Wiper blade recommendations

nibeck · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 06:45 PM

Boy am I getting tired of crappy wipers getting all hard and useless in no time.

Any recommendations on a high quality wiper that will last more then 3-4 months?

- Mike

03SilverSky · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibeck

Boy am I getting tired of crappy wipers getting all hard and useless in no time.

Any recommendations on a high quality wiper that will last more then 3-4 months?

- Mike

--I don't know the life expectancy of stock Toyota inserts but they work great. The stock blade on my '03 Tundra work better than any insert I have ever used.

Johnny Law · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 07:07 PM

I like the Bosch wiper blades, a little pricey but real nice. For the winter, I just use the ANCO winter blades, no sense wasting money.

ripshion · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibeck

Boy am I getting tired of crappy wipers getting all hard and useless in no time.

Any recommendations on a high quality wiper that will last more then 3-4 months?

- Mike

I just installed a set of PIAA Silcone wiper blades. Blades are made of silicone instead of the usual rubber style. These babies glide across my windshield and wipe clean! Another plus is that these blades are silent and do not leave streaks. I bought them from Performance Products for around $38 for a set.

biggary · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 08:23 PM

I grew up in Washington State where it seemingly rains all the time, and lived there for 34 years. I have tried every kind of wiper blade except the newer silicone types and never found anything that lasted longer and worked better than the Toyota original parts. It sounds like the new PIAA blades may be worth looking in to but, if they are anything like the PIAA lighting systems, you can probably buy two or three sets of Toyota blades for what one of theirs will cost you. It's so nice to live in the desert now and not have to drive in the rain all the time!

Good luck!

DJ · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2003, 10:10 PM

Every September, I put in new Toyota OEM wiper refills. They are at their softest during the cold weather months and they last a full year. They're cheap, they fit, they're easy to find, and they work well. Tastes great, less filling.

nibeck · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2003, 09:15 AM

Excellent info, thanks folks.

Anyone know of a good on-line place to order Toyota parts?

- Mike

RitcheyRch · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2003, 01:04 PM

I only use the Bosch blades. I have had good luck with them on all of my vehicles.

keiphers · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2003, 01:58 PM

I highly reccomend the PIAA silicones. They're pricey but great. Check out Performance Products for a set.

joemama4 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2003, 02:11 PM

After many years the wife(I hate it when she does this) pointed out that the toyota inserts last longer than others. She was right. Went to the dealer yesterday to buy new inserts, they are only stocking the whole blade now. Brandsports has had them. Has anyone else tried to buy them from the dealer and been told they won't be stocking the inserts any more?

rs_petty · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 09:13 AM

You can get silicone wipers at Wal-Mart. Mine still work as well as originals after 2 years. I also went up one size, 19 to 20 inch blades (I think that's the size).

Preludetundra · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemama4

After many years the wife(I hate it when she does this) pointed out that the toyota inserts last longer than others. She was right. Went to the dealer yesterday to buy new inserts, they are only stocking the whole blade now. Brandsports has had them. Has anyone else tried to buy them from the dealer and been told they won't be stocking the inserts any more?

I bought Toyota inserts at a dealer in Woodbridge, VA about 3 weeks ago. No mention that they were going to be discontinued.

UCK40 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 05:55 PM

Your local dealer may not be stocking them anymore but they should be able to order them for you. #85213-yzzc2
Toyota just had a "promotion" on universal wiper blades that are packaged in Toyota packaging for a very reasonable price.(probably what they are stocking)
The best wiper inserts I have found are Lexus part# 85214-30310
they are much more pliable than the stock ones.
You will have to cut a little off the end though (I have had 2 sets w/o any problems)
These also fit the MR2/Land cruiser, but a Lexus dealer is more likely to have them in stock,(is,gs,lx).They dont last as long as the harder Toyota (oem) ones, but they work much better and do not cost much more

Oh yeah, if they work in Alaska winter conditions , they should work well anywhere!!

clintb · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 08:57 PM

Here's something that breathed new life into my almost 3yr old factory wiper blades: I polished the windshield.

Explanation: I have some glass polish from Zaino that hasn't really been used until I purchased a Porter Cable 7424 polisher. A bit of the polishing compound, the 7424 and a few minutes of work yeilded a super smooth windshield. It works wonders for blades that are performing marginally.

joemama4 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the lexus tip. Blades in Fl. either glue themselves to the windshield or wear out during the rainey season. I used to live above 7000 ft. There you just changed from winter to summer blades, when the rubber shield on the winter blade fell off, it became the summer blade. It was much cheaper there, even though the winter blades cost more, because they lasted for several years. Thanks again for the tip.