Looking for replacement windshield wipers. Which brand makes the best ones??

[Degenerate]

Go!

[issey]

Umm didn't your manager already talk to you about not using the internet for forums while working? ;)

[henryh]

You can't go wrong with OEM blades.

Don't waste your money on PIAA silicone blades. Cheaper blades, like Bosch Microedge, perform no better and no worse.

[S14_Raven]

Well for winter use, DO NOT even think about using the PIAA ones. It's like seriously throwing away your money. They'll harden up in no time. But I do recommend them for spring and summer use. They give you a pack of something that you wipe your windshield with (my guess is that it's similar to Rain-X), supposedly to condition the wipers or something like that.

I have found Rain-X in conjunction with any other wiper will do a great job though.

[Keigotw]

anyone know is the one's canadian tire sells, the one as seen on TV
the winter blades with teflon?(or something)
are they any good?

[Degenerate]

anyone know is the one's canadian tire sells, the one as seen on TV
the winter blades with teflon?(or something)
are they any good?

I actually have a set of these right now and I found them to be pretty crappy.

[cliff]

teflon blades are crappy, don't do a very good job in the winter when the windshield is icy and dirty.

Use metal frame wiper blades in the summer.

Use rubber wrapped frame blades in the winter. So the hinges don't freeze <-very important in bad weather.

Both available at cdn tire or partsource.

[baymoe]

Does anyone have experience with Canadian Tires' highest end wipers? The ones that have no hinges, just a long metal blade. They're quite expensive, about $22 for a 20inch.

[TigerHawk]

The Canadian Tire ones are "ok", but after a couple months they loose their Teflon coating and start chattering and missing spots. Worse yet, the metal housing on mine starting rusting on one side.

Canadian Tire have a new line of "housing free" windshield wipers called Reflex, but I felt it and it feels flimsy. I doubt it would be very effective in the case of ice build up.

Picture:


http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/WiperBlades/WiperBlades/RegularWiperBlades/0211400_450_CC_39edf.jpg

[GTI]

i find most cheapo ones work fine. just make sure you don't run out of windshield washer fluid.

[mbg]

anyone know is the one's canadian tire sells, the one as seen on TV
the winter blades with teflon?(or something)
are they any good?

I got some a few years ago and didn't notice a difference between them and regular winter blades... in fact, I think they were a bit worse :)

[JAC]

I use oem GM blades all year round. Over the years, I've tried pretty much every type of blade that Canadian Tire has to offer and I've found them all to be utter crap.

[atomic fire]

Teflon ones are no good. Where can I get the GM ones? No other suggestions?

[Kenneth]

^^ GM Dealership ;) .

I second the nudge towards OEM; especially if you can buy a refill only and save the cost of the rest of the hardware.

Otherwise I like Bosch's basic line.

[Rikardo]

OEM GM wiper blades are about $30 a piece at dealerships.

Teflon ones are no good. Where can I get the GM ones? No other suggestions?

[atomic fire]

^^ GM Dealership ;) .

I second the nudge towards OEM; especially if you can buy a refill only and save the cost of the rest of the hardware.

Otherwise I like Bosch's basic line.

How much hardware do you actually change?? I only change the blades.

[pfdude]

OEM GM wiper blades are about $30 a piece at dealerships.

The dealership I go to (Popham in Etobicoke) sometimes has coupons on their website for 1/2 off wiper blades. Makes it regular price now :)

[MrDisco]

another vote against the teflon blades. waste of money without any difference in performance. i'm curious about that new reflex blade they're selling at CT.

how often do you guys change your blades?

[Talamasca]

I think you're supposed to change them every 6-12 months, depending on how often it rains/snows where you live. I think 12 months would be okay for the Toronto area as our precipitation levels are pretty average and our winters mild compared to most of Canada.

[dgmorr]

Well for winter use, DO NOT even think about using the PIAA ones. It's like seriously throwing away your money. They'll harden up in no time. But I do recommend them for spring and summer use. They give you a pack of something that you wipe your windshield with (my guess is that it's similar to Rain-X), supposedly to condition the wipers or something like that.

I have found Rain-X in conjunction with any other wiper will do a great job though.

Rain-X is the best thing I've used evar!...haven't tried it in winter though.

[cliff]

Rain-X is the best thing I've used evar!...haven't tried it in winter though.

Rain-x is awsome in the winter - ice doesn't stick very well to treaded windows. I don't even need to use a scrapper, just a squeegee - even with frozen freezeing rain.

The rain-x (or similar) causes the water to ball-up rather then smooth out on the glass.

