silicone wiper blades

[dk1604]

I've been pretty happy with the PIAA silicone blades. I think their primary benefit is the coating they leave on the windshield so that you get that RainX effect at highway speeds. IMO they don't have as clean of an initial wipe as a quality rubber blade but the trade-off is better visibility between wipes at highway speeds due to the RainX beading effect. Here in the Pacific Northwest I find that their RainX effect lasts about a year and then gradually tapers off after that. So I've replacing about every 1.5 years. (I've never tried cleaning them to see if that will extend their life.)

Fortunately Amazon sells the inserts for an OK price so one doesn't have to eat the cost of replacing the whole assembly each time.

So, if you do a lot of highway driving (and your winters don't chew up blades) I'd look into silicone blades, otherwise a quality conventional blade might be your best bet.

 

[007]

I have always used OEM blade inserts like those from Toyota when possible as they have lasted longer than any aftermarket I have tried. I also make sure I clean the rubber inserts in one direction every time I wash my vehicles which is every week here in Florida. I also use 303 protectant on the inserts every so often as it seems to keep them soft and pliable. That said I usually get a year or more out of the inserts on a vehicle stored 24/7 outside in the Florida heat.