1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Silicone or Teflon inserts/refills for original Gen3 wipers?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NewHybridOwner, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Are there any silicone or Teflon-coated refills for the original Gen 3 wipers? I know there are aftermarket wipers with such technology, but the original Toyota/Denso front wipers seem to have a lower profile (and therefore lower wind resistance) than any of those. Or are there in fact aftermarket blades with as low a profile as the originals?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If you have the OEM blades, you would just buy the OEM refills. When they wear out, you buy new ones.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    o_O
     
  4. Siward

    Siward Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2014
    296
    124
    10
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    About 3 years ago, I bought wiper inserts from Aliexpress for $2-3 USD each with free shipping. Get the hybrid frame or 3-stage-frame ones to match your OEM Toyota wiper blade (unless yours is different than mine). There were notches at the end for a direct fit. The site has measurements. Just measure your OEM inserts to compare.

    The inserts were so cheap, I decided to take the risk and buy them even though they were Chinese quality. To my surprise, the inserts looked exactly the same as my OEM Toyota inserts and were a direct fit with notches at the ends. The Aliexpress inserts aren't exactly great quality and made squeaking/squeegee noises for about the first 3-6 months of usage. After continued use, the rubbing noise eventually went away. The wiping quality is okay. The OEM inserts are much smoother and quieter.

    The Aliexpress inserts were cheap, but they lasted a heck of a long time. Its been 3+ years and through winters and I am still using the original set I bought. It is actually 4 years, but the last year didn't count because I only drove once a week due to covid-19 (no wiper usage).

    I am not sure if I should recommend Chinese-made Aliexpress inserts or not. I can only tell you my experience. I didn't like the noises at the beginning, but it is working for me.
     
  5. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have bought a set of OEM refills on Amazon for approx. $10 each. They were not individually packaged with part numbers but look OK and came from a Toyota dealer in Ohio, so I assume that they came from "bulk packs."
    The rear one was not as easy to install as the front ones, but perhaps the rear wiper blade assembly was not the original.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I've made the mistake of buying aftermarket wipers for my cars, they are no where near the quality of the OEM wipers. I think you'll be happy even with the standard OEM wipers vs silicone aftermarket wipers, the quality is really good and they are fairly inexpensive.

    I've never replaced the rear wipers using the OEM inserts. I'm going to have to try this on my 2015 to see how difficult it is compared to the front wipers.
     
  7. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2021
    307
    201
    8
    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I tried replacing my wife's entire wipers in her 2017 Prius but the ones that said they fit fell off during rain storms. Thankfully, I had kept the old ones in the garage and, now, just buy replacement blades at the dealer. (Part numbers 85214-47110 and 85214-78010)

    I polish my cars with Nu Finish car polish and also the windows...seems to really help the blades glide smoothly.