How to Change the Wipers on an '05 CTS

The 400-horsepower CTS-V isn't your granddaddy's Cadillac.

In the 2003 model year, Cadillac threw its enthusiasts a change-up by releasing the sporty yet refined CTS. On the outside, the CTS was rather unlike a Cadillac, with its hard body lines and aggressive stance, but on the inside it was decked out like any other Caddy. The CTS came standard with high-end features such as heated mirrors, dual-zone air conditioning, a seven-speaker sound system and variable-speed intermittent wipers. The intermittent wipers park themselves out of view when you turn them off, so replacing the wiper blades may seem tricky at first.

Instructions

1. Turn the ignition to the “Run” position and turn the windshield wipers on their lowest speed setting. At the highest point of the wipers' motion – when they are closest to being straight up and down – turn the ignition to the “Off” position to stop the wipers.

2. Lift one wiper arm off the glass until it locks in the upward position. Rotate the wiper blade slightly toward a horizontal position and find the plastic clip that secures the wiper blade to the wiper arm’s hook.

3. Press and hold the tab on the plastic clip and press the wiper blade down to free the clip from the wiper arm’s hook. Remove the wiper blade by maneuvering it so that the wiper arm’s hook slides through the hole between the plastic clip and the wiper blade’s frame.

4. Position a new wiper blade so that the curved side of its plastic clip aligns with the open end of the wiper arm’s hook. Slide the wiper blade upward until you hear the wiper blade’s plastic clip snap into place inside the wiper arm’s hook. Lower the wiper arm to the glass carefully.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to remove and install the wiper on the other side of the CTS.

6. Turn the ignition to the “Run” position and turn the wipers off. Once the wipers reach their parked position, turn the ignition off.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave the wiper arm in its upward, locked position for extended periods of time unattended, as a strong gust of wind or an accidental bump can make it fall onto the windshield, potentially cracking it.

References

• Alldata: 2005 Cadillac CTS Wiper Blade Replacement (LHD)
• MSN Autos: Cadillac CTS Overview
• Cars.com: 2005 Cadillac CTS Features and Options