[08HybridOK]

So my 'new' wipers are finally starrting to streak and chatter a tiny bit, so I thought I'd search this board to see when I replaced mine last as there was a $10 rebate on michelin's at wally. It was last September! so out of curiousity I clicked the link, and it still works, and shows the $10 rebate still active! Aweome, until I open the pdf valid 9/15/08-9/30/09 :doh: Hope maybe it'll be extended as my orginal post was like 9/15-12/15/08, but short of that, any one have any good deals on wiper blades? I probably ought to do all 3 as I've never replaced the rear one yet.

 

[jonas1022]

That's interesting, but being it's the 1st of October...

I'd replace all three, just so you know what's replaced. All of them! I'd wait for some deals to come along for the fall. Surely some of the auto parts places in your area will have some ads in the paper for price discounts that maybe better than the rebate. That's when I usually froggy on one.

 

[08HybridOK]

Trico any good? RockAuto has them $14ea, -5% online code from the 'other' EC site and up to $20 rebate (via random selection $5-$20) I've only gotten $5 several times & $10 once. So still $25 - $10rebate = $15 pair, shipped

Not bad for the new style I guess

 

[Squishy]

Trico is (was?) the Ford OEM supplier.

 

[jonas1022]

Trico is (was?) the Ford OEM supplier.

Really?

I did not know that.

Are you sure?

If it's true, I'll be buying theirs as the Tribbie has the originals and they are still in excellent condition for being over a year old since the truck was built. :yes:

 

[Squishy]

They were back around 2004 at least. Back then the Escape was still relatively new, and Trico was the only source if you wanted to buy the tiny rear wiper blade.

I found this:

TRICO provides entire wiper systems for numerous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Ford, GM, Chrysler and Hyundai. In fact, TRICO wiper products are utilized on nearly 7 out of 10 new vehicles built in North America. TRICO uses natural and synthetic rubber, along with other agents such as Teflon, to make its wiper blades. AMSOIL now offers five different lines of TRICO wiper blades: Exact Fit, NeoForm, Oktane, Winter and Classic.

http://www.amsoil.com/news/TRICO.pdf

Not definitive, but you have a 7/10 chance.

 

[jonas1022]

Thanks for the info and link. I think it's better to go with what the original intention were of the manufacturer. Especially when it comes to safety related items, wipers blades, brake shoes, steering components...whatever. I just wouldn't experiment with them too much. Generic items like batteries, original size tires are not too much at issue in my mind and subject to easy subsitution.

 

[Squishy]

I'd consider tires to be a big safety item. How do them Contis make you feel?

 

[CrashNburn]

i have the walmart version of the rainX ones, they work great. i dont replace them until they start to show signs of wear. the old style ones i used to replace once a year-twice a year cause of the ice build up would cause them to break.

 

[prowler]

just bought and installed a couple of Anco 31-19's at K-Mart, $4.99 each with a $5.00/pair rebate (net = $5-bucks/pair)

BTW, when you change wipers, make sure you scrub the glass. A lot of experience and complaints reported about wipers have more to do with the condition of the glass rather than the brand of wiper.

Use a non-abrasive powder cleanser (like Bar Keep's Friend or Bon Ami - NOT Ajax or Comet). It will get the waxes and film off the glass so that your favorite brand of wiper will actually work.

-SPARKZZ

 

[jonas1022]

A good dish detergent will work wonders as well for cleaning glass!

 

[08HybridOK]

just bought and installed a couple of Anco 31-19's at K-Mart, $4.99 each with a $5.00/pair rebate (net = $5-bucks/pair)

BTW, when you change wipers, make sure you scrub the glass. A lot of experience and complaints reported about wipers have more to do with the condition of the glass rather than the brand of wiper.

Use a non-abrasive powder cleanser (like Bar Keep's Friend or Bon Ami - NOT Ajax or Comet). It will get the waxes and film off the glass so that your favorite brand of wiper will actually work.

-SPARKZZ

I need to try that, havent been thru a car wash in a long time, need to tho!

I just a PebBoys ad for B1G1 Free on their brand, the website says it's like $13/blade, so not bad price, if they are a good quality.
Rock auto comes in at $33 shipped, if I can snag a $20 rebate that would be great, but best I got so far is $10

 

[1X4WDEscape]

I received an email ad from Amazon (yes, Amazon!) and they have wiper blades on sale. They are selling the beam models too. CU had a story on wiper blades some months back. They rated the Rain-x and Michelin at the top and Trico the worst. I clean mine with 409 and a stiff brush to get the oil off of them. Bought a set of Bosch some time back that supposed to have some high tech coating on them. They cleared great at first but didn't last any longer.
I wish they made the beam model back when I lived in PA because normal blades would freeze up and almost stop wiping.

 

[jonas1022]

Trico is the worst...

Not to sure if I want a Michelin wiper on my windshield. The current blades are the originals on our Tribbie. Over a year old. According to Squishy and his links, they would be Trico, too! How good can a wiper be?

 

[CrashNburn]

i have found that sending the extra bucks is worth it. the snow and ice build up here really puts a beating on them. cheap ones work, but i do a lot of driving and like being able to see.

 

[08HybridOK]

Well I was at Sam's today, and they had this Optix by Peak blade. It's the same new technology style, has several adapters to fit many wiper arms, So I guess even the older Escapes/Fords with the tradition 'Hook' vs the pinch tab of the newer modes can use them. The website was more helpful then the stupid pictures on the box. The pinch/tab requires remving the installed adapter and installing 2 adapters, not thrilled with that idea. But I'm keeping the Michelins in the car this time JIC an emergency happens!

http://www.peakantifreeze.com/wiper_optix.html
http://www.peakantifreeze.com/images/Op ... et_ENG.pdf

But at only $10.88/ea not a bad price, don't have to wait for a rebate or shipping.

I;ll try to remember to post an update after the next rain!

 

[jonas1022]

Looks like some Chinese guy spent alot of hours designing a mod on the original design to get the wipers application for any type arm attachment system. :shock:

 

[08HybridOK]

Oh, BTW, how does the rear blade come off?

 

[08HybridOK]

So update, after only 2 months I'm not impressed. They chatter frequently, unless it's really raining. So fog, and mist it's really annoying. Went by wally tonight to get a pair of Michellin's, $12.xx ea, and put them on when I got home, no more chatter, hope it holds true in the crap that's supposed to hit this week!