The Nissan Path

No matter whether I spend $5 or $40 on wipers, they only last about 3 uses until they start missing and streaking. I've tried Rain-X brand, Bosch and TRICO. Anyone have any luck with other brands?

I've only used OEM replacement rubber inserts
they last about 3-4 years

I use Rain-X on the front and replace them about once a year. On the back window, I use Trico Exact-fit.

Bosch Icon is by far best choice on the PF in my book. I tried about everything and nothing worked and lasted like the Icons. I also use Rainx religiously.

I used Neoforms one time and they squeaked like crazy!

Lately I have been using the Valvoline brand wiper blades ( Gold series and Aqua series), because they are so cheap at local Sears auto centers. They changed brands so they are clearanced out pretty cheap. Like around 80-90% off. Aquas are similar to those. Single contoured wipers and the Gold is just a standard style blade.
Before I used Valvolines I used Michline blades a lot.

DanJetta wrote:Anyone have any luck with other brands?

None whatsoever. I don't know offhand how many I've tried, but the number is fairly large. I know I tried the Bosch brand before, but don't know if it was the Icon or not, per Skinny's suggestion. I think I'll order those up and give them a shot.

Way back when, I remember not ever having to replace wipers. They'd have blades with 1/2-1/4 of rubber remaining, yet they would still work just fine. Now I seem to replace mine about every 8 months or so, and I rarely use/need them.

costco sells Goodyear wipers up here, about $18 for a set, if on sale, $14.

They seem to work OK.

has anyone at all tried the OEM replacement rubber insert strips (not even the whole arm assy, but just the wiper rubbers)?
hard to understand why they (at least for me) last so much longer than you folks are describing for the aftermarket ones

eieio wrote:has anyone at all tried the OEM replacement rubber insert strips (not even the whole arm assy, but just the wiper rubbers)?
hard to understand why they (at least for me) last so much longer than you folks are describing for the aftermarket ones

I had a newer honda that I always went that route on. They worked pretty good, but I never got more than a year out of them. After a while the arm assembly started to wear as well.

The wipers I buy from Costco last about that long.

Probably cheaper to go your route as long as the arms stay in good shape.

disallow wrote:

eieio wrote:has anyone at all tried the OEM replacement rubber insert strips (not even the whole arm assy, but just the wiper rubbers)?
hard to understand why they (at least for me) last so much longer than you folks are describing for the aftermarket ones

I had a newer honda that I always went that route on. They worked pretty good, but I never got more than a year out of them. After a while the arm assembly started to wear as well.

The wipers I buy from Costco last about that long.

Probably cheaper to go your route as long as the arms stay in good shape.

I originally bought the OEM replacement because I knew what I was getting, and I don't like to experiment, then be disappointed
I've never replaced the arms, except the rear, which I seem to remember was the only way to get the wiper (but it was very inexpensive, even as an assembly)

Thanks guys. I just gave the Rain-X Latitude another shot. $40 later, there's a 4" unwiped streak right across the middle. Nice. I'm just going to hire an illegal immigrant to sit on my hood with a gas station squeegee.

OEM front rubber replacement inserts are approx. $6 ea
OEM front replacement blade assy's (if preferred) are $8-$10 ea
OEM rear arm assy is approx. $11
$23 total is all that needs to be spent
they work great

eieio wrote:OEM front rubber replacement inserts are approx. $6 ea
OEM front replacement blade assy's (if preferred) are $8-$10 ea
OEM rear arm assy is approx. $11
$23 total is all that needs to be spent
they work great

Yeah, sounds like I'm going to the parts department this weekend.

I only use the winter wipers. They're harder to find (any brand will do) they seem to work better and longer imo