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wiper blade refills

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Alphawolf, Sep 22, 2007.

  1. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    Actually you can refill PIAA wipers blades, as well as Trico. And their refills sometimes fit OE and competitor's wipers.

    I recently installed Icons on my Prius, but $43 for a pair of Bosch Icons, times five cars, is more than I want to spend, even if it's once every two years, and more than I want to throw into the landfill. I saved my OE wipers after I installed the Icons, and will refill them and put them back on after the rainy season is over, saving the Icons for the next rainy season. I'm hoping that this way I get the superior performance of the Icons when it counts, while not incurring the cost or waste of replacing them every couple years.
     
  2. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

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    I just called three local Toyota dealers and not one of them had both driver and passenger side refills let alone all three. Two of the dealers said they normally stock them but for them to order some I would need to prepay. When I questioned why the prepay since they had to restock anyways they both said "because that's the way THEY tell us we have to do it". I can't help but smile at the idiocy of that. I didn't even pursue it with the third dealer since I was obviously disturbing their parts guy with my call. Guess I'll eventually prepay and order them but it will wait until I get over being pissed off.
     
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  3. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    we hated the oem replacements we got last time. our last set of wiper blades was free (long story) so we got bosch icons and they're very nice. do not know what we'll get when we need to pay for them ourselves :p
     
  4. Priapus

    Priapus Alter Ego

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    By the way, I was online at Bosch and RainX sites.
    Does the Prius use hook or top-lock wipers?


    I'm asking for, you know, a friend of mine. He's had his Prius for a few years and even started a local group but doesn't even know how the Prius wipers attach. It's true, he's a dork.
     
  5. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Great minds think alike.

    Those of us who live in areas where it doesn't rain during the Summer months, it makes no sense to leave those expensive wipers on only to be baked by the Summer sun.
     
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  6. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

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    I ordered some OEM refills from Brandsport.com. The originals worked fine for 18 months so I'm hoping the replacements do the same. I'm in the Southeastern US so no snow or ice to speak of, no rain this year either. They held up well to sunlight. <G>
     
  7. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    For those who don't know, Priapus is my non-Moderator alter-ego. I was testing some stuff the other night and forgot who I was logged in as.

    Seriously though, does the Prius have hook or top-locking wiper blades?
     
  8. okiebutnotfrommuskogee

    okiebutnotfrommuskogee Senior Member

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    A nice dealer and free wiper blades.

    Our favorite Toyota dealer, Jim Norton Toyota, gives us free wiper refills. Drive in, have a free cup of coffee and a cookie. Wait for the little buzzer to go off, go to the cashier, sign the paper, (no charge), say thank you, get the keys, go out and find the car and leave.

    Couldn't be better than that.
     
  9. dhancock

    dhancock 2 Prius Family

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    I'd like to chime in with another vote for the Bosch Icon's. We live where winter weather is a concern and really need GOOD winter blades. Unfortunately, the typical Anco and Trico winter blades frequently freeze up just as much as conventional blades do. A couple of years ago I discovered the Icon's for our Sienna. They worked like a champ in all weather. I didn't wait for winter to replace the front wipers on our new (then) Prius with Icon's as well. I HIGHLY recommend them for all weather use in snowy areas! ;)

    Another tip: For years (probably 20) I have used Rain-X on the windshields of our cars. Hardly need to use wipers at all!! But when I do use them, no streaking, etc.
     
  10. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    hook, since i see this hasn't been answered yet... yeah i'm behind i know :lol:
     
  11. tedroberts

    tedroberts Junior Member

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    Rear wiper is useless

    I put a Bosch Icon on one of my front wipers when it started acting up. The Icon is great! I'll get one for the other side when needed. Using Rain-X means my wipers last a long time even in Minnesota.

    I found the best thing for the rear wiper was to remove it. I never used it and it blocks about 20% of the already limited rear view on the Prius.
     
  12. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    I just got a pair of Icons for mine. (Checker/CSK had a coupon for $15 off a pair.) Seems to work well.
     
  13. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi All,

    Ok, I went out and joined the ICONs club today. They sure look nice. Was also looking at the Trio Neoform, as they did not have the Trico Innovision wipers at the local car store. The Neoforms had a bigger gripper, and centered air spoiler, versus the rear edge spoiler on the ICON's. I wanted to get the Innovision wipers, as they looked to have the lowest profile. Which would be best for air flow and vision. The original wipers were always an anoyance for me as they stuck up so far. Also looked to see if i could get a teflon coated blade (refill blade only) for the rear of the Prius, but they did not have those seperatly. The rear wiper on the Prius needs less friction to work better.
     
  14. donee

    donee New Member

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    Main reason to do this now was all the snow and iceing we are having here in Chicagoland this late fall (winter does not start for another couple of weeks). We have already had sub 10 degree weather in the morning here already. Which is quite odd for Chicagoland. That stuff does not usually hit till end of January and beginning of February. Is this going to be a 20 below year ? Could be...
     
  15. Roger0152

    Roger0152 New Member

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    Rain X now has blades listed in their catalog for Prius. They fit fine and do an excellent job.

    Roger0152
    2004 - 49 mpg in town
     
  16. tostrand

    tostrand Junior Member

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    This month (Feb 2009) Pepboys is running a buy-one/get-one-free deal on RainX wipers. You can buy a driver & passenger pair and pay just for the driver, or buy two pairs and get the second pair for nothing.

    -tom
     
  17. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Hey do you know if I can use the PIAA Refill inserts in Anco wiper model blades?