How to Change Windshield Wipers on an Acura

When it comes to cars and its needs, you either rely on the technician at your local service station or you neglect your car and drive it everywhere until you notice that it needs something. Windshield wiper blades are very common parts overlooked by both car owners and service technicians alike. Then, at the most inopportune time, you realize they're not clearing your windshield properly and you're desperately looking for an auto parts store to pull over and purchase new ones. Finally you find one, buy them and then wonder how they stay on.

Things You'll Need

• Small straight edged screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn the ignition key to "accessory" (one click forward in the ignition switch) to provide power to the accessory equipment.

2. Turn your wiper motor on and when the wiper arms reach a spot on the windshield that you can reach easily, turn the ignition key to the "off" position. Do not turn the wiper motor back to the "off" position. If you do that, the wiper arms may very well continue their cycle and wind up back in their "off" position.

3. Approach the wiper you need to replace first. Try the driver's side first because it's the easiest to reach. When you realize how the wiper blade attaches to the wiper arm, the right side will go a little quicker, even though it will be harder to reach.

4. Lift the wiper arm up away from the windshield as far as it will go. It is spring loaded to apply tension against the windshield.

5. Flip the wiper blade vertically away from the wiper arm and place your hand under the center of the wiper blade. There is a small lock tab clip on most wiper blades that needs to be pushed or pulled in order to release the blade from the hook of the arm. This is located on the underside center of the wiper blade where the hook holds it. Sometimes a small straight edged screwdriver may help convince it to release.

6. While holding the tab clip (it's a clip lock so moving the small tab up or down should open the snap-lock) pull down on the wiper blade away from the hook of the wiper arm. It may not feel like it wants to move at first, but that could just be from being on the wiper arm for so long and exposed to the environment. You can hold the lock tab and pull down on the wiper blade at the same time and use the screwdriver to insert into the hook to help convince the wiper blade to release if you need to. Just be careful not to let the wiper arm snap back against the windshield and crack it.

7. Take the new wiper blade and hold it vertically up against the hook of the wiper arm and insert the curved part of the adapter into the hook. You can only do this one way or you won't be able to clip it in so it's pretty self explanatory. Pull back on the newly installed wiper blade until you hear the slight click of the lock tab setting in place.

8. Repeat the procedure on the other side.