Winter Blades: Still popular?

tom p.

tom p.

Active member
Well, winter is just around the corner and we have our first "event" scheduled for this coming Sunday. I need to get some fresh wiper blades on the car. I don't think I've ever tried "winter" blades. Are they worthwhile? What's the direct benefit?



Somebody told me Michelin has a new product that's considered "all season". I may look at those, too.



Thanks for any suggestions.
 
The winter blades I've seen have a plastic "sock" over the wiper frame to help push snow off the glass. I avoid those because I don't believe the wiper mechanism was designed for the extra strain. Years ago I have a wiper problem when a cheap plastic component in the linkage snapped, but to replace it you had to buy a whole new linkage, so I'm wary of that sort of thing.
 
Bosch Icons, there is no exposed metal to freeze and prevent loss of contact.



There are other wipers like the Icons but they are a bit more $$$.
 
velobard said:
The winter blades I've seen have a plastic "sock" over the wiper frame to help push snow off the glass.
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Yeah, that's what I'm talking about...that rubber "boot" over the assembly. I thought it was there so less snow built up in the "parking area" when the car was off (this is a real problem on my GM car - that recessed area builds up tremendous snow and ice over a couple of days and I have to make it a point to remove it). I hadn't thought about the ability for it to push heavier snow loads...makes sense. Thx.
 
My dad uses them and swears by them, I usually buy the middle of the line bosch blades and just run them year around.
 
tom p. said:
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about...that rubber "boot" over the assembly. I thought it was there so less snow built up in the "parking area" when the car was off (this is a real problem on my GM car - that recessed area builds up tremendous snow and ice over a couple of days and I have to make it a point to remove it). I hadn't thought about the ability for it to push heavier snow loads...makes sense. Thx.
Click to expand...

If that's your concern, just go for one of the newer frameless blades. I have Valeo on my car and Bosch Icons on my wife's.
 
Never used 303 wiper treatment, never heard of it actually... What exactly does it do?? I'll have to check into it
 
I run Bosch Icons year round. Work very well in all weather, though on my GTI they have a little too much downforce at >80mph.
 
You\'ll be out-of-pocket about $12 - $15 and it\'s the only way to go when the snow starts flyin\'. The thin rubber boot the encases everything between the wiperarm on the car and the wiperblade on the windshield and this will prevent snow & ice from building up which will eventually make the wiperblade lose contact with the glass.



Ever see someone at a traffic light reaching out the window & trying to catch the blade to snap it against the glass, hoping to remove snow & ice buildup on the non-winter blade?



It\'s just one less thing to worry about when the weather gets krappy.
 
I have the frameless blades on my Alfa and they are very effective in the rain. The wiper motor and mechanism is only really designed to move lubricated blades. Light snow would be easy but anything else would probably put an undue stress on the system. However, I do not live in a country with weather extremes so maybe the engineering is different
 
NYV6Coupe said:
You\'ll be out-of-pocket about $12 - $15 and it\'s the only way to go when the snow starts flyin\'. The thin rubber boot the encases everything between the wiperarm on the car and the wiperblade on the windshield and this will prevent snow & ice from building up which will eventually make the wiperblade lose contact with the glass.
Click to expand...





yeah, that's the correct answer - - thanks. It is to protect the framework of the wiper blade so it doesn't get locked up with ice and snow...the rubber blade should always be "floating" within the little keepers.



OK, I ended up buying the new Michelin product called Optimum. It looks like the other "aero" blades that have become popular and are fitted to newer cars. I checked AZ and WallsMart and nothing to be seen. They may (initially) be a Target-only item. And they are expensive, but not the priceiest blade I've purchased. They are $16/ea., at least in my size. There's a $10 rebate going on thru year-end. Fancy packaging.



I honestly don't know if Joe Average is gonna be able to deal with a $16 blade when there's a $3 blade sitting right next to it. The product is made by Pylon, and Pylon produces the ultra-cheapie blades found at WM.



I'll report back when I have had a chance to see some rain which will be this weekend. I go thru blades frequently and changeout every 6 months or so. Fresh rubber = quiet rubber!
 
I have some Bosch blades that are amazing but they are very pricey. They are about $35 each. My brother got them at the PX on base so I only paid $40 for both.
 
I have a set of reflex wipers, entirely made of rubber/plastic.. so very flexible and ice does not stick to them.
 
i had the bosch icons and didnt have much joy with them. they last a long time but only because they dont seem to shift stuff welll. using pia silicon now. doesnt last as long but seems better
 
My Cayenne has framless blades at $69 a pair. Could not find any cheaper ones to fit.



Nice to own fancy cars. Thanks to my spouse.
 
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