Wiper Blade Input

[drift7one]

didnt realize until we just got our first bit of freezing rain/ snow in NW Indiana, that my wiper blades are total garbage. I wanted to replace them soon, but now I definitely am by the end of the week. I think the actual rubber blade peeled off of the driver side wiper and I can hardly drive with the things. I was browsing around Rock Auto and noticed they had quite a selection, for cheaper than most retail stores.

so Im just curious as to what some of you guys use for new blades. and if they are good year round or if you got something special for winter months (washer fluid also).

[MattStrike]

I bought some Rain-X Latitude wipers in 2008 for the LeSabre. I now have them on the Bonneville. One has a streak, caused by resting on a bolt where they would dock on the LeSabre. They did tuck under the hood on the LeSabre so I'm sure that helped keep the rubber from drying out and cracking.

I use the orange washer fluid that doesn't freeze in cold weather, and it's nice being able to make frost disappear.

[RJolly87]

I just use cheapos myself, and replace them every 2 years. For some reason, the passenger side wiper, when parked, has the end that hangs off about an inch, which messes with the blades soon after I get them. But we also dryrot them long before they are all used up.

[00Beast]

I will only use Bosch Icon wipers. If you look around, lots of times there's a buy-one-get-one-free deal that different stores offer on them.

[Bing]

Plus I use Rain X windshield washer fluid, the winter time stuff. The water beads right up, so most of the time I don't even have to use the wipers.

[ga93sle]

I run the Rain-X Latitudes year round. Can't really speak for longevity, though, I haven't kept a car longer than a year lol.

[SSEiMan01]

Love my Bosch Icons. Over a year old and still work great.

[00Beast]

I had really bad luck with a pair of Rain-X Latitudes, they got streaky and crappy within a month of ownership. Seems the soft rubber doesn't like hard ice and snow...

[maroon111993]

I have RAINX fluid as well, with RAINX latitude wipers. The wipers are AMAZING. Still like brand new after about a year and a half. (But you barely need them with RAINX fluid on the windshield)

[repinS]

When I'm south of the border, I get Bosch Icon. Locally, I get Motomaster Reflex, which are Canadian Tire private rebranded Trico Innovision. Both perform about as well, with the Motomasters being not as clunky when the blades reach the end of their travel. Softer rubber?

I generally replace wipers every year. I'm OCD about wiper performance so I rarely let them degrade to the streaky stage.

[00Beast]

A year is a LONG time for me to have wipers. I'm OCD about my windshield being absolutely clear...

I prefer legitimate Rain-X on my windshields...

[DaMaroon]

Been using Anco since the sixties. Was a bit surprised when they were the cheapest at Wally World, so msybe things have changed but SFSG.

My philosophy is different. Just change them as needed. Eventually noticing a lot of times they don't work because they're dirty. So cleaning them every time the windshield is cleaned means changing them around every other year. If they sat out the UV would probably kill them sooner. YMMV

[01bonneSC]

I always try to buy windshield washer fluid with rain repeller in it. Rain X isnt the only one anymore. Unless its really pouring out I dont even use the wipers.

[SSEiMan01]

With the Rain-X on my windshield and how clean I keep my car I rarely have to use my wipers at all, the rain is afraid of the car and just runs off.
Which is why I can get a year out of a set...

[terrancew3]

I got Rain-X Latitude on my car, and they blow. After 6 months my passenger one streaks about 6 inches in the middle from top to bottom of my windshield. And the driver side one works okay. I was told by the guy at Autozone, that Rain-x wiper blades compared to Bosch are terrible. I think after this winter I am going to go buy the Bosch ones. The only thing I can say that is good about these blades is they have the plastic covers over the whole length of the blade to keep snow and debris out of it.

[PaulyGXP]

I have Latitudes as well, they seem ok on my F-150 but on the Bonneville they leave some lines right at eye level drivers side.

[yourgrandma]

I never use wipers. My bonneville has the same ones that were on it when I got the car.

[01bonneSC]

I def will never use anything other than the beam style blades ever again. They're more expensive but don't have to buy special winter blades like with the standard style.

[MattStrike]

Most of the beam style are re-loadable with a standard wiper blade. They are snapped together, and the blade will slide right out. The one set I have doesn't even have to be taken apart to do this.

[terrancew3]

Has anyone ever heard of claying your windshield? One of my friends worked at an Auto Detailer shop around by me, and he showed me the idea of taking a clay bar and rubbing it in to your windshield, or any window if you want, and then I believe you take a buffer or microfiber and polish it in. I can't remember how to do it in detail, all I know is in a pretty good down pour the rain would just bounce off the window and fly away. Impressed me a lot by how good it does. Never used wipers once on that ride home, and it was like a 30 mile patch of hard rain.