Safety Inspections in Canada
See the other faults that can fail a vehicle at a safety inspection in Canada.
- Monthly Car Checks: A Safety Walkaround Checklist
Add a look at the wiper rubber and the washer fluid to a monthly check of your vehicle.
- What's Actually on the Ontario MTO Safety Inspection Checklist?
See how the Ontario safety inspection checks the windshield and the area that the wipers sweep.
What to remember
- A set of worn wiper blades can lead to a costly glass repair.
- Replace wiper blades in pairs, not one at a time.
- Ask a windshield and auto glass shop to look at a wiper scratch that is already in the glass and to tell you whether the glass can be repaired.
Frequently asked questions
Can the metal part of a wiper scratch the windshield?
Yes. A torn blade can let the wiper arm rub the glass, and that can scratch and ruin the windshield. Metal on the glass is also an inspection fault in Virginia: the state's inspection rejects a wiper blade when its metal comes in contact with the windshield.
What should you clean wiper blades with?
Clean the window and the blades with a good cleaner or a mild detergent, then rinse, as one vehicle maker's owner manual advises. If the wipers no longer clean the glass well, the blades may be worn or cracked and need replacement.
When is the best time of year to change wiper blades?
In Quebec, fall is the best time of year to change wipers, because the heat and sun of summer wear the rubber. A change in fall also puts new blades on the car before the snow and ice of winter.
Do wiper blades wear out by distance or by time?
Both count. One general rule of thumb gives a time and a distance: replace the blades every six months or about 9,650 km (6,000 mi). The climate where you live and the way you drive also change how long a set of blades lasts.
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