Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any question below to find the answer.

NOTE:
Please ensure your vehicle’s wiper blade has the proper plastic adapter piece installed prior to installing the SHAKER It is very easy when you buy a replacement wiper blade every six months, to install the wrong adapter piece as many adapters are included with most replacement blades (even mechanics can install the incorrect piece). If the wrong adapter piece is installed, the blade may be allowed to move laterally too much, which is not only bad for normal wiper blade operation, but also, will cause the SHAKER to be less effective.

As long as the wiper arm/blade on your vehicle uses a hook wiper arm; does not have a spoiler mounted to it (as found on some driver’s side blades and thus must be removed or contact Wiper Shaker Technology for an appropriate spoiler adapter); uses either a 9x3mm or 9x4mm wiper arm configuration (typical of vehicles after 1991) and has the minimum clearances required, the SHAKER should be compatible.

Specifically, you will need at least 2″ from the hood side of the wiper arm (at the wiper blade pivot point), to the leading edge of the car hood. Also, you will need at least 1 1/4″ from the topside of the wiper arm (at the wiper blade pivot point) down to the windshield.

NOTE: A small percentage of vehicles use a “recessed” or “hidden” wiper arm system. As such, the SHAKER is not compatible with such vehicles.

Most pin and side wiper arm/blade systems do not have the required clearance of 1 1/4″ from the topside of the wiper arm (at the wiper blade pivot point) down to the windshield. Fortunately, you can try a couple of things to fix the clearance problem. Start by trying a new “hook” style wiper blade (which comes with a pin & side adapter). Alternatively, you should be able to purchase a hook” style wiper arm (try a junk yard for an inexpensive replacement). Hopefully these alternatives should provide the minimum clearance for the SHAKER.

Over seven years of field testing, have not shown any measurable difference in the sweep pattern (i.e., area of travel). See Inertia Analysis summary report by clicking here.

Over seven years of field testing, have not shown any measurable wear differences in any of these items. See Engineering Analysis by clicking here.

In addition to the analysis noted above, a third party automotive parts manufacturer ran the following durability test in 2004:

(SHAKER on for 5 seconds each minute)
Using a traditional metal blade and beam (flat) blade 500,000 cycles were run with no noticeable degradation of the element, wiper quality, blade assembly or the linkage. Pattern growth was less than 15mm and considered not significant in comparison to tests without the SHAKER.

PLEASE NOTE:
Most experts agree that wiper blades should be replaced every 6 to 12 months for performance and driving visibility aspects. The reason for this is that wiper blades don’t last forever – nothing does. Natural rubber deteriorates over time. Halogen-hardened rubber as well as synthetic rubber provides longer life, but ultimately, all blade materials fall prey to environmental factors. Exposure to the U.V. rays of the sun, in addition to oil / grime / chemical contaminants will accelerate a wiper’s deterioration.

In a recent article by Consumer Reports, they found that the silicone wipers didn’t perform any better than the regular, cheaper models made with natural rubber.
Consumer Reports (CR) tested 15 wiper models and found that most did a very good to excellent job for the first 6 to 9 months but then performance fell off from there. Also, price does not guarantee a better blade. Do your research and check on longevity claims made by some blade manufactures for extended life. The testing done by CR, didn’t agree with longevity claims made by some makers of the newer beam blades which have no external frame.

Also, on a regular basis, keep both your wiper blade edge and windshield clean (use appropriate cleaners on the market). NOTE: News Paper works well to help absorb cleansers off a windshield to help draw off oil contaminants that could otherwise re-contaminate a new or cleaned wiper blade edge. Of course, regardless of the wiper blade type, they will not deal effectively with trapped frozen debris etc., which is why we invented the SHAKER, which makes blades more effective.

The SHAKER has not shown any additional wind lift tendencies. In fact, the angle of the SHAKER offers some downward spoiler benefit and the minor additional weight of the SHAKER tends to counteract wind lift in certain positions. Replacing any existing winter blade would also assist in reducing wind lift.

