wiper blades

[brewskie]

Hi folks,

During our freezing rain last week in Winnipeg, the rubber from my passenger wiper blade ripped off. I was just going to replace the rubber part but thought I would see what folks are replacing theirs with here. I notice it is common to up the sizes a touch, so I went out to measure mine. Both the passenger and drivers side are just shy of 18 inches, the rear 15 inches.

Before I go out to buy new blades I thought I would see what brands folks here are using. At C-tire here there is a dizzying selection to choose from, everything from modern looking teflon coated expensive ones to cheap old steel ones.

Is there much difference between the brands and types?

Cheers

Rob

[mararmeisto]

I changed the blades to the alternative longer lengths (noted in the wikipages) and have found that the 20" works good for the driver (I need the extra 2" because I'm looking out the very top 6" of the windscreen), the 19" is maybe too long (a bit of dragging on the far left side, but good when it gets to the middle and over-wipes the driver's blade), and the 17" for the rear gate is too long (skips too much, will probably replace with a 16" or back to 15" when it's time to replace, probably too much curvature for that length of blade).

A quick bit of Googlin' came up with the following review: http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/b ... blades.php, but I've never been too partial to any particular blade. I usually change them when they stop performing, which considering the climate here in Lotus Land means I'm not changing the blades too often.

From what I've read though, the 'bracketless' ones seem to hold up better in the winter climates. Maybe because the ice doesn't get in between all the moving parts, forcing them apart.

Finally, and I know you may already know this, but it is always better to let the defrost melt the blades free from your windscreen than any other kind of bang, knocking, bumping or nudging. And pouring warm water on your windscreen is just begging for a cracked windshield, regardless of how not-that-hot you thought the water was.

It's been a long time since I lived in the Prairies, but I don't miss the extremes of weather. Good luck finding a new set of blades.

[brewskie]

Cheers Mate,

Normally I flip the blades up if the forecast calls for snow (if I remember). I think they were on their way south already when they ripped off.

I just can't believe the selection. It's hard to know what actually works well and what is just marketing.

Does anyone flip back and forth between "winter" wipers and "summer" wipers?

Or am I just making too much of this........

[jfpdelica]

For wiper blades the best in a recent test was Rain-X blades. I picked-up mine from The Real Canadian Superstore ($13 each). I run 19" on the fronts, and 20" on the rear. Mararmeisto I haven't noticed any hopping of clarity issues from the rear wiper being enlarged. Maybe your spring is going?

Cheers Jeff

[MardyDelica]

Hi, robert,
you can buy the front 18 inch wiper blade at candian tire for winter wiper blade or for all season reasonal price.
regards,
Mardy

[after oil]

I changed the blades to the alternative longer lengths (noted in the wikipages) and have found that the 20" works good for the driver (I need the extra 2" because I'm looking out the very top 6" of the windscreen), the 19" is maybe too long (a bit of dragging on the far left side, but good when it gets to the middle and over-wipes the driver's blade), and the 17" for the rear gate is too long (skips too much, will probably replace with a 16" or back to 15" when it's time to replace, probably too much curvature for that length of blade).

i guess that explains why my passenger side blade hops, its too long? that would have never occurred to me!

[Erebus]

Normally I flip the blades up if the forecast calls for snow (if I remember).

Instead of flipping them all the way out, I use Kodak film cans and put them under the arms. Holds the blades 1/2 inch off the glass without being obvious or poking your eye out when you walk around the front. Mind you, it is getting hard to find film cans now.

[brewskie]

Film cans.....good tip thanks.

I ended up going with rain-x from Superstore. They seem good quality and good price. Went with 20's for driver, 19's for passenger and 17 for rear. Next time I will try bigger for the rear.

Thanks for all the info.

cheers

[Erebus]

I ended up going with rain-x from Superstore. They seem good quality and good price. Went with 20's for driver, 19's for passenger and 17 for rear. Next time I will try bigger for the rear.

Rain-X, rain-away or equivalent windshield coating is also really good. When freshly applied, I can drive at highway speeds in heavy rain and see better without using the wipers than with. I believe that the Rain-X wipers are impregnated with similar compound to the Rain-X coating.

If you are thinking of longer for the rear, be careful. I tried. There is lots of room at the top for clearance, but I found that the bottom tip hit the bottom and actually rode onto the rubber molding of the window at full sweep. So I went back to (I think) 17". My notes are in my log book in the Deli, and since it is -14 out, I'm not getting it.

[jwfchase]

If the hold down springs are getting weak, you can also get add-on springs that fit over the wiper arm, at Crappy Tire.

[Green1]

If the hold down springs are getting weak, you can also get add-on springs that fit over the wiper arm, at Crappy Tire.

I have one of those springs on my rear wiper blade... it STILL can't keep the silly thing in contact with the window...

[JMK]

I didn't realize this rear blade problem with it not making contact is so common. After replacing the blade was no help, it tried bending it with no improvement. Now I'm at the point where I just don't bother using it because it is completly useless.

I guess the solution may be to find an entire arm/spring/blade assembly that is compatible that could be used to replace it.

[Erebus]

A stronger spring might change the problem but not fix it. A buddy of mine had an old Subaru, same issue. We put a strong spring on it. It was in contact with the window, but then the torque on the pivot arm was enough that the motor couldn't move the arm. Frustrating for him.

Just thought I'd toss that out.

[Jester]

i just pick up Michelins from Costco.
cheap,long lasting and smooth. excellent value for the money.

[JMK]

The Michelins are about the worst blade I've ever used. The only good thing about buying them at Costco is they are easy to return, which is exactly what I did both times I bought them. (The second time was because the first ones were soo bad I assumed no blades could be that bad and they must have been a production error).