While they may be one of the most frequently used parts of a car, wiper blades often get overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Many cars on the road are driving around with blades that are cracked, split, torn or all around ineffective and if you're one of them you are doing yourself and other drivers a great disservice.

It may not seem like much but if your wiper blades are not in great condition it could be considerably obstructing your vision, and all it takes is a bout of heavy rain or snow for you to wish you'd paid better attention to them.

Despite how important windshield wipers are, many people may not know how often they should replace their wiper blades. According to Yahoo! Autos, most experts suggest getting new blades every six to 12 months and there are a few good ways you can check to see if they are losing their effectiveness. Perhaps the easier way is to simply use your windshield washing system – and if the wipers leave behind some residue it may be time to take your car in for a replacement.

In addition to recognizing when your wiper blades need to be replace, it will also behoove you to follow some practices that might preserver their effectiveness a little bit longer. All it takes is following a few small habits including cleaning your windshield every time you get gas and avoiding using the wipers to remove ice or any other hard objects.

Whether you're looking to have a professional replace your wiper blades or perform more substantial maintenance, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers customers with a total car care center at its Jersey City location.