Over seven years of field testing, have not shown any noticeable wear differences in wiper blade joints. In fact, standard design of wiper blades takes into account that a wiper blade might experience many slam downs during its life. Such slam downs of the wiper blade are done solely for the purpose of cleaning off frozen debris problems. Thus, having a SHAKER installed, all but eliminates the need for doing slam downs.

In over seven years of field testing, not once, has anyone every paid attention or made notice of the original SHAKER (which was slightly larger than the new commercial version you will purchase). In fact, if one thinks about this, people have had wiper arm spoilers mounted on their vehicles for years – do you ever take notice of them? The answer is not unless you are looking for it.

No more than common wiper blade spoilers do. While in the parked position, you will not notice any negative “down vision” effect from the SHAKER . While the wiper is moving across your vision area, the SHAKER is visible on the under side of the wiper arm. The human eye learns to focus past the windshield to view the road. Whereas, if your windshield is obscured by streaking from trapped frozen debris under your wiper blade, you will notice the streaking because you can’t see clearly through it.

It is not recommended to use your wiper blades while going through a car wash. That being said, once the car wash has finished, activate the SHAKER for approximately 10 seconds prior to exiting into the cold winter weather – this will help dry off the wiper blade joints and thus help prevent a flash freeze from occurring on the wiper blade joints, which could cause conformance problems.

Winter wiper blades only solve one winter vision related problem – that being Conformance. This is where the super structure of the wiper blade becomes frozen at its joints. As the joints slowly begin to free, they cause a contraction effect on the wiper blade. The end result being that the wiper blade tends to pull away from the windshield – causing a streaking effect as the blade is not able to make contact with that portion of the windshield. UNFORTUNATELY, the winter blade works as poorly as summer blades do when trying to combat trapped frozen debris from under the wiper blade.

The Winter wiper blade (sometimes referred to as a booted blade) has a rubber sheathing covering the wiper blade super structure and thus prevents conformance problems from occurring – this of course assumes that the rubber sheathing is not ripped or torn in anyway. NOTE: You can tell most cars that have winter blades on their vehicles – they are the ones that are rarely changed because people tend to thing they are heavy duty blades and should last longer than normal summer blades (they do not). NOTE: As soon as a winter blade has any rips or tears in the rubber sheath, it no longer works against conformance problems (i.e., moisture gets inside). Such tears occur from the sun’s UV effects.

The new Flat Blades, also known under various names trade names, reduce the amount of conformance problems, but not all. They also suffer as do ALL blades when
it comes to material being trapped under the wiper blade edge against the windshield. For FORD vehicles using a Flat Blade and Bayonet style wiper arm, a special Lift Adapter is required from Wiper Shaker Technology Inc.

With Teflon blades, the same problem of trapped frozen debris can exist. Although the Teflon coating is more resistant to snow accumulation, the blade can still pick up frozen debris as it travels across the windshield and once under the blade, will typically stay trapped there from the weight of the blade.
FORTUNATELY, the SHAKER solves both conformance (if addressed at the early stage) and trapped snow problems – it can even assist to keep A-pillar snow build-up (if addressed at the early stage). Of course, the SHAKER will make any of above mentioned blades better, by allowing them to effectively deal with trapped material (in addition to other benefits the SHAKER offers).

Yes -just be sure to maintain regular inspections of the mounting clamp to ensure it has not loosened over time and also replace your blades every 6 months. Don’t forget, the SHAKER makes your existing wiper blade more dynamic.

So, use the SHAKER to rid the wiper blade of trapped debris such as leaves, twigs, pine needles etc. Not to mention, bird droppings on your windshield in conjunction with fluid. You can even use the SHAKER to help reduce large bug deposits such as Mayflies (also called June bugs, shad flies, and salmon flies). It is not meant to reduce small insect deposits, e.g., mosquitoes etc., although the SHAKER can only help.

