winshield wiper blades
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Last year in July I new my blades needed replaced before inspection so instead of having to pay my Ford dealer $13.50 per bade ( I need 3 ) for the ~$4.00 Anco blades that they install I went to the auto parts store and decided to try upgrading to $9.00 bosh wiper blades so that I would not have to replace them every 2 years. Three months passed and when I took my car to Firestone to get my oil changed they told me my blades needed replaced. I told them they were less than 90 days old so there was no way I was paying them $30 to replace them. But 3 months later (and 70F colder) I can see that they are not working well and at times not working at all. So instead of making this mistake again I thought I would ask for recommendations here. Note: I live in Pittsburgh where the temp can be 0F in the winter and 95F in the summer.
John
I use just about any type of wiper, the key is to make sure that you dislodge your wipers from the ice and snow on your windshield before turning them on. If you don't do this, then it will tear the blades to shreds. Start your car early, let the windshield warm, release your blades, now drive.
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Last year in July I new my blades needed replaced before inspection so instead of having to pay my Ford dealer $13.50 per bade ( I need 3 ) for the ~$4.00 Anco blades that they install I went to the auto parts store and decided to try upgrading to $9.00 bosh wiper blades so that I would not have to replace them every 2 years. Three months passed and when I took my car to Firestone to get my oil changed they told me my blades needed replaced. I told them they were less than 90 days old so there was no way I was paying them $30 to replace them. But 3 months later (and 70F colder) I can see that they are not working well and at times not working at all. So instead of making this mistake again I thought I would ask for recommendations here. Note: I live in Pittsburgh where the temp can be 0F in the winter and 95F in the summer.
John
John M. Drescher wrote:
...would not have to replace them every 2 years.
The recommended replacement interval for preventative maintenance is 6 months, although you may be able to get more out of them depending on use.
"Love people and use things, not love things and use people." - Unknown
"The brick walls are there for a reason...to stop the people who don't want it badly enough." - Randy Pausch
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i've never found an aftermarket blade that was worth a damn. i've tried every brand in every auto parts store in town, and even some fancy silicone things[^]. nothing works like the blades that came with the car.
Yeah, I'll never make that mistake again. I bought some new style Michelins, similar to the FlexBlade in your link. They are both about 6 months old. The right one squeaks when there is not enough water, the left one leaves streaks on its way down, although that is partly to the snow/ice accumulating on it, but I've never noticed this problem this bad before. So although I like the look of the blades, next time I'll go with traditional Michelin ones.
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Yeah, I'll never make that mistake again. I bought some new style Michelins, similar to the FlexBlade in your link. They are both about 6 months old. The right one squeaks when there is not enough water, the left one leaves streaks on its way down, although that is partly to the snow/ice accumulating on it, but I've never noticed this problem this bad before. So although I like the look of the blades, next time I'll go with traditional Michelin ones.
JazzJackRabbit wrote:
he right one squeaks when there is not enough water, the left one leaves streaks on its way down
that's exactly what mine are doing now, abd they're only 6 months old. it rarely gets below freezing here in NC. they've never seen snow. the factory blades lasted almost two years and worked perfectly right up till the end.
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I use just about any type of wiper, the key is to make sure that you dislodge your wipers from the ice and snow on your windshield before turning them on. If you don't do this, then it will tear the blades to shreds. Start your car early, let the windshield warm, release your blades, now drive.
Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Start your car early, let the windshield warm, release your blades, now drive.
Don't forget to lock the car with your SPARE keys if you go back indoors while it's running. :)
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Last year in July I new my blades needed replaced before inspection so instead of having to pay my Ford dealer $13.50 per bade ( I need 3 ) for the ~$4.00 Anco blades that they install I went to the auto parts store and decided to try upgrading to $9.00 bosh wiper blades so that I would not have to replace them every 2 years. Three months passed and when I took my car to Firestone to get my oil changed they told me my blades needed replaced. I told them they were less than 90 days old so there was no way I was paying them $30 to replace them. But 3 months later (and 70F colder) I can see that they are not working well and at times not working at all. So instead of making this mistake again I thought I would ask for recommendations here. Note: I live in Pittsburgh where the temp can be 0F in the winter and 95F in the summer.
