Our '03 Odyssey, goes though a set of wiper blades about every 3 months, they just start to not clear the glass, leave streaks, etc. Anybody else have a similar problem?

I was wondering if it was because of the low angle of approach and the fact they are not shielded by anything, they get pummeled by sand/road grit kicked up by the car ahead of you.

Geoff

Geoff, are you using the Honda wiper blades or after-market?

Any rock chips or abrasions on your windshield that might be damaging the edge of the insert?

Tree sap?


If you are using Honda blades, the stiffeners that you transfer over to the new inserts have a 'bow' in them (usually more pronounced on the passenger side). On the passenger side blade, the stiffeners should be positioned so that the apex of the bow is away from the windshield, and the driver's side should have the apex toward the windshield. This is designed to keep the insert in the best contact with the curvature of the windshield.

3 months is about all you're going to get out of wiper blades. like you said, consider all the crap that gets thrown up on the windshield. even though the glass looks clean, if you looked at it under a microscope, you'd see all the stuff embedded in the little "craters" on the glass. you can extend the life a little bit by taking alcohol wipes and cleaning the blade by pinching it between your fingers and pulling along the edge of the blade. you'd be suprised how much dirt comes off. Rain X blades seem to last a bit longer than all the others i've tried.