Bosch Icons are my default.

Timely thread. The wipers on my Model 3 are starting to finally show some age after x4 years.

Bosch and if you have an Advance Auto nearby they will even put them on for you free of charge if you buy them there.

I've found that, even if at a premium, OEM blades seem to do really good. At least for German brands.
Not as sure on Japanese, Korean or domestic, but seems a possible good choice as well?

Takes a bit more planning to get other than at dealer, but keep a spare set on hand and you are good to go! Order when replacing them.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
The wipers on my Model 3 are starting to finally show some age after x4 years.

Perfect example. Why in the world would someone experiment with another option on heels of this result.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
For people buying OEMs, are you buying from dealership or on-line? If on-line, which site (Amazon or manufacturer specific such as allthingsnissan.com)?

When I bought factory, from the dealership. I buy the Michelin's where ever I can find them - Prime, autoparts store, etc. Good thing is that I only need to do it every few years.

Need to try cleaning the ones on my wife's car before replacing, they look perfect but could wipe better.

I use rainX on my windshield, then use the rainX orange juice for the washer. I’ve used Bosch and the rainX brand, both to good results. Frankly I think it’s because I use the rainX juice . The heat here in TX kills thinks

Thanks everyone.

My wife told me we might be going in the direction of the dealer this weekend, if so I will pick up OEM wipers.

If not I will try the local auto parts stores near where I live, we have several.

I am leaning towards either RainX or one of the Bosch versions that will fit my car.

Again thanks everyone.

quote:

I've found that, even if at a premium, OEM blades seem to do really good. At least for German brands.

This, Rain X did not last six months on my Touareg so I have gone back to OEM. I buy all my parts online from FCP Euro.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
Need to try cleaning the ones on my wife's car before replacing, they look perfect but could wipe better.

Years ago I was talking with an auto parts sales rep. He told me that regular cleaning of wipers with Bon Ami helped them have a long life. I never tried it to confirm.

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:

quote:

I've found that, even if at a premium, OEM blades seem to do really good. At least for German brands.

This, Rain X did not last six months on my Touareg so I have gone back to OEM. I buy all my parts online from FCP Euro.

I bought my last ones from FCP Euro-also Touareg-they are made by Bosch.

But, In my 40+ years of non-scientific experience, I think the best thing to do is use anything decent and change them often. I can't even imagine you people saying you got 3-4 years out of wiper blades. You must park in the garage and only drive if its raining. The sun in south Louisiana eats them up in a year or less. High end or cheaper makes no difference.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Costco, Michelin wiper blades, $7.95 each, plenty of selection, good blades that are not stupid priced. Get them in the store...

https://www.costco.com/micheli...duct.4000179786.html

I have these blades on three of my vehicles which I put on around five or six months ago.

While they do a decent-enough job, the ‘lock-down’ tabs for at least one blade on each vehicle has failed to stay in place, thus creating a significant safety hazard.

With the wind pushing on the blade when not in use, the blades are almost pushed off of the wiper arm.

I have a piece of Gorilla Tap holding all of the locking tabs down.

In a few weeks or so I am going to replace all of them with Bosch ICONs.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I can't even imagine you people saying you got 3-4 years out of wiper blades. You must park in the garage and only drive if its raining. The sun in south Louisiana eats them up in a year or less. High end or cheaper makes no difference.

Can't speak for others but to be fair, my usage patterns may be atypical. It does get hot out here (100+ is not unusual in the summer). But one key is when it's raining, I leverage the hydrophobic properties of rain-x which minimizes the need to use the wipers. I only need wipers when it's really pouring down (like inches of per day) or when my speed is slow (less than 25mph) such that there is very little laminar flow across the windshield to blow off the water. If I'm moving faster than 25mph, usually I either don't need the wipers or I just need them intermittently (either manually or with the wiper timer set to 1 pass / 20 sec or something).

As it rarely pours here and I live in suburbs where > 25mph is possible for sustained distances, I only need the wipers occasionally.

That being said, under the same usage patterns outlined above, I was changing OEM every year and moved to 3 years w/ the Michelin.

I don't think wiper blades wear out from usage. I can't imagine them dragging across a wet windshield enough to wear down the material. I think they just "age" due to sun exposure and sitting against a hot windwhield. Eventually the edge gets ragged enough, or the material gets hard enough, that they no longer perform well.

I buy Bosch Aerotwin sets once a year. They look factory (no odball adapter involved) and work great.

example (Amazon link - these are specific to MY car)

OEM inserts or Bosch Icon if inserts are not available. I change them every 6 months - Thanksgiving-ish and May. That way one set sees summer and the other winter.

OEM are always the best regardless of which make vehicle you have.

Not a single mention of Anco (1925) or Trico (1917), interesting.

Discount Tire installs wiper blades for $14.95 each. I haven't tried them but doubt they would sell junk.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
For people buying OEMs, are you buying from dealership or on-line? If on-line, which site (Amazon or manufacturer specific such as allthingsnissan.com)?

Since there’s no dealer nearby, I order online from a dealership’s website. I had to use AI to confirm the part numbers I should order for my car. I think all the dealers share the same inventory program and they have obsolete numbers along with the current number.

But the parts do ship from the dealership. Interesting for me, shipping is free so I’m just paying for the parts.