Only downside is city driving at night in the wet -ie. driving on lighted low speed roads with a light rain - the rain-x causes the streetlamp's light to reflects in the water balls on the windshield making the water more visible and harder to see out of, thus the need for wipers.

Unlighted driving is great along with highway driving because the rain slides off the windshield much easier, don't even need to use the wipers.




As far as changing wiper blades it depends on your car design, if the wipers are hidden from the sun by the hood - some gm cars - you don't need to change them as often. If the wipers are exposed on the windshield all the time then you will need to change them more often.

You only need to replace the rubber element, unless the blade itself is broken/mangled. The rubber element is cheaper then a whole new setup, and is ideal if you have the OEM blade frame (usually better quality then aftermarket)

I still recommend getting a set of the rubber covered blades which prevent snow and rain from freezing in the hinges.

[iamthehub]

I use the Bosch ones. They are the manufacturer for MB OEM, so that's good enough for me.

[groo]

Well, I can definately say that the winter blades that they sell at Costco are HORRIBLE!

I bought them last year and if you're on the highway or any road going more than 80km/h, they don't work. I've tried this on both my cars (99 Accord and 94 Camry) and even on dry days, they can't even take water off the windscreen....

[synaptech]

Some have mentioned the teflon blades fron CT - the teflon alone are pretty crappy in the winter. They have Winter blades that are teflon too, but seal your blade in a rubber housing that (I believe) contians a light oil. The oil doesn't freeze and the blades stay on the window. They cost a bit more, but are the best I've used for winter.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430 3517476&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1103144936396&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442509783&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/Automotive/WiperBlades/0211001_450_CC_18c4e.jpg

[warpdrive]

Bosch Microedge work great for me....haven't seen them here so I pick 'em up whenever I am in the US

[MrDisco]

I use the Bosch ones. They are the manufacturer for MB OEM, so that's good enough for me.

i've been looking for the Bosch blades. anyone know where i can find them?

oh yeah i also agree that the costo blades aren't the greatest. same with the Pylon blades at wal-mart

[henryh]

i've been looking for the Bosch blades. anyone know where i can find them?

Lordco. Grab a pair and go talk to the parts guys at the back. They'll usually give you a discount.

[Kenneth]

i've been looking for the Bosch blades. anyone know where i can find them?


Part Source (the <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> spin off) carries Bosch's basic line in all sizes. All others can be ordered in within 48 hours.

[Kenneth]

:mad: How much hardware do you actually change?? I only change the blades.

Rather than change the whole metal support brackets, connector clips, and rubber strip.

Some OE's blade assemblies allow you to pull out the rubber strip only and change that alone. Honda, BMW, and Audi have this setup. They sell the rubber strip in 5/6 feet lengths and you cut it to suit the length of your blade.

[CSR]

IMO.. the teflon ones are Good for snow but CRAP for rain... it doesn't do anything but smear water everywhere.. not wipe it away..

[S14_Raven]

A little tip I picked up the past couple of years, is if you're afraid of the cleaning the wipers, or the wipers just freezing up and getting loaded with snow/ice, is just life them up when you leave your car. Simple enough eh? Snow/ice won't stick to it as easily, and cleaning your windshield will be a breeze.

[ah802]

Rain-X is the best thing I've used evar!...haven't tried it in winter though.

Rain X is fine in just water... but the alcohol in windshield washer fluid wipes out the effectiveness of RainX in a few minutes.

[Talula]

So has anyone tried those Reflex blades yet?

[Degenerate]

I've tried nothing. Still using the same crappy teflon blades from 2 years ago. Winter is over, no more snow...next winter

[bluetroll]

goddammit... i wasted my money buying pos teflons

[Degenerate]

So has anyone tried those Reflex blades yet?

I would like to know the same. They make them sound so darn good on television. They also made the teflon ones look pretty good of course until I buy them and they suck monkey balls.

[congenic]

Rain-X is the best thing I've used evar!...haven't tried it in winter though.

I tried Rain-X once and it caused some chattering when the wipers go across the windshield, and i noticed a bit of hazing on sunny days.

Has anyone else noticed this before?

I didn't know windshield wiper fluid's alcohol could remove it, i would have used it to help remove it and the haze.

[Rehan]

I tried Rain-X once and it caused some chattering when the wipers go across the windshield, and i noticed a bit of hazing on sunny days.

Has anyone else noticed this before?

I didn't know windshield wiper fluid's alcohol could remove it, i would have used it to help remove it and the haze.
When I used Rain-X on my windshield, I didn't like the way the wipers 'performed' on the windshield. But it works great on the side and rear windows...ice build-up is very easy to clear off if Rain-X has been applied to the windows.

