Wiper blades

I tried an aftermarket and you are correct about the curvature. The ends would not touch the windshield.

I have since bought the Toyota rubber inserts and transferred the metal inserts that create the curvature. I have averaged about 18 months between changes. I get all three inserts for about $20.

I am just not a fan of replacing the whole blade assembly when only the rubber insert is worn.

 

I am a big fan of Michelin Stealth Hybrid Technology Beam Blade. They hug the window tight, and last a little over a year for me.

 

I've used Anco Contour blades, and they have so far lasted about a year...

 

I use RainX and don't even need the wipers. Except for morning dew.

 

I'm on my second set of the Michelin Stealth Hybrids. They are curved like beam blades and have the aerodynamic covers. So far, so good.

 

I went with Valeo 600-26 Series Wiper Blade, 26", Valeo 600-19 Series Wiper Blade, 19" and Trico 16-A Exact Fit Rear Wiper Blade, 16" through amazon via consumer reports. I installed them two weeks ago and they are working great so far.

 

Went to Kragen auto (now O'Reilly) to look for some wipers for my parents' vans. I saw the Trico Exact Fit Hybrid blades that look just like the OEM Prius blade. I have no comment on the performance though. My original blades are still good but will need to be replaced by next year.
TRICO Exact Fit®: Original Factory Quality | TRICO® scroll down to the hybrid blade to see the picture.

 

Whatever you do, do not throw away the original blade assemblies. They cost $40+ each.


iPhone ?

 

We've had Bosch Icons on for the last year and they are still great.

 

Goodyear Assurance from Costco. They had a buy 1 get 1 free last month but didnt want to buy them just to have them sit at home, $7.99 each though. Our Infiniti has them and they conform to any shape and look identical to the blades that came on our Camry. They are frameless as well.

http://www.goodyearwiperblade.com/?mid=main

 

Just installed a set of those yesterday on a co-worker's car. Adapters and frame are super flimsy. Not a good quality blade.


iPhone ?

 

I bought the Bosh blades they fit the best .I tried other blade replacements of other brands and they stood away from the windshield to much (kinda in my site line)
The bosh are low profile and work really well

 

I've had the Bosch Icon beam blades for about the last eighteen months on the Prius and they have worked flawlessly. I have also used Bosch Marathon beam blades on another car and found them to be not as good as the Icon, lasting only about nine months. If you go with Bosch, get the Icon rather than Marathon. They look the same, except for the top profile of the beam, which may have something to do with why the Icon performs better than the Marathon. However, the Icon is more expensive, about $45.00 per pair, vs. about $30.00 per pair for the Marathon, before any discounts or sale prices. I don't know whether the Icon is being phased out. In my shopping area, it seems that the Icon is sold in the auto (Advance Auto) stores and no longer sold in the discount (Walmart) stores; whereas the Marathon is now sold in the discount stores in place of the Icon.

I have not replaced the rear window wiper blade because it never gets used.

 

I replaced my original blades with RainX wipers and they work almost as well as the originals. They look a little clunky in design but I was in a hurry and didn't have time to get to the dealer. I did keep the original blades so I can have the inserts replaced in the future.

 

I have the inserts from a set of bosch blades that they sell at toyota.

 

I have been very pleased with the toyota oem. Don't really see a reason to change.

 

I like the Rain X blades. Once the dealers crappy windshield washer fluid is gone I'm going to replace the blades and start using the Rain X windshield washer fluid. I live in Central West Florida and it is pretty much a necessity with our afternoon thunder boomers and torrential downpours.

 

Replace all 3 yesterday for the 2nd time in 75K miles. Used Toyota inserts both times.

 

Interesting. Tried to buy inserts at my dealership a few months ago and was told they don't make them and you now have to buy the entire blade. Not happy.