Windshield wipers are one of the most overlooked components in vehicle maintenance, yet they play a critical role in driver safety. A discussion held in Jakarta during the Bosch Safety Driving Campaign marked 100 years of Bosch wiper technology, highlighting why proper wiper care deserves more attention from car owners.
The Visibility Problem on Indonesian Roads
Driving relies heavily on visual input, with the eyes serving as the primary tool for controlling a vehicle. Rainy conditions increase accident rates by more than 31 percent, according to automotive experts. Dirty windshield glass directly impairs a driver’s visual control, making clear visibility essential for safe driving.
“Dirty glass also reduces the performance of visual control,” said Yanes Martinus Pasaribu, an automotive observer and academic from the Bandung Institute of Technology. He emphasized that clean glass and quality wipers are not optional but necessary for every driver.
The discussion also pointed out that wipers rarely receive the same maintenance attention as tires or brakes. Many vehicles, including newer models, do not provide specific guidance to owners about when to replace wiper blades.
Why Wipers Deteriorate Faster Than Expected
Wiper blades sit exposed to constant environmental stress. Sunlight, temperature fluctuations, water, dust, dirt, and oxidation all take a toll on the rubber components. This exposure causes the rubber to become brittle and hard, which dramatically reduces cleaning effectiveness on the windshield.
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“Worn rubber leaves water or fog on the glass, which reduces contrast while stray light increases,” Yanes explained. “Low-contrast objects behind the windshield are detected more slowly. The time available for decision-making shrinks, and the safety margin narrows.”
He advised that wiper maintenance should be preventive rather than waiting until sweep performance has already deteriorated significantly.
Industry Recommendations and Donor Programs
Griselda Iwandi, Country Sales Director of Mobility Aftermarket at Bosch Indonesia, presented internal research showing that 30 percent of car users do not regularly replace their wipers. Drivers typically continue using wipers until they are completely damaged.
Bosch recommends replacing wiper blades approximately every six months, particularly for vehicles used regularly or frequently exposed to extreme weather conditions. From a component lifespan perspective, Bosch guarantees its wipers can handle up to 200,000 sweeps while maintaining stable performance and good sweep quality, a claim verified by independent testing laboratories.
As part of its commitment to road safety, Bosch donated 100 pairs of wipers to ambulances in Indonesia through the Care for Sight program. The initiative supports vehicles that play a vital role in emergency response situations where clear visibility is essential.