1engineer
Moderator
-20 degrees F. I use it year around and it works great.
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Winter Weather Wiper Tips + More
- Thread starter 1engineer
- Start date
-20 degrees F. I use it year around and it works great.
One thing to add... my local Toyota dealer had two separate part numbers for wiper blades. I was told they have moved to a one piece wiper blade for newer 5th gens but they still have the rebuildable blades as well.
Which is better, I got the inserts to rebuild mine last time... but if a one piece unit is better I might upgrade again to avoid the issues with the passenger side unit not making solid contact.
Which is better, I got the inserts to rebuild mine last time... but if a one piece unit is better I might upgrade again to avoid the issues with the passenger side unit not making solid contact.
RE: The right side icing up in the middle of the window. I recently stuck PIAA Si-tech blades on the 4Runner. I couldn't get the correct 20 inch blade from Amazon and since I'm incapable of looking elsewhere... I bought a 21 inch blade. The far right tip of the new blade was contacting the window trim when installed so I very gently and slightly bent the wiper arm into a little more arch. This pulled the blade back JUST enough to clear the trim and still fit the 21 inch blade perfectly.
Last time I was in the snow, this side seemed to clear better than it did with the stock blades. I didn't get the annoying 6 inch patch of ice on the window. The PIAA blades come with a Rain-X kind of window treatment and the blades are new of course which may have had more to do with the patch not forming. I wonder however if the slightly longer blade or the marginally higher arc on the bent wiper arm creating more pressure or slightly moving the center of the wiper blade point in relation to the window have anything to do with itI'm going to monitor this over the winter and see if it stays clear. I'll report back.
I also saved my OE '16 blade frames in case I see no other improvements with these $30 blades..
Last time I was in the snow, this side seemed to clear better than it did with the stock blades. I didn't get the annoying 6 inch patch of ice on the window. The PIAA blades come with a Rain-X kind of window treatment and the blades are new of course which may have had more to do with the patch not forming. I wonder however if the slightly longer blade or the marginally higher arc on the bent wiper arm creating more pressure or slightly moving the center of the wiper blade point in relation to the window have anything to do with itI'm going to monitor this over the winter and see if it stays clear. I'll report back.
I also saved my OE '16 blade frames in case I see no other improvements with these $30 blades..
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bofa
New member
Ive read quite a few stories where the orange stuff corroded the fluid level sensor. Im not sure if its model-specific or just a matter of time. There's even a class action suit about it (not that a lawsuit legitimizes the claim, just shows possible widespread issues). I usually stick to the blue stuff (also good to -20).
http://www.girardgibbs.com/rain-x-sensor-lights-investigation/
1engineer
Moderator
I have used the orange Rain-X for years in Honda, Toyota and Subaru vehicles with no ill effect. The biggest advantages are 1) reduced use of wiper at higher speeds (rainX is applied and causes water to bead away) and 2) ease of cleaning bug guts off of windshield in the summer. I am only one guy but there are millions of gallons of this fluid sold yearly and if it were a problem I'm sure there would have been more than just the hint of a class action lawsuit.
Edit: I just texted my friend who is the service manager at the local Toyota dealership and poised this question to him. He said they have had no issues in any Toyota vehicles with regards to wiper component failures due to fluid use type.
I go through around six gallons of windshield wiper fluid in a typical winter. We have a lot of snow.... salt.... thaw... warm up.... get cold.... snow.... salt...thaw... warm up cycles every winter. If you drive a lot you go through a lot of windshield washer fluid.
Case in point: We got about 8" of snow Friday and Saturday. Sunday it was 6 degrees F. It is forecast to be 60 degrees this Thursday with snow in the Forecast by Sunday. Today it is 39 degrees F. We truly have a wide variety of weather.
bofa
New member
Sounds similar to here. I just took the better safe than sorry approach after reading those stories and am glad i can find the blue stuff in -20.
Also for widnshield cleaning, i keep one of those washer/squeegee things they have at gas stations in my garage... presoak the glass with optimum no rinse for a few minutes then hit it again and clean then squeegee. Its awesome for keeping things clean year around.
Peyto
New member
Gotta disagree with you on this point. Tried Bosch and Michelin wipers in all seasons and always ended up going back to OEM. I always have a few replacement rubber inserts on hand to make the quick and easy swap out making it the cheapest option as well.
jrandom
New member
TOA (Toyota Owners Anonymous) I'm a dick, I buy the Genuine Toyota Wiper Fluid Concentrate and mix it myself.
I also change the OEM blades on my sightline wiper assemblies. Because it drives me nuts that people throw full assemblies away 1-3 times a year, such a needless waste. This is my 4 winter on the same assembly and my second pair of blades. Autoparts stores should recycle that kind of stuff.
Have had only one instance of the right center not wiping and it mas my fault for not breaking the ice off the wiper assembly after a freezing rain to snow storm.
Oh tip:
Clean bug guts and other sh!t off the blades before winter with alcohol wipes.
I also change the OEM blades on my sightline wiper assemblies. Because it drives me nuts that people throw full assemblies away 1-3 times a year, such a needless waste. This is my 4 winter on the same assembly and my second pair of blades. Autoparts stores should recycle that kind of stuff.
Have had only one instance of the right center not wiping and it mas my fault for not breaking the ice off the wiper assembly after a freezing rain to snow storm.
Oh tip:
Clean bug guts and other sh!t off the blades before winter with alcohol wipes.
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1engineer
Moderator
Because the OP subject was specifically about curing the right side windshield wiper of A 5TH GEN 4RUNNER of leaving unwiped streaks.
Now, do you have any other smart ass comments to make?
ToyoDriver
New member
What is a winter?
Antman
Elite Member
Blitzkrieg
New member
I just drink a quart of Vodka, piss in a gallon jug filled with tap water and fill 'er up.
Added bonus #1) If I get pulled over for a DUI I can blame the alcohol smell on the windshield fluid.
Added bonus #2) If I should ever have the desire to pick up a street walker I can coerce her with "Here, put your mouth by that nozzle on the hood and slurp."
Added bonus #3) This method is approved by 8 of 10 Russian Taxi Cab drivers.
What more you want?
Added bonus #1) If I get pulled over for a DUI I can blame the alcohol smell on the windshield fluid.
Added bonus #2) If I should ever have the desire to pick up a street walker I can coerce her with "Here, put your mouth by that nozzle on the hood and slurp."
Added bonus #3) This method is approved by 8 of 10 Russian Taxi Cab drivers.
What more you want?
Blitzkrieg
New member
Yep. The Engineer pretty much just gave our boy a polite STFU. :second:
nevada
Senior Member
this isn't a 5th gen ONLY problem. my first gen does it badly. same goes for any rig with a curved windshield.
you clearly have a bias, and will do whatever you want.
