"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
10/09/2014 at 08:46 • Filed to: Question, car maintenance
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51|
"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
10/09/2014 at 08:46 • Filed to: Question, car maintenance | 0
| 51 |
How long do they last, or, how often should they be replaced? I think mine are bad, and it's been about a year since they were replaced. So I'm thinking it's time to get need ones, I'm just curious as to their lifespan.
Edit: I've seen different brands with different prices, is there a real difference between them?
MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 08:50 |
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as long as they clear your windshield well i see no need to replace them
Mattbob
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 08:53 |
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the guideline is like 6 months or something. I am terrible at following it. I go until they piss me off, because worst case scenario, I change them in an autozone parking lot in the rain.
505Turbeaux
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 08:54 |
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depends on a whole lot of factors, use, humidity, how often you space out and let them wipe a dry windshield, speed used, arm tension, pitting on the windshield. All kinds of stuff. When they dont clear the windshield like they used to, replace them. I usually get a year and a half out of them, I use Bosch Micro Edge or Icon
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zeontestpilot
> MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
10/09/2014 at 08:56 |
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They smear , which is what tipped me off they need to be replaced, lol.
IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 08:58 |
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If you think you might need to replace them just replace them, you can get a new set for like $15
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zeontestpilot
> Mattbob
10/09/2014 at 08:58 |
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Yeah, I can relate. Except mine was in the Walmart parking lot, and in the snow.
I should of asked as well, is the difference between the different ones? The prices vary widely.
Hiroku
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 08:59 |
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When they stop clearing your windshield properly, it's time to change. That simple.
If/when you get new ones, take a look at Bosch's AeroTwin range. Never had them myself, but a ton of friends say they have lasted them well over FOUR YEARS of intense use without any loss in effectiveness... Will be throwing them in my car soon to see for myself.
jariten1781
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:00 |
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Rare for me to get more than a year out of them here. When I lived in SC I could regularly get a couple years. I usually replace them just before taking the car in for inspection since it's an easy calendar reminder and that's one of the few things people regularly fail for here.
cazzyodo
> Mattbob
10/09/2014 at 09:01 |
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Keep a set in your trunk! I have some just begging to be used but the other ones haven't pissed me off yet.
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zeontestpilot
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2014 at 09:02 |
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Duly noted, thanks!
EL_ULY
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:06 |
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just based on how they perform really. I was always told to look and see if the blade ends were straight or at an angle. Basically if the blade end can't support the pressure of the arm spring. But nah, I never believed it. Also, you have to check how they work at a stand still and at higher speeds.
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zeontestpilot
> Hiroku
10/09/2014 at 09:06 |
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Just the name sounds expensive, rats. I'm guessing it's one of this $10 ones, right?
davedave1111
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:08 |
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How long they last seems to depend partly on price. But often the cheapest ones are so cheap that even if they only last three months, you might as well - no point paying £10-15 for the expensive ones when you can get ten cheap pairs, except avoiding the very minor inconvenience of changing them over.
One thing to note is that wiper blades need cleaning every now and again - just with a damp soapy cloth, usually - to work properly. If they're not coming apart, you probably don't need to replace them, just clean them.
spanfucker retire bitch
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2014 at 09:08 |
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Bosch is the best. I won't put any wipers on my vehicle anymore but Bosch.
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505Turbeaux
> spanfucker retire bitch
10/09/2014 at 09:10 |
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truth, been using them for 15 years at least
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zeontestpilot
> jariten1781
10/09/2014 at 09:11 |
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Right before inspection, good idea. Now, I'm gonna sound uninformed here, but, how often should inspections be? I try to take my car in every 6 months, and ask them if there is any wear and tear at all.
twochevrons
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:16 |
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As far as price goes, I do tend to go for the more expensive bracketless blades, rather than the cheaper ones with the metal blade carriers. Part of it is just that I prefer the cleaner look, but also, if the blade starts to break down, the blade carrier can start scraping on the glass, and leave nasty scratches.
Sounds like you've had plenty of advice on the replacement interval. My two cents: just change them when they're no longer clearing the glass so well. Another plus with the name-brand ones is that they seem to last longer in low temperatures, the cheap ones start to go hard or disintegrate.
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Mattbob
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:19 |
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Don't buy bosch blades, they work great for some people, and terrible for others. Not worth the price IMO. Anco are usually pretty good. I have goodyear blades from costco on my jeep now, and they have lasted well for quite a while and were $7 a blade.
mcseanerson
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:24 |
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NEVER
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spanfucker retire bitch
> Hiroku
10/09/2014 at 09:29 |
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I think AeroTwin is what they use in Europe. In the U.S. it's called the Icon range.
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spanfucker retire bitch
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2014 at 09:30 |
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I just realized I haven't used them on my Mazda yet as my OEMs are still acceptable, but I used them on my Matrix exclusively.
Off to Amazon!
Tripper
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:32 |
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Why is it that when wipers start to fail the first place they miss is directly in the drives line of sight! I swear the passenger side could go another 2 months!
OPPOsaurus WRX
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:33 |
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I'm a fan of the single piece blades. they seem to last forever but yea they are a bit more expensive. Have you tried cleaning the rubber? They can get a bunch of crap on them. that might extend thier usefuness a bit.