This is all possible because of what the SHAKER does to a moving wiper blade. The vibrating action causes the moving blade to literally skip across the windshield in ~1 to 2″ increments (only 1/16 off the windshield), thus making the blade work more effectively against such deposits. Because of this skipping action, the blade also makes much better use of washer fluid dispensed on the windshield, i.e., more fluid stays on the windshield, thus allowing better penetration into such deposits.

Offroaders and Rally drivers will appreciate that the SHAKER will also assist the wiper blade in removing mud deposits, when used in conjunction with fluid.

Yes, the SHAKER will cause a vibrating noise as the wiper blade is tapped against the windshield – this is how the SHAKER shatters or displaces the frozen debris. The sound is short lived, because you only need to have the unit activated for a few seconds at a time to clear up the problem – after that, the SHAKER is as quiet as a mouse (unlike Rumble Pads, that make noise every time the wiper blades travels over it).

Firstly, it is important to throw as much defroster heat on the windshield as possible while driving in inclement winter weather. As for how often you should activate the SHAKER that’s dependent on the severity of the snow storm and the temperature outside. It is best to use the SHAKER at the first signs of any wiper blade streaking on the windshield caused by frozen debris problems. Regular use of the SHAKER (e.g., every 5 – 10 minutes) during a long journey will typically minimize problems from occurring.

NOTE:
After leaving a car wash, immediately turn on your wipers and the SHAKER for several seconds and then again about 30 seconds later (this should will reduce the chance of the wiper blade joints freezing).

NOTE:
Assuming the wiper blades are in good condition, i.e., not more than 6 mos old, if you occasionally find the SHAKER does not cause it’s normal vibration, it’s possible that a resonant state has occurred – this can be quickly altered by simply changing the speed of the wipers momentarily or by cycling the SHAKER off and on again or by spraying a little bit of washer fluid on the windshield.

No the SHAKER will not return a worn out or greasy wiper blade to a good condition. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months as recommended by most manufactures.

NOTE:
Use of wiper fluid on a cloth to wipe the rubber wiper blade edge, will help remove such grease build-up. Also, use a non-abrasive cleanser such as Bon Ami to remove grease from your windshield, other wise, your clean wiper blades will slowly pick up the embedded grease from the windshield. Ultimately, the sun’s UV along with wear and tear, will reduce a wiper blades performance characteristics.

The SHAKER is a wiper blade de-icer not a windshield de-icer. As with all products in existence, there are limitations. The SHAKER is no exception to this rule. As such, the SHAKER will only assist in breaking up such ice sheets quicker than if you didn’t have it installed. Regardless, you must always use a good functioning windshield defroster system, which the SHAKER will work in conjunction with. Most important, is to remember good common sense, i.e., don’t start off on your vehicle journey unless you have wiper blades in good condition (i.e., joints that move freely and are free of ice), have appropriately cleaned the windshield & wiper blades of any any frozen debris.

The original SHAKER was tested on heavy rigs using tubular wiper arms during the winter of 2000/2001. Contact Wiper Shaker Technology regarding such special adapter clamps. By the way, those same tests produced excellent reviews – the SHAKER was given two thumbs up by all testers! You can also contact us should your rig use 12mm wiper arms.

Although basic installation of the SHAKER unit itself is relatively simple to do, the wire harness must be passed through the fire wall, thus we highly recommend that you only have a qualified mechanic do the installation.

The answer is simple: the SHAKER is the only Patented Technology that works to solve all the major problems associated with freeze-up and frozen debris negatively effecting the performance of a wiper blade.

