Car wiper replacement

Jun 08, 2022 Last reply: 4 years ago 26 Replies

Both front and rear wiper blades of my 2019 Hyundai Tuscon need replacing (rubber's ripped).



Quote from garage last week when the car was there for an MOT was ridiculous (car passed regardless), so decided to replace them myself, but have never done so myself so clueless.



Looked online - here for example:

formatting link
Any reason to choose one over another? Brands to watch for/avoid? More expensive = better? Not all seem to be of the same design/shape. Would they all fit/work?



Many thanks in advance.


Yep, some do a better job than others.

Quite often but not always, as with anything.

Correct.

Yep.

Some work better than others and last longer than others too.

flat blades are crap ....

I use Bosch at present, but hey. Maybe this will help:

formatting link

I tend to buy the Bosch ones but I’m not convinced there is much between the named brands. I’ve used Halfords own brand and not noticed any real difference.

You say you’ve not fitted them before.

In the box you should find several ‘fitting kits’ - different cars have different ends on the arms/ ways to fit the arm to the wiper.

There are instructions in / on the box. Halfords will fit for a few pounds. I’ve never used this service but heard it is ok.

The plastic can be brittle so don’t force it, especially on the new ones. They should clip on easily.

In my experience - the opposite.

Thank you! Much appreciated.

Not sure how, but after all my years on this planet and the many cars I have owned during those years, I have yet to purchase or replace a set of wipers...

There is only two types on the page the OP linked. I'm referring to the type.

formatting link
as the OP only asked about the blades on that page I'm assuming that Jim was commenting on the same.

These are the type fitted by the manufacturer to my current car and the type I used as a replacement on my previous car. In my experience they worked a lot better than the other type of blade shown in the OPs link.

Often what kills blades is trying to use them when frost or ice has stuck them to the screen :(

I have the same car, and replaced all 3 of my wiper blades with Bosch blades obtained from Euro Car Parts - at a total cost of far less than the Hyundai dealer wanted for just the rear one!

They've been fine. It did take me a few minutes to work out how to remove the rear blade - but that was a Hyundai issue not Bosch. Once I'd sussed it, it was fine.

There are plenty of YouTube videos such as

formatting link
showing you how to change the blades.

Yeah, some years ago the garage called me and told me I just needed a wiper for the MOT so I told them to put one on. I recall it cost me somewhere around 50 quid!!! I wish i'd asked (or they'd advised up front).

I've bought them on ebay since, last set came from this seller, they've been on just over 12 months and still fine.

formatting link

I find their ‘life’ varies. Obviously use/ time is a factor but, even allowing for that, some cars seem more prone to needing replacements than others. We had an Espace which seemed to go through them at an incredible rate. Nothing to do with the make of wiper - at least not after the originals. Conversely, my CRV, the originals were only changed just before I sold it after 12 years and, as I recall, 70k miles. Even then, it was the rear one that failed and I changed all three as my son in law was buying the car. Our first Motorhome, the a wiper failed after a couple of years and a few thousand miles. I’ve just checked the current MH, so far they are OK but while the chassis is the same the screen and wiper set up is different as it is an A class with 3 wipers rather than the normal Ducato set up.

You can often save money by using wiper refills. That consists of just the rubber - as the rest of the blade is usually OK. If half decent at DIY.

Then you've likely put up with them performing well below standard.

Sort of (and there is plenty of snow and frost where I live)...

On the 2 occasions that I needed them replacing I made the garage do it for me when they carried out an MOT/service.

Exactly my case!

Most useful, thanks!

must just be me then .....

How to do it yourself, it really is trivial.

As with everything you get what you pay for, however paying a lot is no guarantee of quality. Two seconds of Googling gives this list. I have no idea of the quality of ANY of these items (or indeed the website).

formatting link

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required