🔧 Altima - Front Wiper Blade Replacement

You’ll be removing the old front wiper blades from the arms and snapping new blades into place. This restores clear visibility in rain and prevents streaking or scratching your windshield.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 15–25 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Turn the ignition off and remove the key so the wipers don’t move while you work.
• 🛑 Lift the wiper arms gently; they are spring-loaded and can snap back onto the glass if you let go.
• 🛑 Always keep a towel on the windshield when a blade is removed to protect the glass from the bare metal arm.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧤 Safety glasses
• 🧤 Mechanic gloves
• 🪟 Microfiber towel
• 🪛 Small flathead screwdriver

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🧩 Front wiper blade - driver side 26" - Qty: 1
• 🧩 Front wiper blade - passenger side 17" - Qty: 1
• 🧩 Washer fluid (pre-mixed) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park the Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🔑 Turn the ignition completely off so the wipers will not move.
• 🪟 Lay a microfiber towel on the lower part of the windshield to protect the glass when a blade is off.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify your new wiper blades

• 🧰 Unpack the new blades and confirm you have one 26" for the driver side and one 17" for the passenger side.
• Use your small flathead screwdriver to remove any plastic shipping locks or protective caps on the new blades.
• Keep packages nearby to confirm orientation.

Step 2: Lift the driver-side wiper arm

• 🧰 Stand on the driver side of the Altima.
• Grip the base of the driver-side wiper arm with one hand and gently pull it away from the windshield until it locks in a raised position.
• Place the microfiber towel under the arm on the windshield for protection in case it snaps down.

Step 3: Release the driver-side wiper blade

• 🧰 Look near the center of the blade where it connects to the metal arm; you’ll see a small plastic tab or latch.
• Use the small flathead screwdriver to gently lift or press that tab (depending on style) while sliding the blade down toward the base of the arm to unhook it.
• Once unhooked, slide the old blade off the arm and set it aside.
• Support the wiper arm with your free hand.

Step 4: Attach the new driver-side wiper blade

• 🧰 Take the new 26" blade.
• Align the hook-shaped end of the wiper arm with the main adapter on the new blade.
• Slide the arm hook into the adapter opening, then pull the blade upward along the arm until it clicks securely into place.
• Gently tug on the blade by hand to confirm it’s locked onto the arm.

Step 5: Lower the driver-side wiper arm carefully

• 🧰 Hold the wiper blade with one hand and the arm with the other.
• Slowly lower the arm back onto the windshield, keeping control so it doesn’t snap down.
• Remove the microfiber towel from under the blade once it’s resting on the glass.

Step 6: Repeat removal on the passenger side

• 🧰 Move to the passenger side of the Altima.
• Lift the passenger-side wiper arm away from the windshield until it holds in the raised position.
• Place the microfiber towel under the arm again.
• At the connection point, use the small flathead screwdriver to release the small plastic tab or latch while sliding the old 17" blade down and off the arm.

Step 7: Install the new passenger-side blade

• 🧰 Take the new 17" blade.
• Align the hook of the wiper arm with the adapter opening on the blade.
• Slide the hook into the adapter, then pull the blade upward along the arm until you hear or feel a click.
• Lightly tug on the blade to confirm it is fully locked.
• Carefully lower the passenger-side arm and blade back onto the windshield and remove the towel.

Step 8: Top up washer fluid (optional but recommended)

• 🧰 Open the hood using the interior hood release, then the secondary latch under the front edge of the hood.
• Locate the washer fluid reservoir (usually a white or translucent plastic tank with a blue or black cap and a windshield/water symbol).
• Open the cap by hand and pour in washer fluid until it reaches near the top of the reservoir neck.
• Close the cap and gently shut the hood.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Turn the ignition on and activate the wipers with the washer spray to test both blades at low and high speed.
• 👀 Check for streaks, skipping, or any loose movement; if present, re-check that each blade is fully clicked into the arm.
• 🪟 Make sure the blades park correctly at the bottom of the windshield and do not hit the A-pillars or each other.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60–$90 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $20–$40 (parts only)

You Save: $40–$50 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2–0.3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections above to add everything to your cart.