Driver guides · October 19, 2026

Windshield Wipers Stopped Working: When to Arrange a Tow

Wipers stopped working and you cannot see clearly? Stop somewhere safe and arrange help before continuing your trip.

A car can start and run normally while a visibility problem makes it unsafe to drive. If you need towing in Lake View East or Chicago’s North Side, call Rick’s 24/7 at (312) 451-5785. Explain the wiper problem, your location and whether the vehicle is safely parked.

If the wipers fail while you are driving

Keep your attention on the road and reach a safe stopping place as soon as you can. Do not keep driving toward a shop when rain, spray or grime prevents a clear view. Do not try to adjust a wiper arm or troubleshoot controls on your phone while moving.

Once stopped, call from a safe position. If you are stranded in a live traffic lane or face immediate danger, call 911. A private towing request does not replace emergency assistance or traffic protection.

Describe the symptom without guessing the repair

Tell Rick’s and the receiving repair shop what happened:

Both front wipers stopped, or only one arm moves.
The arms move but the blades leave heavy streaks or do not clear the glass.
Washer fluid does not spray, even though the wipers move.
The problem happens only in automatic mode.
A blade looks detached, or something appears to obstruct movement.

These are different symptoms, not a diagnosis. Follow your exact owner’s manual for control settings and safe inspection. Keep hands away from the wiper mechanism; automatic wipers can move unexpectedly. Do not force an arm, bridge a fuse or substitute a different fuse rating to get moving.

Rick’s does not advertise wiper-motor, linkage, washer-pump or electrical repair. A technician needs to identify the fault. A jump start is not a repair for a wiper problem on a vehicle that otherwise starts normally.

Check visibility equipment before colder weather

October is a useful time to check the equipment you will rely on during colder months. NHTSA recommends checking the defrosters and wipers, replacing worn blades and preparing the washer-fluid supply for winter conditions.

If ice or snow is present, do not use the wipers to force it loose. Hyundai’s owner guidance explains that clearing and defrosting accumulated ice and snow before operating the system helps prevent damage. Follow your vehicle’s specific procedure; this is seasonal preparation advice, not a report of today’s Chicago weather.

For the broader checklist covering tires, batteries and emergency supplies, see our Chicago winter car preparation guide.

When to call Rick’s for a towing assessment

If the vehicle cannot be driven with adequate visibility and the problem is not resolved safely where it is parked, discuss transport to a repair facility. Rick’s provides compatible wheel-lift towing, not flatbed service.

Share the year, make, model, drivetrain if known, key availability and whether the car rolls and steers. Tell us about any collision damage or other problems. Vehicle requirements and access determine whether our equipment fits the job. Confirm the shop can accept the vehicle before booking delivery.

Make the pickup easy to find

Give the exact street address and nearest cross street. On Broadway, Sheridan Road or Belmont Avenue, include which side of the street you are on. For a garage or lot, share the entrance, level or row, posted clearance and gate restrictions. Do not move an unsafe vehicle simply to make the pickup easier.

When you call, start with: “My wipers stopped working, and I’m parked at…” We’ll discuss equipment fit, access, availability, an arrival estimate and the total quote for the described tow.

Call (312) 451-5785 to discuss service. You can also find other breakdown questions in the driver guides.

Windshield Wipers Stopped Working: When to Arrange a Tow

If the wipers fail while you are driving

Describe the symptom without guessing the repair

Check visibility equipment before colder weather

When to call Rick’s for a towing assessment

Make the pickup easy to find

What to expect when you call Rick’s

About Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance — 24/7 Lakeview & North Side Roadside Assistance

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