Your Elantra’s windshield wipers clear away rain, snow, dirt and other debris without much of a fuss. It’s easy to take them for granted – until they no longer work properly. In many cases, worn-out wiper blades are the culprit. Keep reading to learn how to tell if your 2016 Hyundai Elantra wiper blades need changing. You’ll also find easy instructions for installing your new blade.

Ever hear a mysterious noise coming from under your hood? Or can’t figure out why that pesky “Check Engine” light is on? These kinds of issues can be hard to diagnose. But there are more obvious signs that your Hyundai Elantra wiper blades must be changed:

Wiper blades typically last between six months and one year. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow or rain, you’ll end up using your wipers more often and they’ll wear out faster.

Wiper blades come in conventional, beam and hybrid styles. Conventional versions feature a rubber squeegee on a metal frame with pivot points. Beam blades use a solid piece of rubber and are curved like your windshield’s surface for optimal cleaning. Hybrids combine the two styles, using an aerodynamic rubber piece with a metal frame. Beam blades last the longest, but they’re usually pricier.

Before you buy a new set of blades, you should evaluate their costs and features. Conventional blades are the cheapest, but they don’t hold up well under frequent heavy rains or snowstorms. Beam blades cost more, but they also don’t wear out as quickly. Hybrids last longer than conventional blades and fall in the middle of the price range. Keep in mind that you’ll buy two different sizes of blades – 28 inches for the driver’s side and 13 inches for the passenger’s side.

After you buy your blades, you can install them yourself. You may want to raise your wiper arms and unpack your blades for easy access during the process. Learn how to change windshield wipers by following some simple steps:

Now that you’ve installed your new blades, you may wonder if you need to replace your wiper fluid. Many experts recommend checking your fluid reservoir every month and adding more if it’s less than ¼ full. When you must replace your blades or top off your washer fluid, be sure to buy both at a trusted aftermarket auto parts dealer.