Windshield Wipers - What's the best strategy?

[Sequoiasoon]

+1 on these-I routinely can get 2-3 years out of Bosch Icons! Makes the high price worth it!

Bosch Icons on all my cars. I order from Amazon which is like 1/2 price as walking into Autozone.

Change when they start to not wipe as well. All are outside 24/7/365. I also use Aquapel or Rain-x (not the washer fluid) on all of the vehicles which helps a lot.

 

[Tdbo]

I used to buy exclusively Bosch, until pricing went just plain stupid.
I had to buy a set for the Pilot on the road when the wiper blade came apart in the middle of a rainstorm.
Only thing available was an AAP. A set of mid grade Trico's cost me over $50.
So now, I look at other reasonably priced options.
Just put a set of Goodyear wiper blades on the Accord.
Not sure who the Manufacturer is. The Menards had them for $12. a blade.
Have been happy with them.
This actually is my second set of them. Put a set of the cheapest GY blades on the pickup, when the Menards had them on sale for $3.98 each. Have been pleased with those as well.
In regards to the Pilot, I saved the original blades.
Next time I'm near a Honda dealer, I need to pick up a set of refills.

 

[johnmyster]

I thought I solved this for you:

J

Thread 'The Joy of Cheap Wipers'

Nov 10, 2025

All I have to say is a $12 set of beam blades on all three cars and then a pile of cheap refills on the garage shelf, glovebox, etc. I'd change them like underwear but I usually get 12-18 months before I think "my rainy driving experience would be improved by $5 of fresh rubber." Take off the blade, pop off an end cap with pocket knife, slide out, slide in, trim, end cap, install. Joy.

Sorry Rainx and Bosch.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B429GMNK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A257HT5YYJ69ZR&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FB8X4Z8Q?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

• johnmyster
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

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[Hermann]

I'm still running my original blades on the Maverick. Thinking that the next time I get the free rotate and balance at Discount Tire I buy some from them as a thank you for the free services I have utilized at least 10 times. Plus they install them. Problem solved In my world.

 

[RooflessVW]

I get the ~$7 Trico wipers from Rock Auto about twice a year. I shudder to think what 8 OEM or even parts store wipers would cost.

I used to get VW wipers and warranty them out but that didn't last long after I stopped working there.

 

[jmanbball]

I've had great luck with the OEM Mercedes wiper on my 1995 E320 and OEM Porsche wipers on my 2007 Cayman. They were SWF(Valeo) made in Germany, and had a little replacement indicator. Since the OEM Mercedes wipers are no longer available, I'm going to get the Valeo Ultimate Traditional for my next replacement. Tried the Bosch Porsche specific set, and they just didn't last very long before they got really noisy.

 

[GSCJR]

PIAA silicone are by far the best longest lasting I’ve ever used. They’re about $80 for a pair from Tire Rack. The only downside is they stay so soft in cold temperatures that they don’t clear frost or ice like rubber wipers do.

I've always wanted to try PIAA, but I'm afraid of destroying them with ice and/or snow.

 

[Tempest1]

Ordinary rubber wipers maybe last 6 months here. Went to RainX (?) silicone wipers from Walmart 2 years ago and they are still good.

 

[MyWifesBoyfriend]

How many threads on wiper blades do we need? I've had good success with AliExpress wiper blades so far. Running costs are $5/yr per vehicle:

M

Post in thread 'Chinese wiper blades'

Feb 2, 2026

I live in an area that sees a ton of rain and I must spread the gospel of AliExpress wiper blades. In the past, I only used Valeo 900 or Valeo Silencio at a minimum but after COVID19, I noticed that they needed replacing within a year. I assume their quality has dropped like almost everything else in the world. Anyway, since I was now replacing wipers annually and didn't feel like pissing money away, I figured there would be nothing to lose with cheap wipers off AliExpress.

I started using these Denso style hybrid blades last year on two vehicles (~$15/pair) and they continue to...

• MyWifesBoyfriend

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[iCurious]

If OE is not on them, I go with Trico's.

 

[Inked]

Usually Rain-X Lattitudes in front and Bosch in rear. Not particular about brands. I change out every Fall which is the important thing for me.

 

[Bob5150]

Walmart every May for inexpensive wipers. I’m happy with one year.

This is my strategy.

Living in PA, we get the full gamut of weather- hot summers and snow and ice in the winter.

I have found that even the more expensive blades tend to get beat up or torn from ice throughout the year.

I replace mine each May as part of a general "refresh" (cleaning inside and out, lubricating door hinges, cleaning the engine bay, etc.).

 

[Capt W]

You can get Trico exact-fit wipers on Rock Auto between $1.50 and $2.50 each. I add a few to every order to build bench stock and change them every 6-8 months (or as needed on my seldom-driven cars). They're not worthy of extended periods of thought.

 

[Samurai1225]

Original factory wipers, period.

^^^^^^^
This .....

 

[Capt W]

^^^^^^^
This .....

All depends who the OEM is. They could be Trico, Valeo, Bosch, etc.

 

[walterjay]

I buy wipers from Ollies for $3.98 They last almost 2 years.

For my newer Tucson I bought Michelin from Walmart. I will see if they do any better.

 

[fdcg27]

I think the most important factor in wipers is how fresh they are.
You can find brand new old blades that are hard and noisy right out of the package,
Some of the best performing blades I've had were low tier name brand blades.
The Michelin blades I last bought for both cars are nothing special, except in cost.
The cheaper ones move while the more costly ones sit in the retail rack, or at least that;s my theory.

 

[xspeedy]

For our old car, I decided to try OEM for fit and quality. They ripped in six months. I went with a Chinese brand on Amazon, and still going strong and no complaints. They have lasted longer and perform well. No need to spend lots of money.

 

[jkasch]

I replace with Bosch Icons just before the winter here in Michigan. Easiest to remove and install of any brand I’ve tried.

 

[tom slick]

I like Silblade wipers the best, they seem to last a couple years so they cost the same as cheap wipers.
I’m trying ScrubBlade wipers this year but haven’t had them long enough to judge longevity.