I buy one step up from the cheapest they have and replace yearly..maybe every other year if they're still in great shape.
New Wiper Blades - Suggestions?
- Thread starter sciphi
- Start date
- Status
I have introduced many of our family/friends vehicles to the Rain-X Latitude and the new Rain-X Repel wiper blade as they were on sale/rebate and were highly rated. They're the beam style blades. Expensive for two, near $50.00 but, on sale and a rebate, cut the cost down to under $30.00 for two. Love them so far and I have read good things too as far as winter use. I have just put them on my wifes car, daughter car and my car. We'll see how they do in the sub 0* deg temps.
For those of you who may not know this, the Rain-X Latitude and the Rain-X Repel wiper blades are the same beam style blades. The Repel blades come with a sealed foil packet with an applicator pad for applying Rain-X treatment to the blades which applies the treatment to the glass during use. I called Rain-X(SOPUS) and the tech person told me that the two blades are essentially the same blades.
For those of you who may not know this, the Rain-X Latitude and the Rain-X Repel wiper blades are the same beam style blades. The Repel blades come with a sealed foil packet with an applicator pad for applying Rain-X treatment to the blades which applies the treatment to the glass during use. I called Rain-X(SOPUS) and the tech person told me that the two blades are essentially the same blades.
I have pretty much tried every type of blades there are, from the most expensive to the least, and I honestly can't tell a difference in either the way they perform, or how long they last (with the exception of the Triple Edge blades, those were clearly the worst blades I've ever used). My current set of blades are the Wal-Mart brand (they're even cheaper than Ancos), and they wipe just as clean and have lasted just as long as the most expensive ones I've used.
I notice that the cheaper wiper blades chatter sooner in colder temps. We use alot of salt in this state in the winter time and salt ruins everything and it gets everywhere.
I have had decent succuss with Bosch Micro Edge Excel(no more EXCEL, only regular Micro Edge) as-far-as lasting several years but, caused some issues in the winter time. Any wiper has worked for me in nice weather. It's those sub zero temps that cause me headaches. Now, I want to try something different so, I have installed the new Rain-X Latitude/Repel beam style wiper blades on all of our cars...We'll see, no pun intended!
I have had decent succuss with Bosch Micro Edge Excel(no more EXCEL, only regular Micro Edge) as-far-as lasting several years but, caused some issues in the winter time. Any wiper has worked for me in nice weather. It's those sub zero temps that cause me headaches. Now, I want to try something different so, I have installed the new Rain-X Latitude/Repel beam style wiper blades on all of our cars...We'll see, no pun intended!
I've had the goodyear assurance blades on my car for 1.5 years now, they're still doing great, no streaking, no chattering. Also,applying RainX to the windshield makes a night and day difference in the effectiveness of the wipers, its good stuff!
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: grampi
Also, I replace my blades when it starts getting cold enough to snow (I switch to the winter blades), and then in the spring I switch back to the regular type blades, so I see no need to spend big bucks on the high dollar blades.
I used to replace my wipers once a year(about December) with winter wiper blades,(on my older vehicles) then run them until the next December and replace again. I always had good wiping ability for most of the winter but even they would chatter toward the end of winter. In the summer they were fine but, comming up to the next winter around Thanksgiving time, I could tell that I needed new blades again. But in my area, winter wiper blades were costing about $12-$13 each, (maybe more today) for each vehicle and annually! So, the cost for me is about the same but I am replacing less often. And if I were to switch from winter blades to regular blade seasonaly, my cost would be higher still. I bought my new Rain-X wipers with a good rebate($20.00) making the cost more reasonable. With some of the newer vehicles that I'm driving, the winter blades lift off of the windshield at highway speeds which is why we're using other alternatives. The winter blades just aren't working well in my situation.
As I mentioned, my previous wipers were Bosch Micro Edge Excel. Bought them and got a $15.00 gift card(about 3-4 years ago) again, making them a decent deal.
Originally Posted By: subiedriver
I've had the goodyear assurance blades on my car for 1.5 years now, they're still doing great, no streaking, no chattering. Also,applying RainX to the windshield makes a night and day difference in the effectiveness of the wipers, its good stuff!
Yeah, me too! I like Rain-X and if I wasn't buying it on sale really cheap at stores like Ollies/BigLot's, I might try AQUA-PEL(another alternative), apply once about every 6 months. With Rain-X windshield treatment, during rainy nights, it seems to rainbow on the windshield as I am approching on comming drivers with their lights on(even worst when the drivers have on their BRIGHTS!) But, it's not blinding. Otherwise I love it!
I have 2-16.9 oz bottles(Ollie's) of Rain-X windshield treatment that I purchaced on sale for $3.00 each and 3-7oz bottles(BigLot's) that I also got for $1.50 each. I'm good for a while.
