Streaking Wipers: Why They Happen and How to Fix Them

When your streaking wipers, windshield wipers that leave blurry lines instead of clearing water cleanly. Also known as chattering wipers, they're one of the most common—and dangerous—issues drivers face in wet weather. It’s not just annoying; it’s a safety risk. If you can’t see clearly, you can’t react in time. And it’s not always the wipers’ fault. Often, it’s a mix of worn blades, dirty glass, bad fluid, or even a bent wiper arm.

Most people blame the wiper blades, the rubber strips that sweep across the windshield. Also known as wiper blades, they’re the part you replace every 6 to 12 months. But if you swap them out and the streaks stay, the problem’s deeper. Maybe your windshield, the front glass of your car that must stay crystal clear for safe driving. Also known as windscreen, it can get coated in oily residue from road grime or tree sap is dirty. Or your wiper fluid, the liquid sprayed onto the windshield to help wipers clean. Also known as washer fluid, it’s not just water—it needs the right mix of cleaners and anti-freeze is cheap or expired. Even the wiper arms, the metal parts that press the blades against the glass. Also known as wiper arms, they can lose tension over time and stop applying even pressure are bent from ice or an accident. A little pressure difference = streaks.

You don’t need to pay a mechanic for this. Most of the time, cleaning the glass with vinegar and water, replacing the blades with a quality pair (not the cheapest ones), and using proper fluid fixes it in under 15 minutes. The posts below cover exactly how to test your wipers, pick the right blades for your climate, mix your own washer fluid, and spot when something’s wrong with the arm or motor. No guesswork. No overpaying. Just clear vision when you need it most.