quote:

Originally posted by armored:
As best as my memory still works, I remember, back in the day, the late 60's and 70's, that I NEVER changed wipers, never noticed that they went bad.
Mind altering drugs, maybe, or just more durable blades back then.
I tend to look at blades now as snake oil. None seem to last long.

I remember that too!

Back in the early '90s, I was having trouble finding reasonably-priced wiper blades for my 280Z. I happened to be in Target one day and saw a pile of foreign car replacement blades for $1 each. On a whim, I bought them all. Sorting through them, I found a pair that fit the Z perfectly, worked perfectly, and were on the car when I sold it.

Over the years, I used them on an assortment of older cars. It seemed like I could always find a couple that would fit and work fine on any car I had. Alas, about a decade later, the pile was finally exhausted.

I buy moderately cheap blades, basically whenever Menards has a deal on name brands I'll buy an extra set. I use Clay Magic on my windshield a couple times a year and then use Rain X. That keeps it slick and the blades last longer w/out chattering.

Like armored said seemed like the factory blades hardly ever went bad and when they did you could buy both front blades for about four bucks and they would last a couple of years.

This thread got me curious and I started looking for replacements for my 2014 Nissan Rogue and it seems they are now two different lengths and about the cheapest I could find were $16.99 (drivers side) and $14.99 (passengers side) respectively. Hate to think of spending that kind-a bucks and they only last about a year or so.

Used to always buy the cheap Ancos or Tricos, and they worked well for a while, but I got tired of the inconvenience to going to the store to buy a new set periodically. My time is more important to me than a couple of dollars.

Tried the Rain-X Lattitude, and definitely got better longevity out of them, more than twice the Anco. What I hated was the clunky universal attachment clip they use. I hated staring at that really inelegant design.

Tried the Icons, and am quite pleased. The torsion bar design looks a little different, but the attachment point is clean and in Virginia they seem to last quite a while, even longer than the Lattitudes. Expensive, but I'll pay 2.5 times as much if they last at least twice as long, and they do.

I could see where any wiper struggles to last in environmental extremes, or perhaps when the wiper length is so long the torsion bar design struggles to apply enough down force at the tips, but at 22" they work just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
...not sure I've ever actually benefited from the RainX of any version

I definitely have. There's a big difference when Rain-X is applied to the windshield.

It's nice to not have to use wipers during light rain and mist, since the water just immediately beads up and rolls off, like on a freshly waxed finish. Works especially well at highway speeds.

Makes the wipers more efficient in moderate and heavy rain too.

The Rain-X Latitude wipers themselves are independent of the Rain-X treatment, though. I like those because they last the longest of any wipers I've tried, and seem to provide the cleanest sweep.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Rain X washer fluid has silicone in it, which can interfere with the washer fluid sensor if your car has one.

Good to know. Another example of why simpler can be better. I don't need a sensor to tell me to add more washer fluid, so it's just another piece of unnecessary technology with the potential to break.

None of my prior cars have had that, but I need to check if my new Subaru has it.

Starting today, March 15th, Costco has the hybrid Goodyear wipers for $3 off, limit 3, normal price $7.99. I have used them for years now. I wish they wouldn't limit them to 3. I'll buy 3, have my wife in line behind me with 3. This way at least 3 of our vehicles will be ready for new wipers when needed. Just replaced most of them so it's nice to have them in the garage.

Put Bosch Icons on my wife's Flex. Huge improvement & great in heavy rain.
They do hit the A-pillar when on high with the vehicle stationary.

Bosch Icon for me as well.

Icon here also.

I've been pleased with Bosch Icons, Rain-X, and also Michelin Stealth.

As others have pointed out, Rain-X treatment of the windshield makes all the difference.

Michael

I've chased decent blades for years and Bosch or Anco seem to be the best in aftermarket.

That said, they never work as well or last as long as OEM, at least the ones by Nissan, Merc, BMW or Porsche. Not sure what domestic manufacturers use but if you've got a Japanese or German car I'd recommend swallowing hard and trying another set of OEM. They may be 2-3X the cost, but if they last longer and work better out of the box I'll take it.

quote:

Bosch Icons here too. They just last longer for me.

Just a reminder, as we head into winter, it's a good time to change them:

Bosch ICON ClearMax 365 Premium Beam Wiper Blade, 20 Inch, Part # 20A
Regular Price $26.99
Sale Price $16.99

https://shop.advanceautoparts....CL2*14997%7CL3*15566

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQs3OI6Gvo

Interesting video.
I will note that they tested a low-line Bosch. The Michelins tested last seem to be Bosch ICON clones. They are both pretty good.

PIAA silicone. Lasts for years.

Not that it matters but I have held a commercial drivers license since the late 80's, I spend a lot of time behind a windshield. I try to find Anco blades, if not, I buy the cheapest and replace as needed...

The OEM blades for my three Hyundai Sonatas have been excellent. I have them replaced at the dealership every two years.

Just watched an interesting You-Tube comparison of wiper blades. Ranging in price from around $8 thru $38. The over all winner at roughly $12 was the Bosch Clear Advantage Blades.

quote:

Originally posted by kramden:
Just watched an interesting You-Tube comparison of wiper blades. Ranging in price from around $8 thru $38. The over all winner at roughly $12 was the Bosch Clear Advantage Blades.

Are you talking about those project farm videos? There’s no way he can test durability accurately, real world. And his motor oil videos are a joke, yet some people take them as gospel.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:



Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQs3OI6Gvo

I was just looking for this to embed it. You beat me to the draw. I saw that on a Nissan Frontier forum.