John
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Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Start your car early, let the windshield warm, release your blades, now drive.
Don't forget to lock the car with your SPARE keys if you go back indoors while it's running. :)
Or use your remote car starter. Stay out of the cold as long as possible :D
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John M. Drescher wrote:
...would not have to replace them every 2 years.
The recommended replacement interval for preventative maintenance is 6 months, although you may be able to get more out of them depending on use.
"Love people and use things, not love things and use people." - Unknown
"The brick walls are there for a reason...to stop the people who don't want it badly enough." - Randy Pausch
I saw that on the page for the silicon ones that Dave Dalek recommended. I do not know a single person who replaces them this frequently. My SO has done this once in the 6 years that I have been with her and I know my parents do not do this as much as me. Either way the blades streaking after 90 days is not right to me. I should have returned them to the store for a refund.
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I saw that on the page for the silicon ones that Dave Dalek recommended. I do not know a single person who replaces them this frequently. My SO has done this once in the 6 years that I have been with her and I know my parents do not do this as much as me. Either way the blades streaking after 90 days is not right to me. I should have returned them to the store for a refund.
John M. Drescher wrote:
Either way the blades streaking after 90 days is not right to me.
Unless, just like is possible with anything, you got a bad pair. However, if the windshield is not kept clean of dirt and other abrasive material, a few months is all you can expect from any pair, regardless of price.
"Love people and use things, not love things and use people." - Unknown
"The brick walls are there for a reason...to stop the people who don't want it badly enough." - Randy Pausch
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Yes, that is about the best strategy with wipers. And remember that the one on the passenger side does not necessarily need to wipe as well as the one in front of you.
I'm waiting for Windows Feng Shui, where you have to re-arrange your icons in a manner which best enables your application to run. Richard Jones www.immo-brasseurs.com
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Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Start your car early, let the windshield warm, release your blades, now drive.
Don't forget to lock the car with your SPARE keys if you go back indoors while it's running. :)
I had that problem once and had to call a tow truck to get me in the car... I mean my spare key was inside the remote starter since their is a chip inside that will not start the car without the proper signal. I did have the button part of the keys handy but found out this does not work with the engine started... Good thing Ford gives you 3 years of free roadside assistance.
John
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Sounds like the $1.50 ones at walmart are in order...
John
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Or use your remote car starter. Stay out of the cold as long as possible :D
Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Or use your remote car starter.
There go all your man points. You should go out in your shorts and crank the handle (or get your wife to do it *ducks*).
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Yes, that is about the best strategy with wipers. And remember that the one on the passenger side does not necessarily need to wipe as well as the one in front of you.
I'm waiting for Windows Feng Shui, where you have to re-arrange your icons in a manner which best enables your application to run. Richard Jones www.immo-brasseurs.com
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Or use your remote car starter. Stay out of the cold as long as possible :D
Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Or use your remote car starter.
I am debating on weather to install it in the current suv or the next one I get in 3 to 5 years. My current one the remote broke and it costs $35 to replace but a brand new remote starter kit (different manufacturer / much longer range / 2 remotes) was $65 so I bought the new one instead.
John
modified on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:21 AM
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Jason Lepack (LeppyR64) wrote:
Or use your remote car starter.
There go all your man points. You should go out in your shorts and crank the handle (or get your wife to do it *ducks*).
I may not have man points, but at least I'll still have some stones from not getting her to do it.
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Sounds like the $1.50 ones at walmart are in order...
John
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Do you still see this price? Last time when I walked by, I did not see anything below $2.50.
TOMZ_KV
There were ones around that (well maybe $2) in July at my walmart.
John
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I may not have man points, but at least I'll still have some stones from not getting her to do it.
:) Even if they have retreated so far from the cold that she thinks you've got three Adam's apples when you return.
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There were ones around that (well maybe $2) in July at my walmart.
John
