Every car has a size of wiper blade that is recommended by the manufacturer for that particular make, model, and year. It’s crucial to get a new blade that is the right size for your specific vehicle. Finding the appropriate wiper size for your car can be done in a few different ways:
The two blades may be different sizes on some cars, so it’s important to install the right size on both the driver’s and passenger’s side.
In This Article...
Why Size Matters
If you install wiper blades on your car that are longer than what is advised, the wipers may collide and harm the wiper motor or the blades themselves. Additionally, a blade that is too large could not adequately fit the window’s design, leading to visibility loss and uncleared areas. Or the windshield trim may be struck by the blade.
Loss of visibility results from blades that are too narrow for the car to clear the entire windscreen. Always use wiper blades that are the proper size for your vehicle’s make, model, and year.
Can I use wiper blades of a different size?
Does Size Matter at All? Size does matter, but only to the extent that you are around an inch larger or smaller than the size of your current wiper blades. If you purchase wiper blades that are too large, they could overlap or touch and break.
Does AutoZone offer free wiper blade installation?
I used to get my tires from Discount Tire when I lived in Texas. When I occasionally had a nail or other object lodged in them, I would take my car to Discount, where they would fix it free of charge because I was a customer. Regardless of whether a customer is present, Pep Boys will provide the same service gratis. It’s helpful to know if a store is close by and your tire is losing air.
The rotation of tires is the same. Numerous tire-buying locations provide free tire rotations. At Pep Boys, you may also obtain this service for nothing.
The installation of windshield wipers is also common, according to Hamilton. What was the catch, I enquired. “Are you sure you have to purchase the wipers at Pep Boys?”
The majority of businesses, such as AutoZone, O’Reilly, and Advance Auto Parts, will also change your wiper blades free of charge if you purchase them from their location. In reality, if you buy wiper blades, there’s a good possibility the store will install them for you at no extra expense.
I love DIY projects, and I can swap out my own wiper blades. Free is still excellent, though.
Numerous locations will test your battery for free and then identify the issue if it looks to be losing power but you’re not sure if you need a new one or it’s something else. This service is provided by Pep Boys, AutoZone, Firestone, and Advance Auto Parts.
On the website for AutoZone, they also provide free battery charging:
“While you wait, your battery can be charged for free with our Duralast Fast Charger. In around 30 minutes, the quick charger fully charges a 12-volt battery.”
Oh, the car troubles. You can typically get your brakes tested for no cost if they are making the dreaded squeaking or grinding sounds. As stated by Pep Boys:
“You can decide whether they’re secure or require replacement with the aid of our free vehicle diagnostic test. Let’s take all four wheels off so we can measure the rotors and drums, check the fluid levels, and assess pad wear.”
Are pricy wipers worth the cost?
The second variety is a winter wiper, which includes a rubber boot cover around the framework to prevent snow and ice from building up and impeding the mechanism’s flexibility and capacity to adapt to the contours of the windshield. Some winter wipers assert that they use unique materials that keep the wiper blades flexible even in the coldest conditions, replacing the rubber wiper with one made of silicone.
Finally, there are windshield wipers in the beam form, which have a one-piece construction that enables the blades to more effectively cling to the curved contour of the car’s windscreen. Their aesthetic appeal, alleged longer life, and snow and ice resistance comparable to the winter wiper are additional benefits. They won’t rust on you over time, unlike a blade with a less expensive steel frame, because the metal frame has been removed. Beam wipers were once only seen on expensive high-end luxury automobiles, but they are now a standard feature on many new cars from almost all automakers.
Regardless of the kind of wiper you choose, they are all frequently interchangeable because they are all typically fastened to the wiper arms in a similar way. Sometimes they are bracketless, sometimes they snap onto a J-Hook, and other times you need to utilize the included adaptors. You may frequently swap out the steel-frame-style windshield wipers that came with your car for beam-style ones. Wherever you get yours, consult the handy books on replacement wipers to determine what fits.
There is a pricing difference between big, well-known brands (like Bosch and Rain-X) and smaller, generic store brands in addition to the three different types of wipers.
similar to the distinction between store-brand and store-brand cereal. More variations are also starting to develop, such as wipers with rain repellant like Rain-X, all-season wipers with some winter-style features, or unique “aerodynamic blades that are said to improve fuel economy. When fitted and maintained correctly, all of them will continue to clean the windshield of your automobile.
Your needs and desire to spend money will determine whether you should invest in winter or beam-style blades for your car. Winter blades would be a good purchase at the start of each winter if you reside in a snowy area. It depends on how much money you’re willing to spend on aesthetics for beam-style blades. Overall, the less expensive blades should clean your car’s windshield just as well when they are brand new. The same is true when comparing off-brand wiper blades to well-known brand names. The difference in noise, streaking, or cleaning power has less to do with the material of the blades and more to do with how well you maintain them. Our research indicates that frequent replacement, every six to twelve months, is more significant than the purchase price. Regular wipedowns with a moist cloth to remove dirt and grime will dramatically increase the lifespan and performance of your wiper blades.
