Dirt, grit, ice, sun, contaminates all do a number on the blades. I figure a year is good, that's all I've ever gotten out of a set of blades before they start smearing and streaking. Any oil or coolant on the glass will kill them as well.
Another thing you can do is to clean them with some kind of solvent like carb cleaner or lacquer thinner. You may also be amazed at how much crap is smeared around on your windshield too.
Just a little care can extend the life of the blades a lot. One thing is to stop useing the filth at filling stations to clean your glass. Armor all sells windsheild cleaning wipes in a container. Easy to carry in the car or truck. Al
I tried to get Goodyear Assurance wiper blades that are made in the USA, but even my local Goodyear dealer doesn't carry them. Supposedly Wally World does, but I have not seen them there. Amazon does carry them, though. I agree that all of the offshore-made replacement blades are crap (at least all the ones that I have used).
Armor All used to make windshield wiper wipes. They came in little packets about the size of a moist towelette packet and you would wipe your wiper blades with them. Cleaned and protected them.
It's not just a Northern hemisphere issue, same issue down under. I get a year out from a pair on the DD, the ones on the 'lark are way older, but it's lucky to do 2000 miles a year. Wipers lasted longer in the 70s- or is that just rose coloured glasses?
A few years back I bought these Autozone Duralast wipers that had these snap in clips. The clips weren't on a hinge, separate pieces. Maby a week later we get a down pour and I turn the wipers on and clips go flying, as does one wiper and the drivers side wiper gets caught and twisted in the arm as it moving and I can't believe my windshield didn't break. Stupidist design ever.. I bought them also because they were cheap and I was also getting tired of needing wipers every 6 months. The guy at Autozone told me I put them in wrong and didn't want to refund me at first. The cops almost came to that store that day.
In CA blades last long time because the planes with the spreading haze lesson the suns affect. I used to get a sun burned tang top tan, not so much any more. Call your congressman if your state dosent get the hazemaker planes so your wipers will last longer.
Thanks for the tip. I just checked Rock for my daily drivers and you ain't kidden they are cheap. so cheap can buy by the dozen! Will get for all vehicles at once to minimize shipping.