[Degenerate]

So if I were to head to crappy tire later on today and purchase a pair of all around wipers which ones should I get? :?:

[akito925]

So has anyone tried those Reflex blades yet?

the blades are that great.. they are almost does the same job as your normal wiper blades that come with your car.

[McLaren]

Theres a place called Beck's automotive, on Finch, between leslie and bayview that sells Bosch Microedge excel's, however they are the full blade, and not just the rubber inserts.

I myself just get oem refills from the vw/audi dealer. (which are bosch)

[rookie]

Rain - X in a word is awesome. Picked up a case when CT had them on sale for half price over the holidays.

[Degenerate]

Rain - X in a word is awesome. Picked up a case when CT had them on sale for half price over the holidays.

Gosh darn it I should've bought a set!!

[cil254]

Rain - X in a word is awesome. Picked up a case when CT had them on sale for half price over the holidays.

How much were they ? They're on sale at parts source for $3.

[Degenerate]

How much were they ? They're on sale at parts source for $3.

What??! What's parts source???

[MrDisco]

parts source - a store that sells car parts

i picked up a pair of all-season blades from Wal-Mart and so far they work great. also applied a can of rain-x-like stuff. the difference with this product is you spray it on while the windhsield is wet and then you run your wipers a few times and thats it. works great..rain just beads right off.

[cil254]

What??! What's parts source???

http://www.partsource.ca/
The RainX is on the flyer.

[Rehan]

What??! What's parts source???
It's a division of <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> focused on selling auto parts.

[Degenerate]

How much were they ? They're on sale at parts source for $3.

Did you buy any and were they any good??

[cil254]

Did you buy any and were they any good??

I bought the last 3 at the Oakville store yesterday night.
Yes they are good.

[Degenerate]

I bought the last 3 at the Oakville store yesterday night.
Yes they are good.

It's the entire blade right??

[cil254]

It's the entire blade right??

Blade ? I'm talking about windshield washer fluid LOL.
RainX make products for your windshield, including washer fluid.
However, Partsource also sells wipers, refills and complete unit, including Bosh microedge and microedgexcel ($20.99 for a 24").

[PnnyPnchr]

I bought 2 Cdn Tire reflex blades, and they work a lot better than the usual "tridon" replacements. They are expensive, $20 for 20" and $19 for 18".

The 20" one is beginning to chatter a bit, though.

Teflon blades are a total waste of money.

I found a deal one time at Cdn Tire. They had a whole bin full of loose blades for $1 each. Some were missing pieces etc, but for $5 I had enough wiper blades and swappable parts to last for years - until now.

[Degenerate]

Blade ? I'm talking about windshield washer fluid LOL.
RainX make products for your windshield, including washer fluid.
However, Partsource also sells wipers, refills and complete unit, including Bosh microedge and microedgexcel ($20.99 for a 24").

LOL I'm getting all confused here. I need blades darn it!!!

[akito925]

I bought 2 Cdn Tire reflex blades, and they work a lot better than the usual "tridon" replacements. They are expensive, $20 for 20" and $19 for 18".

The 20" one is beginning to chatter a bit, though.

Teflon blades are a total waste of money.

I found a deal one time at Cdn Tire. They had a whole bin full of loose blades for $1 each. Some were missing pieces etc, but for $5 I had enough wiper blades and swappable parts to last for years - until now.

any $5 wiperblades will do fine.. theses reflex ones feel the same as normal ones to me.. don't see any difference at all.

what you guys think?

[Kevin T]

I bought the Motormaster Teflon Winter Metal Blades. They suck... in the middle of the driver side, it would leave water (skips over it). I refunded it however the Reflex ones were all sold out. I am using OEM, the rubber inserts are worn out already (but they were very good for 3/4 season). I will be trying the Reflex, if they are not good than I will either go OEM and buy new inserts or get a new pair of Teflon Winter Metal Blades. Maybe the ones I got before catched some dirt.

Use Orange Hand Cleaner to remove dirt, and Rain-X. Its best to clean your windshield prior to using new blades. Anyone have very good positive feedback on the Reflex? No refills... so it can be costly.

[findingnemoscar]

Official Review for Reflex wipers:D

Okay, here's my review. I went to CDN Tire to buy them on Dec 29 I believe. I went to three CDN Tire Stores and they were all but sold out. I drive an acura integra so I need three blades, although the rear one I can do without but I figured, might as well get the whole set. Anyhow, all three CDN Tires were sold out on the driver's side blade so I bought the one for the passenger side. It was 19.99 or so for the one blade. I figured, hey, now I can conduct my own unscientific test for the next week or so until they restock.

