# Windshield causing wiper failure **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** saab, 9-3\ **Created:** [September 21, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946 "2009-09-21T16:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cavallino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cavallino](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavallino)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946/1 "2009-09-21T16:38:27Z")
Can an aftermarket windshield on a SAAB 9-3 cause the windshield wipers to fail? Or is the service guy trying to sell a factory windshield? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946/2 "2009-09-21T16:49:52Z")
Never heard of it. There are thousands of aftermarket windshields installed in vehicles. And if it were a problem, there would be a lot more complaints of this problem. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Cavallino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cavallino](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavallino)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946/3 "2009-09-21T16:53:35Z")
I didn’t think so but I wanted to check. I have been renting and selling cars for 10years and never experienced this issue. A lady bought the Saab from us and when it had wiper issues she took it to SAAB. The service rep told her about the windshield ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946/4 "2009-09-21T18:28:34Z")
Is it one of those systems that turn the wipers on and off for you? If so, I believe you need a special windscreen for the sensor to work. Other than that, maybe something was bent when replacing the windscreen. ---
**Author:** ![HugoFuchs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@HugoFuchs](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HugoFuchs)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-causing-wiper-failure/36946/5 "2009-09-21T18:40:28Z")
If it’s the wipers and not the system that turns them on automatically, there’s a couple tricks to try. First is make sure to clean the outside of the window before putting on new wipers. Next is to put the lubricant/cleaner on the wipers then install them. You can also put a lubricant on the whole window like rain-x. I just use a clear silicone water-proofing spray on the window. It works, but supposedly degrades the wipers. My last wiper-blades lasted about 3 years before they needed replacement. Unless the windshield is damaged, there shouldn’t be any significant flaws that would degrade wiper blades.