wiper blades - no longer sold alone?

[Stephen Tashiro]

Have wiper blades become a dealer-only item? What I call a wiper blade is just the rubber part of the wiper, not the assembly that holds it and not the whole wiper arm. Local auto parts stores no longer sell wiper blades. They sell the wiper blade together packaged together with the other equipment. When I look online, what sellers call a "wiper refill" is more that just the rubber blade of the wiper.

I wouldn't mind buying the other equipment with the blade if it worked, but I've never found an aftermarket wiper arms that actually worked on Toyotas. Right now, I want to replace blades on a 2012 Sienna.

[Mike Henderson]

I don't remember where I bought them, but I bought replacement wiper blades for my car not long ago. If I remember correctly, there were many places that sold them - this is through the Internet.

I went for a premium blade because I found the OEM blades didn't last.

Mike

[Frederick Skelly]

They sure dont sell just the refills at my local parts house. I had to buy the assembly that clips to the arm (which also holds the blade). For two "blades" it was over $40. I was shocked.

[roger wiegand]

I haven't see refillable arms or refills for them for twenty years, at least. The world has gone over to replacing the whole assembly. I don't miss the regular problem of losing the little clip on the end and having the rubber squeegee work its way out while driving down the road

[Jason Roehl]

I haven't see refillable arms or refills for them for twenty years, at least. The world has gone over to replacing the whole assembly. I don't miss the regular problem of losing the little clip on the end and having the rubber squeegee work its way out while driving down the road

Same here. The refills were a pain, and it always seemed I would have to fiddle with the arm because I'd bend something trying to get the refill to slide in, then have a funny spot in the wipe pattern. New blade assemblies are great, and I think the materials have gotten better.

The biggest thing I've found that destroys wiper blades is the whitish, translucent frost that can look like condensation. It's abrasive, and wears the blades out prematurely. Now I always check before I get in the vehicle, and I fully scrape the windshield if it's frost. I also make sure I turn off the wipers when I park so that if I start the vehicle before scraping, it doesn't grind them on the frost.

[Frederick Skelly]

The biggest thing I've found that destroys wiper blades is the whitish, translucent frost that can look like condensation. It's abrasive, and wears the blades out prematurely. Now I always check before I get in the vehicle, and I fully scrape the windshield if it's frost. I also make sure I turn off the wipers when I park so that if I start the vehicle before scraping, it doesn't grind them on the frost.

Thats a real good point. May be why my last set didnt last longer. Thanks for the tip.

[Jim Becker]

It's been years since I've seen "refills". I just replace the assembly with the correct sized unit in each position and generally use Bosch Icon or PIAA brand purchased via Amazon.

[michael langman]

I stopped buying winter blades about 15 years ago, and I live in Vermont. They were always splitting off at the end of the blade.
Summer wiper blades without the protection from ice last much longer and work better.
I have not found just the rubber refill at any of the parts stores for quite awhile.

[Curt Harms]

I don't recall ever having seen just the blade, always the assembly. SWMBO bought RainX branded 'premium' wipers. We'll see how they last.

[Lee DeRaud]

SWMBO bought RainX branded 'premium' wipers. We'll see how they last.

I've been using those for the last decade or so. Wiper blades here harden from the dry season sun and get streaky long before they actually wear out, but I usually get three years from a set.

[Jerome Stanek]

The last time I replace with refills was in 2001 on my F350 That was the only thing that they had as I was in a real small town and had to hit 2 different stores to get them

[George Bokros]

They sure dont sell just the refills at my local parts house. I had to buy the assembly that clips to the arm (which also holds the blade). For two "blades" it was over $40. I was shocked.

The last ones I bought for truck set me back $60.00. Yes they were premium blades but they last far longer than the bargain priced blades.

[Tom M King]

When was the last time you replaced wiper blades?

[Frederick Skelly]

When was the last time you replaced wiper blades?

About 2 years ago, I think. They were good quality blades that I bought at the oil change place (bosch blades?). I know the oil change shop prices are inflated, so I was expecting to pay less at the parts store. Ha! Silly me.

[lowell holmes]

Why don't you contact a Toyota dealer. I bet they can help.

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