Aviator 902S

For those who have never used these expensive and highly-advertised winter wiper blades, save your money. I just replaced mine with a pair of el-cheapo winter blades and they work just fine--- unlike the Reflex blades at twice the price.

According to the ads, the Reflex blades, due to their flexible and low-profile design, are supposed to a) keep ice from forming on the blades by causing it to flake off rather than accumulate and b) keep the blades pressed firmly against the windshield at highway speeds so that they don't skip or chatter.

In fact, the opposite is true. These blades chatter at virtually all speeds due to the flexible nature of the blade itself not holding the blade down firmly enough to overcome the friction between the blade and the windshield. The less raked your windshield is, the more this problem is exacerbated.

The windshield on my '85 GSL (a new windshield, btw) is less raked than that of most newer cars so this problem is likely more pronounced on my car than it would be on say, a 2nd gen or a Chrysler Intrepid. But even owners of cars with these windshields or similar are reporting the same problems.

As for the ability of the Reflex blades to keep ice from accumulating on them, I've noticed no difference in the accumulation on them than on the cheaper conventional winter blades--- and the conventional blades don't skip and chatter.

Since I no longer had the receipt (and had used the blades for over two months) I couldn't get a refund, but I did have the satisfaction of steering a couple of ladies at the store away from them. They had come to Canadian Tire specifically to spring for a set of Reflex blades, but after hearing my story (one of them even came outside for a demonstration--- she was not impressed) they opted for the el-cheapos.

HEVNSNT

iTrader: (3)

My sister had them on her 3. In our experience there was a slight difference (better) but not worth the money. After having it for a few months the rubber has started to separate from the blade.

Are the rubber's replaceable? I've yet to check but they damn better be.

doridori-rx7

iTrader: (3)

they work great at 160 in my WRX wagon... I had thought the sideloading on theblades would have bowed them but I was surprized by how good they are.. better then the 'winter' blades Can tire normally sells

WankelingBeer

hmm, ya ive heard a few people not liking them, but ive put them on two of my cars now and they've worked great on old tired wiper arms.

Dom

The skipping may be caused by the blade not sitting perpendicular to the windshield. You'll notice this if the one blade always skips/rattles going up or going down but not in both directions.

To fix this you have to lift the wiper arm off the windshield and twist it (the arm, not the blade) gently in the direction you want, test and repeat until the chattering stops.

I've had 2 brand new cars that done this straight out of the factory.

I also was looking at those last month, but I chickened out because of my experience with the tripple edge blade. Once bitten, twice shy I guess

Aviator 902S

Mine were doing this in both directions with both blades, and there was an audible snap as they changed directions. Strangely enough, they worked fine for the first 1/2-hour of use. Then the problems began. The reflex blades are the only ones that did this.

silverrotor

iTrader: (1)

They are like $20 a piece, or Is It a pair?

Do It right the first time and get the PIAA ones. They are the last pair you will ever need on your car - but are not cheap.

Aviator 902S

The reflex blades sell for around $20 apiece ($40/pair). The cheaper ones sell for between $7 and $10 each.

I've never heard of the PIAA ones. What's so good about them, where are they sold and for how much?

coldfire

iTrader: (1)

best wipers i've seen were on a BMW 5-series...the wipers looked liked a double blade design of some type...
next best are some of the OEM winter wipers you can get at dealerships...the normal CT winter blades are ok i guess, seem to work fine...i haven't tried these reflex blades...i don't drive much in winter, just going off observation from other people's cars.

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

the PIAA blades are wonderful, but I can't find them anywhere.
I bet they're no more expensive than those reflex blades!

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

TireRack sells the PIAA blades - graphites for US$14, silicones for $22 - plus shipping and currency conversion. Interestingly, they also sell "Valeo" blade wipers that look just like the CT Reflex ones - US$29, but includes a windshield treatment that sounds like RainEx or RainGuard - I'd bet the CT wipers are sourced from the same company. The fact they include the glass treatment probably suggests they need it to work effectively.

mr.zoom

iTrader: (1)

I bought the ones that wal mart sells. For $14 a pc. I'm happy with it.

no_name

I bout cheapo winter blades at crappy tire, and they work great untill u hit about 140, then they skitter around a bit, to solve this you can back teh car down to 138kmh, or increas to about 150kmh.

