So I just used my windshield wipers after a few months of no use. They didn t work so well, even though they re pretty new. They kind of smeared the water. Do they just need to be broken in after the hiatus of not being used?
No. No matter if they are used or not as to the purpose of removing water from the windshield surface, the blades deteriorate due to the cold and hot and atmosphere contaminants but mostly due to the sun's UV rays. These break down the material. New ones run about $15 each or more depending on brand and performance but mostly due to marketing. For this pair, being used or not, once a month take a cloth or rag and wipe Armorall on the blades. Keep the windshield glass very clean as well. Good luck.
If you've not used your wipers for a couple of months when was the last time you cleaned you windscreen? You have two month's worth of road grime built up on your screen.
They might be working fine, and may be just because it wasn't raining hard so that the water was just smeared.
