Lets talk wipers

[MParr]

OEM gets the best, retail second choice, what's bad gets destroyed.

That makes sense. There were 3 different Motorcraft wipers that fit my 2020 F-150.
There was the 22” Conventional.
There is the 22” Premium Beam blade. This blade fits multiple styles of wiper arms.
There is the 22” OE Beam blade. This blade only fits the hook style wiper arm. (F-150)
Motorcraft discontinued the 22” Conventional blade.

 

[jkasch]

I’ve been a fan of Trico Force for quite a while. They were out of my size where I was shopping and decided to try Rain X Endura silicone blades. They’re okay, but will stick with the Force in the future.

 

[97prizm]

Bosch Icons-unless you have a pin style wiper arm (although the OE ones may fit). I literally can get YEARS out of a set! Unfortunately, they've gotten really expensive.

I've been lucky to get 6 months out of mine.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

My oem 2017 Mazda 6 blades lasted me till a couple weeks ago and 74k miles. Always cleared perfectly…if they ever streaked it was just because the windshield was a little dirty. They just finally ripped. I threw a set of clearance beam blades I got awhile ago and will buy inserts from Mazda next time I’m there, as I’ve never had blades last that long and be quiet and streak free.

**I do use rain-x and avoid using my wipers until it’s absolutely necessary and am very sure not to use them if my glass is icy at all**

Same here, I replace my 2016 Mazda6 wipers with OEM inserts every 2 years. Its an amazing wiper blade.

 

[researcher]

OEM gets the best, retail second choice, what's bad gets destroyed.

thanks for the insider info.. makes sense! I've seen the same thing with "Re-boxed" oem parts from aftermarket brands.. they never lasted that long and definitely were the rejected parts!

 

[Oliveoil2]

The least expensive. Change them spring and fall.

 

[FTTSHO]

I use PIAA silicone wiper blades on my cars and they last years and work very well.

The last time I put one on one of my cars was 4 years ago. I live in South Carolina so suns UV is very strong most of the year, and we get lots of rain. Car is parked outside all year round, the wiper blades are still going strong after 4 years.

Also, the most important thing to make sure your wipers work well is to clean the glass and the wiper blade, whenever you see it start to leave streaks or skip, clean it.

Clean the glass with 0000 steel wool, and clean the wiper blades with rubbing alcohol. Apply some uv protectant like 303 rubber and vinyl protectant on the blades. Also, wax or ceramic coat the window or put some rainx on it. My point is, make sure the glass and the blade is clean and smooth. Then any blade will work great.

 

[f355spider]

I tend to agree with OP, I have found the OEM blades to last the longest on my BMWs and Toyota Tundra.
If you shop around, you can find out the original equipment supplier (OES) and get them for better prices than over the counter at the dealership.

Also agree with FTTSHO above, keep the windshield clean, using Bonami cleanser, 0000 steel wool, or a paint claybar, really helps as well.
Ceramic coat, or aquapel if you want to spend some $$$. I have found Aquapel will last at least 10 months in rainy Seattle weather.

 

[LostInTransit]

Over the past year we've had to replace our windshield twice thus having to replace the blades also. We've found that the Ford blades, Michelin and rain-x blades are the worse and we've not been satisficed with any of these. The blades jump around, do not clean the rain thoroughly and even slide off the edge of the windshield. We're currently test a set of the Bosch blades and although they have some giggle at the bottom of the blade they are clearing the rain out better than the other three above. One thing we've done is to change the size of the blades. Ford says that we need ( 2 ) 28's but doing this the blades go off the edge of the pillar. So we switched up to ( 1 ) 26 drivers and ( 1 ) 24 passenger. Advance Auto was about ready not to sell us the oddball combo because their system (once set for the Connect) wouldn't allow it. But the manger over ride the system for us.

 

[researcher]

hilarious that you can't buy wiper blades in the size you want without a "manager's approval".. wow.. I went into a Honda dealer and asked for a 21" blade when my Civic takes a 20" driver's blade (better coverage).. No problem. I just thought that was an odd thing to happen that you needed some permission to buy something. A store tries that, I walk.. since that's just crazy..

also glad that you downsized since Ford didn't own a measuring tape to notice that sizes they spec'd out don't really work..

 

[hrv]

On all of my past Hondas including my current 21 HRV the OEM works the best for me. I just purchase the wiper inserts for them,, Even the newer one piece type blade you are able to replace the rubber inserts...

 

[X15]

A lot of Hondas seem to use Mitsuba MOB2 or NWB Design wipers, both are hybrids with hook style attachment.

The Design wipers are available as Denso Designer in North America, but Denso doesn't sell the refills. Both companies blades and the refills are available from Honda, although working out the correct part numbers is a bit tricky...

 

[Nesterenko]

The OEM blades on the Toyota were good enough for me to spring for another set - online dealer of course. Made in Japan.

If I could figure out there part numbering system I would buy a set for my truck if the size existed. Possibly made by Denso since Toyota owns Denso? Just a guess.

Delete.

 

[dumkid]

$2 rockauto wiper blades have lasted a year in the Arizona sun, and still work fine.

 

[grampi]

I've run the gamut of wiper blades. From the Walmart cheapies, to the blades costing $20-$30 each, and I've found the Walmart cheapies wipe every bit as well and last just as long as the expensive ones. They used to be about $5 each, but now they're probably more like $7 or $8...

 

[TiGeo]

Similar experiences - OE typically work the best. I just swap mine once a year regardless to keep things fresh on all of our vehicles. For the 3 VWs, I get them from FCP so after the first one they are free for life (sans return shipping).

 

[ESP9935]

I tried buying the old style conventional 22” from my Ford dealer. No luck. They have been discontinued. There are two different 22” beam blades listed for the F-150.
The conventional style performs better than any beam style that I’ve tried.

I find the beam style usually work pretty well for windshields without much base curve.
My old 2001 F150 windshield has a pretty substantial base curve and the beam styles won't even contact the RH lower corner.
Metal frames are a must

 

[UG_Passat]

For VW's... I usually get the Bosch Aerotwins.

On my Toyota, I tried the Bosch Clear Advantage beam blades, but they chattered from Day 1. I suspect since where it mounts to the J-hook, it's wiper, so the spring in the arm is putting the wrong load on the blades.

So, I switched to PIAA Aero Vogue and the chattering of the Bosch blades is gone.

BTW... the blade assembly from the Toyota dealership are different from factory. The blade assembly is "Sightline"

 

[The Critic]

Real OE has been best for me.

BTW... the blade assembly from the Toyota dealership are different from factory. The blade assembly is "Sightline"

Sightline is a service replacement - similar to ACDelco/Motorcraft's all makes line.

You should have kept the original blades and replaced the inserts.

 

[UG_Passat]

Real OE has been best for me.


Sightline is a service replacement - similar to ACDelco/Motorcraft's all makes line.

You should have kept the original blades and replaced the inserts.

I do have the original blades. But PIAA refills may not work on them. They have to different widths on them, and I use 18" and 26", so one of each. And one of them may not work (I'll have to test fit when it comes time to refill the silicone wipers)