You probably don’t think much about the windshield wipers on your car, truck, or SUV until you start seeing raindrops. When inclement weather hits, however, those often inactive appendages promptly become one of the most vital safety features your vehicle is equipped with. Given that fact, you’d be wise to ensure your wipers are both functional and fitted with a good set of blades that can actually clear the accumulating H2O so you can see.

It is recommended that you change your windshield wiper blades every 6 to 12 months, and if you’ve purchased a new set of windshield wipers for your vehicle in the past few years or so, you know that there are a few important things to consider at the point of purchase. You no doubt also know that replacement blades can be pretty darn expensive, even if you’re shopping in the more budget-friendly sector of the market.

You could, of course, try to save some coin on your wiper blade replacement by opting instead for wiper refills, which replace only the rubber edge of the safety feature instead of the entire blade frame and housing. Potential savings aside, there is one catch to the refill equation, which is that not every car can use them. As for cost, a set of refills could run you as little as a few dollars. By contrast, a full set of wiper blades will likely start at just under $20, and can easily run higher than $50.  

Given that not every vehicle is equipped with windshield wipers that can utilize refills, the question becomes whether or not yours is one of them. There is some potential bad news for many drivers on that front, as it would seem that some newer replacement wiper blade assemblies are not designed to accept refills and instead need to be outright replaced.

The good news is that, if you are driving a vehicle that is equipped with the brand’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wiper blades, there’s a chance that the rubber blade that makes contact with the windshield can be removed and replaced. That chance increases if you are driving an older vehicle, as wiper refills used to be a far more common option. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual may tell you if your wipers can use refills. If not, you’ll need to inspect them yourself to see if the rubber blade can be slid in and out of the guides holding it to the frame. The blade may also be clamped into place, so you might need to navigate that as well.

If the wiper blades on your vehicle fit those parameters, you’ll still need to ensure you buy the right size of refill. That said, you should be able to continue saving money via refills for as long as the frame itself remains intact. If your wipers can’t use refills, you’d be wise to take the proper measures by maintaining your wiper blades to ensure you get the maximum lifespan from them.