When you look at a windshield wiper, it really doesn't seem that complicated. There is a rubber bit that pushes water off the windshield - that’s it. But all you need to do to see how false that truly is, is take a cloth and wipe off the windshield yourself. Streaks, uneven drying, maybe even a scratch will be a very common result.

There are two main portions of a wiper outside the car, the squeegee and the arm. The rubber squeegee actually touches the window, but no other part of the wiper does. The part of the squeegee directly touching the window is called the blade. Like all blades, a good wiper has a sharp edge along the top and underside of the entire blade. This sharp edge allows the rubber to maintain better contact with the window, any dulling or cracking from age or damage will cause streaks.

The wiper blade is held by the wiper arm. This part is mainly a series of connections over the entire blade, typically between six and eight points depending on wiper length. These points spread out pressure evenly and keep the blade firmly pressed against the window. While most arm designs are fine for warmer weather, in winter they will quickly accumulate snow and ice creating uneven pressure and reducing wiper efficiency.

Everblades® heated windshield wipers tackle both of these areas by using two heating elements, one in the squeegee and one in the arm. The squeegee is warmed preventing ice buildup and lowering the risk of nicks and cuts in the rubber. A heated arm means no icy buildup and, as a result, even pressure over the whole blade.