Windshield wiper blades are one of those safety features you completely forget about until you need them!
(Speaking of, do you need a new set?)
WHAT WIPER BLADES DO I NEED?
But how do you know what size wiper blades will fit your vehicle?
The correct wiper blade(s) size depends on your vehicle’s year, make and model. You can find the sizing information in your owner’s manual or by asking us.
You can also input your vehicle information here and we’ll instantly match you with the right windshield wiper!
The type of wiper blades that you choose should also depend upon your region's weather and your vehicle’s needs. You should consider several factors, such as climate, construction and whether you need specialized performance.
Climate
If you live somewhere with lots of rain or cold, wintry weather, then the blades you choose should be able to cope and overcome these obstacles.
Winter windshield wipers utilize a protective shell or coating around the rubber blade to keep ice and snow from collecting between it and the windshield. Some even offer heating elements to melt ice and snow! Beam blades are great for cold climates because they don’t have a frame to trap snow.
In general, most windshield wipers will be able to give you adequate coverage and it’s really a matter of what degree beyond standard you prefer.
Wiper Blade Construction
There are three types of wiper blades: conventional, beam and hybrid.
Conventional wiper blades: Typically found on older vehicles, these consist of a flat squeegee head with a frame to clear water from the glass. They’re often the cheapest variety.
Beam wiper blades: These utilize a curved shape, contouring against your windshield to fit more tightly and provide a cleaner swipe. They tend to be more expensive as they last longer thanks to thicker blades.
Hybrid wiper blades: These combine a conventional metal frame with a beam blade, giving you the best of both worlds. They tend to fall in the middle as far as price range.
Cheaper blades will not last as long. For a quality set of windshield wipers, you can expect a full 12 months of use but only half that with cheaper options.
What about silicone wiper blades vs rubber windshield wipers? It’s a fight nearly as old as time, or at least as old as silicone’s entrance into auto accessories.
Which one works best? Like many contentious match-ups, the answer is: it depends. Silicone is better in cold weather (as it doesn’t seize or freeze up like rubber) and is made to last at least twice as long as conventional wipers. However, it’s much more expensive.
And there are two rubber variants, natural and synthetic. Natural rubber works better in the cold than synthetic rubber, but tends to not be as resistant to tearing and harsh conditions. Rubber of both types is cheaper and more readily available than silicone.
We carry Trico blades, which offer both construction types. However, at this time we only stock their rubber wiper blades.
Specialized performance
For drivers who always put their vehicle through its paces, consider a performance spoiler wiper blade. These are perfect for high-powered, sporty vehicles that ramp up the driving experiences (cornering, braking, acceleration, for example). Performance blades utilize an additional rubber piece that increases pressure between the windshield and the blade to reduce drag, both for the blade and for the vehicle.
HOW DO I MEASURE MY WIPER BLADES?
You’re probably wondering how to measure wiper blades.
Wiper blades are sized by length in millimeters and inches. Standard ranges for both passenger and light commercial blades are from about 9’’ (approximately 225mm) to 28’’ (approximately 700mm) long. They come in both front and rear varieties.
To check the size of your blades:
Lift the blades away from the windshield and straighten them (if they’re curved).
Measure from one end to the other, tip to tip (not just the rubber portion).
Round the measurement to the nearest inch.
Keep in mind that driver and passenger side windshield wipers may be different sizes. And don’t forget about rear wiper blades! If your vehicle has one, your rear wiper blade will likely be smaller than the front.
Ready to roll?
Here’s a bonus: we’ll install your new Trico windshield wipers free of charge!
If you like what you see, we encourage you to buy and make your appointment online. Customers who buy and book an appointment online wait less time in-store!
But if you’re still a little unsure what’s the right choice for you, no sweat. Just give us a call or drop by and we’ll get you taken care of!
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.