It's also important to keep the wiping edge of the wipers clean especially in the sloppy winter months. I like to clean the wipers with Amonia on a cloth. It not only cleans the wiping edge but keeps the rubber more plyable in the sup zero temps. I don't see any difference in the length of time where the ends of the wipers start to tare(3+ yrs) and need replacing prior to state inspection, so I don't think that the Amonia is causing any extra or sooner deterioration.
Also, I replace my blades when it starts getting cold enough to snow (I switch to the winter blades), and then in the spring I switch back to the regular type blades, so I see no need to spend big bucks on the high dollar blades.
I used to replace my wipers once a year(about December) with winter wiper blades,(on my older vehicles) then run them until the next December and replace again. I always had good wiping ability for most of the winter but even they would chatter toward the end of winter. In the summer they were fine but, comming up to the next winter around Thanksgiving time, I could tell that I needed new blades again. But in my area, winter wiper blades were costing about $12-$13 each, (maybe more today) for each vehicle and annually! So, the cost for me is about the same but I am replacing less often. And if I were to switch from winter blades to regular blade seasonaly, my cost would be higher still. I bought my new Rain-X wipers with a good rebate($20.00) making the cost more reasonable. With some of the newer vehicles that I'm driving, the winter blades lift off of the windshield at highway speeds which is why we're using other alternatives. The winter blades just aren't working well in my situation.
As I mentioned, my previous wipers were Bosch Micro Edge Excel. Bought them and got a $15.00 gift card(about 3-4 years ago) again, making them a decent deal.
Originally Posted By: subiedriver
I've had the goodyear assurance blades on my car for 1.5 years now, they're still doing great, no streaking, no chattering. Also,applying RainX to the windshield makes a night and day difference in the effectiveness of the wipers, its good stuff!
Yeah, me too! I like Rain-X and if I wasn't buying it on sale really cheap at stores like Ollies/BigLot's, I might try AQUA-PEL(another alternative), apply once about every 6 months. With Rain-X windshield treatment, during rainy nights, it seems to rainbow on the windshield as I am approching on comming drivers with their lights on(even worst when the drivers have on their BRIGHTS!) But, it's not blinding. Otherwise I love it!
I have 2-16.9 oz bottles(Ollie's) of Rain-X windshield treatment that I purchaced on sale for $3.00 each and 3-7oz bottles(BigLot's) that I also got for $1.50 each. I'm good for a while.
It's also important to keep the wiping edge of the wipers clean especially in the sloppy winter months. I like to clean the wipers with Amonia on a cloth. It not only cleans the wiping edge but keeps the rubber more plyable in the sup zero temps. I don't see any difference in the length of time where the ends of the wipers start to tare(3+ yrs) and need replacing prior to state inspection, so I don't think that the Amonia is causing any extra or sooner deterioration.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'm getting around to buying new wiper blades before winter sets in around here. 2.5 years out of my current Bosch MicroEdge Excels is pretty good, I think. I was looking at these: http://www.tricoproducts.com/replacement/windshieldwiperproducts/wiperblades/ShowContent.aspx?ID=266 The Fit has a set of Honda OEM blades that look identical, and perform very well. I'd get another set of Bosch blades in a second, if they were available...
I'm not sold on beam blades, either. So any suggestions you folks have would be great!
Since you had such good luck with the Bosch - why not stick with them. 2.5 years is really good. I have been using the Bosch blades fora couple years on my vehicles and like them. Second good experience was with the Trico direct fit blades.
The worst blades I've used? Walmart's ANCO blades. They are [censored], you may save money but really?? The don't last as long, the fit is very generic and they last 6months tops. Your safety is worth more than a cheap blade.
I'm getting around to buying new wiper blades before winter sets in around here. 2.5 years out of my current Bosch MicroEdge Excels is pretty good, I think. I was looking at these: http://www.tricoproducts.com/replacement/windshieldwiperproducts/wiperblades/ShowContent.aspx?ID=266 The Fit has a set of Honda OEM blades that look identical, and perform very well. I'd get another set of Bosch blades in a second, if they were available...
I'm not sold on beam blades, either. So any suggestions you folks have would be great!
Since you had such good luck with the Bosch - why not stick with them. 2.5 years is really good. I have been using the Bosch blades fora couple years on my vehicles and like them. Second good experience was with the Trico direct fit blades.
The worst blades I've used? Walmart's ANCO blades. They are [censored], you may save money but really?? The don't last as long, the fit is very generic and they last 6months tops. Your safety is worth more than a cheap blade.
PIAA silicon blades. Smooth & chatter-free. Nothing else comes close. Order over the Internet; discount parts stores don't carry them. They last 2 to 3 years, unless you leave your car outdoors. Their cost is ridiculous. Just do it and get it over with.
You guys do have a point. The Bosch blades are going on 2.5 years of being outside in NY winters and SC summers with very minimal streaking.
