[gmercedesbenz]

So I went to the store the other day looking for the BEST wipers I could find. Personally I think that two things you just cannot cheap out on in any car are the brakes and wipers. So I went exploring to find the best wipers. Well I have one word, ICON. After reading some online reviews and checking out the local auto parts stores, the general concensus was Bosch ICON was the way to go. Best price I found was at Advance Auto Parts, I paid just about $50 after tax. Deadly simple installation, and hands down, the best wipers I've ever had. After doing some light reading, I found out why they work so good. I guess its not only the fact that they are curved and "hug" the glass like the german style wipers found on BMW, Benz, and Audi, but they actually use the air pressure from oncoming wind to keep the blade snug on the glass. Very interesting design. Definately a smart buy for any Escape/Tribute/Mariner/Maverick owner.

 

[Squishy]

With the hingeless wipers, you have to be careful of ice buildup in temperatures near the freezing mark. The hinged wipers have enough moving parts to break ice away from the surface (although it does jam the hinges) but the hingeless wipers will keep building up ice until you're left with icicles and no rubber contact on the windshield.

They work flawlessly in the summer, but it's not enough of a benefit for me to switch from $5 refills or even $10 standard hinged wipers.

 

[canuckcam]

+1.. and first post!

As a fellow Ontarian a little south, buying those $25 Canadian Tire "reflex" are a waste - in the summer they're fine, but in the winter, ice builds up on them, and if you flex the wiper to remove the ice, the rubber blade comes off with it! Or the curve looses pressure on the windshield and you're left with streaks and unwiped windshield. It's happened to me twice. I'm buying $7.99 wipers... and I gotta do that three times to match the cost of one Reflex "hingeless" blade.

 

[Squishy]

For the Canadians, I have found the "best" wipers to be the cheap Canadian Tire winter wipers wrapped in that rubber boot. You need to seal the ends of the boot with silicone sealant (or the much more expensive Loctite Xtreme Repair) to prevent water from getting in. Once water gets in, it will freeze the hinges every single day and you will have to squeeze the wiper all the time.

Once sealed properly, those wipers work great. Some passenger-side wipers can not adapt to the curve of the windshield, but that just misses the bottom right corner - not a biggie.

 

[Charles]

I used Bosch ICON Wipers on my Escape and loved them. I do not have the weather Squishy and others in the northern climates experience.

I used to purchase 2 sets of wiper blades a year when I lived in Michigan. A regular set of wiper blades and a set of winter blades.

 

[Davis137]

I totally agree with Squishy that the standard metal blades wrapped in the rubber boot are the BEST wiper blades to use on vehicles like ours in icy and heavy snowfall conditions. I had brand new OEM Motorcraft "Reflex" blades on my truck when I got it, and they sucked. My neighbour has reflex wipers, and they suck too. I will only run the standard Metal Hinged Blades on my vehicles until someone comes out with something just as good or better...

 

[MiggyTheTank]

I bought 2 new Bosch ICON wiper blades, I haven't used them yet but they were the best advanceautoparts had. They were also on sale buy 1 get one 50% off so I couldn't refuse. I will let you know how they handle!

 

[jbone2470]

I change blades every year just b4 winter, I buy the anco winter blades with the rubber covering.They work great and only cost $5.99 and well worth it.Don't know how long they last but i don't care,they last the year that i use them since i swap them out yearly anyways..

 

[Charles]

I bought Bosch Icon wipers for the Caddy on the driver's side. I used the Bosch MicroEdge wipers for the passenger side and the rear wiper.

 

[jim_87]

I change blades every year just b4 winter, I buy the anco winter blades with the rubber covering.They work great and only cost $5.99 and well worth it.Don't know how long they last but i don't care,they last the year that i use them since i swap them out yearly anyways..

i usually keep winter baldes on year round unless they need to be replaced, then i just put standard blades on until winter.

 

[Metallman56]

i would agree that icons are the best blade you can get. i've been running them for over a year now, and they are really good. i have tried about every blade i can find. i've tried: rain x, bosch micro ede, piaa, michillen, anco, anco winter, smart blade, and tire rack used to sell anther brand that was about $20 a blade. the icons are the best i have ever found. even last winter they did better then i did :frozen:

and i'm not even a bosch fan. there spark plugs are crap imo. but i really do like there icons, they really are a good blade.

 

[Brenone]

I change my blades once a year...usually in the fall....OE have been so so, Bosch ICON a bit better, for my experience Valeo blades have been the best by far long term!

 

[Avgas]

I just bought a pair of bosch icons yesterday at advanceauto.com, should be here tomorrow, I feel better now that I saw this thread. For those looking for these blades they are $18.99 each at advaced auto, use coupon CCABIN for $10 off $30 bringing the pair to around $25

 

[jbone2470]

I just bought a pair of bosch icons yesterday at advanceauto.com, should be here tomorrow, I feel better now that I saw this thread. For those looking for these blades they are $18.99 each at advaced auto, use coupon CCABIN for $10 off $30 bringing the pair to around $25

you must live where it doesn't snow to feel happy about this post... :?

 

[Jay2TheRescue]

I use the Rain-X wiper blades on all of my vehicles. They do a good job, and last longer. I have a few vehicles that may sit for months between being started. For a while it seemed every time I climbed in my 1 ton van, the blades were dry rotted and needed to be replaced. Same with my 81 Buick. I put the Rain-X blades on them and they last for a couple years. I have a set of Rain-X blades on my 98 K1500 that are about 3 years old, and still work fine with no streaking.

 

[jbone2470]

I bet ya alot of people NEVER clean there wiper blades off from dirt and grime.I always just spray some fluid on windsheild and use a clean wipe and wipe them down pinching my thumb and fore fnger together to get a good wipe..

You be surprised on how much black dirty crap comes off the wiper blades even though they may look clean..So b4 u go throwing out yours, try to clean them up,just use wiper fluid and a clean rag or paper towel... eace:

 

[B_Notneb]

I bet ya alot of people NEVER clean there wiper blades off from dirt and grime.I always just spray some fluid on windsheild and use a clean wipe and wipe them down pinching my thumb and fore fnger together to get a good wipe..

You be surprised on how much black dirty crap comes off the wiper blades even though they may look clean..So b4 u go throwing out yours, try to clean them up,just use wiper fluid and a clean rag or paper towel... eace:

Never thought of that, I noticed today my blades weren't doing a good job, but hmm... I'm gonna try and clean them now. Thanks! :beer:

 

[Jay2TheRescue]

Never allow windshield washer fluid, (or any towel or rag soaked with it) to touch your skin. Washer fluid has methanol in it to prevent freezing, but methanol is a poison that can be absorbed directly through the skin. Use Windex to clean your wiper blades by hand. Rain-X also works well to clean wiper blades.

 

[jbone2470]

Never allow windshield washer fluid, (or any towel or rag soaked with it) to touch your skin. Washer fluid has methanol in it to prevent freezing, but methanol is a poison that can be absorbed directly through the skin. Use Windex to clean your wiper blades by hand. Rain-X also works well to clean wiper blades.

Really? damn. I been touching that stuff for years and i still kickin with no ill affects..but everyone is different...

Windex will cause streaking when put on OUTSIDE of windsheild and will prob freeze this time of year..

 

[Charles]

When I loved in Michigan, I always changed out my wiper blades twice a year. A pair of winter blades in the winter and a pair of regular wipers at other times.

Now that I have moved south, I can go from a year to 18 months between blades. :yahoo: