I went to the auto parts store yesterday to buy wiper refills for my truck, and looked up the number in the little computer thingie. Looked everywhere, they don't stock it. So everytime I need new rubber refills in my wipers, I have to pay 10 or 15 dollars PER BLADE????!!!!!! The blade is fine, but I need to throw it away and put a new "Made in China" POS on there so the manufacturer and the store can make more profit!
I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!
Tell them you want to order the refill. Most places can have them the next morning.
Similar situation for me. All autozone had out was the whole deal and I did not need new metal/plastic I just needed new rubber. Turns out the refills are kept in the back room which were presented to me only after I balked at buying the whole thing.
Rain-X.
If you never want to use your wiper blades again, use some paste car wax over the course of a few weeks and reapply every time it rains. I've used the Turtle Wax spray on synthetic wax and while it works, I have to constantly reapply it as the sun here bakes it right off the glass. I start off with a good window cleaner, let dry, then apply the wax as directed.
Brian
Rain-X Windshield washer fluid is pretty awesome. Its like reapplying normal Rain-X everytime you wash your windows.
Yep, it's a fairly new trend. Most places don't even carry the refills anymore, and I've been told that the manufacturers are actually phasing them out and will soon only be making the complete assemblies. It's total crap.
yay. more trash in the landfills.. I guess "being green" more refers to cash?
i dont mind buying new blades since the replacements are invariably a PITA, but when i stopped into an autozone to buy some replacements, they don't have the blue package blades anymore. they were always 8 or 9 bucks and worked way better/longer than the expensive bosch blades. ended up getting dinged for 15 or so per. ouch! but they and the bug wash did their job and i can now see out the windshield.
I figure if it costs me 20 dollars every 3 years to replace my wiper blades, I don't have too much of a problem with that. Wally world always has the blades I need.
Platinum90 wrote: I figure if it costs me 20 dollars every 3 years to replace my wiper blades, I don't have too much of a problem with that. Wally world always has the blades I need.
Three YEARS? I just put these blades on in the spring. Granted, the truck sits outside and bakes in the sun. I only drive it every once every two or three weeks or so. Or whenever I need a big ass truck.
I'm thinking Rain-X is the way to go. I've got the truck registered as an antique now, so I suspect I could even pull the wipers off.
Been this way for a few years now, at least around here. Frustrating, to say the least.
Thought I was clever when I found a bunch to buy at a swap meet. They don't store too well on the self though. I guess the rubber hardens and brittles, cause they don't last long and don't work well.
1988RedT2 wrote:Platinum90 wrote: I figure if it costs me 20 dollars every 3 years to replace my wiper blades, I don't have too much of a problem with that. Wally world always has the blades I need.Three YEARS? I just put these blades on in the spring. Granted, the truck sits outside and bakes in the sun. I only drive it every once every two or three weeks or so. Or whenever I need a big ass truck. I'm thinking Rain-X is the way to go. I've got the truck registered as an antique now, so I suspect I could even pull the wipers off.
Mine usually last 3 years or more....
I find my wipers usually outlive my ownership of the car. Usually...
Clem
Go to napa and get Bosch MicroEdge blades. In the ~6-7 a blade range. Cheap and last ~2 years for me, while the cheapies or refills wouldn't last 6mo before squealing.
ClemSparks wrote: I find my wipers usually outlive my ownership of the car. Usually... Clem
Sounds like you have a commitment problem! 
Longest I've ever owned a car was 14 years. I've had this truck for 10. Not planning on getting rid of it for at least another 10.
93celicaGT2 wrote:1988RedT2 wrote:Mine usually last 3 years or more....Platinum90 wrote: I figure if it costs me 20 dollars every 3 years to replace my wiper blades, I don't have too much of a problem with that. Wally world always has the blades I need.Three YEARS? I just put these blades on in the spring. Granted, the truck sits outside and bakes in the sun. I only drive it every once every two or three weeks or so. Or whenever I need a big ass truck. I'm thinking Rain-X is the way to go. I've got the truck registered as an antique now, so I suspect I could even pull the wipers off.
Gad, if I go longer than a year, I feel like I'm stretching things.
My lazy trick is to spray a pass of Quick Detailer across the windshield while I'm doing the rest of the car after a wash. Keeps it really slick. 
I don't ever change them until they need changing (get streaky or start missing swathes of windshield.)
If it ain't broke....
Alas, the difference between perfect and perfectly fine.
I hate to say this... but I use Honda blades/refills on all my stuff. They are good quality, hold up well and are cheap to refill. Most refills are $5-7 and they last longer than any other aftermarket stuff I've tried. Sad part: I don't own a single honda!
93celicaGT2 wrote:1988RedT2 wrote:Mine usually last 3 years or more....Platinum90 wrote: I figure if it costs me 20 dollars every 3 years to replace my wiper blades, I don't have too much of a problem with that. Wally world always has the blades I need.Three YEARS? I just put these blades on in the spring. Granted, the truck sits outside and bakes in the sun. I only drive it every once every two or three weeks or so. Or whenever I need a big ass truck. I'm thinking Rain-X is the way to go. I've got the truck registered as an antique now, so I suspect I could even pull the wipers off.
Lucky. I get about 6 months out of wiper blades, even when I buy the good ones.
I hate having to park outside at school. And I hate what the Florida sun does to cars.
Platinum90 wrote: I don't ever change them until they need changing (get streaky or start missing swathes of windshield.) If it ain't broke....
Don't get me wrong. I don't change them because they aren't wiping properly. I change them because the rubber splits and falls off. Six months.
Wiper blades last a lot longer if you keep our windshield clean. Those squeegees at the gas station? Use 'em!
That said, I've found that cleaning the windshield with Windex works remarkably well as a beading agent. For a few weeks after Windexing the glass, I don't need to use the wipers at all.
Snow blades were half the price of regular ones. 10 bucks for two 22 inchers!
Up here in Canuckland, its a six months thing. Everybody rants and raves about those new fancy teflon coated bendy blades.
I, instead, replace my blades every 6 months at Canadian Tire. Your basic, cheap metal blades ($15 for the pair) for summer, and the rubber covered "winter blades" probably $20 for the pair if they are large ones, for winter. My windshield can always be seen through. I also would recommend a cleaning at least once a month with a high quality glass cleaner (either Ford or GM cleaners are excellent).
And one more note; those blue shop rags you can buy in a box? DO NOT USE THEM ON WINDOWS. They come with oil on them, as do LOTS of rags (unless they are terry clothe ones).
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