Anything that improves your vision while driving improves your safety. While buying new windshield wiper blades won’t exactly qualify your vehicle to enter a car show, you’ll thank yourself later if you get caught in inclement weather.

Charlotte AutoFair, a car exhibit in Charlotte, NC, produced by Hornets Nest Regional, AACA, boasts the largest gathering of collector cars in the Southeast. The experts in this car show believe that there’s more to buying windshield wipers than most of us would think.

Here are some factors they say you should consider when choosing wiper blades:

• Type & Size: Your car’s model will limit the type and size of wiper blades you can choose from. Check your owner’s manual for specifics regarding your wiper blades, or remove your old wiper blades and bring them to the shop for comparison. After you get the size right, you’d have to choose between rubber and silicone. The former is an old faithful, while the latter is chosen specifically for their effectiveness against mud.

• Budget & Value: Replacing wiper blades can be a bit complicated. With this in mind, you have to determine whether replacing the rubber inserts will present the best value for your money. Sometimes, the price of the whole wiper assembly is only slightly higher, and if it spares you the hassle of having to wrestle with your wiper blades, it just might be worth it.

• Season: Regular wiper blades are no match for snow. If you intend to drive during the winter months, you will need winter wipers. These are thicker and heavier, allowing them to push snow away from your windshield more efficiently. They also have fewer moving parts and anti-clogging joints that keep them from freezing up.

If you’re curious about cars in general, you can check out the diverse assembly of antique cars displayed at the car show hosted by Hornets Nest Regional, AACA. Give them a call at (704) 841-1990, or visit their website for more details.