I would never by the reflex blades, to expenisve.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

I usually get the Motomaster "Teflon" ones. $12, but on all the cars I've had they do a good job. From my dodge shadow, to my Dad's Sunfire, to my Rx7... though I think they quoted me the wrong length for the Rx7, they look shorter than they should be.

Jon

Feds

The teflon ones work a little better because they don't get carbon build up like the reflex blades do.

I recommend using your wipers on the high setting at least once every trip. But only after your wiper fluid is properly warmed up.

In all seriousness, take a scott shop towel on a roll (or in a box, either is acceptable) spray it with Windex(r), and wipe the blade down when ever you put on a new wiper AND once or twice a month thereafter. It'll help, trust me.

1badFB

iTrader: (1)

Wow. This all reminds me of the time I decided to take the 7 out for a little enthoused drive, I guess it was windy and I must have been going prety quick because all of a sudden I hear all this racket coming from behind, like something bashing on the hatch. Deciding to be safe I slow down before I turn around only to see the wiper standing up on one edge sticking right up. I couldnt believe it, anyways I decided to take the rear wiper off due to the scare that gave me haha. Anyone else ever had the wiper go crazy?

coldfire

iTrader: (1)

ditto. i have pretty crappy wipers, but i keep the windshield clean and wipe down the blades as mentioned above...either that or put on that rain-x stuff or whatever and don't use your wipers at all.

really rain is not that big of an issue, hence why i don't spend much on wipers. winter is a different story though since ice and road crud can **** up your wiping ability.

Mr. Eccentric

As far as Cdn Tire product showcase... I don't think I'm in any danger of buying into their ongoing saga of snake oil sales via my television. I'm surely safe as long as they've got that fancy boy with the beard and his Northern Reflectionsesque sweaters trying to plead for my business. I ain't buying nothing that pincher endorses.

Someone mentioned Rain-x. I can't comment on success with winter wipers and the likes, but in the warmer months I was absolutely amazed at how well Rain-x works. As soon as you break 110 km/h you can simply shut your wipers completely off. It's dirt cheap, and both easy and infrequent in application.

silverrotor

iTrader: (1)

Aviator 902S: I bought mine at Straight Line Racing up here In Scarborough. I do know that Performance Improvements sells them aswell (not sure If there Is one up In your area though).

Whanrow

Bought one of those Reflex blades when they first came out last year. Put it on my DD and found it skipped much less at highway speed, but snow and ice stuck right to it. Also if the plastic edge pushed against some ice for a while, it warped then the blade and it wouldn't even touch the glass in places.

BTW, where are you guys getting these for under $20???? Those and the teflon ones cost $26.99 each for 20" blades.

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

As far as RainEx goes, I've found waxing the windshield when I wax the car works great too, at least in the summer, very similar to what you describe - probably wouldn't last long in winter tho', road slop is too gritty.

Mr. Eccentric

Yes I would figure wax would have a similar effect. I have however heard that wax will create favourable conditions for your glass to fog up easier. Not sure if that's true, but I've heard it a few times now.

Aviator 902S

Yup. Rain-X (introduced in the mid-'80s as a product called "Rain-away") works very well for keeping rain from adhering to the windshield. With no surface tension due to the slippery nature of this stuff the water droplets immediately disperse--- and the faster you're moving the more effective it is. In fact, if you use your wipers the blades tend to wipe off the Rain-X, reducing the effectiveness of the product.

But this stuff does absolutely nothing to disperse the solids found in road slop--- salt, sand, rubber, etc. These solids adhere to the windshield, Rain-X or not. So you still end up having to use your wipers and washer fluid.

Where Rain-X might be effective (other than on rainy days) is for the purpose already mentioned in one of the previous responses--- to provide some relief from the friction that makes Reflex blades (and worn conventional blades) skip.

HEVNSNT

iTrader: (3)

YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE RUBBERS ON THE REFLEX BLADES!

I had to spend another $20 to replace one of my blades after the rubber separated in only 3 months.

Cheers!

Damn, I thought those things were good, I was going to give them a shot too. I haven't been able to have wipers last more than a year on the subaru. It must have some weird rake/angle and the sun kills the rubber bit of the wiper. I just buy the michelin ones from Costco. I think it's like 11 bucks per wiper there?