What are your tips/experiences for prepping the car during winter?

Also clean the wiper blades themselves. I wipe them off with rubbing alcohol, some replacement blades even come with the little wipes, but the windshield fluid or water can also work.

I've found universal inserts that you cut to length needed. The ones I ordered for my rear wiper aren't a perfect fit, but I got them on.

They aren't. Lots of variables like; how they are used; use with ice/snow; how much sunlight; etc.

 

I replaced our front wipers, just the rubber inserts, with same, at 10 years and 85,500 km (~53k miles). They were still fine, just figured gotta do it sometime. I was having some trouble finding replacement rear wiper inserts, and considering how little it gets used, just let it be.

Full disclaimer, we're near-invariably garage-parked, and on the west coast, so maybe less dust in the air.

 

If you are the type to use the wipers and windshield washer fluid to de-ice the windshield, not long. Same if you left bugs gut dry out and use the wipers to clean them out. If you take care of the windshield and not park in direct sunlight, they'll last you many seasons.

 

I change my inserts either once or twice a year. Always in the spring, and sometimes in the fall. But I live in an environment that is really harsh on the blades. Lots of dust, UV, heat, and ice. And I keep the old set(if they're in acceptable condition) for a year in case the new set gets damaged quickly. Because Toyota uses inserts, it's a whopping $15 per change. I pick up a set or two whenever I have an online Toyota order that needs a little extra to hit the free shipping at $75.