ColoradoTaco
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:37 |
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Fwiw, I'm pushing almost 2 years with my Bosch Icons, they're on the expensive side (~$40/pair) but I tend to not cheap out on safety equipment. I put more miles on my car in Winter than any other time since I'm driving up the hill every weekend so they hold up to harsh conditions well.
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zeontestpilot
> davedave1111
10/09/2014 at 09:37 |
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Did not know about the cleaning, thank you. I need to try that when I get home.
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jariten1781
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:43 |
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I was meaning the state mandated safety inspections. We have them yearly here.
They're pretty much useless so if you don't have them, lucky you!
Personally I inspect everything twice a year when I'm swapping tires winter to summer and vice versa.
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MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 09:49 |
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yea, then time to replace
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zeontestpilot
> twochevrons
10/09/2014 at 09:55 |
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I'll take your advice to heart, thanks.
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Mattbob
10/09/2014 at 09:59 |
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been there done that. Except it was a gas station which meant I paid a ludicrous sum for shit wipers. but it was 3 am in a town w/o a 24 hour Walmart so what are you gonna do.
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zeontestpilot
> mcseanerson
10/09/2014 at 10:15 |
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Where in the work would you put that?
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mcseanerson
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 10:18 |
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You apply it to the windshield. If you apply it properly this stuff works wonders and the biggest thing that wears wipers is use and if you have this you will barely use your wipers.
Rico
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 10:26 |
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Depends on a variety of factors. Heat and sun degrade the rubber which would cause you to need to replace more often. When you wash your car pay special attention to the rubber making sure you clean it thoroughly it can make them last longer. As for a brand, get Bosch.
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Rico
> mcseanerson
10/09/2014 at 10:28 |
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It's crazy my boss told me she doesn't see a difference with Rain X and I just nodded and said "yeah I get what you mean", but in my head I'm like you must be blind or dumb.
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zeontestpilot
> Tripper
10/09/2014 at 10:35 |
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Ridiculous, isn't it? I think it's a conspiracy....
nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
> mcseanerson
10/09/2014 at 10:37 |
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if done right you'll never need to use your wipers. But then you'll also be driving faster and faster to watch the water blobs fly off your windshield
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zeontestpilot
> OPPOsaurus WRX
10/09/2014 at 10:42 |
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I am now, thanks.
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mcseanerson
> Rico
10/09/2014 at 10:51 |
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If you don't apply it properly it doesn't work. It's best when someone screws up in some spots on the windshield so some of it is completely clear and the rest is impossible to see through.
lameofdog
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 11:00 |
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I'm a big fan of Bosch wipers. They do their job well and they last. Set I have on my F150 have been on it for a year and a half and they moved the rain of my window this morning like they were new.
I buy my wipers on Amazon.
nucciOMG
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 12:27 |
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Another vote for Bosch Icons, 3+ years and finally gave up the ghost this past week, buying new ones today. Cheers for a timely post!
4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 12:30 |
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I use Bosch and forget how often I have to replace them, which is a good thing. But never mind that, THE CAKE IS A LIE
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zeontestpilot
> nucciOMG
10/09/2014 at 12:49 |
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Dang! Man, to be that good it must be $$$.
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nucciOMG
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 12:54 |
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Cheaper than the shit Rain-X ones, but maybe $40 out the door, I'll let you know tonight.
JEM
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 13:35 |
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Weird. I think I regularly get 2-3 years out of mine, and I drive about 20K miles a year in New England, so a rather harsh climate.
I will say that it does pay to buy better ones, and I always do.
For modern cars, I've found the frameless ones like these:
Do a much, much better job. In my Tiburon, I had to use these as the old fashioned style didn't work for sheep. I put this to modern windshields being a lot more curved than older ones
In my 96 Cherokee though, since it's a very flat windshield, the standard blades work fine.
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Hiroku
> spanfucker retire bitch
10/09/2014 at 14:45 |
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Given how people are recommending the Icons for their durability, that sounds about right.
The Compromiser
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 21:50 |
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Supposed to be every 6 months. I go a year at least frequently.
bob and john
> zeontestpilot
10/09/2014 at 22:21 |
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IDK which ones came on my Dads Canadian spec Audi A3, but they lasted FOUR YEARS. It was insane.
thebigbossyboss
> Rico
10/10/2014 at 06:45 |
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Mind you in the heat and sun your wipers don't matter!
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thebigbossyboss
> JEM
10/10/2014 at 06:46 |
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I agree. When I bought cheap wipers they were horrible. The more expensive ones work wonders. I would stay away from double bladed wipers those aren't better.
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thebigbossyboss
> mcseanerson
10/10/2014 at 06:48 |
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Does this really work? It my mind it seems like snake oil to me.
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mcseanerson
> thebigbossyboss
10/10/2014 at 09:02 |
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RainX is legit. Only costs like $6 a bottle. Make sure you buy the regular stuff that comes in a bottle like this and follow the directions and apply it properly. That's the only time it doesn't work is if you mess up the application.
Also to get the full effect you need to be in a heavy rain. In a lighter rain it cause the water to just bead more and won't all fall off until enough rain gathers.
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thebigbossyboss
> mcseanerson
10/10/2014 at 09:11 |
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I will give it a shot.