  • it works in conjunction with other systems such as the traditional Heater Fan Defroster and the newer Hot Wash systems, by simply making your existing wiper blade better and thus such systems better. The SHAKER is of course a Wiper Blade De-icer, not a windshield de-icer, but it will help windshield de-icers work more efficiently.
  • Its also very quick (i.e., a few seconds); no warm up required (i.e., the Heated Wiper Blade needs to)
  • It draws less than 1 amp only when turned on (i.e., the Heated Wiper Blade draws more and is always on to use it)
  • It is a sealed system, thus it still works if covered by snow itself (e.g., a Rumble Pad won’t work well when covered by frozen debris)
  • It can be transferred to other vehicles when using the cigarette lighter version (e.g., unlike Rumble Pads)
  • When you’re wiper blade is replaced as part of a normal maintenance program, you don’t have to replace the SHAKER (e.g., unlike the Heated Wiper Blade)
  • Teflon coated wiper blades (conceived in the 90’s) do offer some additional benefit over traditional silicon wiper blades. Unfortunately, they have limitations related to how frozen debris builds up. Specifically, frozen debris will affix itself to any surface (glass included due to microscopic pores and scratches etc.). Frozen debris can adhere to microscopic pores on non coated or scraped / damaged sections, as occurs through normal wear of the Teflon coated blade & as such, can slowly accumulate until the buildup is substantial enough to cause problems. In addition, any frozen debris that becomes trapped under the pressure of the wiper arm / blade (such as when picked up when the blades moves to the far side of the windshield against the A-Pillar) will stay under the blade until something can dislodge it (i.e., normal friction or other frozen debris etc.) or a SHAKER!!!
  • It is obvious, that despite any existing innovations related to wiper blade problems in winter conditions, Automotive Manufacturers are still devoting large sums of money to solving these problems more efficiently – the most recent attempt being the embedded front windshield heated defroster elements.
  • The SHAKER will last much much longer than many of the washer additives
  • The SHAKER won’t cause any noticeable extra wear or drag on the wiper blade. An external coiled spring for example, applies extra downward pressure to the wiper arm, which by the way will reduce the resultant vibration effect the SHAKER can put out.
  • Last, but not least, the SHAKER is very cool to watch operate.

It is best to use a basic (cost effective) metal blade, as opposed to a plastic blade. Use a metal blade with as many flexible joints as possible, e.g., 4 joints and thus 8 claws. The more joints, the greater the resultant vibration to occur. NOTE: Although you can use the SHAKER with a winter blade, its rubber sheathing somewhat prohibits the amount of resultant SHAKER vibration, although conformance problems are virtually eliminated by a winter blade, thus allowing the SHAKER to still work on any trapped frozen debris. The Dept of Transportation highway snow plow trucks typically use winter blades, with the SHAKER and are very impressed with the results in their harsh winter environment. Granted, such trucks also use relatively short wiper arm / blade combinations.

Yes, although as with all automotive products, results may vary between vehicles. As the overall combination length of the wiper arm and wiper blade increase, the resultant vibration output will decrease. One would notice a vibration decrease once the overall wiper arm / blade assembly length starts to exceeds 36 (e.g., from wiper arm spindle to the end tip of the wiper blade). As the overall length exceeds this 36 dimension, vibration output would no longer cause the wiper blade tip ends to lift off the windshield in the parked position (e.g., the drivers side wiper of a Dodge Caravan uses a 28 wiper arm and 28 wiper blade, thus combining for an overall length of 42, while the Mazda 5 has a 25 wiper arm and a 26 drivers side blade, combining for an overall length of 38).

IMPORTANTLY, as results will also vary depending on wiper arm / blade hinge flexibility etc., the reference point of useful operation by the SHAKER is best determined if when activated while the wipers are moving, the blade will begin should begin to skip ~1/16th off the windshield in ~1 to 2 jumps across the windshield – this is when the SHAKER most effectively deals with wiper blade problems.

There is, no question that the SHAKER adds important benefits to any passenger based car, truck or van. Oddly enough, from an industrial perspective, most large truck rigs have relatively small wiper arm and blade length combinations, which is why heavy rig operators love the SHAKER!.