I ordered some cheap Anco's from Amazon to get the rebate. Then came a realization I'd be very unhappy with those, and mad as heck when they came apart during a snowstorm, again. So the order was canceled, and I'm ordering more Bosch blades right now. Along with some other items that the Buick could use. I love owning an older iron-block car.
I ordered some cheap Anco's from Amazon to get the rebate. Then came a realization I'd be very unhappy with those, and mad as heck when they came apart during a snowstorm, again. So the order was canceled, and I'm ordering more Bosch blades right now. Along with some other items that the Buick could use. I love owning an older iron-block car.
To give closure to this thread:
The Bosch Excel+ wipers from Amazon arrived, and are waiting for the start of winter to be put on. Or right before my NY state inspection in January, depending on how the current set does.
Reasons for going with the hard-to-find and kinda pricey at $13 each Bosch blades: The last set has 2.5 years on them with minor streaking, so they last. They worked very well in the winter for clearing snow, and for clearing freezing slush off the windshield. They fit the windshield of the Buick. And, I'm going with what works instead of experimenting with other blades.
The Bosch Excel+ wipers from Amazon arrived, and are waiting for the start of winter to be put on. Or right before my NY state inspection in January, depending on how the current set does.
Reasons for going with the hard-to-find and kinda pricey at $13 each Bosch blades: The last set has 2.5 years on them with minor streaking, so they last. They worked very well in the winter for clearing snow, and for clearing freezing slush off the windshield. They fit the windshield of the Buick. And, I'm going with what works instead of experimenting with other blades.
I just bought a set of 18" PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades from Tire Rack for $17 a piece
3 on the piaa and also motorcraft
car toys carry piaa blades
Originally Posted By: sciphi
The regular yellow-package Anco's for $5 at Wal-Mart. The plastic end was bumped by some ice, and refused to stay clipped in. This flipped the rubber halfway out. Of course, this was during a lake-effect snow storm in Buffalo, NY, right when I needed the wipers to clear the windshield of the falling snow.
The Anco Aerovantage wipers (at $10 each) appear to be better constructed, with a lot less plastic and more metal. I have the $5 Ancos on my car right now, and they work well, with no smears or chattering.
Both Anco and Trico are offering rebates this month.
The regular yellow-package Anco's for $5 at Wal-Mart. The plastic end was bumped by some ice, and refused to stay clipped in. This flipped the rubber halfway out. Of course, this was during a lake-effect snow storm in Buffalo, NY, right when I needed the wipers to clear the windshield of the falling snow.
The Anco Aerovantage wipers (at $10 each) appear to be better constructed, with a lot less plastic and more metal. I have the $5 Ancos on my car right now, and they work well, with no smears or chattering.
Both Anco and Trico are offering rebates this month.
I could not find the Aerovantage blades locally.
The new Bosch blades worked very well in the past 48 hours of rain we've had.
Too bad about the Trico rebate, as it came too late for me. Oh well, maybe in another few years.
The new Bosch blades worked very well in the past 48 hours of rain we've had.
Too bad about the Trico rebate, as it came too late for me. Oh well, maybe in another few years.
Replace the wipers every 6-12 months, depending on your climate. Locations with large temperature swings (like the Midwest which can see -10F to 100F) should replace blades in spring and fall.
This comes from my dad who worked in the wiper division of Bosch for 25 years.
This comes from my dad who worked in the wiper division of Bosch for 25 years.
Originally Posted By: grampi
I have pretty much tried every type of blades there are, from the most expensive to the least, and I honestly can't tell a difference in either the way they perform, or how long they last (with the exception of the Triple Edge blades, those were clearly the worst blades I've ever used). My current set of blades are the Wal-Mart brand (they're even cheaper than Ancos), and they wipe just as clean and have lasted just as long as the most expensive ones I've used.
Me too. I don't understand the "replace them every 6-12 months whether they need it or not" crowd. I replace mine when they start streaking or falling apart. Sometimes it takes years. I've used cheap ones and expensive ones, I really don't notice much difference between them either in performance or longevity. As long as they are doing the job, why would you want to pitch them?
I have pretty much tried every type of blades there are, from the most expensive to the least, and I honestly can't tell a difference in either the way they perform, or how long they last (with the exception of the Triple Edge blades, those were clearly the worst blades I've ever used). My current set of blades are the Wal-Mart brand (they're even cheaper than Ancos), and they wipe just as clean and have lasted just as long as the most expensive ones I've used.
Me too. I don't understand the "replace them every 6-12 months whether they need it or not" crowd. I replace mine when they start streaking or falling apart. Sometimes it takes years. I've used cheap ones and expensive ones, I really don't notice much difference between them either in performance or longevity. As long as they are doing the job, why would you want to pitch them?
- Status
