Wiper Blades

[marcre]

How often do you change them? I was just looking over the Advance Auto Parts ad and they have a good deal on blades. In the ad it says to change them every six months. Do people do them that often?

I still have the originals on my vehicle. It's just about three years old. They seem to work as good as day one still.

How long do wiper blades generally last for everyone?

 

[artificialist]

I just leave them on until the miss spots, or skip.

Then I buy the most expensive blades, and I usually get 2 years of life from them.

 

[bretfraz]

It really depends on where you live. Areas that receive a lot of acidic rain will probably need to replace more often. Same with those who live in desert areas like Phoenix and Vegas.

Blade composition has an effect as well. Some blades hold up better to weather, while others fall apart quickly.

I typically replace mine once a year, although the last set of Bosch Excel blades were fine after two years.

 

[nstuck]

i replace mine when they start to streak, or make excessive noise...not by any particular time frame. i usually get about a year or so out of a set. honestly i could probably leave them on a bit longer but i replace them as soon as they are "less than perfect." i usually get the bosch micro edge blades as they are the best cost/performance ratio in my opinion.

 

[CharlieJ]

My PIAA silicone wiper blades have been going strong for 2.5 years.

 

[cchase]

I think one of the biggest killers is windshield washer fluid. I almost never use it and usually get 3+ years out of a set of wipers. Other people I know use washer fluid obsessively and are replacing wipers every few months because the rubber falls apart.

 

[Scotty1981]

I've been told to try cleaning them with rubbing alcohol when they start to streak and you can squeeze more life out of them, however, I don't know if this is true.

 

[marcre]

What about the Trico Neoform blades? Are they any good? There's a decent sale at AAP. Maybe I'll pick them up and hold onto them until I need them. These OEM onesI have are good though, maybe I'll find out what they are.

I know in the past I'd get a year or so with less quality on other vehicles. It's nice not to hear squeaks and see streaks.

 

[marcre]

Originally Posted By: cchase
I think one of the biggest killers is windshield washer fluid. I almost never use it and usually get 3+ years out of a set of wipers. Other people I know use washer fluid obsessively and are replacing wipers every few months because the rubber falls apart.


I don't know, I go through a lot of washer fluid. Maybe it has to do with quality of washer fluid though.

 

[Kaboomba]

I have been happy with my Trico Neoforms since last fall. Before that I had some cheapo refills that were toast after six months. WI is hard on wiper blades (temps, salt and road grime, etc).

K

 

[bigmike]

1-2 years seems good for me. Was buying Bosch but I really like the easy way the RainX go on/off, so I switched to those. I don't notice a difference.

 

[marcre]

Sounds good. I'll probably change mine out in late fall, unless they deteriorate rapidly before then.

 

[Drew2000]

I'm done with expensive blades. I buy the regular ANCO's and change them spring and fall. They seem better made than the Trico's.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I change mine once every 1-2 years, depending on whether or not they're starting to chatter.

 

[Ike_Clanton]

Does anyone else buy oversize blades because you can't stand the gaps at the top of the windshield etc?

The Lincoln calls for 18" blades on both sides, but I now use a 22" on the driver's side and a 24" on the other. No gaps.

 

[L_Sludger]

Here I am, somewhat upset that my 3 year old wiper blades need to be replaced. Maybe I shouldn't let it get me down. You see, the passenger side blade wiping edge has separated from the shaft on the bottom, and it's just flapping loosely.

 

[marcre]

I may just go with the OEM I have, what ever they are now that I think of it. Still work like new and absolutely no noise or chatter.

 

[ahoier]

Funny you mention "OEM blades" - Kia apparantly doesn't have "OEM" as in, "factory" blades, they just put RainX Weatherbeater's on the cars. At least that's what the shop tech told me, and that's all they offer/sell.

@oversized blades, depends what book I read lol. Last time I got new blades, the service computer at walmart listed 24", the RainX book at the wiper display stated 22" for driver side....so I got the 24" and they seem to be working good, there's still a gap, but it's alright. I don't think I want to go much longer than that...heheh. might have the blades hanging off the windshield, and that, and the manual reads as if the extra "weight" of blades not to spec will cause excess wear on the wiper motors and such...might just have to take off my wiper blades when I take the vehicle to the dealer! haha, can't void any warranty/inspection that way

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: Ike_Clanton
Does anyone else buy oversize blades because you can't stand the gaps at the top of the windshield etc?

The Lincoln calls for 18" blades on both sides, but I now use a 22" on the driver's side and a 24" on the other. No gaps.


I used to do that on our 98 taurus, looked ridiculous though when you shut the car off and theres 5" of wiper sticking out.

 

[Ike_Clanton]

Guys, I know I'm obsessive-compulsive, but the blades reach the top edge of the windshield without overhanging the side edges.

I will admit to getting a little greedy on a past car where the passenger blade was so long that while it didn't go past any edge of the windshield, the last 2" or so did whack the paint on the top edge of the right fender, because it was so close to the glass right there. But I digress.