I have a '92 Legacy L wagon.....Here in the "Great Pacific Northworst" my windshield wipers get a real workout....I change my 2X annually: once in the fall to those winter models with the rubber boots over the blade frames and then in the spring to the regular models.

 

I frequently have to respond to oil & chemical spills -- especially in the Columbia River corridor -- during the winter(& in the dark). Since US 84 in Oregon gets really icy, they really ladle-on the chemicals and salt for safety's sake, so I really depend on my blades & washers to do the job.

 

I've been trying new manufacturers this year and have been underwhelmed by their performance. Anyone have blade (mfr.) they really like? Also: I'd love to find one of those little metal "wing things" for the driver's side blade that creates downforce at speed, eliminating the tendency for the wiper to "float" on the freeway. Does anyone know of a chain store(Shuck's, Napa, etc.) that carries such an item?

 

Thanks!

 

Mark

Hey I'm from Seattle, too. Do you work for the Washington State Department of Ecology?

Anyway back to the subject at hand. I 've found the best way to go is buy the cheapest blades and count on changing them 3-4 times a year. I buy the complete wiper blade from schuck's or something like an Anco or Trico. Then buy 3 or 4 refills and your set for a year or more. I don't care what the wiper companies say, none of their blades last any longer than a couple of months around here anyway. Even in the summer when you're not using your blades (as much anyway) the sun still degrades the rubber wiper over a short period of time. I used to buy into the expensive teflon Bosch and all that but they don't last any longer than the cheap blades. Unfortunately for the winter type blades I can't see how to replace the wiper with a refill, so that's kind of an expensive way to go. They can still get iced up driving through the mountains around here. ANyway that's my $0.02.

Duane: Thanks for the feedback.....if you ever see one of those "wiper wing" spoiler thingies around here, let me know!

 

Mark

You can also add a spring to the wiper arm for more downforce. It looks like an oversized clothespin spring (sort of). Just something else to try.

 

I've had regular blades (ok), teflon coated blades (better), silicone blades (good, but made noise from day one and expensive), now trying the Bosch microedge blades (strike me as similar to the Teflon blades)...

 

I'm beginning to think the expensive ones are not really worth it. The silicone blades I had were suppose to be good for up to 5 years. I got 1.5 out of them. In my experience, the blade joints start to get loose from wear and cause chatter anyway. So what good is the blade lasting longer than the holder?

 

Buying a decent inexpensive wiper and changing it 1 / 2 / 4 times a year is probably the best bet.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Commuter

dont by the cheap ones at fred meyer..

I lost a wiper and ran in bought the cheapest one and the whole wiper blade doesnt even sit all the day down on the window.. it ineffective from both edges in about 4 inches

I prefer Bosch or Lexor.

Rain-X is a beautiful thing....

 

I'm from Seattle, and now live in Michigan (against my will, I might add). Today it is minus 13 degrees F. Rain-X lets plain ol' rain just blow off my windshield at highway speeds, don't even use the wipers when I go fast. In the winter here the Rain-X makes it much easier to scrape ice off, and makes it very easy to clear the windshield when the semi-trucks splash muddy slush.

 

I just use cheap NAPA wipers.

I am with you on the Rain-X !

 

 

Although I find it's not such a big advantage in salted winter conditions.

RAIN-EX? Is that stuff environmentally friendly? Remember, the guy works for the EPA:D

I think if you stick to standard brands like Anco or Trico you can find refills everywhere. A trick I heard on 'car-talk' is to clean your windshield with a mild abraisive cleanser when replacing the blades. Your windshield will have squeaky-clean wipes for a lot longer. Dirt, oil, and grit can erode the quality of the rubber in a short hurry. That's why I go through so many refills. One trip through the mountains and the car is coated with sand and dirt I can only imagine how much crud the wipers clean off the windshield in only trip up and back.

I use Bon Ami cleanser that is NON abrasive. Even a mild abrasive may cause problems. Ditto's on the Rain-X or the new Castrol stuff.

BON AMI! That's what click and clack said to use. I went home and looked on a can of bon ami and no where does it say it's a NON-ABRASIVE cleanser.