Wiper rubber dries out, cracks, and loses its edge in 12–18 months. NYC sun, road grit, and salt accelerate the wear. Smearing instead of clearing = time for new blades.
Standard sizes $15–$25 per blade. Winter-specific blades (Rain-X Latitude in winter compound, Bosch ICON) shed ice and don't freeze stuck.
If your windshield is iced and you can't drive, that's a separate roadside call. Standard $249 / hour rate.
