Wiper Blades for Snow/Ice?

Anyone have a good rec for wiper blades that do well specifically in snow/ice?

 

Following out of curiosity. I tried the Toyota winter blades on my Tacoma and noticed no difference in performance.

 

I bought Scrubbable wipers but haven't tried them and also there's no snow in my area.

 

Did they do poorly in snow/ice?

 

I don't like to say poorly, but no better than the original wiper blades. My 4Runner is better though thanks to the heated windshield element where the wiper blades sit.

 

I just use the OEM inserts. I let the winter destroy them, then put a fresh set in when spring comes around.

Just make sure that you're using a good winter windshield washer fluid. This will make the most difference. Also, keep using the winter formula in the warmer months. This will reduce the chance of dilution of the winter formula when you need it.

 

Thanks. What fluid do you like?

 

On other vehicles, I've done well with old-school ANCO winter blades, the kind with all the springs encased in flexible rubber.

The specific problem they address for me is driving for a long duration in snowstorms where enough snow and ice accumulates in the springs to impair their range of motion, causing a portion of the blade to lift away from the windshield. I've tried beam-style winter blades, too, and they generally work pretty well, but just a tiny bit of ice between the segments can cause the same thing. It's not as easy for that bit of ice to form, but it does happen eventually in the right conditions.

 

Same story for me. In the past I have used RainX Hybrid (forgot the exact name), Bosch Icon, Bosch Envision. To me the OEM rubber inserts works best.


It was pretty easy to replace and I purchased from the dealership parts store. I don't know how to order online. I just asked the parts store for 2021 4Runner wiper rubber inserts.

https://youtu.be/dddH41a482U

 

Bosch Icon is slightly better and vastly more expensive. I run them on all my vehicles because they look cool

 

I just use the cheap Walmart Supertech winter blend. You can usually tell by the color if it's good or not. The darker blue it is, the more winterized it will be. Pass on light blue.

 

Why the heck is this guy using his hood as a work bench. I cringe through the whole video.

 

I run these all year in the northeast… my go to blades

 

That can get pricey.

 

Get wipers that use silicone blades. I have the PIAA super silicone, but there are other well rated ones too. The silicone ones cost more, but they last so much longer you'll get back that money. I've been using mine for 3 years in Washington where it rains and ices, spent a summer in NJ (more rain), and they still don't streak.

The silicone also aids in beading water, when driving back from NJ my passenger remarked that water beaded really well on my windshield. I didn't even have to use the wipers! They also never squeak like rubber blades.

The beam style seems to be less prone to freezing stiff then the old style. Mine are the old style blades, I've only had them freeze stiff once because I parked outside, and they thawed during the drive from engine heat. I find they wont freeze stiff if you leave them up when parked outside, a habit you should do already for other reasons too. A bottle of deicer is good if you do have issues with ice freezing them solid.

If you live in a place where you get snow/ice, you need a good ice scraper. No windshield wiper will survive long if you run them over a bunch of rough ice, you have to give it a smooth surface. Only if the icing is very light (so light that it makes the glass look matte without being rough) is it okay to use a deicer only. I use RainX, but any winter rated fluid will do. The deicing is a side affect of the fluid being meant not to freeze in your reservoir.

I don't think Vodka would do your paint finish a favor, but it will work.

 

Cheap vodka?

 

My brother swears by spray bottle with half rubbing alc. half water for de-icing locks, windshield, etc.

 

Those are the beam-style winter blades I've used the most. They're not totally immune to ice problems as noted in my post above, but they're usually quite effective.

 

I use kimblades they are pricey, but they're silicone and they have a different shape that most blades. I wish they made one in a size that fit the rear wiper

 

Aside from the alcohol stripping any protectant off the paint, a jug of washer fluid is a at most $5. That's an awful lot of work and finish damage to save a couple bucks

 

Vodka is a solvent. While the ethanol may be relatively diluted by the time you're mixing it with water it will still breakdown any waxes or sealants that are protecting your paint and trim.

 

How long have they lasted you? I'm in Colorado. Never heard of these until today so thank you.

 

About 2 years so far. No regrets. They're over priced, but they are the best.