October 2021

Right: TRICO Exact Fit pack W ith the warm weather beginning to recede, it’s time to think about windscreen wipers. Commenting on the unexpected impact on wipers over the last 18 months, Richard Welland, Managing Director at WAIglobal UK observed: “As the nation returns to normal post-pandemic life, service centres and motor factors should think about stocking up on items, such as wiper motors, to help meet demand. “Vehicle usage was down by 41% in the first lockdown, as people stayed at home, which meant vehicles were left unused. The shift towards more home working has also meant people will be using their vehicles even less going forward. By not running vehicles as much, parts such as batteries and wiper motors began to seize up. WAI saw significant demand for its wiper motors product group, as wipers became damaged from under-use.” He continued: “WAI's LIN2 Smart Wiper Motors have been designed to deal with common faults and failures of wiper motors, and through replacement, have shown to reduce comebacks, by simplifying a complex and often difficult part replacement. The LIN2 wireless protocol offers the latest in intelligent control and ensures accuracy and compatibility to all vehicles that use it. With built in diagnostics, the Smart Wiper Motor will automatically align to the vehicle settings for wiper speed and matches the number of speed increments.” Condition and performance Wipers are a vital component, and not just when it’s raining, as Fatiha Laauich, Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager at DENSO Europe, observed: “When it comes to reasons for a MOT test failure, the condition and performance of the wiper blades remains high up on the list, which proves that despite their essential role in driver safety, they’re often overlooked by vehicle owners. “Supplying and fitting wiper blades is therefore an important provision that should be offered by every workshop, not only when carrying out a MOT test, but as part of their general service and repair package. However, due to their vital safety function, the quality of replacement blades must also be a primary consideration, which is why DENSO provides the perfect solution. DENSO is an OE manufacturer of wiper blades supplying many of the world’s vehicle manufacturers, including Ferrari, which has been a DENSO customer for more than 15 years. The company’s aftermarket division also provides the advice and technical support often overlooked by other wiper suppliers.” Fatiha continued: “The following frequently asked 40 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2021 WIPERS www.aftermarketonline.net Wipers are safety-essential, and with peak MOT season upon us, they could be the difference between a pass and fail WIPER THAT SMILE ONTO YOUR FACE questions provide technicians with a guide to what their customers really want to know about wipers.” 1. How do you ensure you have the correct type and model of wiper blade? 2. Are conventional, hybrid and flat wiper blades better suited to different types of vehicle, or is it just a matter of preference? 3. How often should a wiper blade be replaced? 4. Will a wiper suffer performance penalties if the blade is not replaced in time? 5. What should customers be encouraged to look for, to know their wiper blades need replacing? 6. What are the key steps to removing an old wiper blade and installing a new one? 7. Are there any common mistakes to watch out for during this process? 8. What checks should you perform on a newly installed wiper blade?