what wiper blades to use

[nuclearlemon]

ok, here's my contribution to the 80 section

shortly after i brought the nuclearmarshmellow home, i was given a set of oem blades and told not to use anything but.

too bad i'd already bought a couple. . perfect time to start a what wiper blades to use thread.

i'm kinda particular, so when i buy a new to me rig, i usually put one trico and one anco on to see which works better.

on the 80, both, as mentioned, sucked. they left large patches of streaks.

armed with my gift oem blades, i put one on the passenger side.

major difference over the anco (which was the better between trico and anco). actually wiped the windshield.

next, i got a discounted piaa wiper blade to test out. yes, piaa also makes wiper blades. this went on the driver's side, opposite the oem blade. works a tad bit better than oem, but if you didn't have one of each on, you'd say they were just as good.

pricing....
trico/anco = @$10
oem = dont' know...they were free. maybe someone else can speak up
piaa = small fortune...starting at $20 each.

we've gotten some michelin blades in at work that are about $5...i'll test them soon.

has anyone else tried any other blades or have any other comments?

 

[Ebag333]

Fronts don't seem to be as bad. I've used several different brands of fronts, all with varying degrees of success but nothing that I felt was below minimum expectations. I've not had the pleasure of using OEM.

Rears are a different story. I've tried several brands of rears all with dismal results except one (and I don't know the brand, it was installed by the PO), and that one is just "OK".

I've read previously that the OEM rears work perfectly, and to use nothing but. I've already added some to my (ever growing) list of parts to order from cdan.

 

[bowyer2002]

We have Michelins on my Taco and my wifes LX450 and we have been happy with their performance.

 

[informationjunky]

OEM...longevity and price in addition to performance.

 

[Driley]

OEM...longevity and price in addition to performance.

x2

Aftermarket passenger side would loose contact at the outer edge - OEM = constant contact with windshield.

Riley

 

[SpillmanCruiser]

I have the RainX and they've done fine. I will let you know how they old up after love bug season.

 

[roneyj]

There ia a Rainx and the Bousch ICON that are frameless blades, similar to what you find on some newer Germany cars such as Mercedes and I think VW. Not sure if they are any better, but they claim to be. Myself I put the cheapest I can find and they seem to work. Then again it never rains in AZ.

 

[Brentbba]

14 years and I've never put anything but OEM blades on my beast.

 

[TOY350]

Would use nothing but OEM's in my experience with them and other brands over the years. Have not done the PIAA's but my Dad ran some on his Titan and didn't feel the price difference was worth the performance over OEM's on his.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I have no idea how to evaluate your testing as you don't explain if you're using the old wiper and new rubber inserts or if these are complete new wipers (metal spars, etc). I use OEM rubber inserts on the OEM wiper every year, then complete new wipers every few years as the metal parts and bushings wear. Excellent results.

DougM

 

[nuclearlemon]

I have no idea how to evaluate your testing as you don't explain if you're using the old wiper and new rubber inserts or if these are complete new wipers (metal spars, etc). I use OEM rubber inserts on the OEM wiper every year, then complete new wipers every few years as the metal parts and bushings wear. Excellent results.

DougM

don't know about everyone else, but in my case, i removed aftermarket and installed a new wiper blade assy.

 

[x3inchesx]

I've been using the Anco's from wal-mart and they work great for me. I usually replace them around two times a year but for the price, it can't be beat. The best thing I've done to improve wiper performance was to stop using the blue washer fluid and have been using the Rain-X washer fluid. I used to keep forgetting to apply the regular Rain X every season but with the washer fluid I don't have to, it's already added. Through the rain and snow it has worked wonders.

 

[nuclearlemon]

I've been using the Anco's from wal-mart and they work great for me. I usually replace them around two times a year but for the price, it can't be beat. The best thing I've done to improve wiper performance was to stop using the blue washer fluid and have been using the Rain-X washer fluid. I used to keep forgetting to apply the regular Rain X every season but with the washer fluid I don't have to, it's already added. Through the rain and snow it has worked wonders.

the piaa blades eliminate the need for rain x. the rubber they use is impregnated with silicone, so it leaves a film like rain x. haven't noticed that with oem blades, but don't really know.

 

[Izeloz]

Anco Contours work great front and rear. Similar to the Icons but with a more user-friendly bracket (the Bosch bracket didn't play well with my '91).

 

[gotmud]

Why is everyone replacing their blades so often? Unless they are torn, wiper blades will last a long time. If they begin to streak, simply clean the blade's wiping area with rubbing alcohol and you'll have a new blade.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I think it comes down to your standard for foul weather visibility. I get in some friend's cars with crappy stock headlamps and am amazed at what poor lighting people whiz down the freeway behind at 75mph. Same when I'm in a car with worn wiper blades. Most people simply don't notice or care, but I do - especially when I hop back in my car and each wipe of the blades clears the film of water uniformly with no streaks or wet spots and shake my head that people don't notice the slow degradation.

Will old blades get the job done? Yep. Just like old tires will get you down the road, worn spongy brakes will stop you and half plugged fuel injectors will still run the engine.

A merely clean (alcohol) edge doesn't compare to a clean new edge. The edges lose that square corner, their flexibility and grundge builds up in the slots to create uneven pressure. Alcohol wipe is an excellent idea on new blades to remove the oily film on the edge from production and storage.

DougM

 

[Beowulf]

Why is everyone replacing their blades so often?

The desert sun will kill a set of OEM blades every 6 to 12 months depending on how long the truck lives outside.

-B-

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I like my uber cheap AutoZone winter blades... They seem to be holding up just fine.

 

[zcruiser]

The desert sun will kill a set of OEM blades every 6 to 12 months depending on how long the truck lives outside.

-B-

When I was in Malaysia I noticed that every car in the factory parking lot had the wiper blades in the up (off the glass) position. I never asked but I think the theory is that the wiper blades stay cooler off the glass than on and the life of the wiper blade is extended from not getting cooked as fast.

In the US, the only thing that'll get you is a bent wiper arm from some teenager walking past your parked vehicle.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

I haven't had the cruiser long enough to need new blades yet but I have had the PIAA blades on my '01 Celica for about 5 years now and they are still going strong with little to no streaking. The car has been parked outside that entire time and regularly see's 90+ heat in the summer. Not a lot of rain but they regularly get a work out on morning condensation and lots of dust and bugs. No real up keep other than giving them a quick wipe while washing the car. However, this isn't a LC applicaiton so YMMV, but I will consider them when the time comes for new blades on the 80.

Ross