Comments

Tom, I replace mine at least every 2 months in the winter (Colorado weather...) I like to have a streak-free window.

I did however find out that I can buy nice windshield wipers from my Volkswagen dealer. They only cost me a buck more than the PepBoys. We'll see how long they last.

Posted by Paul Davidson at January 17, 2005 3:25 PM

Tom, I have just started to use Rain-X. Helps to move the water off the windshield when it is raining, and appears from my early testing to just do a better job of helping everything (snow, sleet, spray from other vehicles) not stick as bad. I live in Wisconsin, so we see our share of nasty winter weather.

Posted by Lance at January 17, 2005 3:48 PM

I second Rain-X... Lance beat me to the recommendation.

You don't need quality wipers when the wet stuff doesn't stay on your windshield long enough to be a hindrance. This stuff is pretty dang amazing.

Posted by shua at January 17, 2005 3:59 PM

I have a teriible time finding quality wipers too and the best thing I can recommend is changing them more frequently. Those fancy "triple edge" wipers a no better than any others.

A comment about Rain-X...works great for the first month (or less with bad weather) but without repeated applications actually causes more streaks. I have a colleague who swears that this stuff causes his wipers to age more quickly...

Posted by Brian at January 17, 2005 4:18 PM

Tom, I'm unable to provide an immediate solution, but help is on the way. I attended the North Americann Internation Auto Show in Detroit this weekend. Acura's featured concept car replaces windshield wipers with a series of jet nozzles that shoot high-pressure air onto the windshield. Acura promises the technology will keep the windshield free from rain or snow during inclement weather.

Posted by George Brymer at January 17, 2005 4:54 PM

Tom-
I've griped and griped to my hubby about this (we live in CO, too), and he found what I think are awesome wipers, by a company named Valeo (Ultimate Wipers or something like that). Here's a link I just grabbed:
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/valeo/ultimate.jsp

Oh. This just in: http://www.ultimatewiperblade.com (use promotional cold: secretdeal for a discount.) Hope you like 'em!

Posted by nydia at January 17, 2005 5:31 PM

One more ditto on the use of Rain-X. Yes, you have to re apply every 2-3 months, but it makes a HUGE difference. By making the windshield slick, it lets the wipers shed the water and gunk much more easily.

Lubrication works in all human relations...it also applies to windshields!!

Joe
.

Posted by Joe Ely at January 17, 2005 5:33 PM

I have also found Rain-X to age my wipers faster - probably due to the components being quite organic and essentially dissolving the rubber at a very slow rate, yet faster than wear deteriorates the rubber.

I grew up in Chicago, and the worst situation was when it was precipitating with the temperature below freezing. Ice would form in the metal components (arms, joints, etc.) of the wiper arms causing the wipers to lose the ability to conform to the shape of the window. The best results I had was when I tried "winter wiper blades." They have a rubber cover over all of the metal components and prevent the precipitation from freezing on the metal components, causing the inflexibility (i.e., frozen joints) of the wipers to result in streaks. One set typically lasted all winter, but forget trying to reuse them the following year.

Posted by John Simonick at January 17, 2005 5:39 PM

I've been using the new "Reflex Wiper Blades" from Canadian Tire in Canada (www.canadiantire.ca) they are low profile--they don't lift in the wind. They have no hinges--they don't clog up with snow/ice. They keep an even pressure on the windshield--no skipping. So far they are great!

Posted by Daylin Breen at January 17, 2005 6:53 PM

Not to perpetuate a stereotype.. but in Canada, the only choice for winter blades is http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443278593&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517494&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669503&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517476&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374303517476&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1106056767520

Sure they're not sold online.. who knows why.. but if you're that determined to get the best winter blades.. it might be worth the trip...

Posted by Kyle Couch at January 18, 2005 10:09 AM

PIAA has been doing a new type of wiper for a few years. It has a moist towel with a rain x type liquid. You clean the windshield, apply the li2quid and run the wipers for 5 minutes. It's the best of bost worlds.
I'm in the aftermarket and there are shops that sell these all over New England

Posted by Bill Lemen at January 18, 2005 10:19 AM

I work for the number one automotive supplier in the world, and we make wipers as well as benchmark the competition, right here in our lab. I can tell you that while we may have an edge, the differences in high-end wipers from my experience is negligible. Cost reduction is the name of the automotive supply game, and other aspects of the product are unfortunately 'reduced' as well. Rain-X type coatings have worked well for me.

Posted by Lars Lentz at January 18, 2005 10:22 AM

"A Whole Lot of Nothing" ;
http://a.wholelottanothing.org/

brought me this link.. with all this chatter of Rain-x..thought i'll share

http://www.rainx.com/frame_auto_washfluid.htm

Posted by /pd at January 18, 2005 2:02 PM

Move to Tucson Arizona. jejejejejeje No problems in this side of the world.

Posted by Luis at January 18, 2005 7:52 PM

viagra free sample online As a Wisconsin person, winter is a pain. Rain-X takes work to put on but does do a good job in the short term. I use alcohol and a cotton ball on the rubber blakes. It really helps to get rid of streaks

Posted by Jack Covert at January 19, 2005 5:30 PM