Replace Wiper Blades

Be honest, when was the last time you inspected your wiper blades? Are they more than a year old? Do they streak, smear or chatter? Your vehicle's windshield wipers are designed to provide you with a clear, streak-free view of the road in rainy and wet conditions. A clean windshield could mean the difference between you being able to see any given object clearly or trying to focus on a blurred image.

A small but significant percentage of all vehicle accidents result from impaired vision caused by a dirty or damp windshield. In addition, many of the vehicles on the road today have windshield wipers that are beyond their functional lifespan. Fifteen percent of the vehicles inspected during National Car Care Month failed because of worn windshield wiper blades.

Colder weather is rapidly approaching with plenty of rain, sleet, snow and fog. Ice and snow can pack into metal blade frames and cause the blades to malfunction. During these weather conditions, good wiper blades are a necessity. Vehicle owners and drivers should keep in mind that it would be best to inspect windshield wiper blades at least every six months. Windshield wiper blades may not be used frequently but they do get damaged by several factors such as dirt and dust, UV radiation, friction and acid rain.

A good visual inspection of the wiper blade could prevent trouble later on. Look for cracked, nicked or torn rubber, or a discoloration in the blade surface. Next, run your finger along the blade surface and check for hard or brittle rubber or ragged edges. Finally, inspect the plastic or metal wiper body, looking for a bent or damaged frame that could affect wiper performance. If any of these conditions exist, or if the wiper blade has been on the vehicle for more than a year, replace the wiper refill (including Super Graphite Wiper Blades and Silicone Wiper Blades) or better yet the entire blade assembly.

So now that you know you need to replace wiper blades, which wiper should you choose? Why not choose the wiper that gives you the best bang for your buck. When looking for replacement wiper blades, Valeo Ultimate Wiper Blades give you the latest wiper technology at a great price.

 

What makes the Valeo aftermarket wipers so good?

• An attractive, ultra-flat profile.
• Even blade-to-windshield pressure distribution.
• Superior aerodynamics attributed to the integrated spoiler.
• Enhanced aero-acoustics reduce wind noise up to 3dB.
• No metal superstructure to collect snow & ice.  
• Advanced Rubber Technology provides smoother and quieter wiping performance

 

PIAA is committed to manufacturing world-class automotive products that drivers can use for endurance racing, rally, off-road or for the street.

Replacement lighting options from PIAA will help ensure you are getting the latest technology to make night and inclement weather driving as safe as possible. PIAA bulbs are SAE and DOT approved, which allows you to upgrade your vehicle’s bulbs and be street legal in all 50 states and Canada. 

And with April’s showers in the forecast, be sure to take a look at PIAA’s wiper blades for improved visibility and safety.

Shop by vehicle to see which lighting options work best for your vehicle.

During the winter months as skies get darker sooner and precipitation of some sort starts falling, saftey is key. It's good you have thought ahead and bought new tires, or have the correct tire for the season and sufficient tire tread depth. However, many people will overlook another important part of the vehicle that needs attention.

Your windshield and wipers can make winter driving a pleasure or a miserable experience. Even if you are in a snowy climate and have the best Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package, it won't do you any good if you can't see the curb or other cars coming. Old wipers and improperly cleaned windshields lead to blurry and dangerous views. Not only will replacing your wipers help, but cleaning and polishing your windshield will help them run at peak efficiency.

Griot's Garage offers several products that can help with this task.

After normally washing the windshield, use the secret of professional detailers — clay. Apply Paint Cleaning Clay to your windshield like you would your paint. The theory is the same. It get contaminants off the windshield that blur and make the blades skip.

Griot's Garage Glass Polish can then be applied by hand or by machine. Griot's Garage reccomends their Random Orbital Polisher with their special Glass Polishing Pads for the best experience. All this should make the precipitation bead up which improves visibility and makes the wipers more efficient. That makes for a more pleasant and safe winter driving experience.

It's an easy task, we promise.

Tire Rack stocks PIAA replacement blades in both silicone and graphite materials. They come in 12- and 24-inch sizes with pin and hook attachments. You'll want to match the length of the refill to the blade currently installed on your vehicle. PIAA wiper blades may also fit some Original Equipment, even other manufacturer's wiper blade assemblies. You'll just need to make sure there's a square-type claw and top, like the one in the image below.


Search for wiper products by vehicle.

When your headlights stop shining, you'll need replacement lighting that meets—and exceeds—your expectations so that you can continue to drive safely through the dark or in inclement weather. At Tire Rack, we like the PIAA line and offer a number of different replacement lighting products to meet your individual vehicle's needs. Search by vehicle to see a detailed list of options. (And while you're at it, you'll want to check out PIAA wiper blades. It never hurts to have a set of replacement wiper blades on hand.)

At Tire Rack, we offer two aftermarket wiper brands: 

Visionary design. Inspired engineering. Quality components. PIAA's aftermarket wipers help give you a clear view in challenging weather. Plus, they virtually resist the aging process in all climates.


Perfect visibility meets silence and elegance. Regardless of your driving conditions,the aerodynamic design of a Valeo wiper keeps your windshield clean...without all that excess wiper noise.


If you aren't sure what brand is right for you, we recommend you search by vehicle. Or, just give us a call at 800-461-5527. We'd be happy to help you upgrade or replace wiper blades.

I have been using the PIAA Xtreme White Plus Headlight Bulbs and also Super Silicone Wiper Blades on my vehicle for some time now. I found it difficult to see at night, especially in rainy conditions. The PIAA Xtreme White Plus head light bulbs offered me clearer visibility over my OE headlights and the PIAA Super Silicone Aftermarket Wiper Blades kept my windshield much cleaner than my OE wiper blades. 

I have most of the family using the the PIAA wiper blades. Today as I was installing the latest set of PIAA Super Silicone Replacement Blades on my grandparents' car, we were discussing how visibility has improved for them using these two PIAA products. The PIAA headlight bulbs will not be any brighter or show light further down the road. They will, however, allow you to recognize road hazards easier as they project a clearer light down the road. The PIAA lighting and replacement wiper blades are available for most vehicles.