I went with Goodyear Assurance Wiper Blades because they were very cheap on sale at Costco and have worked much better then the factory blades. I think they were $5 or so. I might have tried something else, but for $5 I really couldn't go wrong for a premium blade.
I just put a set of Michelin Stealth Hybrids on, wow.. night and day from the OEM ones. The big 28" driver side one works a LOT better. Seems to hold tighter and doesn't leave any smear or cloudy patches like the old ones did. I had trouble with the OEM ones from the first time I tired to use them.
All good advice thanks.
I think I'm going with the ones at Costco, at least initially and see what type of service they give.
The RainX wipers are supposed to be excellent, might try them next time.
Now that I am close to 12,000 miles.. the wiper blades are starting to be weak. They leave a streak and are noisy when the wiper blade reaches the top of the windshield..
for those of you that went with Rain X, which model did you go with?
They have the Latitude, Fusion, Expert fit, weatherbeater
Is it really necessary to have so many models lool
My OEM blades worked better at 12 months then when new, I replaced them at about 20 months because they were starting to leave lines like they did when they were new. The Goodyears have been better then the OEM ones were at any point.
I've always purchased OEM inserts in my other cars, so I get what you are saying, but my OEM blades really sucked when they were new. They were so bad that I almost replaced them in the first couple months. The only reason I didn't was it rains so seldom here and it was months before rain would be expected. After this experience with the OEM blades and the reports I read on this forum from others with the same issue, the last thing I wanted was OEM blades.
I usually like the OEM metal wipers, but this car came with plastic wipers anyway, another reason I didn't go for the OEM.
Ive been buying the hell out of the Rain-x wipers (a couple different types) and they all worked extremely well for awhile on several different cars. Armada, 350z, passat, ram 1500, and soon to be Altima. I dont ever recall hearing that annoying bad wiper and it bouncing across the windshield smearing...even when they got old. They smeared maybe, but didn't do that annoying bounce...which probably hurts the wiper motor. (no evidence, but I wouldn't think it's good for it)
I put new blades on each year (I drive about 16M/yr). I replaced the stock OEM blades with the RainX brand. I don't recall which model but they have only one contact point at the arm, are extremely curved out of the box and of a single weight. They weren't cheap. I got them at Walmart and still paid about $17 to $23 a blade. But good wipers are required for our variable Chicago weather (rain, ice, hail, snow)..... I've learned: "you get what you pay for".
I just put the Rain X Latitude on my car about a week ago. One thing I've noticed, that bugs the crap outta me... The factory blades are offset in their body about 1/2"-3/4" from center-line on the J hook. After full pass of the blade, you'll notice it stops this same amount short of where the OE wipers did on the far left side of your windshield. It's not the end of the world, and it's not enough to impair your vision, but it's definitely noticeable.
I liked the OE blades, in style and function. I plan to order refills from Nissan when my incompetent dealer can find the part #.
Another thing about the flexible blades... I wash my car at least once, and sometimes 3 times a week. When you raise and lower your driver's side wiper
arm, the blade will drag at the edge of the hood. Just a small thing to take note to, if you're a geek like me.
LoL...OE blades are expensive, but hey if you like them...then get em! I do the same with some OE stuff...I just like it more and feel it best to just sometimes have OE. I've bought from a few of the nissan sites, 3 or 4 of them...and they all deliver pretty quick. Here is a link and you can probably use it as reference for your part #. Enjoy!
Been through a few sets of Valeos, Bosch Icons and now running Michelin Stealth.
Overall the Valeo was my all time favorite, but I bought them way back when Tire Rack was doing the buy 1 get one deal, years ago.
For me the Bosch Icons were pure shit, streaking after a month.
I've had the Michelins for over a year now and so far they're performing very well. I bought them because I needed a set and did not want to wait this time for interwebzz shopping.
Keep in mind this is all Florida-based. The car has never been in snow, and has been garaged parked at home for the last 18 months - work is outside parking (previous home did not have a garage). Maybe the reason the Bosch's sucked was sun-rot? who knows.
Of course you'll find really good and really bad reviews for just about anything so your call.
The latitudes failed me horribly man. Although they are flexible and mold to the windshield, it seemed like they missed a spot, consistently, right in my field of vision. almost like there was a low spot in the windshield. I put the Michelin stealth on after, and have been satisfied. Plus, the wiper blade is in a solid shroud, which in my opinion, looks better. Figured I'd throw it out there...
While I like the "concept" of the single pressure point blade I'm not convinced they maintain enough pressure on the window during their (very short) lifespan.
Let's face it wipers just don't last..... If the Michelins turn out to be a dissapointment too, I might just buy the "no-name" cheapy ones and change them 3 times a year.... might cost the same in the long run and get better results overall.