How are the wiper blades removed from a Honda Accord?
Lift the driver’s side wiper arm from the windshield before lowering the passenger’s side. Disconnect the wiper arm from the blade assembly: Lock tab pressed and held in place. Once it is freed from the wiper arm, slide the blade assembly in the direction of the lock tab.
What is the top wiper blade manufacturer?
- Featured Product: Bosch ICON.
- ANCO 31-Series is the best value option.
- Michelin Stealth Ultra Wiper Blade is the best for winter.
- All-Season Premium Aero Wipers.
- AeroTwin by Bosch OE Specialty.
- 900 Ultimate Series Valeo.
- Silicone Wipers from PIAA.
- Wiper Blades with Water Repellency and 2-n-1 Rain-X Latitude.
How frequently should wiper blades be changed?
Wiper blades should be changed approximately every 12 months. Colder regions, however, can necessitate replacement sooner. Some of the warning indicators to watch out for that can mean it’s time to change your wiper blades are demonstrated in this video.
Can I substitute 22 wiper blades for 24?
My current wipers had failed while I was in the midst of a long journey and in the pouring rain. I quickly bought a new set of wipers, but the seller gave me the incorrect size.
It should be 24-inch and 16-inch for the Hyundai Verna Fluidic, but he put 22-inch and 17-inch (Minda). He also said that I had been using the incorrect size earlier.
I didn’t realize he had given me the wrong size until I got home and looked up the specifications online.
Just curious, what damage might these wipers cause to the windshield of the automobile (apart from the 22 “a 17-inch wiper would cover more ground than a 16-inch wiper, and a 24-inch blade would cover less ground)?
What BHPian self driven has to say about it is as follows:
Almost nothing. It won’t be a problem going from 24″ to 22″, as the latter is obviously shorter. If it had been the other way around, there might have been an issue. Again, the difference between 16″ and 17″ is too slight to cause any problems.
There is no need to replace wipers if they are operating smoothly without rubbing against one another.
What BHPian abhishek46 has to say about it is as follows:
Return to the original configuration if it is significantly less than it was originally and is obstructing your field of vision.
What BHPian Dr.AD had to say about it is as follows:
Using 22″ instead of 24″ won’t cause any harm. You will only experience reduced wiping area. But there is no cause for concern.
The only possibility for the second 17″ wiper in place of the 16″ wiper is that the increases 1 “The other wiper or the windshield’s margins may be hampered by length. If that is taking place, you will be able to tell by loud noises and a jerky movement of the wiper. You are alright and need not worry if this interference does not occur.
In conclusion, choosing the incorrect wiper size is not a good idea, but it won’t result in any immediate or significant harm that you should be concerned about.
Does the driver’s side receive the longer wiper blade?
The size of the wiper set and whether it is for the front or back of the automobile are noted in millimeters. For the best view for the person behind the wheel, the blades on the driver’s side extend farther than those on the passenger side. By selecting a blade that is too short, you risk leaving significant portions of your windshield untouched and decreasing your visibility. Too-long blades may collide with one another and harm the blade mechanism.
Do you need to purchase two wiper blades?
You could be baffled when the time comes to purchase new windshield wiper blades. Are they sold in pairs, how do you choose the right size, and should you even replace your wipers? In this brief tutorial to your car’s wiper blades, I’ll address all of these inquiries as well as others.
Nothing mandates that wipers be sold in pairs. They don’t wear out at the same rate as automobile tires; it’s acceptable. It will be simpler to replace them in pairs, so doing so is still a smart idea. The wipers come in different sizes, and their placement on the windshield may be indicated. When replacing your blades, be sure to use the proper diameters.
What should I expect to pay for wiper blades?
Replacement windshield wiper blades typically cost between $23 and $38. Between $8 and $12 is the expected cost of labor, while $15 to $26 is the estimated cost of parts. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
Can I change my own windshield wipers?
Road & Track chatted with Kevin Hines, a senior technician at McLaren Philadelphia, to find out the proper technique for quickly and safely changing wiper blades. Hines works on $20 million exotic cars as the sole factory-trained McLaren F1 technician in North America. He is the person who best understands how to replace wiper blades.
For detailed instructions on how to change the wiper blades on your automobile, we advise consulting the owner’s manual before continuing. The manufacturer’s recommendations can be different from the ones shown below.
Choosing the Right Blades
There are numerous wiper blade selections available, but the most important thing is to make sure you get the correct blades for your car’s make and model. Consider trustworthy companies while choosing the model that fits your windshield the best, and make an informed choice. If you want to eliminate guesswork, go OEM.