So far, the results have been better. Then again, aren't all new blades suppose to be good for the few washings or so. My driver side blade is 6 months old and they're pretty bad compared to the new ones. Overall, I'm pleased with the Reflex blade. It doesn't leave dirt streaks or make scratchy noises against the window. I wonder what would happen if I combined that with some Rain-X window fluid. If it works, I could call it, Rainflex-X :D.

I'm going to end up buying the whole set once I get around to it. Whoever made the commercial for these wipers hit gold. People are buying them in droves at $20 a pop. Stay tuned for Rainflex-X:)

[Kenneth]

Parts Source currently has Bosch Microedge blades on sale for $2 off the regular price. Picked up a 22" for $12.99 (reg. $14.99) each two inches of length adjusts the price by $1.00 (approx.).

That makes them the same price roughly as Cdn Tires cheaper brands and you don't have to deal with that POS "universal connectors". Since the Bosch has all the connectos built in.

[Chrispy]

I have a set of the Reflex wiper blades, and I honestly like them. Got rid of the CT Teflon ones I had on their before. The reflex have performed flawlessly, even with the snow and ice we had recently. They clean well, and as advertised, are not effected by wind lift at high speeds....

Overall, I do reccomend them...they are a bit expensive, but well worth it in my opinion.....I guess time will tell as to how long they perform at their peak, but based on usage so far, they're the best i've ever used.

[Kevin T]

The Reflex are out of stock!! So I bought back to Winter Teflon ones, and they suck!

[Degenerate]

The Reflex are out of stock!! So I bought back to Winter Teflon ones, and they suck!

They really suck. I just saw the Reflex ones in the CT add for 17.99 but like you said they're sold out.

[Kevin T]

No fear... they do have a Satisfaction Gurantee. I will be exchanging these for the Reflex whenever they come in stock. The OE ones are worn, so I had to pick something. The partsman is a liar.

[felix]

hey I wanted to get them too! The Reflex ones that is, the commercial looks good as you said :cheesygri Are they easy to install? I've never changed windshield wipers before.

[felix]

A little tip I picked up the past couple of years, is if you're afraid of the cleaning the wipers, or the wipers just freezing up and getting loaded with snow/ice, is just life them up when you leave your car. Simple enough eh? Snow/ice won't stick to it as easily, and cleaning your windshield will be a breeze.
Thanks for the tip! So now I know why I see cars in the parking lot with their wipers up! :cheesygri

[tjuzer]

And then bad kids will slap them off windshield :evil:

[D-3vil]

well, here's the only positive review of the teflon blades that this thread will most likely ever see...

I've had a pair of summer blades on the car for the past 2 years (no Rain-X here). They still work flawlessly, though I could do without the initial squeaking while wiping for the first minute or so when it starts raining.

However, I should stress that they only perform well on the car I currently own (240SX -- I haven't attempted to find out why this is, but I'm happy they do), and that the car is usually in the garage overnight. Other than that, my experience with the Motomaster Teflon has been the same as the rest of you: pretty terrible (tried them on a Maxima and various GM cars)

They'll most likely be due for a replacement before next winter. Drawing from the collective wisdom of this thread, I'll go for Bosch.

[Kevin T]

Motormaster Winter Teflon Metal Blade + Reflex = Crap.

I'll stick with Honda OE (Made in Japan) wiper refills for only 5.25 each.

[careener]

i've been looking for the Bosch blades. anyone know where i can find them?

oh yeah i also agree that the costo blades aren't the greatest. same with the Pylon blades at wal-mart

I second the comment about Pylon blades..the sets I have streaked immediately on both of my cars.

[stevethewheel]

Motormaster Winter Teflon Metal Blade + Reflex = Crap.

I'll stick with Honda OE (Made in Japan) wiper refills for only 5.25 each.

I take it you have used the Winter Teflon Blade, and you have used the Reflex blade?

I have used both. I don't like the Winter Teflon Blade, it didn't last long and seemed to leave a slight greasy/oily residue on my windsheild that was very distracting when wet.

I like the Reflex blade. Have had them for about 3 weeks and yes I expect that a 3-week old blade should be incredible. Even so the blade is most like a squeegee of any blade I've owned, the glass is almost dry after the blade passes by. It removed the Teflon blade film which was good because I was not sure if it was just me or for real. It handles ice the same as any other blade...mixed results and some lifting of the blade. Of course it can't accumulate ice in the joints and become stiff because there aren't any joints. It handles snow really well. So far no aerodynamic lift whatsoever.

