Wiper blade refills

That was always a choice too. It wasn't like the simple rubber replacement was forced upon everyone.

FWIW, I don't recall ever losing the full blade to heavy snow and ice. The rubber on a very few old wipers did peel away a few times, that was part of the winter learning process.

 

I have always purchased two front rubber refills for my Prii. I cut down the better old refill and use it on the rear wiper.

JeffD

 

Yeah, it didn't happen to my Prius either on Gen3 or three PPs. Even the one I kept the car for ~3 years. I never had to change the original OEM wiper blade.

The ones I had to replace prior to that were all aftermarket wipers with the universal attachment, the plastic piece that attaches to the end of the J hook. They are just not very durable. Many times, it broke off when the wiper was frozen and stuck to the windshield. And when I forcefully released it. But one time I lost a wiper (driver's side) while driving in very heavy snow. It just flew away into the deep snow. Luckily, I had a spare wiper in the car. Ever since the incident, I carry a spare wiper blade assembly in all of our cars. I bought spare wiper blades for my PP when I got my first PP in 2017 but never had to use it. I still have them in an original box.

 

Any idea what OEM makes the original wipers for the Toyota Prius Prime. The construction just seems so much better than the aftermarket stuff you find in stores. I've only seen Trico replacements which are junk. I purchased 2 different replacements and they both are terrible. Wouldn't mind getting the OEM version for other vehicles as replacement granted they make other attachment types.

Thanks Mendel for the reply earler!

BTW, found a video to replace the inserts if anyone needs to do theirs. So easy after watching the video. Same way for our cars.

 

Whenever you take the whole wiper assembly off the arm, be REAL careful with the arm: it’s spring-tensioned, could thwack down onto windshield. Maybe put a rolled up towel in the landing zone.

 

I lost a new windshield that way, trying to figure out why my wipers were colliding and binding together, immediately after a windshield replacement.

The glass guy had re-installed the wipers on the wrong side. At least his boss covered it as a mis-installation.

 

I just did this yesterday and now my windshield is cracked… ouch. The longer main arm does want to snap right back down much too easily… new glass is listed at a little over $1000 at the dealership, awaiting on a quote from them…

 

Guess you didn't see Mendel's caution

 

Haha, no I didn’t… and turned out to be the most expensive wiper replacement job, ever! It’s going to be $1800 for the replacement!

 

I just bought wiper inserts for my Prime at the Toyota dealer. $16.90 for one side for just the rubber! I think I paid about half the last time I bought some 3-5 years ago.

 

Tariffs a factor? I’m losing track with all the flip flopping, but even if not implemented as yet I wouldn’t doubt retailers use the threat as an excuse.

 

I used to suffer through changing to winter wipers every year, but no more since mine has a heated windshield.

 

I don't think so, maybe part of the increase unless they come from China.

 

In post #10 above, online prices were < $8.00 per blade. My dealer charged me $16.90 per blade.

 

Post #10 was five years ago. While my OEM blades lasted 18 months, I switched to a no-name silicon based universal blade only, I got off of Ebay. Got a 3-pair set at 28 inches for around $5. It's been about 3 years now, still on the first set.

YMMV

 

The link to a Toyota dealer in that posting still said those prices.

 

A phone call to my local dealer resulted in right around $10 and some change and that was just a couple of days ago.