Winter wipers for a car: types, manufacturers and reviews of car owners

In winter, the car must be protected from a variety of threats. On the one hand, trouble awaits the car owner under the hood, on the other - in wheels on rubber with insufficient adhesiveness. A separate category can be considered the protection of glasses from ice. Obviously, proper visibility is especially important when driving in bad weather. For this aspect, winter wipers are responsible, the task of which is to maintain optimal visibility in any conditions.

Features of winter wipers

The main difference lies in the composition of the material used for the part that is directly adjacent to the glass. The fact is that, depending on the temperature regime, different compounds of the rubber mixture manifest themselves in their own way. So, rubber is more suitable for summer operation, and special silicone compounds are used specifically for frost. In this case, both summer and winter wipers on the car can have the same load-bearing structure. As a rule, it is represented by a metal bar with the functional mechanisms that drive the device.

Depending on the complexity of the design, the windshield wipers can be supplemented with heating systems, which facilitates their function in harsh conditions. But, again, the fundamental difference between winter wipers is reduced to special rubber compounds, which does not harden at low temperatures.

Technical specifications

In the selection, the main attention should be paid to the dimensional parameters. The main one is the length. This indicator can vary on average from 30 to 60 cm. Do not think that the larger the coverage area, the better. Of course, a long brush will increase visibility, but it is important to consider two other aspects. First, to provide the function of such a janitor will take more energy and the risk of breakage in case of sudden icing will be increased. Secondly, it is these models that most often sin not completely cleared glasses.

Also, winter wipers differ in the width indicator. The average corridor is 10-15 mm. There is no particular difference in terms of the performance of models with different widths, since much will depend on the design of the car itself and weather conditions.

Operational properties

Experts to assess the consumer qualities of windshield wipers use several criteria. First of all, this is ergonomics. This indicator includes such qualities as the convenience of fixing the device, the aesthetic appearance, the design merits and flexibility in physical handling. Further, there is an indicator such as wear resistance. To understand the significance of this criterion, it can be noted that, for example, rubber from summer wipers will last no more than two winter seasons. Obviously, wear-resistant winter wipers show a more solid durability. This indicator, by the way, affects the quality of the rubber compound.

But there is a reverse effect of the impact on the wipers. If frosts are excluded in the summer, then ultraviolet radiation is quite possible in winter, so manufacturers face the task of protecting the brushes and sunlight. Of course, the evaluation of working qualities can not be done without immediate cleaning efficiency, that is, the brush's ability to remove dirt, snow and ice from the glass surface.

Varieties

The market presents three variations of modern winter wipers. These are brushes in a cover, frameless models and devices with heating. The use of the frame is due to the need to protect the metal bar, which plays the role of a bearing element. In other words, a completely rubber protective shell is formed, which makes it possible to use the janitor in any conditions, without fear that the metal elements will be damaged by corrosion. Actually, frame winter wipers are good and that they can perform their function smoothly, because the rubber does not accumulate snow and ice on its surface.

Frameless models can do without additional protection for the reason that they do not initially have metal elements - high-strength wear-resistant plastic is used in the production of the bearing part. And the most technologically advanced option is a windshield wiper with a heating function. In the design of such models, heating devices are provided, which provide sufficient thermal impact to combat foul weather.

Manufacturers

In the production of windshield wipers there are many nuances at the expense of which the developers can distinguish their products from the general range. To identify them, there is no need to exert much effort, since each company has not just its own style of execution of janitors, but also focuses on one or another operational direction. For example, Bosch is famous for innovative solutions, introduces new technologies and does not forget about the basic design quality. The brands VALEO and MARUENU are classic representatives of brands, under which come out specialized automotive components.

Famous for motorists and domestic winter wipers from the company "Horse". Traditionally, the features of Russian products include such qualities as ease of installation, price availability and at the same time a variety of models. Now it is worth to learn more about the impressions of car owners from the operation of windshield wipers of different brands.

Reviews of Bosch models

German manufacturer does not belong to niche manufacturers. Nevertheless, experience in the development of high-tech household and industrial devices, measuring instruments and construction tools allows specialists to make progress in this segment. Users of Bosch brushes note their durability, mechanical ergonomics and functionality. The manufacturer uses high-strength metal frames, which reliably protect natural rubber. In addition, graphite spraying is used in some models for effective cleaning.

A high demand and multifunctional devices. Designers provide for both summer and winter mode of janitors, switching between which is realized through a special adapter. Professionals also note the operational flexibility of such models. If necessary, the user can maintain a reliable frame base, as well as update the working part or individual components of movable mechanics.

Reviews of models VALEO

Perhaps the greatest departure from the common concepts of manufacturing wipers makes the brand VALEO. Specialists of this company are fully guided by their developments, which attracts many motorists to its products. In particular, the owners of these janitors appreciate their combination of practicality and safety.

At the heart of the brushes is a combination of a cleaning rubber part and spring mechanisms that provide an optimal fit. If the question is asked which winter wipers are better in terms of safety for the glass itself, then the choice can be safely done in favor of VALEO. In addition, car owners also note pleasant little things, which are provided by the developers of this brand. The fact is that some versions are equipped with special wear indicators - usually it is implemented using a color shade, which indicates the need for replacement.

Comments about MARUENU models

This is a Japanese manufacturer of windshield wipers, whose products can be found in the Russian market. Owners of such equipment note an effective function in terms of eliminating the surface of glass from organic compounds. At the same time, the design of the janitors itself seems quite traditional. Designers use the technique of rocket execution, but in such a way that the need for additional design of the cover is eliminated.

You can see that manufacturers are increasingly betting on providing electromechanical and thermal effects. A striking example are winter wipers with heating, which are connected to the local electrical wiring. However, the Japanese implemented a less expensive, but also effective way of additional impact on pollution. The composition of the rubber of these wipers contains a special substance - tourmaline. At moments of sharp temperature changes, its crystals are activated, as a result of which static electricity is produced , which has a cleansing effect.

Reviews about models «Horse Acrobat»

Technological refinements the manufacturer "Horse" does not spoil, therefore it is necessary to prepare initially for the simplified approach to realization of brushes. But this does not mean that this product has no advantages. For example, the owners note an easy-to-install design and a fairly tolerable cleaning function, which in a short time is carried out by Russian winter janitors. Reviews of the minuses also occur, but for the most part affect minor operational nuances.

In particular, we are talking about loose fit, insufficient rigidity of the carrier bar and limited action of the working part. However, the manifestations of many shortcomings can simply be avoided, if you choose the right model for the target version of the car.

Winter wipers rating

Based on the above reviews, dedicated to different, but recognized leaders of the segment, you can make the following rating:

1. VALEO. The first place of this company is due, first of all, to a combination of high reliability and quality of cleaning.
2. Bosch. German developers are out of the competition in terms of the level of technological support for their products, but not always they take full account of automotive specifics.
3. MARUENU. A strong Japanese manufacturer who also produces good winter wipers, but not all models assume mass use even in the class of cars.
4. "Horse Acrobat". Although the company uses high-quality materials, in the design performance is not all perfect.

Conclusion

Of course, the list of proven manufacturers is much broader, but according to the general criteria of user evaluations, these brands deserve the first positions. In this case, do not rely on this product in all cases without exception.

Correctly to choose winter wipers on a car follows only proceeding from concrete problems. So, for a budget model with the same glass, it makes no sense to purchase a high-tech cleaner from Bosch. In this case, it is possible to confine yourself to one of the models "Horse". And on the contrary, it is inexpedient to purchase inexpensive, albeit effective, wipers if it is planned to equip a premium windshield.