I normally complain about more important things like the tranny shift/accel issue I've posted on.
The wiper blades on my wife's '06 Avalon are HORRIBLE. They are maybe 16 months old and the streaking is unbelievable. They are not cut or worn at all. I have cleaned them with alcohol and the problem persists.
A new set(left and right side are different) runs about $60-$70 and I have yet to locate an after-market alternative. No one seems to make one yet. That's not unusual with models this fresh.
On another forum I've been told that "Rain-X" will cause this if the product was improperly applied. The rubber is in good shape, no cuts, etc., so it's quite possible the dealer applied rain-x to the windshield.
Was told to buy a product called "Invisible Glass" to remove the rain-x. Supposedly available at places like Target, Auto-Zone. etc.
I normally complain about more important things like the tranny shift/accel issue I've posted on.
The wiper blades on my wife's '06 Avalon are HORRIBLE. They are maybe 16 months old and the streaking is unbelievable. They are not cut or worn at all. I have cleaned them with alcohol and the problem persists.
A new set(left and right side are different) runs about $60-$70 and I have yet to locate an after-market alternative. No one seems to make one yet. That's not unusual with models this fresh.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks for your time.
Yep, a rip off. For something that only lasts a year or so, Toyota decided to flog everybody for $60. Now that's how you build a customer base.
/sarcasm off/
FWIW, I put Klasse on the new blades to hopefully help protect them from the sun. Maybe they'll last a little longer. I also keep the windshield treated with something...Rain-x, Aquapell or Klasse.
Are you cleaning the wipers with rubbing alcohol? It contains lanolin, which will cause smearing. If this is the case, get a bottle of denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) and clean the wipers and windshield with that. Rain-X also makes a wiper cleaner ... it has always worked well for me.
I can no longer find what used to be The Best windshield cleaner: Bon Ami glass cleaner ... the creamy stuff you rubbed on the windshield, let dry to a powder, then toweled off. Rain-X also had a creamy cleaner at one time, but I can no longer find it. The creams removed all the crud and stuff that Windex (terrible for car windshields) and other cleaners left behind.
On another forum I've been told that "Rain-X" will cause this if the product was improperly applied. The rubber is in good shape, no cuts, etc., so it's quite possible the dealer applied rain-x to the windshield.
Was told to buy a product called "Invisible Glass" to remove the rain-x. Supposedly available at places like Target, Auto-Zone. etc.
I doubt Stoner Invisible Glass will remove rain-x. It's a great inside & out glass cleaner that's tint safe, but it isn't that strong. I really have to work to get the plasticizer film off the inside of the windshield. It usually takes 2 or 3 tries to get the glass clean.
A glass polish will take the rain-x off. This stuff is available at NAPA auto parts. You'd be amazed at what polishing the windshield will do for wiper blade performance. Duragloss Duragloss NG (Glass Water Spot Remover)
I bought replacement blades for both the passenger and drivers side at an on line Toyota parts supplier and I think the drivers side was about $22 and the passengers side was $16 or so. Not cheap but not $60 either. Be sure they are quoting you just the blade replacement not the blade and wiper arm.
I have also had good luck with a wiper treatment from 303 products if you wanted to try that.
Dealer I went to told me that you cannot buy wiper inserts for an '06 Avalon. You must buy the blade/rubber wiper assembly.
That may be a lie for all I know or just ignorance on the part of the parts counter person. This particular dealership has not impressed me in any way.
2006 Avalon - Lousy Windshield Wiper Blades
Re: 2006 Avalon - Lousy Windshield Wiper Blades
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