Can't believe how 'sold out' they are. I've been watching for a set for my 2nd car but as fast as stock comes in it is gone...at like $17 a pop CT is sure making a killing.

I also use that Rain-X washer fluid. Can't say enough good about it for wet or snowy/icy conditions. It does leave a slight haze to the windshield that you can see on bright summer days when the angle of the sun is just wrong that is true. I have also used the "Teflon" windshield wiper fluid but was not impressed.

I would like to go back to the metal holder and replaceable blade combination because for $5 you can replace the blade as soon as performance starts to go down and you will still be cheaper than a fancy blade that you keep using past it's best before date because you don't want to lay out the replacement cost. The trouble is I could not find a good metal housing and refill. The metal housings seemed to be designed not to refill, the retaining fingers were very thin and got loose so my refills started falling out and rolling over. Where is Tri-don anymore?

[NDman]

So does anyone know where I can get refills for a Ford Windstar blade? The rubber part is pretty much ripped. I'm not entirely sure I need to change the whole blade (haven't looked at it closely yet). Is it hard to change just the rubber part? Or the rubber part is only interchangeable for some of the wipers, not all kind?

[Degenerate]

I still need new blades and also windshield fluid for that matter. Anyone know where to get windshield fluid for cheap?

[plymouthhater]

I just replaced the wipers on my beater - last year I bought the $5 ea Pylon brand refills at Walmart - they lasted 11 months and then the blades got hard and started to miss areas on their sweep.

So...I just installed the $6.97 ea Pylon refill kits (supposedly slightly better quality according to the display at Wally World) - so far so good ... and I will report back in 11 months or so. :)

BTW I also added a pair of those "add on" Crappy Tire spring kits that supposedly increase the pressure of the wiper arm against the windshield.

[LeonPhelps]

Reflex Blades + Rain-X washer fluid = Teh win

[hammer]

For the best blades money can buy go to a lexus dealer and buy their refills...cut them to your size.

Hands down the absolute best!

[AudiDude]

I tried Rain-X once and it caused some chattering when the wipers go across the windshield, and i noticed a bit of hazing on sunny days.

Has anyone else noticed this before?

I didn't know windshield wiper fluid's alcohol could remove it, i would have used it to help remove it and the haze.

Here is the funny thing I found out about Rain-X. Ther are two kinds. One is in a trigger spray bottle and the other is in a squirt bottle (looks like Ronsonol lighter fluid). The trigger spray stuff was very difficult to buff into the glass and was hazy (greasy). The squirt bottle stuff wiped on, dried to a haze and was buffed off easily. I think that mine lasts at least half a year before I reapply more. Snow does not stick to the window easily.

[Slartibartfast]

I second the comment about Pylon blades..the sets I have streaked immediately on both of my cars.
I third the comment! I bought the second-from-cheapest blade, and ended up returning it after a couple of weeks trial. <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=25 target=_blank>Canadian Tire's</a> basic "metal" blades were even worse.

[B0000rt]

... And it's a few months later after a decent winter and many rain days, and how are all your blades now?

I've had my AirFoil blades from CT for atleast 9 months now (I remember buying when it was nice and warm outside) and the blade is getting flimsy, though the wing keeps the blade from buffeting around at 130km/h. Rain-X rain repellant works good? I gotta grab me some then, just got a new windshield :(

[DJ_Peanuts22]

and the thread is now back from the dead

[B0000rt]

and the thread is now back from the dead

Exactly, I just wanted to see how people find their wipers after a few months of winter usage.... There's no use in asking how good people's wipers are new, because they basically all perform the same, new :p

[DJ_Peanuts22]

well, my experience was after a long winter, my Bosch Microedge Excel wipers are still practically new (i got them last february). they have a whisper quiet, streak free-wipe. still no wiper lift or chatter at highway speeds even after a year. they're durable, great blades for all seasons. a bit on the expensive side though.

[B0000rt]

well, my experience was after a long winter, my Bosch Microedge Excel wipers are still practically new (i got them last february). they have a whisper quiet, streak free-wipe. still no wiper lift or chatter at highway speeds even after a year. they're durable, great blades for all seasons. a bit on the expensive side though.

Do they sell just the inserts or the whole blade?

[DJ_Peanuts22]

the excels are the non-refillable type

but bosch did make some microdege ii wipers which could be refilled, but i think those were discontinued a few years ago.

[w3ss]

the excels are the non-refillable type

but bosch did make some microdege ii wipers which could be refilled, but i think those were discontinued a few years ago.


How much do each of these cost? Where can I get them in Ontario. Richmond Hill/Mississauga/Scarborough/Markham area.