Just a little gripe....

**PrairieRose** · 06-21-2008, 04:13 PM

about windshield wiper blades

Has anyone else noticed that nowadays they seem to get brittle really quickly after you replace 'em? I remember a time (omg I sound like my grandma) when they would last for literally ages. Now you buy 'em, put 'em on and in 6 months they're brittle and not working well again. Ggrrrhhhh.....

**nuisance26** · 06-21-2008, 04:17 PM

~Kinda makes me wonder if it has anything to do with not cleaning the windshield enough. Even when I was a kid the service stations cleaned your windshield when filling your gas tank. Not anymore....~

**Cricketlegs** · 06-21-2008, 04:29 PM

I wouldn't underestimate Grandma thinking--my experience is that they tend to be pretty smart! LOL!

I don't have a problem with mine really. Could in be the weather where you live.

Here it is hot and humid and we don't get many freezes. East Texas btw lol.

**PrairieRose** · 06-21-2008, 06:20 PM

Well yeah, we're really hot and dry but even in the winter when we have snow and it's never been a problem before....I'm blaming it on 'made in China' stuff....

**Libby** · 06-21-2008, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

Well yeah, we're really hot and dry but even in the winter when we have snow and it's never been a problem before....I'm blaming it on 'made in China' stuff....

Hahahaha...leave them poor lil child slave labourers out of this! (bad joke I know....but I couldn't resist)

I thought the same thing but then I saw mine were made in North America...who's cheaping out now? I think the ones I just put on were made in China and knock on wood, they've lasted longer then my North American made ones.

There is one trick that I have noticed though. The every day wipers are made more poorly then the specialty ones - you know the ones marketed as more superior for winter or winter non freeze grade etc. The wiper manufacturers have put more engergy into the 'winter' ones (or specialty ones) that their every day ones have gone to ca-ca.

Both my siblings drive with their severe winter wipers and have not had to change them for 2 yrs and counting. This winter will be their 3rd season. Maybe I'll switch to severe winter wipers too the next time I have to replace mine.

**Jskell911** · 06-21-2008, 09:19 PM

Also, what you can do to extend the life of your wipers is every few months go over the blade with a piece of fine grade sandpaper. This should help them last longer.

**YankeeMom** · 06-21-2008, 09:30 PM

Oh yes! This was a major gripe for me up to about 6 months ago. We were replacing the wipers on the van every other month or so. It was ridiculous! Then dh found these wipers at Auto Zone. They aren't as flimsy looking as all the others. There's no openings, it's like it has a rubber cover over the arm part (real technical description, I know lol). They have lasted through 6 months of northern NY winter and are still going strong.