Wiper Blade Care

[2010Civic]

Wipers last many years in MN. I will occasionally wipe them with a towel and an APC but it seems like the black residue never stops coming off.

Buying the inserts for the oem wipers is the only way to go in my opinion.

 

[Ursatdx]

Rain-X on Windshield, don't need wipers except for the heaviest of down pours.

I use Rain-X, too. I then wet a towel with Rain-X and thoroughly clean the rubber squeegee on the blades.
It's amazing the dirt that builds up on the rubber.
I buy Valeo wipers for the Tundra. Quiet and last a long time.

 

[BHopkins]

Before installing new wiper blades, I saturate them with Aerospace 303 and let them set, preferably 24 hours, but at least overnight before installing them. I believe it extends the life of wiper blades, and helps keeping them working flawlessly.

But I'm also a huge supporter of using OEM blades. I use Subaru blades on my wife's Outback. I replace them every 12 months, but they could go much, much longer, as they are always still performing with no streaks, stutter, rot, or any other issue.

The E350 gets Bosch Aerotwin, which appear to be identical to the Mercedes blades, except they are missing the tristar on the end cap, and instead have the Bosch brand. These also perform very well, only being replaced because I'm a PM schedule kind of guy. No rot or deterioration at all when I replace them.

I'm also a fan of glass treatment. A good windshield treatment will minimize wiper blade use/wear. This works for me, because I find wiper blades running across my windshield to be annoying.

 

[DGXR]

I park in the garage most of the time and typically I can get 18 months out of a set of wipers before the performance degrades noticeably. I just wipe them down with soap during every car wash, and I try to use them occasionally so the blades don't sit in the same bent position for too long.

 

[jjblbi]

Spray a cotton cloth with a spot of windex. Pinch the wiper blade edge between your finger and thumb and pull towards you. You are "cutting" a new edge on the blade. Cloth spot will turn black. Repeat. I can get 2-3 years out of blades this way.

Also try cleaning your windshield with Bon Ami cleanser and water, this removes all dirt and doesn't scratch the glass. Good luck, John