How to Replace a Windshield Wiper

I noticed the other day.. well, actually, a few months ago, that our windshield wipers aren't doing the best of jobs, but I only just now got around to buying new ones. Never having replaced the things before, I found the instructions rather unhelpful, so I thought I'd help you all out.

 There are two main types of windshield wipers that I encountered. The first have a sort of latch on them, the others just slide on and off. I'm told there are straight ones, but I didn't have any of those, so I can't help you there.

 The ones with the latch, you take off something like this.

 You pick up the wiper, stick your pinky back there like this...

 Then slide, with quite a bit of force (these pics are staged. you never stop to look at what step you're on while you're actually doing it)

 You pull out.. now you can see the formerly referred to latch thing more clearly.

 Then you lift it out around the latch...

 And gently, GENTLY lower the hook thing back down to the glass while getting out the new wiper. From experience (last time, not this time, and not my fault), these things can and will break the glass of your windows if you allow them to slam down on the glass.. and slam down they will. So be careful.

 With the new blades (and this is the second main type), you just slide them on.

 They look like this, more or less.

Woot for new windshield wiper! just as a side note, I didn't take any pics of taking off this type of washer, but be careful when you do. It's very easy to yank so enthusiastically that you accidentally spear your windshield, and, again, that easily leads to breakage. Just remember that you're working with glass, and you should be fine.