Windshield wipers

I know someone will recommend the hingeless blades, so here is my warning. I've used Reflex blades in the winter before. You know how sometimes a normal/summer blade will build up ice around the rubber blade? Well with a Reflex, this ice envelopes the entire wiper and keeps growing. By the time the car made it home, there was a good 1/4" of ice all around the wiper. Luckily there were flat spots on the ice that allowed snow to be cleared from the windshield.

I use standard CT winter blades with the rubber boot, but I seal the ends of the boot before installing them. I had a case in the past where a freak warm spell melted some snow and water got in the boot. That made the blades useless as the water was trapped in there and would always freeze up the hinges.

Thanks for the heads up on the Reflex.
They are good, but obviously NOT for our winters!
Debating if I should try the Michelin ones they sell at Costco.

yeah, that's pretty much what the truck looked like this morning...

ok, so what's the deal with the funky wiper attachment on the Escape...how am I supposed to replace this with a winter wiper?

Anyone?

I dunno... I have thought about this, but am experience challenged with the newer blades. I am wondering if it's a Bosch blade assembly, and therefore you need an autoparts store with a full line of Bosch wiper systems. They are pretty extensive, and not all stores carry all blade systems. At least that is what they were showing on the Car Channel on cable last month! :shrug:

Call your parts store and see what they tell you. If you don't get a good answer, try another store. Maybe check online sales from the mfg. website. That's where I would go. Have you tried doing that?

Going to have to call up the dealer and find out...

i buy wallmart brand reflex blades, and they work no problem, ive had them on for 2 years now. they are easy to replace.

So the simple answer is...you need a special side lock adaptor for the blades.
The Michelin blade that they sell at Costco have the proper adaptor piece.
The Canadian Tire ones did not! That's why I was wondering how they were to attach.

Meowky said:

So the simple answer is...you need a special side lock adaptor for the blades.
The Michelin blade that they sell at Costco have the proper adaptor piece.
The Canadian Tire ones did not! That's why I was wondering how they were to attach.

Click to expand...

Costco is moving up in my personal opinion poll. I was disappointed in them several years ago, China quality thing and all. But lately they have been providing better quality items for less money than the other "BIG BOX" stores.

im going to install my 3rd set of blades on my escape today, and honestly ive put on a few hundred sets (not just for me lol). and ive never not been able to install them with the hardware supplied.

ok, i just put on 4 blade (escape and wifes cobalt). it took less time then it did to finish my smoke lol. you have a U shape for your arm, most blades come with the slider and a little clip, line it up with the U and slid it till you hear a click, and your done. i used to buy the reflex blades, but wallmart sells a korean blade thats 1/2 the price, teh say CAP on them, they work great.