New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size?

Eug · 01-20-2005, 10:39 AM

My local store doesn't sell the right size wiper for 2004 Prius on the driver's side. It seems like that wiper is about 26".

Anyone ever run a 24" or 28" wiper in its place? Or should I just get a wiper blade and cut it down to size? Are the Toyota wipers better?

The reason I ask is because a whole 3rd party wiper is all of $1-2 more than the wiper blade itself locally.

toyotapartsnow · 01-20-2005, 03:38 PM

If you have the original wipers from Toyota still on the car then why not just get the replacement rubber insert? No need to replace the whole blade.

KTPhil · 01-20-2005, 05:33 PM

You can't always get just the rubber (or the rubber/twin metal strips) from Pep Boys or Kragen on many cars. I haven't had my Prius long enough to know about its inserts, but I bet they are hard to find, too.

I've had good luck just paying the dealer's price for the insert. Rain-X really helps stop skipping and often obviates the need for runnign them, especially at high speed. We had plenty of practice in SoCal this month!

Whatever you do, don't throw anything away! Even if you replace the arms (not likely), keep the old stuff-- once you pitch the factory configuration you are a slave to that aftermarket supplier. His replacements may be harder to find than a Toyota dealer. The Toyota rubber seems to last longer, too. Or maybe I'm rationalizing their higher price! ;-)

TucsonPrius · 01-22-2005, 06:45 PM

Just bought new wiper inserts all around yesterday. I try to replace them once a year; don't want bad blades when the monsoons hit.

Here's the info I have, in case it helps:

Driver's Side
Toyota Part #85214-46010
Approx 25.5 inches long. Wide blade. Cost: $10.72

Passenger's side
Toyota Part #85214-44140
Approx 17.5 inches long. Narrow blade. Cost: $5.66

Rear window
Toyota Part #85214-10100
Approx 15.5 inches long. Narrow Blade. Cost $3.33

I happen to agree with KTPhil, seems like the manufacturer's blades are better. Perfect fit. Lasts longer, quieter, and better wiping performance. So, I guess that justifies the $21 outlay.

DaveG · 01-22-2005, 07:42 PM

Speaking of which, does anyone know how to release the back wiper to pull it farther than 2" away from the window? I've pried at it a bit.

I suppose it's time to order new wiper inserts, mine are a year old now as well.

Dave

**Tideland Prius** · 01-22-2005, 08:21 PM

Remove the plastic cover at the base of the wiper. That'll allow you to fully lift up the rear wiper

TucsonPrius · 01-23-2005, 12:13 PM

For the cover, it hepls to pull out the sides a bit and then lift straight up.

Also, once you remove the cover to get the arm to tilt up, it is possible to disengage the arm. I think there's a small clipyou have to press, and then move it back a bit, and then forward and off. Sorry, it's not the best directions, but once you look at it and fiddle with it a bit you should see that it's a pretty easy. (And it makes it much easier to replace the insert).

Thanks,
Shawn

jayman · 01-23-2005, 12:45 PM

Ditto, I have used the factory refills on every Toyota and Honda I've owned. They work well and are priced competitively.

The only exception is that in winter I like to use "winter" wiper blades. The winter blade has a rubber cover over the arm to prevent freezing. You really appreciate them driving in city traffic in a blizzard.

Since the winter wiper assembly uses soft rubber, once it warms up I switch back to the factory assemblies. That was a giant PITA on my 1990 4Runner: the blade is held to the arm by two philips screws.

01-20-2005, 10:39 AM	#1
Eug Swollen Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Earth (for now) Posts: 306 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size? My local store doesn't sell the right size wiper for 2004 Prius on the driver's side. It seems like that wiper is about 26". Anyone ever run a 24" or 28" wiper in its place? Or should I just get a wiper blade and cut it down to size? Are the Toyota wipers better? The reason I ask is because a whole 3rd party wiper is all of $1-2 more than the wiper blade itself locally.

01-20-2005, 03:38 PM	#2
toyotapartsnow Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cleve, Ohio Posts: 82 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size? If you have the original wipers from Toyota still on the car then why not just get the replacement rubber insert? No need to replace the whole blade.

01-20-2005, 05:33 PM	#3
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size? You can't always get just the rubber (or the rubber/twin metal strips) from Pep Boys or Kragen on many cars. I haven't had my Prius long enough to know about its inserts, but I bet they are hard to find, too. I've had good luck just paying the dealer's price for the insert. Rain-X really helps stop skipping and often obviates the need for runnign them, especially at high speed. We had plenty of practice in SoCal this month! Whatever you do, don't throw anything away! Even if you replace the arms (not likely), keep the old stuff-- once you pitch the factory configuration you are a slave to that aftermarket supplier. His replacements may be harder to find than a Toyota dealer. The Toyota rubber seems to last longer, too. Or maybe I'm rationalizing their higher price! ;-)

01-22-2005, 06:45 PM	#4
TucsonPrius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 160 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Just bought new wiper inserts all around yesterday. I try to replace them once a year; don't want bad blades when the monsoons hit. Here's the info I have, in case it helps: Driver's Side Toyota Part #85214-46010 Approx 25.5 inches long. Wide blade. Cost: $10.72 Passenger's side Toyota Part #85214-44140 Approx 17.5 inches long. Narrow blade. Cost: $5.66 Rear window Toyota Part #85214-10100 Approx 15.5 inches long. Narrow Blade. Cost $3.33 I happen to agree with KTPhil, seems like the manufacturer's blades are better. Perfect fit. Lasts longer, quieter, and better wiping performance. So, I guess that justifies the $21 outlay. __________________ 2004 Salsa Red Pearl, Package #7 (AM) Lifetime MPG: 51.1 (15 Aug 2009) 97031 Miles

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01-22-2005, 07:42 PM	#5
DaveG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 807 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: C Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Speaking of which, does anyone know how to release the back wiper to pull it farther than 2" away from the window? I've pried at it a bit. I suppose it's time to order new wiper inserts, mine are a year old now as well. Dave

01-22-2005, 08:21 PM	#6
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,604 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	Remove the plastic cover at the base of the wiper. That'll allow you to fully lift up the rear wiper

01-23-2005, 12:13 PM	#7
TucsonPrius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 160 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	For the cover, it hepls to pull out the sides a bit and then lift straight up. Also, once you remove the cover to get the arm to tilt up, it is possible to disengage the arm. I think there's a small clipyou have to press, and then move it back a bit, and then forward and off. Sorry, it's not the best directions, but once you look at it and fiddle with it a bit you should see that it's a pretty easy. (And it makes it much easier to replace the insert). Thanks, Shawn

01-23-2005, 12:45 PM	#8
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,560 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 184 Times in 167 Posts Friends: 12	Re: New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size? Ditto, I have used the factory refills on every Toyota and Honda I've owned. They work well and are priced competitively. The only exception is that in winter I like to use "winter" wiper blades. The winter blade has a rubber cover over the arm to prevent freezing. You really appreciate them driving in city traffic in a blizzard. Since the winter wiper assembly uses soft rubber, once it warms up I switch back to the factory assemblies. That was a giant PITA on my 1990 4Runner: the blade is held to the arm by two philips screws.